The Strength to Love

The Storm

Alpha Jake’s POV

               When we got to the lake it was about 9am. The fog had just dissipated off the top of the water. It was quiet and peaceful. Chuck and I quickly set up the camper and got the boat in the water. After about 3 hours of fishing, we had not caught a thing.

               “Well maybe we should hunt?” Chuck suggested. “My breakfast is long gone, and I am HUNGRY.”

               I laughed and pulled out the cooler Brooke had packed. “Brooke thought about this ahead of time. She thinks we can’t fend for ourselves.”

               “Thank goddess for Brookie!” Chuck exclaimed digging in and pulling out a sandwich. “I don’t know where she got the idea, we couldn’t make it.” His eyes danced with sarcasm.

               “She’s the best daughter a father coul-.” I could not finish my sentence. I looked at Chuck and he smelled it too, smoke.

               “Jake, I swear I didn’t start a fire!” Chuck exclaimed trying to start the boat.

               “I know Chuck. Relax, let’s go see what happened. Can you get the engine started or are we waiting until next year?” I was getting slightly annoyed he had not gotten us back to shore.

               “Are we out of gas? This f**king engine won’t start!”

               “What do you mean it won’t start?”

               I reached into the water and realized why we had not caught anything. Gas was everywhere. There must have been a leak in the gas line somewhere. I would have to look at it when we got back. This fishing trip was turning out to be a disaster. We pulled out the oars and Chuck rowed us back to shore. Our tent was destroyed but nothing else was burned which was odd. I bent down to look at something on the ground . . .. it was brown wolf hair. That could only mean one thing, rogues.

                "Chuck," I cautioned. "We aren't alone."

                "I see that," He stated standing very still watching the tree line.

               The next events moved so slow but regardless of my speed, I could not prevent anything. I looked at Chuck with the hair in my hand. To the right of us a shot rang out and went through Chuck’s shoulder. Another one got me in the leg. Then the attack happened. Six rogue wolves came from the left and another 6 from the right. But they were not disorganized like normal rogue attacks. This was cold and calculated. Did the rogues have a leader? I tried to get over to Chuck so we could try to defend ourselves back-to-back. I was trying gauge how long we had before I heard a scream. Two wolves were already on Chuck. I had to watch my best friend get decapitated before they all surrounded me.

                "Chuck," I cried for my friend. I had known him since we were boys. He was my best friend and i couldn't save him.  

               I shifted into my giant black wolf. I figured I could intimidate them with my sheer size as I was almost a head taller than all of them. However, they did not back down . . . .and they did not attack. They were waiting for something.                

               “That’ll do boys,” an oddly familiar voice called from the edge of the forest. “That will do just nicely.”

               Jessica! My wolf snarled and took stance to rip her head off. I could not believe this betrayal!

               “Did you really think you could divorce me?” She purred. I took one step forward not even caring about the dozen wolves circling me. “Ah ah,” she pointed her shotgun at me. “Silver buckshot, babe. Only the best for you. Just think how Brook will be tonight when I tell her dear old daddy is gone forever. Lost to the rogues. You we could have had it all, but you had to be noble and kindhearted.” She gagged mockingly. “I was going to wait another 6 months to do this but those divorce papers you gave me sealed your fate. And Brooke? She will fetch a good price in a couple years. Alphas will pay big money for a pure bride.”

               I was not going to sit there. I was going to go out swinging. I had to protect my daughter. I lunged toward Jessica but was taken down by 3 of the rogues. Struggling against them to get free, a shot rang out. I had so much adrenaline pumping through my blood I did not feel the hit. Slowly everything started to get cold. I did not realize how much blood I had lost until I collapsed on the ground. One rogue went to finish me off, but Jessica shot him screaming I was hers to finish. She stood over me and took aim. With all my last bit of energy I lifted my head inched forward and crushed her leg in my jaws. The last thing I heard was her screams and the shot. Goodbye Brook, Daddy loves you.