My Protector

Glitter, spies, and wolf tracks

Alastair

It was rouge wolfs, bitter with my father for banishing them. Or it was a neighboring pack, jealous of my parents power. Obsessed with my mother's abilities. Some say it could even have been their closest friends, who sold them out. My Tabatha's mother, and father. Other stories described viscous vampires, looking for a cure to their curse.

What ever the story, when it came to my parent's pack's demise, there was always one thing in common. The Green lake. both plagued and blessed by a powerful, and unexplained magic.

I was so very curious as to how a body of water was capable of holding such amazing powers. Even more curious, as to how a powerful pack was so easly taken in the dead of night.

The more I read, the more I realized, my parentswere scorn by betrayal. That said, there is absolutely no way my cousin's parents had anything to do with it. It was even less likely that Tabitha's parents could have anything to do with it. The pain they must have experienced when they found my parent's in peices, their child lost forever... It's enough to drive a man mad.

I can sense dishonesty. I can litterally smell a lie. There was nothing about my aunt and uncle, or Tabby's parents that pointed to guilt, or disruption. Only to pain, and loss.

However, the delta of this pack. I could tell there was something sketchy about her. Her friends teased her for being loud, and opinionated. Yet in the presences of Tabitha and myself, she seemed quite, withdrawn. Almost guilty.

Amanda's mother was a member from the Black crescent pack. She only moved after mating with my uncle's beta. Yet Amanda had zero beta bones in her body. At least not in my company.

My mind was still swarming with questions as I caught my bacon mid air, and headed to the patrol group.

I took my spot in the front of the line. Patiently awaiting the others. That's when I when I noticed, Amanda, who was unusually timid around me, walked into the clearing in human form. Immediately I mind linked her.

*we are running with our wolf's today, Amanda.*

she bowed her head, and replied aloud.

"I will not be joining you today, Beta Alastair. My family is moving back to Black mountain, to rejoin Black crescent."

I felt a rumble release from my chest. This seemed to deeply bother Hugo.

*Than why come at all? * I snapped through my mind link.

"Beta... I... I wasn't supposed to tell you, sr." Amanda sighed.

"Respectfully. I had to warn you. With your return has brought conflict amongst my family. My brothe, Eric, was meant to be Beta. Personally this dose not bother me. I know that alpha Beccut was heartbroken when my brother found his mate.... I can't tell you anything more."

*but there is more, is there not?*

"yes. You and your mate are in terrible danger. " Amanda's voice grew quite. "I have to go, Beta Alastair."

How much risk was she taking by just being here? The other members of my patrol seemed to stiffen in response to Amanda's warning.

*Than you are now in danger for telling me. Why go? why not stay within our pack boundaries. we can keep you-*

my link was cut off by a chorus of howling coming from the bridge that led out of our boundaries.

"Beta, Alastair, I have to leave. I have to go now, they will kill me if they knew." Amanda looked from left to right, and bolted from the forest. Before she ran from sight she turned around, I thought I saw her mouth the words; "Your pup is in danger."

confusion contorted my mind. My pup is in danger? what was that supposed to mean. Tabitha and I had no children.

*wait for my communication, beta. I will be in touch. Please don't follow me.* Amanda mind linked me as she turned away. Suddenly all trace of Amanda Howell and her family disappeared from my senses.

I mind linked Beccut who was busy picking colors for Tabitha, and my wedding ceremony.

*Beccut. do you know what just happened with the Howells?*

*oh haaaaaay, Cuz. Yeah... Very disappointing, Amanda and Eric were very close friends of our family.* I could feel Beccut's concern.

*Amanda came to me. she claims we are in danger.*

Beccut became serious.

*I need to speak with you. Right now. I thought it could wait until the wedding, but I was wrong. please leave the rest of training and patrol to Micheal.*

my heart sank. I knew that the tone Beccut took was born in fear. I nodded to Delta Micheal, who bowed his head in agreement. Then I took off back to the pack house.

What ever was going on. What ever was about to happen. I could tell that it was all connected to the Green Lake Pack, and our early demise.

I was only missing the why, and the how. I now I might have a pretty good picture on who.

Beccut was waiting in the gazebo on the far side of the back garden. Glitter in his hair, wearing a multi colored, geometric suit. No more than a foot from the forest. He threw a pair of shorts towards me and turned away.

"I really hope you understand. This is the only option for or pack right now. Not just for me. " Beccut sighed desperately. I slid on my shorts, and climbed barefoot up the side of the gazebo. Sitting on the ledge beside my colorfully dressed cousin.

"Where's my Tabitha?" I asked curiously.

"Your, Tabitha, is my best friend. she's already aware of the situation." He replied. "Please understand... I'm not asking. " Beccut looked down. my confusion grew.

"Asking? wait what are you talking about, Bec?"

"I am talking about the future of this pack." He replied.

"I thought this was about-"

"This has everything to do with the Howell's." Beccut snapped. "I can't do this, Al. I am not built for this. I couldn't be a Luna let alone an Alpha!" Beccut grew emotional and began to tear up.

"Your a great Alpha, Bec." I tried to reassure.

"No."

"Yes you are, you can't doubt yourself like this."

"No, Alastair. No. they won't listen to me. I can't"

"What? Yes you can."

"No, Alastair! No I can't."

I hopped up from my perch beside Beccut, so that I could face him.

Beccut's eyes now filled with tears. Streets of black where his eyeliner ran, began to stain his cheeks.

"Beccut... Just because you're gay,"

"It is NOT, about my orientation, Alastair... I'm talking about my rank. My ability to lead."

"what are you going on about?" I snapped and turned away. Beccut grabbed my shoulder, and turned me to face him again.

"Even now, they listen to you. Our troops, even our omegas. They all turn to you, before they come to me. They can sense it Alastair. They can feel your authority." Beccut insisted. "I never wanted this, Al. I never wanted it. My father knew, but I have no siblings. We had no other choice... But now." Beccut looked away, and stepped down from the gazebo, to look at the pack house.

"Alastair. Now that we know. Now that you've shifted... I need you take the pack, Alaister. They all know it. I've known since I heard that Hugo the dog became Hugo the Wolf."

"You want me to take your place as Alpha?" I exclaimed shocked.

"Yes." Beccut admitted. "I want this more than anything. Tabitha... Tabby was always going to be my Luna. The only thing that changed, is you. Now, you can free me of these..." Beccut paused to search for the right words. "These chains of leadership." Beccut turned back to face me while shaking his hands.

"I'm not asking Cousin. Especially now. I can't lead an army into war. I could never march our people into war, that is clearly blooming."

"Becs... I don't know what to say." I grasped at my own words.

"Nothing. you say nothing." Beccut replied. "This was always your pack... Even before when everyone saw you as a pet. we could... Feel the Alpha energy."

"Okay...." I paused. "How do we switch our ranks?"

"Alastair, I can't be your beta. You need to choose another.... Micheal would make a fine Beta." Beccut explained.

"But, why?" I pleaded.

"I am a wolf... but I belong to the world of humans. I want to see big places. I want to be a city wolf. I can't be tied here anymore, cousin.... I will stay, until I know you and Tabby are safe. Then... I'm leaving this dull little town." Beccut stepped down from the gazebo, overlooking our village. As if stepping down from his position.

"We will have a transfer of power tomorrow night. under the full moon." Beccut sighed. "Tabitha needs to see you..."

With that, Beccut shifted into a dainty black wolf, and ran off past the pack house.His suit fell undamaged to the ground, do to his framed small wolf. He left a trail of glitter in his wake.

iI was left alone to prosses his words.