The Guardian

The Alpha

Jenna’s POV

I could see the Packhouse above the trees, we were close. My palms started to sweat, and I gripped Mark’s coat a little tighter not wanting to slip of his back. They slowed down and stopped near a cluster of bushes, and I slid off mark’s back. Mark went behind the bushes and after a bit of rustling he emerged in his human form wearing a pair of basketball shorts. Then Kara & Maria went behind the bushes, I assumed to shift back and get dressed. I turned to Mark “So what should I expect here? Am I in trouble? Are you guys in trouble? Am I going to get to go home to my sons?” He looked a bit taken aback but recovered quickly. “I can’t tell you what to expect, this doesn’t happen very often. No you won’t be I trouble as long as your honest. We may be in a little trouble but like I said this doesn’t happen often. Yes Jenna, you will be going home to your children” He smiled at me when i let out a sign and my shoulder sagged slightly. I heard a cough from behind me and turned to see Kara & Maria wearing oversized t shirts. “Hey” they both looked a little hesitant and kara spoke first “Thank you Jenna, I didn’t know what to expect but I saw what Maria went through during her first shift and this was much better. I’m sorry we sort of dropped this out you so out of the blue. You, ok?” I laughed “Are you kidding me? Aside from the fact that I now have to face a scary Alpha wolf who may or may not punish you guys and seeing one of my new best friends in pain, it was, Exhilarating to say the least. This changes nothing for me” The beamed at me and Maria went to speak but we were interrupted by a deep voice behind them. “Congratulations Kara on your first shift and I hope you aren’t too hurt by Kyle finding his mate” This guy was huge, He looked to be in his 60’s but was still jacked and not someone I would want to upset. He smiled sympathetically at Kara and gave her a quick hug. “Thank you Alpha, I’ll be ok. I’m happy for them” Then they all turned to look at me. I dropped my eyes to the floor in a show of submission. In this moment I was so thankful for all the werewolf books I had read. I do want to live.

“Well, this is indeed an unusual state of affairs is it not Brian?” Another man stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Kara’s shoulder. “It is indeed Karl, my children have been reckless” Ahh s**t this was Mark & Kara’s father. The alpha, Karl chuckled “Agreed however I believe this was an accident and whereas it may not be a usual occurrence, it’s not a punishable offense” He turned to me and c****d his eyebrow “So do we need to worry about you Miss?” I straightened my shoulders and cleared my throat “Miss Michaels Alpha” then I dropped my eyes again. “It seems Miss Michaels has enough knowledge to address me correctly so maybe this isn’t going to be a problem after all” I looked up at the alpha and his eyes were glazed over, I assumed he was mind linking like maria had been at school and forgot about my filter temporarily “I wish I could mind link” I mumbled. All eyes snapped to me and my eyes widened in horror. Then they all burst out laughing.

“we can also hear better than any living thing on this earth” Mark said while bent at the waist laughing, “ok it’s not that funny is it?” Alpha Kennedy Stopped laughing “It is to us but only because we don’t have many human allies. It’s late. We should all head inside. You had plans for a sleepover tonight did you not girls?” we all nod and look at the alpha. “Ok well go ahead and tomorrow after breakfast we will discuss this further; I don’t think I need to ask you to keep this to yourself do I Jenna?” I Shook my head “No Sir” He nod his head once and walked away with Brian.

