The Female Alpha (on going)

Chapter 5

Siegmund POV

How did I end up here, thinking to myself? I knew listening to that wolf was a mistake. Now behind bars, in this pack’s dungeon. The smell is deplorable, excrement and blood, mixed with damp dirt. No window’s, of course why would they want their citizens to smell or hear the seemingly awful things that take place here.

As I sat on the dirt floor trying to figure out if it was possible to get out of this mess, my mind also, ran through the events that led up to this capture. I was tired of wandering the woods alone and wanted to find some wolves to hang with. It had been two years since I left the traveling rogue pack that raised me. While wonderful wolves for taking me in I had questions about my past that I was hoping one day would be answered. I was found as a toddler in the woods. No note, nothing. I was grateful they chose to take me in, they could have just as easily left me to parish.

Joel my wolf had convinced me to go off on our own and explore. I was twenty at the time and without having parents to tell me any different, I was free to do as I pleased. I got the general area of where I was found years before based on conversations with those who found me and decided to start there. I stayed hidden and off any known paths for my protection, a lone rogue would be seen as a threat to an established pack, and I was not looking for trouble. During the Summer I began getting lonely and started searching out other rogue’s that I could join up with for company. Lo and behold that decision became the mistake that landed me here today.

It was nice having others around to converse with. What I failed to realize quick enough was that the rogue leader was not of sound mind. Thinking he could take on an established pack, what was he thinking? Why did I even follow him to the boundary line? Maybe I’m not of sound mind myself. It was just so nice to not be alone. This search is not going well, shoot I can’t even figure out where to begin asking questions. I have no clue of my birth name. If I try to go to a pack and ask to utilize their library, I will probably end up in prison, like my current situation.

            Joel interrupted my pity party; “will you stop negative Nancy.”

            Sighing “your right, these thoughts won’t help our predicament. It is hard to be positive in our current situation though.”

            “Choosing to be around those rogues was a legitimate decision. Feeling the loneliness and not doing anything about it could have made us go mad. At least we didn’t fight and there is hope in the fact that when we surrendered, they did not kill us.” Joel was great at finding positives in life, it’s one of the best qualities of my wolf.

I went back to my thoughts trying to add Joel’s’ positive outlook on it. So, the other two that have been imprisoned with me surrendered when I did. Whether they did it to save their hides or because like me I had no beef with this pack and didn’t want to fight, I am not sure which. Thankfully, we were sparred, and I am waiting for questioning, which I plan on being up front and honest. Prayers to the Moon Goddess they don’t decide to torcher me.

 My wolf started feeling uneasy, I think being free his whole life and now being locked up in this tiny cell is too much for him. I could feel him pacing and I had to get him to stop, or he was going to drive me nuts.

            “Joel,” I reached back out to him in my mind. “Try to settle down, hopefully once I get a chance to explain myself, we can be on our way.”

            “It is not that easy Sig boy.” I loved his nickname for me. “My senses are off the chart, the dungeon is deplorable, but there is a small hint of cinnamon and oranges, it’s not making since to me, yet it is causing me to feel unsettled.”

            “That is odd…..Joel is there anything I can do to help you?”

            “Afraid not,” Joel sighed. “I will close off our link together, hopefully that will help. If you need me just ask.” Just like that Joel was gone and I was alone to face the darkness of this place alone.

Hearing the creaking of heavy hinges woke me out of a light sleep. There was no way to tell time in this place, so I had no clue if I had been asleep for ten minutes or hours. A young pup, somewhere between ten and twelve peered around the room. I saw him pick up a bucket and then head to my cell.

            “Would you like some water mister?” asked the pup.

            “Yes, please,” replying. “How is one so young aloud to pass water out to prisoners?” I asked.

            “My father is a warrior; he oversees the dungeon. If anyone gives me trouble, they will no longer receive water or food and will be whipped. So, unless your status changes you will see me three times a day,” the pup bravely spoke, seemingly without a care in the world.

            With a gentle voice, “thank you. You will have no trouble from me, I just want the opportunity to explain myself and hopefully be released.”

As he was filling a wooden cup with water and preparing to slide it into a compartment on the wall he said, “Not sure when that will be. May take a couple of days, depends on when they are able to get around to you three. In the meantime, I suggest settling in.”

