Silent Strength: The Female Alpha Leads the Purge

Chapter 12

Sam

“My office.” My Alpha's voice echoed through my head.

What was up Joshua’s a*s today? I started stacking the firewood in my arms up against the stone façade of my parent’s cottage. We had taken down trees on the East side of the pack house in order to cultivate a community garden. It would benefit everyone who lived there instead of residing in their own homes. Joshua and I had been at odds about it since Scarlett had wanted it on the south side of the house, but that was the side where my office was located and I wanted to keep my view of the woods instead of seeing a scraggly field of beans and corn. Thankfully my little tutor, Rose, enjoyed the view as much as I did and sided with me. Our Alpha and Luna couldn’t resist her sweet little face.

“Thank you, son.” Mom signed as she came out of the cottage.

“You’re welcome.” I gestured back.

We had a pact between us to only use signs. She had always desperately wanted a daughter. Clara was as close as she got, but now that she was the Luna of the Red Savage Pack, mom didn’t see her very often. She couldn't wait to communicate with Kristi.

“Are you leaving?” She signed.

I smiled, nodding. “Our Alpha requires my…” My hands stopped and I stood for a minute thinking before audibly saying, “Presence.”

We both laughed. This language was hard, but we were trying. I worked at it as much as I could. The faster I figured it out, the faster I could have conversations with Kristi. I wanted to know what she liked, what she wanted, and what she thought.

I wiped my hands and hugged mom, kissing the top of her head before making my way down the dirt path back towards the Pack House. I could feel the anger in Joshua’s aura as I stood at the doorframe of his office. He confirmed his wrath when he looked up from his laptop, eyes meeting mine.

“I would call this Alpha a b*tch, but I know you would shred me apart if I did.”

Surprising myself, I smiled. What on earth had Kristi done to upset him so much? I entered the room and sat in a chair opposite his desk allowing my body to relax fully.

“You’re getting sweat all over that chair. Where have you been?” He asked as he grabbed a piece of paper from the printer aggressively and thrust it in my direction.

I reached out, taking it, but answered before looking it over.

“I took some of the wood from the downed trees in the community garden area to my parents and was splitting it.”

“Can’t your dad do that? You have responsibilities you know.”

Sh*t. He was really angry.

“What has you so worked up today? Maybe you need to go split some wood and work through that sh*t.”

He answered by pointing at the paper in my hand and looking it over, I realized it was an email from Kristi.

Alpha Black of Crescent Pack,

I didn’t realize we had a relationship between our packs as I was never approached about an alliance.

As far as a visit from my sister, Rose is concerned, her membership in this pack will never be terminated as she is a blood member and therefore permitted on these pack grounds whenever she desires. No bodyguard or chaperone will be required as I can guarantee her safety myself. However, if your Beta would like to accompany her, I am sure he has a clear understanding of the conditions of his relationship with me and this pack, and as my mate will also not be refused admittance to pack grounds. Please do not bother me over trivial things in the future unless you are requesting a visit from someone without a right to be here as it comes off as you trying to claim ownership over what is mine.

Kristi Weston

Alpha, Black Moon Pack

I smiled, not able to contain the excitement of reading her words.

“She acts like I’m some possessive kidnapper.” He yelled.

“Well, I mean, aren’t you kind of? She is Rose’s sister. You haven’t invited her here or talked to her about an alliance since our packs will someday be blood-related if you make Rose your heir.”

He stopped a moment before responding.

“Rose is Scarlett’s daughter. I didn’t kidnap her, I saved her.”

“You saved her by killing her father. She was no longer in danger. Did you give her the option of going back with her sister, or even visiting her besides sending some formal a*s email requesting admittance to her Pack grounds?” I laughed. “I’m not staying away because I don’t have permission to be there. She’s right. The mate laws give me that right. I’m staying away because I haven’t learned her language and that was her stipulation. I want to honor that.”

Joshua ran his hands over his face.

“Here I thought I was helping you, and now you’re ganging up on me.”

“How many times has Rose asked to see her sister? You obviously have her email. You could have been helping her to at least write to her. But you haven’t. What are they supposed to think about you?”

Joshua leaned forward, resting his forehead in his hands.