“Phew that could have been baaaaad” Kara said as she and maria came to each side of me and wrapped their arms around my shoulders. “yes, but your curious little friend here seemed to know how to act and address our alpha, How is that exactly” Mark asked directing his eyes to me. I blushed and looked him in the eye “Honestly? I like to read, and werewolf fictions is my favourite genre so I just hoped that what I had read would help a little” Mark started laughing “you humans never cease to amaze me” I huffed and started walking towards the pack house. It started as a joke, but I worked myself up on the journey and ended up stomping all the way up to Kara’s room. A couple of minutes later the girls came in. “You, ok?” Maria looked at me like I was a ticking time bomb. “Yeah, sorry this is just a lot to take in. I want Tea and I want an explanation” Kara jumped up and left the room. Hopefully to make my tea. Maria sat next to me on the bed. “You should just know that we are peaceful, we do have run ins with rogues and Kara said you seemed to know vaguely what they are?” I nod and wait for her to continue “Well some rogues aren’t violent. Some are just wolves looking for a fresh start and we sometimes accept them into our pack and sometimes they decide to continue their journey. Occasionally but very rarely there are issues with other packs that can lead to wars, but we haven’t experienced anything like that since before I was born. Not all alphas are like my father, some are not as lax as him when it comes to keeping our secret. You need to understand Jenna that If you tell anyone your life will be put in danger. It’s not a threat but it is a warning. There are alphas out there that will kill you if they find out that you know our secrete. They won’t risk you telling someone and because of this, I have asked my father to put you under the protection of our pack, that means that you will effectively become a part of the pack. You’re our friend and we trust you but it’s not just a case of trust anymore. It’s now our job to protect you”

Before I can reply Kara comes back in the room with a tray that holds 3 steaming cups. She passes me a cup and one to Maria before settling into one of the beanbags on the floor next to the bed. “Maria included me in your conversation so what else do you want to know?” I thought for a moment. “I don’t really know. Everything” they both laughed “well everything is a lot, why don’t we start with the basics? You already know about rogues and a little about pack hierarchy. Oh, I know! Let’s explain mind linking that’s an easy one and it’s fun. Kara, you go now” “ok so mind linking is a bit like telepathy, its limited to our packs. Once a wolf is accepted into a pack, they can mind link. We can link to specific people by thinking about them or we can link to the whole pack. Any questions?” I smile at them both. “No, I think I’m all good on mind linking & Rogues. What about this meeting with the Alpha tomorrow is there anything I need to know?” They both seemed to think for a minute before Maria spoke again “Like I said I’ve asked dad to think about putting you under the packs protection which will mean that you will be introduced to the pack, and you will need to make an oath in front of us all. It’s very simple and only slightly painful. My father will make a little speech and then like a human wedding you will make some vows. He will make a small cut on your hand; you will drip some blood into a bowl and that’s it. Your not a wolf so you won’t be able to mind link with us but my father and Kara’s father will have a link to you and they will be able to sense your emotions and also find it easier to track you should they need to. This has never happened before, so I don’t really know more, sorry” well that doesn’t sound so bad. “As long as I don’t have to cut my own hand, I can manage that”

“Ok it’s late, we should get some sleep. Dad wants to see us first thing and that’s like 6am for him” Kara and maria groaned and rolled their eyes. “Please 6am is a lay-in in my house” We all laughed and settled in for the night. “Yes, after this meeting I’d like to hear more about your sons. If that’s ok obviously. There are a lot of kids in the pack we have a school on our grounds, and I did my work placement there. I have a job lined up working in the pre-school” I smiled at her. Since we moved here the boys have struggled to make new friends. I’m sure it will get easier for them as they adjust but I still worry. “Well, I don’t know how your Alpha feels about mixing with humans, but I’d love to bring the boys to meet you all sometime. My mum is heading back to England in 2 weeks so It will just be me and them” They both sit up and look at me. “Well despite what my father says we would love to meet them and any help you need I’m sure once everything is settled the pack can help with”