The wall compartment was genius. It allowed for the cup to be sat on a platform that would swivel from one side of the bars to the other. Prisoners couldn’t get out or touch the pup, yet it allowed this youngster to complete the job without fear of being harmed. With the bars being made of silver no werewolf in their right mind would touch them.

             “Thank you again for the water and the information,” speaking as I grabbed the cup and drank down the refreshing water.

            “No problem mister, just put the cup in the compartment when you are done. I will retrieve it when I bring your lunch,” replying to me as he walked on to the other cells.

Ah, that is good to know. It is still the same morning, and I should be able to keep track of the day and time if that youngster is coming around three times a day. Hopefully, I won’t have to be down here longer than a day. Between something going on with Joel and this depressing dungeon I did not want to be down here any longer than I had to.

A cup crashing to the floor pulled me out of my thoughts.

            “LET ME OUT OF HERE PUP,” one of my prison mates yelled with venom in his voice.

            “That is not going to happen, and you just lost my services,” I could hear the pup snap back at the inmate loud enough for all to hear.

I heard footsteps heading back to me. The pup was shaking his head.

            “Well mister I guess your going to get a glimpse of what happens when the prisoners don’t cooperate,” the pup said to me as he continued right on by my cell.

I saw him drop off the bucket of water he was carrying and heard the hinges of the door creaking as he opened and closed it with a bang, leaving the prison. My whole body shivered at the bang of the door closing, feeling hopeless again. Lowering my head in the shame I felt for even making the choice to follow that knuckle head, I sat down on the dirt floor, closed my eyes, and prayed to the moon goddess for a reprieve.

Hette POV

Going through the piles of papers on my desk was an endless job. I swear for everyone I complete five more appear in its place. Getting ready to throw my pen across the room in frustration, a mind link came through from Stan the prison warrior,

 “Alpha a prisoner has yelled at my boy David, demanding he be let out, while he tried to give him water, would you like me to proceed with the usual punishment of one hundred lashes?”

I had yet to think about if I wanted changes in that area. I will have to ask Stan to give me a brief on prison protocol and then look if anything should be updated or modified.

            “Yes, proceed with usual protocol,” sighing as I replied. “And if he happens to spill anything on why they attacked us let me know right away.”

            “Yes alpha, it will be done,” came from Stan, then the link was severed, just like a dropped call.

Leaning back in my chair, I kicked my feet up on the desk, I had my hands in prayer just under my chin going through the events this morning. That attack was planned, but why? We have never done anything to provoke the local rogue population. If they stay away, we leave them be. Attacking two sections of our boarders tells me they have been scouting us. Tomorrow we start the interrogation of those prisoners if Stan cannot get anything out of the one today. I do not want to sit on this. If something is amuck, I want to know.

            Asking Fye, “you don’t think this has anything to do with our theory about Diabolos, do you?”

            “It could be,” hesitation in her voice. “We really should not make any assumptions. Rogue attacks happen, it is a part of why we have warriors to protect the pack.”

            “Your right, I think the pressure of this job is getting to me. Fye how are we going to be successful at this? There is already so much going on,” I was practically whining to my wolf.

            “Hette, this is the job you as alpha were born to do. Your genes are made up of power that not every wolf has. Once we find our mate you can dump the boring responsibilities on him,” Fye was giggling.

            Laughing with her, “I like the thought of that.” After laughing a wave of relaxation flowed throughout my body, “let’s get out of this boring office and spend some time with nature.”

Fye was excited to get out of this office and spend sometime outdoors. I was heading down the five flights of stairs when I came upon Irmele heading up the stairs.

            “Alpha, I was just coming to find you,” Irmele greeted me with the tilt of her neck, showing submission to me.

            “Please Irmele, you are my best friend continue calling me Hette just as you have done all our lives, giving her a smile. “Now what can I do for you?”

            “I wanted to let you know everything is cleaned up from the morning attack. And if you’re not doing anything I was wondering if you wanted to have some friend time?” Irmele quizzically asked.

            A huge grin formed on my face as I responded, “you are just in time Fye and I were just heading out for some nature fun, care to join?”

