Suits and Rogues

Chapter 2

    “Alpha! Hunters! They’ve been spotted near the border. I’ve deployed warriors and tightened the security of the pack while you were gone.” Decker ran up to his alpha, yelling over the heavy downpour of the rain.

    “I know. Good job. Call the doctor to the pack house.” Odin nodded in acknowledgement to his beta before going to the passenger’s seat to take the unconscious male out.

    “Thank you al-wait...doctor?” Decker’s grin from his alpha’s compliment stopped short. “Are you injured?”

    Odin gave him an irritated look before opening the door of the car and carried the unconscious male out. “What the-“ Decker started but didn’t dare continue although his mouth is itching to throw the joke out there but he knows his alpha is always sensitive every time he’s back from the temple. Unless he wants his life ended right here, right now, he could just go ahead and say it. That won’t happen though. He has a mate, 3 sons to train, and a daughter to keep from mating too early to take care of.

    “Uhhmm...doctor, right! Doctor! Doctor Melendez!”

    Odin rolled his eyes at his beta. He doesn’t know what kind of brain he has but since he’s a good beta, he’ll tolerate him. Entering the pack house, females immediately rushed to help him tend to the male. He had made sure that all females know how to tend to wounds in case of emergencies and it’s paying off.

    “Make sure he’s alright and find out his identity if you can.”

    “Yes, alpha.” The females bowed. Nodding in acknowledgement, he went back outside and shifted to his pure white wolf. His back grew and his bones shifted and realigned. Fur sprouted from his skin as his mouth turned into a snarling snout and his limbs turned into a wolf’s. Claws appeared from his paws and his tail grew and swished back and forth. A huge pure white wolf stood at the darkness of the night with the rain pelting its gleaming fur. Thunder boomed in the distance but the flash of lightning was very close and it lighted out the area. The storm doesn’t feel right. It feels like nature is angry for some reason and it reminds him of the blood sucker’s words.

    “The weather has been bad lately. Something must’ve angered the goddess.” If it’s true that the goddess is angry, what would be the reason for it? Besides the Ancient packs’ twisted belief and traditions, he can’t think of anything else to cause the goddess’ anger.

    Shaking those thoughts out, he ran towards the Northern border of the territory. His paws thundered on the ground, crunching leaves and twigs, and splashing puddles of mud. The rain is heavy and noisy; obstructing his sense of smell along with his hearing. Lightning flashes from time to time as if he’s being photographed by nature itself. The ground is slippery and fallen branches along with scattered rocks make the journey a bit challenging but Odin’s wolf is thrilled. He hadn’t been able to run freely and at his full capacity for months, and with an aggressive and unpredictable wolf as he is; that’s dangerous. His fur sleeked back as he runs while droplets fell over his magnificent form that makes his fur gleam.

    Jumping over branches, taking tight turns, and ducking over low hanging branches, he finally arrived to the border. His pack’s patrollers are prowling through the area. Their eyes and ears are pointed to the outside of the border but turned to him as he approached. Necks tilted to the side and heads bowed as a sign of submission to him. His wolf approached, sniffing and taking in their scents as to reassure his instincts that his pack is fine and also to detect any challenges. He sensed a few and he let out a threatening growl towards them accompanied by another flash of lightning. Some cowered and some dared to challenge back. Immediately, he pounced; tacking the biggest challenger and sinking his fangs to his neck with ease. The challenger didn’t even get to defend himself. The alpha was too quick for him. The wolves immediately stepped back as he picks up the mutt as if he’s a mere pup and not a full grown werewolf. With a quick head raise and a quicker fall, Odin slammed the challenger to the ground so hard the wolf let out a whimper as its ribs broke. The grip he has on the wolf’s neck tightened as he picks him up once again and shook him vigorously. His fangs tore deeper and wider to the mutt’s neck as the wolf yelped and whimpered. Still, he continued making an example.