We all settled down for the night and fell asleep pretty quickly. I had a weird dream and awoke around 5am feeling restless and fidgety. Kara & Maria were asleep, so I slipped my phone out of my bag and sent a text to my mum checking on the boys. She replied immediately that they were fine they had plans for the day, so I didn’t have to rush which was good because I wasn’t feeling very optimistic about trying to rush the alpha. I slipped out of bed and went in search of the kitchen. Not my wisest of moves considering I didn’t know where I was going or who I might run into. I kept my head down and head down the stairs a few people were about but it was only 5.30am so not many. I saw a couple of kids watching TV in what appeared to be a lounge and asked them where the kitchen was. They looked at me for a few seconds then one of the girls got up and offered to show me. She smiled and took my hand she must have been about 8 years old, Jacksons age. I smiled amd went with her. “I’m Jenna” she looked at me “I’m Carly, my dad is the alpha. He mentioned that there was human in the house. Here’s the kitchen. Help yourself to whatever you need breakfast will be ready at 6.30 and dad is usually up early” “But not as early as my daughter apparently” I don’t know when alpha kennedy entered the kitchen but here he stood in front of us smiling down at his daughter.  “Morning Alpha” “Morning Daddy” “Morning peanut thank you for showing our guest to the kitchen. Run along and watch TV while we have a chat and I’ll see you at breakfast baby girl” He poured 2 cups of coffee and gestured for me to follow him, which obviously I did. I can’t defy the alpha can I? We entered what must have been his office. Massive desk and chair, Comfy looking sofa, lots of shelves loaded with books and pictures and filing cabinets behind his desk. He gestured to the sofa “please take a seat Miss Michaels” “Jenna please” He smiled and set a coffee on the little table in front of me before going to sit behind his desk. “So Jenna, My daughter has asked me to consider placing you under the packs protection, Has she explained to you what that means?” I took a mouthful of my coffee. “Not exactly she explained how it happens and that its rare but not what it would mean for me exactly” he sat back in his chair crossing his ankle over his knee and placing his hands in his lap. “well, its fairly simple despite how rare it is. You would be given housing within the pack grounds; I will become responsible for your well being and in you will become part of the pack. However, as you are not a wolf you wont be included in all the activities around here but for the most part you will. Should there be something suitable you will be offered employment within the pack, I understand that you are currently attending the university, you can decide whether to continue or whether you’d like to find a position immediately. There is a ritual, and the only thing we expect from you in return is your discretion and loyalty to this pack. You should also know that I will expect you to obey me. Not blindly, but you must trust that should I ask something of you there is a reason, and you are of course welcome to ask me about this but there is a time and a place. I expect you to follow commands immediately and should there be the need for a discussion I can promise you that it will happen, but Maria explained to you that some wolves do not accept humans into our world and you need to understand that your life means nothing to some of our kind. I can only protect you if you allow me to. I need to be able to trust that you will not put yourself in direct harm.” I took a deep breathe “I can promise you that I will not put myself in harms way. I assume that Maria mentioned I have 2 sons. Does this change anything?” he took a moment to consider his answer “No she didn’t but no It changes nothing except the house you will be given should you accept our offer and there will be some other decisions for you to make, for example would you want your boys to attend the packs schools? We will also need to discuss who may be coming onto pack land to visit them for instance I assume there’s a father?” I contemplated my answer “Well actually no. We moved here a week ago and Jamie skypes with his father once a fortnight, Jacksons father isn’t in the picture and never will be. My mother is staying with us while we get settled but she moves back to England in 2 weeks. I’m studying business administration at the uni because I never qualified but if a position becomes available that I am suited for I’d be more than happy to work for the pack” 

