Chapter 10 Leaving The Pack
1663 Words
Raymond – POV
I’m shocked. War General? I ask my wolf, Alex, if he’s ever heard of one.
"Of course, human. What do you think I am—stupid?"
I mutter under my breath, "Then why didn’t you tell me about it?"
"You never asked. And who do you think handles the fighting and strategy? It’s not like you do it all alone," he grunts.
As I walk toward the Alpha quarters to pack my bags, my father mind-links me.
"You think you got out of your f*****g lesson today, kid? When you get back, it’s going to be a rude awakening."
I block the link immediately. Typical. I throw my clothes into two bags, my mind drifting to my sisters and my mom—especially with all these rogue attacks happening. The King said Royal Enforcers would be stationed here, so that gives me some relief. Plus, as sorry as my father is, he’d never let anything happen to them. Well, not to his daughters.
I zip my bags shut and jump into the shower. When I get out, I take a second to check myself in the mirror. The bruises are gone.
"Nice work, Alex."
"We’ve got to look good at the University. Can’t show up looking weak," he replies smugly.
I throw on a t-shirt, jeans, and my Nikes. After placing my bags by the door, I head into the dining area. The Royal Brigade is still eating. My mother is all over King Magnus like a damn groupie. My sister Rachel is busy flirting with Kieran, Jason, Reid, Colin, and three guards like she’s at a royal buffet. Raquel, my younger sister, just sits quietly—smiling, eating, trying to play the role she’s been forced into. She’s only 17, and Rachel and my mom put way too much pressure on her to “act the part.”
My father is sitting next to the Kings, his face trying hard to look proud—but I see the simmering rage. He’s pissed that I’m leaving. Pissed that he can’t control me. Pissed that his punching bag is walking out the door.
He clears his throat, and for the first time in front of others, says, “So, son—”
That word only leaves his mouth when there’s an audience.
“—when are you coming back? I had some forms for you to sign before you leave, but if you’re coming home for break, I guess we can wait.”
Before I can reply, Beta Reid chimes in and winks at me. Which is weird. “He’ll be gone a full year—with a month break in between. Then back for another year. He’s one of the Specials.”
My father’s jaw twitches. He starts mind-linking, and fifteen minutes later, Beta Tom walks in with a folder. My father’s voice goes fake-sweet. “Hey, son. Just sign these real quick, okay?”
I smirk. “No thanks, Father. I like to review contracts thoroughly. I don’t have time right now.”
Keiran mumbles with his head down on the table, “The voice of a true War General.”
King Jason chuckles. “So true.”
Then he turns to me. “We’ll be dropping you off at the Alpha facility. Your King made the arrangements. Housing, enrollment—everything’s done. You’re part of the new elite recruits.”
Magnus, who hasn’t stopped glaring at my mother’s thirsty behavior, finally speaks. “Yes, young king, you were wasting your talents here. I wonder why...” He glances at my father with venom in his eyes.
Jason stands. “Well, Alpha Philip, we have to go. My mate’s due any day now. And both my beta and gamma are new fathers again.”
Keiran mutters with his forehead still on the table, “You guys repopulated the whole damn pack yourselves.” Laughter follows. Magnus doesn’t even crack a smile—he’s laser-focused on my mom now.
As we start heading out, Beta Reid walks up beside me. “You’re in my truck, okay?” He mind-links me—something I didn’t even know he could do with people outside of their territory. “I know about your father. He won’t touch you again.”
That hits different.
I nod, pick up my bags, and follow him out. Raquel rushes out and hugs me tightly. “Please come back, bro. I love you.”
I squeeze her back. “I love you too. I’ll be back.”
She’s lost—but maybe I can help her find her way, once I find mine.
My mom and Rachel don’t even look up. Still giggling, still flirting. I shake my head. Not even a goodbye.
My father scowls. “Bye,” he mutters dryly.
No take care. No good luck. No I love you. Just bitterness.
I love my family—but too bad they don’t love me back. Except Raquel. She’s the only one left who still sees me.