    If wolves of his pack challenge him and he won’t do anything about it, it will make him look weak and they will start to think it’s ok to challenge him. If that happens, they’ll have delusions of becoming an alpha and that’s not a good thing. A wolf that is not an alpha leading a pack is a disaster. Not only that, it will create a rift within the members; disrupting the unity of the pack and thus creating unnecessary problems. If it gets worse, blood will be spilled and lives will be taken.

    Most of the wolves now truly submitted to him; hunching their backs, bowing their heads, looking away, and curling their tail between their legs. The wolf stopped struggling in his hold. His neck is now bowed and tilted sideways as a sign of submission. With a final warning growl and a hard shake, he let the wolf go. Going to the borders, he lifted one of his legs up and reclaimed the territory. It will wash out eventually due to the rain but it will stay a bit longer, at least until the rain stops so he could mark it again for more potency.

    No challenges rose that time and he checked them all once again before venturing off the territory. Marking the perimeter a 100 feet from the border, he barked out into the night as a warning to any outsiders lurking nearby. There was no sign of life or movement so he went to check out the other borders to make sure everything is ok. It took him an hour to reach the Western border. Things are going well. His beta did a good job placing the patrollers and mixing them with warriors. Both teams balance each other out. The patrollers of this border are known for their better sense of smell while the warriors have their acute hearing. Since the patrollers are doing a good job, he let his pack rub on him and lick his muzzle in a sign of affection and respect. His wolf gently bumps his head on them in return. After marking the outside of the border again, he turned back to go to the South border but a shiver passed him. He froze, straining his ears and using his sense of smell to the best of his abilities to catch a scent despite the rain obscuring the scents around him. Lightning flashed once more and his instincts told him that something’s out there. Facing the outside of his recently marked border, he let out a warning growl; flashing his long and sharp fangs out to the darkness of the night as his fur bristles threateningly. There’s a weak sound of racing heartbeat in the distance, probably a rogue who’s at the wrong place at the wrong time. Taking a step forward into the darkness, Odin’s wolf barked; giving out a last warning. If it doesn’t leave soon, Odin will drive it out and it won’t be a pretty sight. Especially since his wolf is merciless to rogues.

    The rogue left at that warning and its retreating footsteps was heard disappearing in the distance. Making sure that the rogue is completely gone, Odin walked further from the border to make sure there was no funny business left. Another flash of lightning and a distant rumble of the thunder greeted the earth as Odin came to the conclusion that everything is fine. But as he was turning back, the scent of fresh pine and mint tickled his senses that made his wolf more alert.

    “What is it?” He asked the wolf as his wolf suddenly started sniffing the ground in search for something. Odin got confused at his wolf’s behavior but nonetheless trusted him. His wolf sniffed in circles, pawed the ground, smelled the tree barks, and barked and howled into the night; all the while Odin watches on in puzzlement. He doesn’t know what got his wolf worked up. Sure, the scent was a very pleasant smell -  addicting if he’s honest, but what’s so special with it? It’s just a scent. But then again, it’s a weird scent in the middle of a storm. And whatever it is, it’s probably washed out by the rain by now.

    His wolf whimpered at that thought but knows that his human is right. Feeling a bit dejected, they both bounded back to their territory to continue their inspection; completely oblivious to the big black wolf who walked to their spot earlier that took a long inhale of their remaining scent and letting out a purr satisfaction. ‘Finally’, it thought as its gleaming golden-yellow eyes watch the pure white wolf run away.

    “Target found.”

§=§=§=§=§

    Decker cursed himself as he walks towards his alpha. He knows his alpha won’t like what he’s about to deliver so he prays above all power or deity out there for his alpha to be in a good mood. Of course, those prayers are not usually answered but it’s better than nothing at all. Approaching his alpha’s huge double doors, he gulped, prayed to the moon goddess, made sure his last words or message are still in his phone, looked at the picture of his family, wrote specifications of what his coffin and tomb should look like, and made sure his notes of what’s allowed to be written on his tombstone is still present on his phone in case this will be his last day, before finally taking a deep breath in and opening the door.

