Cowgirls and Alphas

Chapter 3

*Warning! References made in this passage*

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Malcolm POV

In the last couple of weeks, I’ve noticed an increase in rogue activity near our southern border. Their numbers are growing, and they’re beginning to cause trouble. I’ve been planning to step in and clear them out of the area. And in light of the news I received today, I don’t think we’ll be able to let them walk away. I mind-link my beta, my son, and his beta to meet with me to discuss the information I’ve come across. All three immediately come into my office and stand in front of my desk.

“What’s going on, Alpha?” My beta, Damien, asks first. I motion for them to take a seat and then start to explain once they are all settled.

“I just got off the phone with Jason Wright. He’s a cattle rancher we helped a few years back, and he needs our help again. He found thirteen of his cows killed on the mountain this weekend. Not killed for food, killed for sport. He believes wolves are responsible. He has also talked to a few neighboring ranchers, and they have had the same kind of attacks on their herds.”

“Could it be that rouge pack that has been around the southern border?” My son, Drake, inquires.

“I believe that it is,” I growl lowly. “Drake, I want you, your beta, and your gamma to scout out the area to find this pack and eradicate them.”

Drake nods, then asks, “When do we leave?”

“As soon as you get packed. I’ll send you boys the information you’ll need to contact Jason and where to meet with him. He’ll take care of you from there. Report back your findings as often as you can. Understood?”

“Yes, Alpha,” they all respond.

I dismiss the boys but keep my beta with me. “I need you to inform Gamma Michael about what’s happening. Have him increase security around the southern border as a precaution.” Damien nods then looks at me with concern in his eyes.

“Alpha, I didn’t want to question you in front of them, but why are you sending all three of the boys? They are next in line to run the pack. What if something happens to them?”

I take a moment before answering him as I don’t like being questioned. However, I can see why he is worried. Those boys are the future of this pack, and losing even one of them would be devastating.

“We can’t risk letting the rogues go only to threaten other areas. I trust our boys to take care of it. Also, it will build a reputation. One that will benefit them when their time comes to completely take over the Aspen Mountain Pack. A reputation that says they are men who are not to be trifled with.” I tell him with a final tone in my voice, so there’s no room for any other questions.

Damien relaxes saying, “I understand. I meant no disrespect but thank you for explaining it to me. I’ll go find Michael if there’s nothing else you need.”

“No worries, Damien, I know you didn’t. That’s all for now.” After he leaves, I send a quiet plea to the Moon Goddess, Selene, to take care of our boys. I trust that she will as she always has. Still, I pray anyway.

~~~

Drake POV

Leaving my dad’s office, I can’t help but feel eager for this job. My wolf, Ivar, is hopping around in my mind like a little pup which is bizarre behavior for him.

‘Ivar, what is wrong with you? Are you sick?’

‘Can’t I be excited to rip some rogues apart?’

‘Well yeah. But, we have fought and killed rouges many times in the past and you have never reacted like an i***t about it.’

‘Shut up, jerk. Something about this job is different. Something exciting is going to happen. I can feel it.’

‘Okay... I think we should stay home. There is something wrong with you. The Ivar I know doesn’t talk like that.’

He freezes and growls at me, ‘You do, and I’ll tear you up from the inside out and go anyway! I’m not missing this.’

‘There’s the Ivar I know!’

‘Stupid human.’ He grumbles before blocking our link and retreating to the back of my mind. I laugh and roll my eyes at him. What could be so different about taking out a handful of murdering rouges as we’ve always done?

I turn to my beta, Jackson, who looks like he’s in the middle of a mind-link. I stop walking and wait for him to finish talking. He’s most likely talking to his mate, Jenna. They found each other a year ago when we were visiting her pack for a warrior training camp that we helped teach.

Jackson looks at me and asks, “What’s up?”

“Don’t worry about it, man. I was going to send you to get Eric, but you need to go be with Jenna. I’m sure she’s nervous about you leaving and needs you more than I do.”

He gives me an appreciative smile, “Thanks, brother. She’s freaking out right now. I know most of it is the pregnancy hormones, but she still doesn’t like the fact that I’m leaving.” They announced their pregnancy last week. The poor gal already has weird cravings and roller coaster emotions. “Will you let me know when it’s time to go?” He asks.

“Of course. I’ll see you later,” I say giving him a reassuring pat on his back.

I find my gamma, Eric, inside the training building, that is next to the pack house. He’s talking with his father, Gamma Michael, and Beta Damien. They notice me approaching and bow their heads in respect.

“Drake, Beta Damien has informed us on what’s going on. Eric was just about to head your way,” Gamma Michael says.

“Great! Let’s go get what we will need for the job packed and go.” I say to Eric. We walk outside towards the metal building that we use to store equipment for jobs like these.

We don’t need anything besides ourselves. Our wolves can track down the predators causing trouble on their own. Humans would be quite bewildered if we showed up with nothing but ourselves. Then magically take care of their predator problems? Yeah, I cant see that going over well. So we pack things like: trail cameras, radios, tranquilizers, and our tack (saddles, bridles, etc.). As well as, our bags of personal items. Eric and I load everything into the bed of my truck and then hook up one of the horse trailers.

Eric mind-links Jackson to let him know we’re coming to pick him up from the pack house. I mind-link a couple of omegas to bring in the three of our horses from the pasture. Most horses are frightened by wolves, but we train ours from a young age to not be afraid. Building a bond between our horses and wolves by letting them interact as much as possible takes time. It’s well worth the effort, though. Second to one’s wolf, these horses become the most loyal and trustworthy animals anyone could ask for.

We pull up to the pasture gate and see three omegas standing with our Shires. Shire horses, and other breeds of draft horses, make up a good percentage of the personal horses that pack members own. The foremost reason being they are sturdy enough to carry our behemoth bodies around. I step out of the truck and make a loud bird call using my hands. A pitch-black giant rushes over, stopping in front of me. “Good boy Thor!” I whisper while running my hands through his mane. I look at my watch. 2:00pm. We should get there between 5-5:30 pm. “Let’s load up,” I say louder for Eric and Jackson to hear.

••••

Two and a half hours later, we’ve only got another 30 minutes until we arrive at the Wright Ranch. Eric is in the back, snoring like a bear, Jackson is in the passenger seat playing a game on his phone, and Ivar is driving me insane while I’m driving. The closer we get, the crazier he becomes. I let out a low growl rubbing a hand over my face.

“You okay, Drake?” Jackson asks.

“No. Ivar is giving me a freaking headache. I don’t know what has gotten into him. He’s been whining and hasn’t sat still the whole drive,” I grumble in response.

“Do you want me to drive? Give you a chance to rest before we get there?”

“I’ll be fine. Thanks, Jacks.”

‘Ivar! Knock it off!’

‘I can’t! Something big is going to happen, but I don’t know what it is. The wait is killing me.’

‘Well, your anxiety is killing me! If you keep this up I’m going to be useless talking to Jason and look weak in front of everyone! Is that what you want?!’

‘Of course not!’

‘Then calm the hell down! I’ll let you out tonight after we get settled in. But until then, for the love of our goddess, STOP IT!’ He lets out an exasperated huff. Then finally lays down and tries his best to be quiet. ‘Thank you.’ I tell him gruffly.

Dear Moon Goddess, what could be happening that is getting him so worked up like this? The only thing I can think of is he feels a mate pull. That’s impossible, though. That ship sailed years ago along with my heart. Getting blessed with a second chance mate is almost unheard of, so that makes me doubt the idea. Even if I did receive one, I’d reject her on the spot because I won’t be vulnerable and weak just because of some girl. Never again.