After the Alpha’s Death

Chapter 10

Rose stood looking at the selection of dresses that Melody had brought for her to try on for the ball. She hated shopping and being 5ft 11 she struggled to find clothes that were long enough and fit well. So she had tasked Melody with the job of shopping and bringing a selection of dresses to look through. Melody had had a great time and had brought 12 gowns in various styles and colours.

“I didn’t know what kind of dress you liked. I hadn’t realised that I had never seen you in a dress until I tried to picture it. Rose groaned inwardly but smiled politely at the young woman who was now one of her closest friends. She had worn dresses before, she had worn ball gowns before, lots of them, but not for years. She had attended mating ball after mating ball when she turned 18 but had given up. She had accepted her fate and started her business at 21 and threw herself into work. Her oldest sister finding her mate on her 18th birthday by accident only added to her frustrations at not finding her mate. Perhaps being far away at boarding school when she got her wolf meant that her mate was over there and their paths had therefore never crossed and probably never would. She had thought about going back there and just wandering around but what would the chances be of bumping into him anyway and she wasn’t sure if that was even where he was. The ball tonight was in fact a mating ball in every way but name. It was the first ball she had attended in four years and the first one she would host. Nervous was an understatement.

“I really like this one.” She said holding a midnight blue silky dress to herself. It was the perfect colour for her pale skin and dark hair. The thick straps and deep cleavage would help give her curves that she didn’t have. That and a wonder-bra. The slit at the side would show off just enough of her long slim legs as she walked. She stripped off and tried it on.

“It’s perfect.” Melody beamed. She had done her job well. “There won’t be a wolf in there not praying to the goddess that you choose them as your mate.”

“Thanks.” Rose replied. “I really appreciate your help, and the encouragement.” She carefully set it back on the hanger. Dress decided she could get ready properly.

She looked at the final product in her full length mirror. She had to admit she looked good. Not pretty petite blonde type of good that she knew wolves loved but tall and elegant kind of good. Astrid was pacing around agitated inside her head. She had been hurt watching others find their mates at balls before too. The prisoner was also making her on edge. She didn’t like him one bit and liked his plans even less.

“I better get back to Lilly.” Melody explained. “Good luck and have a wonderful time. I can’t wait to hear all about it.” She gave her a quick hug being careful not to crease the delicate fabric or smudge her perfectly applied makeup.

“Thank you again. I don’t know what I would have looked like without you.” She smiled back. Rose gave herself a final look and approving smile then followed Melody out of the pack house. Melody turned left along the unlit path to her home whilst Rose followed the lit path to the ballroom. She was almost at the end of the path when she received a mind like from the prison guard. It was much sooner than she had expected, she hadn’t expected them to come until the early hours of the morning but there were now pack wolves outside the prison not from this pack. The ballroom was lit up like a giant Belisha beacon so there was no way that any wolf would accidentally miss it and wander to the prison.

“As we discussed. Key card outside the cell. Lock yourself in the control room make sure the cameras are rolling.” She shot back down the mind link to the guard. There was only one prisoner, so only one guard was needed, but she had all her best warriors stationed close by.

“Are you sure.” The guard linked back. “Only two wolves, one a she-wolf, we can take them.” He hated her plan. She knew it. He didn’t want to lock himself in a room with the video cameras and leave the fighting to others, but Rose wanted the proof of what had happened so there could be no doubt or excuses.

Astrid growled in her head, she hated being questioned and Rose was sure the guard now knew he was on thin ice with her wolf.

Rose slipped off her beautiful silver heels, and ran at full speed to the cells.

“Update!” She demanded of the guard through the link.

“Wolf form. By the cells now. Cameras rolling. Let me know …” Rose cut him off. She didn’t need him to tell her he would fight she knew he was desperate for a fight, but he wouldn’t be fighting today.

She stepped silently into the prison and wound her way through the building until she came to the cells.

“How stupid can they be to leave the keycard in front of the cells.” The voice echoed down the corridor. “I knew she would be a s**t Alpha.” One of the wolves had clearly shifted to pick up the keycard and was now talking to her mate. Rose wanted to listen some more but knew they would pick up her scent soon and wanted the element of surprise.

“Now that’s no way to talk about your big sister.” Rose challenged. They both spun round to face her. They had not expected her to come to them herself, they had been planning to ambush her after the ball when she was tired and not expecting it. Sapphire quickly scanned the card on the door releasing the prisoner.

“I suggest you let us pass. It’s three against one sweetie.” Sapphire stepped towards her but Rose blocked her way.

“Oh, my, goddess.” Rose exaggerated her words. “You didn’t let her in on your little plan?” She spoke to the wolf then to her sister. “He must think you are an i***t. It’s not a rescue mission it’s an assassination attempt dear sister.”