Jenna’s POV

I could see the Packhouse above the trees, we were close. My palms started to sweat, and I gripped Mark’s coat a little tighter not wanting to slip of his back. They slowed down and stopped near a cluster of bushes, and I slid off mark’s back. Mark went behind the bushes and after a bit of rustling he emerged in his human form wearing a pair of basketball shorts. Then Kara & Maria went behind the bushes, I assumed to shift back and get dressed. I turned to Mark “So what should I expect here? Am I in trouble? Are you guys in trouble? Am I going to get to go home to my sons?” He looked a bit taken aback but recovered quickly. “I can’t tell you what to expect, this doesn’t happen very often. No you won’t be I trouble as long as your honest. We may be in a little trouble but like I said this doesn’t happen often. Yes Jenna, you will be going home to your children” He smiled at me when i let out a sign and my shoulder sagged slightly. I heard a cough from behind me and turned to see Kara & Maria wearing oversized t shirts. “Hey” they both looked a little hesitant and kara spoke first “Thank you Jenna, I didn’t know what to expect but I saw what Maria went through during her first shift and this was much better. I’m sorry we sort of dropped this out you so out of the blue. You, ok?” I laughed “Are you kidding me? Aside from the fact that I now have to face a scary Alpha wolf who may or may not punish you guys and seeing one of my new best friends in pain, it was, Exhilarating to say the least. This changes nothing for me” The beamed at me and Maria went to speak but we were interrupted by a deep voice behind them. “Congratulations Kara on your first shift and I hope you aren’t too hurt by Kyle finding his mate” This guy was huge, He looked to be in his 60’s but was still jacked and not someone I would want to upset. He smiled sympathetically at Kara and gave her a quick hug. “Thank you Alpha, I’ll be ok. I’m happy for them” Then they all turned to look at me. I dropped my eyes to the floor in a show of submission. In this moment I was so thankful for all the werewolf books I had read. I do want to live.

“Well, this is indeed an unusual state of affairs is it not Brian?” Another man stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Kara’s shoulder. “It is indeed Karl, my children have been reckless” Ahh s**t this was Mark & Kara’s father. The alpha, Karl chuckled “Agreed however I believe this was an accident and whereas it may not be a usual occurrence, it’s not a punishable offense” He turned to me and c****d his eyebrow “So do we need to worry about you Miss?” I straightened my shoulders and cleared my throat “Miss Michaels Alpha” then I dropped my eyes again. “It seems Miss Michaels has enough knowledge to address me correctly so maybe this isn’t going to be a problem after all” I looked up at the alpha and his eyes were glazed over, I assumed he was mind linking like Maria had been at school and forgot about my filter temporarily “I wish I could mind link” I mumbled. All eyes snapped to me and my eyes widened in horror. Then they all burst out laughing.

“we can also hear better than any living thing on this earth” Mark said while bent at the waist laughing, “ok it’s not that funny is it?” Alpha Kennedy Stopped laughing “It is to us but only because we don’t have many human allies. It’s late. We should all head inside. You had plans for a sleepover tonight did you not girls?” we all nod and look at the alpha. “Ok well go ahead and tomorrow after breakfast we will discuss this further; I don’t think I need to ask you to keep this to yourself do I Jenna?” I Shook my head “No Sir” He nod his head once and walked away with Brian.

“Phew that could have been baaaaad” Kara said as she and maria came to each side of me and wrapped their arms around my shoulders. “yes, but your curious little friend here seemed to know how to act and address our alpha, How is that exactly” Mark asked directing his eyes to me. I blushed and looked him in the eye “Honestly? I like to read, and werewolf fictions is my favourite genre so I just hoped that what I had read would help a little” Mark started laughing “you humans never cease to amaze me” I huffed and started walking towards the pack house. It started as a joke, but I worked myself up on the journey and ended up stomping all the way up to Kara’s room. A couple of minutes later the girls came in. “You, ok?” Maria looked at me like I was a ticking time bomb. “Yeah, sorry this is just a lot to take in. I want Tea and I want an explanation” Kara jumped up and left the room. Hopefully to make my tea. Maria sat next to me on the bed. “You should just know that we are peaceful, we do have run ins with rogues and Kara said you seemed to know vaguely what they are?” I nod and wait for her to continue “Well some rogues aren’t violent. Some are just wolves looking for a fresh start and we sometimes accept them into our pack and sometimes they decide to continue their journey. Occasionally but very rarely there are issues with other packs that can lead to wars, but we haven’t experienced anything like that since before I was born. Not all alphas are like my father, some are not as lax as him when it comes to keeping our secret. You need to understand Jenna that If you tell anyone your life will be put in danger. It’s not a threat but it is a warning. There are alphas out there that will kill you if they find out that you know our secrete. They won’t risk you telling someone and because of this, I have asked my father to put you under the protection of our pack, that means that you will effectively become a part of the pack. You’re our friend and we trust you but it’s not just a case of trust anymore. It’s now our job to protect you”