    “Alpha-“ an antique 4ft. Draconian jar flew and shattered at the right side of his face. “Holy s**t that nearly smashed my face!” Decker screeched in shock despite the fact that it happens almost every time he enters his alpha’s office. His alpha has a strange habit of throwing things.

    “You...” Odin growled at his beta before pointing at his drawer empty of stress balls. Ah...no wonder...

    “f*****g buy your son his own stress balls!” Decker grimaced, completely forgetting that he’s babysitting two babies today. One is a mischievous little runt while the other is an overgrown baby with a habit of throwing things. A.k.a his alpha.

    “I’m out of budget because I use them all to buy your stress balls, alpha.” He tried maintaining his composure but the urge to roll his eyes and chuckle is weakening his resolve.

    “In which your devil of a son keeps stealing.” Odin growled.

    “Borrowing alpha, borrowing. I don’t teach my sons to steal, just borrow.”

    “Yet none of them comes back.” Odin is getting more irritated. He doesn’t know how the little devil gets in or out of his office undetected but it’s seriously getting on his nerves. All those stress balls are gone and never coming back! What’s worse is that little mutt always takes the golden-yellow ones. Those were his favorites. Damn it! He needs those stress balls now!

    “Ok ok...I hear you. Another basket of stress balls coming up.” Decker stated, slowly backing away as to not further provoke his alpha. Besides...he needs those stress balls anyway. If he wants to survive after delivering the bad news to his alpha then he needs all the stress balls he could to make his alpha as calm as possible.

    “Enough talking and more doing! Damn it!” that was his cue to leave. “and keep that son away from me!” he chuckled at his alpha’s words but gulped heavily nonetheless. As much as it’s amusing that his alpha is always a victim to his son’s mischief, he also dreads it because he’s at the receiving end of his alpha’s anger.

    Stepping out of the pack house, that same feeling of dread washed over him again. Sure, he always dreads being near his alpha, but this dread in the air is felt by everyone. The pack is acting a bit skittish and cautious yet just like him, they don’t know why. Their instincts are on high alert and their wolves are watchful and more observant than usual. The atmosphere is tense yet none knew why. It’s the same feeling as the calm before a storm but the storm has already passed. It’s been 3 days already since the storm swept through the pack but things have been uneasy. He can’t blame the pack since the threat of the hunters and the hellhound is still present yet there’s no trouble at all – not even a sign of it.

    Chancing a glance at the 7th floor in his alpha’s windows, he sees his alpha looking over the pack with a murderous look that he usually wore when things are serious. Maybe there is something bad that’s really happening...

    “Beta Boston!” a nurse came rushing towards him as he was opening the trunk in his car to take out a chest-filled with stress balls. It’s a good thing he always keeps them in handy and locked. It’s the only container so far that his clever son hasn’t cracked open yet.

    “Nurse Kim, how can I help you?” He asked the panting nurse.

    “The patient, we finally found out who he is.” His mind came back to that time when his alpha brought in an unconscious male.

    “That’s good news. Is he awake yet?” he asked but noted the situation almost immediately. How come the nurse has to run up to him in a hurry just to tell him this when she could just say it over the phone?

    “I’m afraid not, Beta.” Somehow the nurse seems nervous.

    “Then what’s wrong?”

    “I-the-the alpha...he probably won’t like to know who he is.” The nurse shifted, looking briefly at the alpha’s window on the seventh floor before looking down.

    Decker sighs; already knowing what it is. “Bad news?”

    The nurse nodded. “He’s an enforcer...”

    “Definitely bad news.” Decker face-palmed. He’s about to deliver two bad news to his alpha and his chances of survival are dwindling.

    “I know our alpha hates the council and the enforcers so there's no doubt that he won't spare him if he knew. Maybe we should just let him go.” The nurse suggested and Decker glanced nervously at his alpha’s window before hurriedly dragged the nurse to where the alpha won’t see them. If his alpha sees them conversing about this, there’s no doubt that his alpha will be able to put two and two together since he’s very perceptive.