I swear—I will save my pack, even if it’s the last thing I do.
As the SUV pulls off, I don’t bother looking back. What the hell would I be looking at? A mom who’s too busy giggling with guards young enough to be her sons? A sister who thinks every man with a title is a fated mate? And a father—no, Philip—who can barely mask the hatred he carries for his own son?
Fuck that.
I sit back, jaw tight, staring out the window while the others talk and laugh like this is some road trip to a music festival. My mind’s still spinning from Reid’s message: “I know about your father. He won’t touch you again.” That hit me harder than I expected. I didn’t even think anyone noticed. I wore those bruises under my clothes, tucked my silence behind gritted teeth and fake nods. But someone did. Reid saw me.
Alex?
"Yeah, I heard it. I like that Reid guy. He smells like honor."
That even a thing?
"For wolves it is. Shut up, human."
I chuckle under my breath—not really amused, just exhausted. I lean my head back against the seat and close my eyes. A year away. A full year to build, to learn, to grow… maybe—to finally be free. I feel Alex stirring in the back of my mind, pacing, sniffing, ears perked. He’s excited. I guess he senses it too—change.
After about thirty minutes, Reid leans over from the passenger seat and glances back at me.
“You’ll like the Alpha facility,” he says. “It’s tough. No room for weakness. But that’s where the strong rise. Where generals are born.”
I nod slightly, still silent. That word again: War General. It’s in my blood. I can feel it pushing against my skin like something trying to break free. Bigger than some political marriage to a silicone blow-up from Sun Moon Pack. Bigger than my father’s leash.
I turn my gaze to Reid. “How did you know?”
He doesn’t pretend to misunderstand. “About your father?” he asks, eyes steady.
I nod.
Reid pauses a moment before replying. “I’m not just a Beta, Raymond. I’m… different. I was born a hybrid—stronger senses, deeper gifts. Magical ones. I can’t always control what I hear, but when I stood near him… I caught a glimpse. His thoughts. And they were dangerous.”
He says it like a warning. Not about me. About Philip.
“I’ve seen what men like him become when no one stops them.”
I stare at him for a long second, surprised by the heat building behind my eyes. I look away. “Thanks.”
Reid just nods once. “Like I said… he won’t touch you again.”
We sit in silence after that, but it’s not uncomfortable.
As we enter the outskirts of the Alpha training region, my phone vibrates. It’s Raquel.
Raquel: “I slipped a charm into your bag. It’ll help block Dad’s link if he tries to reach you. I hope you find peace. I hope I do too.”
My throat tightens. Damn, I wasn’t ready for that. She’s still so young, so controlled. But there’s a spark in her—like me. She just needs the right fire to fan it.
I type back:
Me: “Thank you. You’re stronger than you think. I’ll come back for you.”
As we approach the gates, I spot something strange—another sprawling campus just beyond the Alpha facility.
Reid notices my curiosity. “That’s Wolfen University,” he explains. “They share a lot of facilities with Alpha U. Some classes we don’t offer, they do. And vice versa. Sometimes the brightest minds—shifters, witches, hybrids—all end up crossing over. It’s all connected.”
Huh. Interesting.
We roll through massive steel gates and I finally get my first full look at Alpha University. It’s not just a campus. It’s a goddamn fortress. Towering walls, blackstone buildings that shimmer in the sun, and a huge bronze wolf statue guarding the center courtyard like it’s ready to maul the moon itself.
Alex growls in my mind.
"This is where we belong. I feel it."
And I do too.
Reid hops out first and slaps the hood of the truck like it’s tradition. “Welcome to Alpha University, War General,” he says with a smirk.
As I step out, the wind catches my hair. The air is heavy with power—wolf, witch, hybrid, and something else I can’t quite name. I grab my bags and take it all in. No more beatings. No more fake smiles at royal tables. No more pretending to be less just to keep a tyrant father from snapping.
No.
This is the start of my legacy.
Let’s see what the hell a War General really is.
- Writer