Before I can reply Kara comes back in the room with a tray that holds 3 steaming cups. She passes me a cup and one to Maria before settling into one of the beanbags on the floor next to the bed. “Maria included me in your conversation so what else do you want to know?” I thought for a moment. “I don’t really know. Everything” they both laughed “well everything is a lot, why don’t we start with the basics? You already know about rogues and a little about pack hierarchy. Oh, I know! Let’s explain mind linking that’s an easy one and it’s fun. Kara, you go now” “ok so mind linking is a bit like telepathy, its limited to our packs. Once a wolf is accepted into a pack, they can mind link. We can link to specific people by thinking about them or we can link to the whole pack. Any questions?” I smile at them both. “No, I think I’m all good on mind linking & Rogues. What about this meeting with the Alpha tomorrow is there anything I need to know?” They both seemed to think for a minute before Maria spoke again “Like I said I’ve asked dad to think about putting you under the packs protection which will mean that you will be introduced to the pack, and you will need to make an oath in front of us all. It’s very simple and only slightly painful. My father will make a little speech and then like a human wedding you will make some vows. He will make a small cut on your hand; you will drip some blood into a bowl and that’s it. Your not a wolf so you won’t be able to mind link with us but my father and Kara’s father will have a link to you and they will be able to sense your emotions and also find it easier to track you should they need to. This has never happened before, so I don’t really know more, sorry” well that doesn’t sound so bad. “As long as I don’t have to cut my own hand, I can manage that”

“Ok it’s late, we should get some sleep. Dad wants to see us first thing and that’s like 6am for him” Kara and maria groaned and rolled their eyes. “Please 6am is a lay-in in my house” We all laughed and settled in for the night. “Yes, after this meeting I’d like to hear more about your sons. If that’s ok obviously. There are a lot of kids in the pack we have a school on our grounds, and I did my work placement there. I have a job lined up working in the pre-school” I smiled at her. Since we moved here the boys have struggled to make new friends. I’m sure it will get easier for them as they adjust but I still worry. “Well, I don’t know how your Alpha feels about mixing with humans, but I’d love to bring the boys to meet you all sometime. My mum is heading back to England in 2 weeks so It will just be me and them” They both sit up and look at me. “Well despite what my father says we would love to meet them and any help you need I’m sure once everything is settled the pack can help with”

We all settled down for the night and fell asleep pretty quickly. I had a weird dream and awoke around 5am feeling restless and fidgety. Kara & Maria were asleep, so I slipped my phone out of my bag and sent a text to my mum checking on the boys. She replied immediately that they were fine they had plans for the day, so I didn’t have to rush which was good because I wasn’t feeling very optimistic about trying to rush the alpha. I slipped out of bed and went in search of the kitchen. Not my wisest of moves considering I didn’t know where I was going or who I might run into. I kept my head down and head down the stairs a few people were about but it was only 5.30am so not many. I saw a couple of kids watching TV in what appeared to be a lounge and asked them where the kitchen was. They looked at me for a few seconds then one of the girls got up and offered to show me. She smiled and took my hand she must have been about 8 years old, Jacksons age. I smiled amn went with her. “I’m Jenna” she looked at me “I’m Carly, my dad is the alpha. He mentioned that there was human in the house. Here’s the kitchen. Help yourself to whatever you need breakfast will be ready at 6.30 and dad is usually up early” “But not as early as my daughter apparently” I don’t know when alpha Kennedy entered the kitchen but here he stood in front of us smiling down at his daughter.  “Morning Alpha” “Morning Daddy” “Morning peanut thank you for showing our guest to the kitchen. Run along and watch TV while we have a chat and I’ll see you at breakfast baby girl” He poured 2 cups of coffee and gestured for me to follow him, which obviously I did. I can’t defy the alpha can I?