“I’m an assh*ole.” He groaned.

I laughed. “Hey, you said it. But glad you trust me with Rose. It means a lot.” I said, standing and smacking my hand on his shoulder. “You want something to eat?”

He sat up, shaking his head. “No. I need to get some things done.”

“Alright. Well, I’m going to grab a shower and then head to the dining hall if you change your mind.”

He just waved at me in response before returning to his computer. The pack was making quick progress forward with members finding jobs in town and us starting a communal account for pack welfare. But it all required careful management and a lot of late nights as we planned for the future. Joshua’s exhaustion was evident.

I walked into the small room I was using in the Pack House. I enjoyed the quiet of my parent's house, but with the late nights, I had taken over a vacant room. I took a shower quickly and changed into jeans and a tee before heading back downstairs.

The dining hall was busy. Scarlett was in the kitchen buzzing around and making sure everything was perfect. She no longer needed to be in there. She was Luna. But she believed everyone had a job and should work, so there she was. Feeding the pack fell under pack welfare to her, and she wanted to remain hands-on. Rose sat at the counter, her little legs swinging and head tipping side to side as she hummed and colored on a blank piece of paper.

“Hmmmm….” I said, leaning on the counter next to her and getting her attention so I could sign. “Who is that for?”

She smiled, dropping her crayon so she could sign back to me. “Kristi.” She finger-spelled her sister's name and happiness filled me.

“Do you want to give it to her?” I signed.

Rose’s face lit up. “Really?!” She screamed, abandoning our practice.

“What is all this?” Scarlett asked coming over.

“Sam just asked if I wanted to give my picture to Kristi! Does that mean I get to see her?” She asked her mom.

I wasn't sure I was meaning right now, but I couldn't say no to the excitement I had caused.

“I think your father emailed her about you visiting. Has she responded?” Scarlett asked.

“She did. She said Rose and I don’t need permission to visit her as Rose is family and I am her mate. So what do you say, Rose? Should we go see her? Think my signing is good enough, and if not, will you help?” I pretended to pout just to see her giggle.

She stood on the stool and jumped, wrapping her arms around my neck and I hoisted her on my shoulder.

“You’ll watch over her, right?” Scarlett asked, looking a bit concerned.

“Of course. I would never let anything happen to her. You know that, right?”

She smiled and nodded. “Have you eaten yet?”

“No. That was my real reason for coming in here.” I laughed.

Scarlett grabbed a sandwich and held it in my direction. I took it and thanked her before heading out the french doors on the side of the dining hall and toward the woods.

“Rose and I are headed to the Black Moon Pack.” I linked Joshua.

“Scarlett told me already. One scratch on my daughter and I will take it out on you.”

I shook my head and Rose grabbed it.

“What’s wrong?”

“Your father is very concerned about your safety.” I laughed.

“Why? We will be with Kristi. She’s super strong.” She cooed.

“Hey, aren’t I strong?” I tried to sound disappointed.

“Yeah, but Kristi is REALLY strong. She fights males all the time.”

I loved hearing the adoration in Rose’s voice for her sister. The woods seemed bright with light dancing on the ferns and moss-covered logs as we crossed the territory border between our packs. I was immediately overcome with the change in scent as I stepped on the worn path of their guards and heard scattering and the familiar breaking of twigs and pounding of the earth as they approached. Our presence was already known.

I stopped, waiting for them to present themselves, and Rose leaned down, wrapping her small arm around my neck so I reached up and grabbed her small frame, placing her on the ground in front of me.

“It’s okay kiddo,” I assured her. “It’s just their guards coming to see if we are rogues. You have nothing to be afraid of.”

But as I stood, it was no longer the scent of the warriors I picked up, but that of the blue-eyed goddess who stood in front of me in human form with five wolves behind her.

“You are beautiful.” I signed, locking my eyes with her own.

A soft smile broke across her face and my entire body felt as if it were vibrating. Then she stooped down, looking over at Rose and holding her arms open. Little legs carried the girl as fast as they could into her sister's arms and I knew true joy at that moment seeing Kristi lift Rose in the air and spin her around before looking back at me nodding her thanks.