            “Absofreakingloutly,” burst out of her mouth. “Let’s get out of here.”

We continued the rest of the way down the stairs and headed out the front door. Stepping off the porch, and walking to the right of the house, there a group of bushes that was perfect for stripping down to ones’ birthday suite and shifting.

Fye and Ayla took off running, down the gravel road lined with trees, through the village, and onto a path that went through an open field. The girls were so happy to be out stretching their legs. We came upon my favorite spot in the territory, the lake. Ayla and Fye started playing around like puppies. Nipping at each other, running in circles and around bushes, trees, anything they could find to circle. Testing their abilities plowing into one another, using their front paws to hit, jumping and side stepping, until they became tired.

Settling down they crouched over the lake lapping the water. Out of nowhere Fye and I were submerged in the water. Shocked and at first struggling in the water. We got our bearings and swam to the bank of the water. Hearing rolling laughter I look over while Fye was using her front paws to pull us out, there rolling on her back laughing is Ayla.

Fye got out shook off the water and I mind linked Irmele, “really! You just had to pull something?”

            Laughing out of breath, “you should have seen the look on Fye, it was priceless. We couldn’t help ourselves you two needed to cool off.” Laughing and rolling around.

Fye and I couldn’t help it, we too began laughing. “Oh Irmele, Ayla what would we do without the two of you keeping us on our toes?”

            “Never have any fun,” Irmele said, while Ayla rolled off her back and stood back on her paws. “I’m going to shift and soak up some sun while we’re here,” Irmele continued.

Watching as Ayla’s’ form disappeared and Irmele’s form took over. She was beautiful, whoever her destined is, will be one happy werewolf. Poor thing was as white as rice and only stood 5’ 1”, but she was blessed with a perky rack and an apple shaped back side. Luckily, being a werewolf, she would never have to worry about burning, unlike humans. My olive skin blessed me with a tan year-round, but who said anything about tanning? Laying in the sun allowing the rays to beat on you, soaking up its energy was as refreshing as a day at the spa.

Shifting from Fye to myself I joined my best friend by the lake. Stretching out and feeling the warmth from the sun my body began to feel as though it was melting into the earth. The mild smell of grass, and a hint of Autumn completed the feel of relaxation.

            “Irm,” I spoke her shortened name softly; “this is exactly what I needed. Thank you for joining me.”

            “No problem, I am here to please. Besides you needed some fun and self-care. Aren’t you always preaching that?”

            “Your right. Since father passed away, I have not thought of myself once. Self-care use to be a regular thing for me. Now I’m consumed with pack business. I have got to figure a way to lighten my load.”

            “Umm, you have me,” Irmele turned her head giving me a what am I chop liver look. “You placed me as an additional betta and so far, given me very little responsibility. So, right here right now, what is it that I can help with?”

            “Irm you are the best,” smiling at her, then narrowing my eyes looking devilish I said; “paperwork…I need help with the stupid paperwork that seems to continuously pile up, daily. I feel like I’m drowning in it.”

            “Oh, you would,” rolling her eyes and looking away she replied, “fine…if I must, I will come in and help.” Looking back at me she was wearing a big smile of satisfaction on her face.

            “Awesome, starting tomorrow after breakfast.” Maybe I will be able to get back to that self-care. I thought after responding to Irmele. “Hey, do you think the warriors would go for one more change in training?” asking my best friend.

            Confusion ran across her face, “what are you thinking?”

            “Adding meditation to the end. I believe like the yoga it would only improve our warriors, keeping their minds clear.” Responding slowly, letting what I was saying sink in.

            Irmele seemed to be giving it some thought before replying, “they seem to be accepting the yoga. I have even overheard some mention they are feeling more flexibility in their movements. That could be a sign they would take to the meditation as well.”

            “How about the two of us begin after training and see if anyone joins,” looking at Irmele for confirmation that this way would be better than forcing the warriors.

            c*****g her head and with a twinkle of excitement in her eyes Irmele said, “that sounds perfect. More than likely the women will join first, and I am certain the male’s competitive nature will have them OMing with us in no time.”

Standing up feeling reenergized I smiled and said, “let’s head back.”