The rogue shifted to his wolf and pounced towards Rose. Rose shifted to Astrid before he had got half way to her. The wolves were shocked at Astrid’s stature but they were committed to their plan and still convinced they could take Astrid down. Astrid’s claws caught the rogue an his nose causing a slight hesitation in the attacking wolf which Astrid exploited and sunk her teeth into his shoulder. He clawed desperately at her before she released him tossing him towards the others. Her sister had shifted into her pretty brown wolf but she was definitely no match for Astrid and she knew it. The two uninjured wolves attacked together. Teamwork their only chance. The male wolf reached her first and she swiped him across his face before her sister tried to get behind her biting into her hind legs but unable to get a clean bite in. The tight corridor had stopped the wolves from being able to circle her easily and Rose wanted to keep it that way. She momentarily took her eyes from the larger wolf and dug her claws into the neck of the she-wolf. This stopped the annoying nipping at her back leg but had left her side exposed to the other two wolves. Pain coursed through her body as she felt simultaneous bites on her front and rear legs. Astrid was furious now and fighting for her life. She turned her head to the wolf on her shoulder and sunk her teeth deep into his neck piercing his throat. His grip on her shoulder relaxed and she hit his limp body against the wolf holding onto her back leg. He released her and snarled menacingly at her. He was relatively unharmed but had witnessed his mate and friend being killed by the giant she-wolf. Astrid was now covered in wounds. She snarled and clashed her teeth at Alpha Rick. This was now an Alpha on Alpha fight. They both knew the implications of this. This too would be a fight to the death. This is what Rick had wanted all along. An Alpha on Alpha fight away from the alliance so he could claim victory and the Crimson Moon pack. Astrid's left leg burned with pain as blood oozed from the wounds but the pain only made her more determined to end the fight quickly. She attacked first slashing with her right paw, claws extended as far as she possibly could. Her reach greater than her opponent’s allowing her to get the first and most powerful blow down his face through his left eye and the corner of his mouth. He let out a howl of pain and Rose quickly sunk her canines into his throat biting hard and fast ending his suffering quickly.

“Please tell me you got all that on video.” She asked the guard through the link.

“Yep everything. What do you want me to do with them?” He asked.

“ Can you put them in the cell for now please? I’ve got to get cleaned up and find Alpha David. I don’t think anyone would take too kindly to me turning up to the ball like this.”

“No problem Alpha.” Admiration in his voice. She had most likely saved his life and he knew it. A guard could not take on an Alpha or Beta and win. Rick had not thought his plan through very well. His first mistake had been using his own Beta, the one who had been with him at the council meeting as a rogue spy. He really had been that stupid and arrogant that he hadn’t considered that she would recognise him.

“Shows over. Stand down.” She mind linked to the elite warriors waiting around the prison. The best fighters in the pack had been on standby incase more wolves had come to join the fight. Astrid could take on attacks by any wolf in front of her but was vulnerable from behind. She did not want a surprise attack to encircle her. “Has it been quiet out there?” She asked Connor through the mind link as she walked towards the prison entrance grabbing a t shirt from the clothes box.

“Yes totally quiet.” Alpha Rick had well and truly underestimated her, he hadn’t planned for a battle. She saw Connor in the distance and walked towards him. The loose fitting t shirt barely covered her arse but gave her just enough decency to walk back to the pack house. Her wounds had stopped bleeding but she knew she was covered in blood and limping.

“Goddess Rose.” Connor exclaimed. Concern in his voice.

“It’s fine. You should see the other guys.” She retorted with the cliche, that was actually true this time.

“I’ve heard. Are you sure you’re ok?”

“I’m great. I owe you big time. All that training paid off.”

“You shouldn’t have taken such a risk. You could have died.” His concern for her still evident in his softly spoken words.

“And you would have died if you had taken on an Alpha trying to protect me.” She limped quickly away from him. Her left leg throbbing with every step. It was healing and she could feel it but it would be hours if not days before it was completely healed.

“Rose!” He watched as she got further away from him but she ignored him, she didn’t want to discuss it anymore. He followed behind her to the pack house and up the stairs to the top floor. She opened the doors and walked into the Alpha suit shutting him out.

Rose showered and removed all the blood from her body and hair. She looked at her injuries and the selection of dresses that Melody had chosen for her. There was one pale blue dress that was high necked, long sleeved and long to the floor. It was elegant but not what she would have chosen normally. She put it on and tied her wet hair back in a low bun. She looked at her reflection for a second time tonight before walking out of her room to the ball. She hardly looked like the same person as an hour ago but her plans for the evening had changed. She needed to find Alpha David and fill him in on the events before she could do anything else.

She walked out of the suite to Connor stood in the stairwell his back resting against the wall, his hands in his pockets.

“I’m sorry.” They said in unison.

“I was so worried about you.” He explained.

“I didn’t mean to worry you.” She replied.

They stared into each others eyes then shared a quick kiss.

“We better get you to the ball.” Connor exclaimed breaking the kiss.