    “That’s a stupid idea and you know it.” He tells the nurse in a firm tone.

    “I know but our alpha’s hatred for the council and enforcers should not also involve us. We still respect the higher ups and we don’t want any more death in our hands. Don’t you think that enforcer deserves to live? He’s probably not involved with the rest of the enforcers. Perhaps he’s-“

    “All enforcers are involved and you know that.” Decker gritted. “Do you really think that this enforcer is any different? Do I need to remind you that they unreasonably attacked our pack just because our alpha can’t find his mate? You know that’s bullshit!” he growled. Their council’s ways are twisted and downright unfair. This is the reason his alpha hates them and even cut off his pack’s ties to the council. It had minimized his chances of finding his mate because in cutting off the ties with the council, it also cut off his access to other packs. But his alpha had seen the bad ways of the council and Decker trusts that his alpha knows what he’s doing. The rest of the pack may not see it yet but hopefully soon, they will.

    “I just believe that the enforcer is better off away from here...” Nurse Kim murmured.

    “We’ll let the alpha decide that.”

    “Decide? You know it wouldn’t be fair!” the nurse burst out. “You and I both know that the alpha is losing himself! He’s been different lately and do you really think that he won’t be consumed by his emotions again this time? You know he’s unjust! You know that his emotions are getting ahead of him than reason and this will make the pack fall!”

    In a flash, Decker’s hand wrapped around the nurse and lifted her off the ground with an angry growl. “You should know better what it feels like to live a life without a mate so don’t go around spreading idiotic conclusions about our alpha! He had lead this pack better than any alpha does to their pack despite his unfortunate circumstances! He only has the pack’s best interest at heart and the least you could do is support him!” he threw the nurse away and she landed on the ground harshly. “He may be a grumpy asshole but he’s not stupid. He’s an effective leader and he doesn’t deserve being criticized and judged on his abilities to lead the pack just because he’s emotionally unstable!” he growled, leaning close to the nurse’s face. He bared his fangs at her as his wolf’s eyes flashed bright in a clear warning.

    “Say anything out of line again and you’ll be charged for treason.” He growled before picking the nurse again with his clawed hands wrapping around her throat. “Am I understood?”

    The nurse nodded almost reluctantly before he lets her go. With one last growl, he went back to his car and took the chest of stress balls towards his alpha. He hates how the pack had turned out to be for the last 40 or so years. Ever since his alpha changed because he couldn’t find his mate, a lot of pack had turned against him. They started seeing and treating him as someone incompetent to lead despite the many times he had proven them wrong. Their alpha may not be the same, kind, and nice alpha he once was but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad alpha now. He’s just having a hard time. It’s not his fault he can’t find his mate nor is it his fault he’s acting the way he is. Every wolf knows what happens to wolves who don’t find their mate at a certain time. They go insane, roguish, and worst case scenario: in a killing spree. Most cases of wolves going insane are the ones who haven’t found their mate in the span of 25 years. Their alpha managed to stay sane for 50 years so that’s saying something. He just hopes that he’ll stay that way in a very long time. And hopefully, the pack or the council won’t pressure him too much or else he’ll go insane because of them and not because of the lack of mate bond.

    Now back to the problem at hand, he’s about to...probably drive his alpha insane because of the bad news he’s about to deliver but it’s better he tells him now than later.

    With his hands carrying the chest full of those squeeze-y balls, he ascended the stairs and got in his alpha’s office with a brief knock. “Alpha I have your stress balls. Don’t worry, I made sure Shawn didn’t se-“ he stopped short upon seeing no one in the office but the files are in disarray. He doesn’t know what happened but he has this sickening bad feeling in his gut. Just then, a big explosion resounded at the back of the pack house and his alpha’s furious roar resounded.

