Breaking The Alpha's Command

Day 13-8

“The Guild are coming.” Sera started off, keeping as factual as she could for now.

“And?” Clara was barricading the back window by resting against it, with one leg just against Helena who was crouched on the floor slumped against the wall, looking rather pale.

“They aren’t coming alone.” It was a statement rather than a question from Helena, she looked at Sera for reassurance she was wrong but got nothing.

“Before the Guild arrive though, our friends that went to Shadow Bane are coming.” Sera hoped a bit of good news would ease the air. “They’re fully healed and want to join us all, as soon as possible “

“We get to see them all again!” Squealed George, running to his mother. At least someone was excited.

“That’s wonderful and all Sera, but who is coming with the Guild? Why do we need to talk with Theo and Bella?” The paleness was leaving Helena and returning as a rage.

There was no easy way to say it, so Sera just said it. “Your Mates.” She looked to Doc for reassurance. “Your original Mates.” She clarified. She was surprised by the wave of relief that passed over everyone’s faces.

“I thought your were going to say the Imperial Guards.” Clara laughed. “We all thought they were coming to take you away.” The tension released within the 3 women on the form of a shared laughter. Lucy noticed Doc and Sera remaining quite normal and realised.

“They aren’t coming to take you away... they’ve come to take us.”

“Yeah right, they rejected us. They can’t come back after all these years and expect us to jump in their arms and run away.” Helena had got up off the floor and made her way to the kitchen to prepare some food.

“No my dears. But they can expect the Guild to uphold their claims to you.” Doc was brace to say it, considering Helena came back through with a large knife in her hand and pointed it at him.

“Try that one again?”

Sera placed her hand on Helena’s shoulder and took the knife from her hands.

“Please. Sit.” She gestured to the large sofa in the living room, after sitting down in one armchair opposite and Doc taking the other armchair, the 3 ladies all sat opposite with expectant looks. “What I’ve got to say next I’ve got to say in one go, no interruptions.” She stared at Clara and Helena in particular. “Let’s me get through it and then any questions please wait until the end. Same goes for you George.” She pointed to him as he perched himself on the floor by Doc, he mimed zipper his lips and locking them. With a claiming breath Sera explained. “The notoriety of the survivors from the Red Sun Pack has garnered the attention of all previous Mates, who have informed the Guild of their intent to come and claim their Mates back. The Guild have seen fit to grant these Mates the ‘opportunity’, and they will be accompanying them on their visit in 15 days time. Now all 20 Mates have accepted, of course myself, Doc and George excluding from this, but Theo did some digging. Turns out only 12 hold a possible legitimate claim., by this we mean that he can find no record, evidence, or testimony to suggest that these 12 outright rejected their Mates. What this means is if we cannot prove these 12 have been rejected the Guild will uphold the original claim and order that the Mates are reunited.” She waited. “In preparation for certain questions:

1. The Mate in question must have said ‘I, their name, do hereby reject, mates name, as my Goddess Mate. The bond between us is no more, may the Goddess in her wisdom, treat you well.’ If not then the bond remains.

2. If they have said that exact phrase and still stand by their claim, or there is no proof of said phrase, then the only thing that would overrule is the creation and completion of a new bond. To do this the Lycan in question still needs their wolf half.”

She looked sheepishly at the 3, then to Doc, then back to the sofa.

“All that sounds like a great big pile of crap, you’d only be telling us if we were part of the 12.” Clara surmised.

“You’ll have to talk us through the events of your rejection, in detail. And to Theo and Bella.” Sera added.

“Haven’t we been through enough?!” Lucy’s eyes were brimming with tears. “And now we have to re-enact one of the worst days of our lives, that led us down the path to Red Sun, to spend years of torture and pain, to finally be free and then snared back up again?!”

“No, it’s not fair!” Clara threw the coffee table over, scaring George who whimpered back. “I’m sorry George...”

“I know.” Sera was sympathetic to their pain, she never pushed anyone to tell anything they didn’t want to but now her hand was forced. “We can go through it all with Theo and Bella, as Alpha and Beta they have sworn to do all they can to defend. They need as much ammunition as possible to stand a fighting chance. But me and Doc wanted to go through the basics first, and we will be there when you tell your side. You won’t go through this alone.”

“Easy for you to say Sera, you’re no Lycan.” The words were harsh from Clara and Sera couldn’t deny the hurt but it was true.

“No I’m no Lycan, but I am your friend.” The room fell quiet for a few moments.

“George, fancy going for a run to the Manor kitchens and seeing if you can get a hold of any of the cakes there?” Doc suggested with a smile.

“I would normally run at the chance Doc but –“ He looked to his mother. “If Mum needs me here, I’m here.” He walked over and held her hands. “You’ve never hidden anything from me, any of you. I know how we all came to be isn’t perfect but in a way I’m glad. If they hadn’t rejected you how would I know any of you?” He looked round at everyone. “Better yet, none of you would know the worlds greatest cake thief.” He beamed a cheeky grin, pecked his mother on the cheek and went off running to acquire all sweet treats he could find.

“In a twisted way he is right. If that never happened we wouldn’t know each other.” Helena took Clara’s hand. “I’d know you of course, but the rest of you... I could take on the world with friends like you.”

Lucy wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. “Mine never said he rejects me.” She regained her composure. “He laughed at me, in front of the whole pack, during the Solstice Celebration Ball they always held. When I tried to explain I was his Mate he lashed out screaming he’d never be mated to a lowly Gamma kitchen slave, when I pushed the matter further he literally booted me out the door. Told me to leave and never come back.”

“Ours were similar.” Started Helena. “During a Ball which was held for local Packs to bring their wolf age Lycans for a chance to meet their Mate. We had already met Ours, signed, sealed, completed. Done deal.” Her words caught in her throat.

“But they met other Lycans. Younger, stronger. Prettier.” Helena continued. “We weren’t good enough for them, our Alpha said they couldn’t have 2 Mates and would have to choose 1. We were exiled, banned from ever stepping foot on Pack ground again under punishment of death.”

“So none of you had your Mates outright reject you?”

“No Doc. But they did worse, exile means we could never go home. Not that it’s home now.”

“The Guild can overrule an exile in favour of the bond.” Doc hated the words.

“And we have no wolves.” Lucy hated those even more. She was proud of her wolf, her Lyla, but she hadn’t heard from her in nearly 8 years. Since the day George was conceived. She despised the part of her that blamed Lyla for what happened.

“We are screwed. There’s nothing to stop them taking us.” A touch of despair was in her voice, which wasn’t like her at all.

“I wouldn’t say nothing.” Sera was... smiling?

Oh no Sera. I hate that smile.

Why’s that Doc?

That’s your ‘I have a stupid plan’. A brilliant but stupid plan.

That is exactly right Doc. I have a brilliant but very stupid, borderline psychotic, plan.