Silent Strength: The Female Alpha Leads the Purge

Chapter 2

Kristi

I didn’t want to open my eyes. I expected the cold ground of the forest floor but was surprised by the warmth and comfort of what appeared to be sheets and a blanket laid over my body. Fingers were making circular motions on the back of my hand and the sparks that emanated from that spot gave the identity of my mate away. I wanted to groan. Five years of planning literally burned at his hands. Two more days. I only needed two more days and I would have killed my father myself. Why hadn’t I anyway? I knew why the invading packs were there. My father was to blame. I could have simply sliced his neck and handed his body over to them. But I hadn’t.

I squeezed my eyes shut harder and the thumb stopped drawing figures on my hand. He knew I was awake. I didn’t care. I wouldn’t open my eyes until I was ready. I sensed him settling back in on his seat and allowed myself to relax for the moment. At least I was safe. But was my pack? My warriors who shifted their allegiance to me from my father might all be dead. We were captured by Alpha Damien. His pack was notorious not only for their strength but for their ruthlessness. They were, after all, the Red Savage Pack, who were gifted supernatural strength from the Moon Goddess herself after they fought on her side, squelching the packs who stood against her. I would be an alpha, but not one with a reputation like that, one who cared for and respected the pack members. I would be one who helped them all reach their potential, follow their dreams, and rise above their stations. My loyal members supported me. They learned my language and accepted me, knowing the type of leader I would be. Anger built inside of me at the realization that my vision wouldn’t manifest because of the actions of a few hot-headed men, my own mate being one of them. I could have slapped my wolf, Arrow, at that moment for marking him. Senseless. She was senseless.

“I can hear your thoughts, you know?”

“I don’t care, Arrow. That was so stupid. He is reckless and a weakness we do not need. If any of our pack members are still alive, our allegiance is to them.”

“Mate will help with that. He is strong. His wolf is….strong…” She purred the last word and made me cringe.

“We don’t need some knight from fairytales. We are strong. Stop being a puppy.”

Arrow went silent in protest and I took a deep breath in exasperation. Time to get this over with. I opened my eyes, meeting his, which seemed to melt into my soul. I wasn’t prepared for the power he held over me. He smiled and I willed my face to remain neutral. I had seen the infantizing expression before, but it almost hurt coming from him. Everyone equates the fact that I'm deaf with being a reflection of my intelligence somehow. A doctor stood in a white coat nodding at me and making strange hand gestures as if communication was some strange game of charades. His mouth moved slowly and I rolled my eyes. It’s not like speaking slower will make me hear you. I could almost count the seconds until he started yelling. I had been through this all before. The volume didn’t matter. I took my hand out of my mate's grasp and sat up straighter in bed. I should thank Arrow for helping me heal, but she was still pouting, so it could wait. I glared at them all as they turned to one another, no doubt to discuss me as if I were truly a child. I stood, looking around for my clothes. Sitting on a small white table next to the open door of the bathroom was a new outfit, folded and with the tags still on. I walked towards them, turning my face and giving a questioning expression to my mate as I pointed to them. He nodded, his sad expression causing a split second of pain in my chest. I lifted the clothes, headed into the bathroom, and frowned at the lack of a shower. I washed as best I could in the sink and dried off with paper towels. I pulled the tags off the clothes and held them up for inspection. If he picked them, at least he had good taste. I slipped on the tight black jeans and simple white fitted shirt before exiting back into the lion's den. I looked at the four faces standing before me, recognizing each one. The doctor, my mate, and the two Alpha’s who invaded our territory. There was something about my mate though that seemed strange. I knew he had Beta blood, it was obvious, but he had an Alpha aura. I had seen him before, from afar, when he and his Alpha came to meet with my father, asking questions about the females my father had purchased previously. I knew my sister, Rose’s, mother was one of them, but I had no idea she was the mate of the Alpha who would kill my father. I suppose he had a right to his vengeance. Just not as much right as I had myself. I was the unloved, discarded, damaged daughter of Alpha Stewart. He underestimated me, as so many did because of my deafness. Big mistake.

I looked at the bed, refusing to sit back down on it and allow them to continue looking at me as a victim. Instead, I walked to the chair next to it, turned it to face my audience, and sat down crossing my arms and looking expectantly at them. It was amusing how their eyes shot at one another waiting to see who would attempt communication. My mate came over, kneeling in front of me as if I were a child needing reassurance. I had enough. I placed my foot on his chest, knocking him on his ass before I stood, glaring at them. Their shock amused me further. I will not be underestimated ever again.

The door opened and I was happy to see Marcus, one of my warriors, enter.

“You’re alive.” I signed surprised but happy.

He smirked before bowing respectfully at me. “As are you.” He signed in return. “They brought me here to interpret. Anything you would like me to say, Alpha?”

That made me smile. I enjoyed the look he gave my growling mate as he stood from the floor. A little territorial, are we?

“Tell them I am leaving and heading back to our pack grounds with the remaining members and my warriors. If they need anything from me, they can request a formal meeting.”

Marcus nodded and turned to them, explaining what I had signed. My mate started talking to him and I could tell he wanted me to stay. The others remained rather quiet and I was thankful they weren’t trying to stop us. I may feel confident, but I knew we weren’t strong enough to take them on if they truly wanted our land. My mate came over, attempting to take my hand, which I pulled back quickly. He turned in desperation to Marcus, wanting him to explain something to me, but I pushed past him, standing next to Marcus giving my mate a hard look.

“Marcus, tell him if he has something to say to me, he can sign it. If he wants me, he wants me the way I am. I will not have an interpreter be part of my relationship.” With that, I turned and walked out the door of the hospital room, thankful to see an exit sign down the hall. I had no idea where I was, but Marcus would help me locate our pack members and we would rebuild together.