    “We’re under attack!” A warrior wolf bursts from the trees, alerting all the pack of the danger. The pack immediately did the Code AC protocol and evacuated in the safety of their homes where secret passages are found that led to the safety bunks.

    “Daddy!” he heard his son call out and he immediately ran towards the source; unaware of the huge man hidden in the shadows that stepped out when he left.

    “Shawn!” he called out to his son and they met at the living room. “Daddy! Bad guys! Bad guys!” his son cried out as he jumped in his arms.

    “I know, champ. We got to get you to safety.”

    “But daddy, Alpha Grumpy is in trouble.” His mini-version pouted as he runs out of the pack house in search of the safety bunk.

    “He’ll be fine. Alpha Grumpy is a tough alpha.” He assured his son but there’s something in his son’s eyes that says otherwise.

    “But...bad people with big shiny ropes are after him. He’s alone and there are these blue flashlight thingy that makes his ears bleed.”

    Oh no...Decker thought. Emitters...it must be the hunters. f**k! This is bad. Really bad. Emitters are solar lights-like technology that emits harmful sounds that only shifters could hear. Hunters use them to hunt them and disorient them but lately, emitters are being improved to the point where if a shifter hears its sound for a minute, it’ll deafen or kill them. For an alpha that has stronger senses than regular wolves, hearing it for even a few seconds is really fatal.

    f**k! f**k! f**k! His alpha is indeed in trouble.

    “Ashton!” he called out one of the warriors ushering the pack to safety. “Take Shawn to safety and rally the rest to grab some guns. Go to the back of the pack house and help the alpha! He’s in danger!” he ordered and the warrior nodded to do as he said. Running back to where he believes his alpha is, he prays to the goddess that he’s ok but upon seeing the fleeing enforcer that his alpha rescued, things started to click in place and his wolf took over.

    His alpha had fallen in a trap when he rescued the enforcer and there’s no doubt that this enforcer is a spy meant to bring his alpha and the pack down. He growled angrily. Ever since his alpha cut off the ties with the council, they’ve been after the pack; looking for ways to attack it and take it from his alpha.

    The enforcer is obviously not yet fully healed because he’s still limping. It wasn’t long before his gray wolf tackled the spy to ground and opened his jaws to kill him but the enforcer screamed upon seeing the dark figure behind him. “Hellhound!”

    Decker’s split second of confusion caused him to be thrown away by an unseen powerful force. His wolf flew a few feet in the air and landed harshly on a tree. The impact fractured his spine and he was disoriented. Black spots are dotting his vision as he tries to stand up but his body is suddenly weak. Somehow, with his blurry and darkening vision, he saw a very huge shadow swipe at the enforcer and tear into his body like a savage animal. Feral sounds and growls tumble out of the humongous shadow as the sounds of agony and gore reach his ears.

    As fast as the sounds appeared, it’s also as fast for it to disappear. His wolf sensed immense danger and power from the shadow. Unexplained fear gripped his heart and he tried to get up but failed again. Through his limited vision, he saw the shadow approach him and he panicked. There’s no doubt who the shadow is now as his mind registered what the enforcer said earlier.

    “Hellhound...”

    A sinister chuckle came from the shadow that made him froze in fear. “Too bad, beta, you’re at the wrong place at the wrong time...” came out a deep, growly voice. His hands instinctively reached up to cover his face from the terror before him and only then did he realize that he had unknowingly shifted back to human form. f**k!

    “Poor poor poor beta...” the shadow taunted as Decker’s body trembled in absolute fear. This is it...he’s going to die...

    “Close your eyes, fur B...this will be quick. After all, you’re not my target.”

    Decker felt something heavy lift in the air and he shut his eyes tight, waiting for the impact that never came. Instead, a whoosh passed him before two tones of growl reached his ears. Daring to look, he was shocked to see a blur of white which his wolf felt to be his alpha and the shadow engaged in a battle. Relief washed over him and even if he wants to know who would win, the call of unconsciousness became too much to resist and his eyes closed to escape the pain and terror.