Beauty and The Alpha Beast

Alpha Jordon

He took one final swing, sending his opponent flying, blood dripping from his nose as Alpha Jordan merely glared at his fallen comrade. "That was pathetic" he barked as the pack member cringed, fully embarrassed as they got to their feet and limped over to the group who'd been watching them spar.

"All of you let your guard down and didn't fight to the best of your ability" Alpha Jordon snarled, lips twisted into a disapproving line "if that's your best then you all need extra training."

The group was silent, none of them daring to even look at each other, waiting for their Alpha to finish, shoulders slumped and feeling beaten down as he continued to berate them until they wanted to sink into the ground and disappear.

"Fifty laps around the grounds" he roared as they all flinched "last one to complete them has to do fifty push ups on top and spar with me tomorrow."

Jordon watched them running as though their lives depended on it, arms folded and waiting impatiently. He demanded the best from all of his pack, not wanting anyone to slack off. Their very lives depended on their ability to attack and defend themselves. His pack the Crimson River's pack was the strongest one in the country, Jordan's leadership the sole reason for it.

Finally his pack was done, Sandy a young female the last to come around, her face falling as she saw everyone else panting on the ground, Jordan's eyes narrowed in anger. She almost cried as Jordan pointed to the ground.

"Everyone else can go" he barked, eyes never leaving the young woman who had dropped to the ground and began to count as she did her push ups.

Everyone of age learnt to fight in his pack. Jordan wasn't the type to think females should be cosseted, instead being just as tough on them as the men. Every woman and man should be able to fight back or protect their pups. It was essential to their survival.

Finally Sandy was finished, sprawling on the ground and groaning as she rolled over. Jordan sighed. "Tomorrow, you, me sparring" he spat, turning on his heel and heading back to the pack house, ignoring the sobs he could hear behind him. She needed to toughen up he thought to himself sourly. He had no time for weak females who used their tears to manipulate men into taking it easy on them or get what they want. Especially from Sandy who used it almost every time he clapped eyes on her. She was a shrewd one that girl.

He strode into his office and took his seat at his study desk. There was paperwork stacked up high and his brown eyes looked away. Jordan was in no mood to do paperwork, running his hands through his black shaggy hair exasperated. He contemplated burning the papers but he was responsible for ensuring the pack ran smoothly, so instead he put the pile in his drawer to do later. His hand opened the top drawer, grabbing the flask of whisky and taking deep sips, sighing in satisfaction as it went down smoothly, the burning feeling comforting, the whisky delicious.

A knock sounded on the door, loudly and he groaned. "What" he snapped, his Beta Christopher coming into the room and sitting himself down while Jordan scowled at him.

"I see you're in a good mood" Christopher said unfazed, leaning back comfortably as Jordan did the same.

Being friends from childhood meant that Christopher wasn't intimidated by Jordan, one of the few in the Crimson River pack. His ability to navigate through Jordan's moods and help run the pack was an admirable trait and further cemented Jordan's choice of him being his Beta. Even if the man was blood* annoying sometimes.

"Yeah yeah" Jordan muttered taking another drink and handing it over to Christopher who simply put the lid on and placed it on the desk "the pack's getting sloppy with their training. Thank god John is back tomorrow."

John was Jordan's Gamma, running the pack in the event of his and Christopher's absence and responsible for the pack's training. Otherwise Jordan would go mad at everybody's apparent lack of ability and progress. He refused to have his pack go weak and be vulnerable to attacks from other packs or rogues. Anyone who didn't like it was free to leave and find another pack.

"Well, this is sure to annoy you even more" Christopher said in a cheerful voice that grated on Jordan's nerves. Did the man have to be so damn cheerful all the time? It was unnatural.

"What now" Jordan groaned "Whatever it is just make it go away" he added uninterested as Christopher chortled.

"No can do" he said breezily "the Shimmering Lake Pack nearby has issued an invitation to dinner tomorrow night. They apparently want to discuss a treaty."

Jordan snorted incredulous "they're one of the weakest packs in the country. Aren't they the ones who believe that wolves should only mate with other wolves? That any other race is inferior? That it’s disgusting to mix blood with two types of races and is punishable by death or by being forced to leave?”

"That's the one" Christopher confirmed, blue eyes twinkling as he gave a small smile. This was sure to have Jordan's ire up, something that Christopher very much enjoyed watching.

"Why the hell do they think we'd be interested in aligning ourselves with them? They're pathetic" Jordan spat.

"It's not necessarily a bad thing" Christopher argued "yes they're weak but what if we had someone train them and make them stronger?"

"It would take a blasted miracle. I've observed them Christopher, their patrol is almost laughable, hardly anyone ever appears to be sparring in the training ring and from what I've heard the Alpha and Luna of that pack is a piece of work."

Christopher raised an eyebrow "and you're not" he said with a laugh "you do know that everyone refers to you as the Alpha Beast or Beastly Alpha?"

"Like I care" muttered Jordan "it's good to be feared. Besides it means far less females trying to approach me in the hopes of becoming Luna. I’ll only ever let my mate near me but try telling them that” he said snidely.

Christopher sighed. "It would give you a chance to be inside the pack house and see the pack for yourself. Give you an opportunity to see how everything functions and meet this Alpha and Luna which are apparently horrible and useless at that."

Jordan could see the wisdom of that. Besides he could always take them down a peg or two if they infuriated him or insulted him in some way. The Alpha definitely wasn't capable of taking him on or defending himself if his warriors were any indication. Besides he thought with a malicious grin, maybe it would be fun. At the very least he'd get dinner out of it.

"Fine" Jordan said irritably as Christopher hid smile "Send a message back. Tell them we will be there at 8pm sharp and dinner better be good. Light entertainment is also a must. I don't want to be blood* bored out of my skull. The least they can do is organise some decent music or something for Christ sake."

"I'll let them know" Christopher assured him, stretching before getting up "any other requirements?"

"Decent alcohol" Jordan said firmly as Christopher nodded and sailed out of the room while Jordan thumped his head against the desk. If there was anything he hated it was being polite and enduring company of people he disliked. At least he'd get to see the pack in action he thought grimly, but he very much doubted he'd sign a treaty with them. Tomorrow night would tell, one way or the other. He thumped his head again and groaned.