Hiding the Alpha

Chapter 2: Escape

Beauford's POV

Did his Alpha really want to kill his own child? Beauford stared at his Alpha and friend in shock. He couldn't believe he would be so cold as to kill his own child, their future Alpha! Alpha Richard dropped the young one in Beuford's arms, tossing the infant like a small heap of trash. Behind him, Beauford could hear the strained sounds of his Luna as she continued to labor. Fresh cries surrounded them as his Luna birthed another pup. Twins, Beauford thought. The Luna had been carrying twins, but the ultrasounds hadn't shown two pups in her womb. Beauford had seen the ultrasounds himself. She was carrying a healthy, baby boy. Had the Moon Goddess hidden the female child's existence from his Alpha? Beauford thought, looking down at the swaddled baby in his arms. She was at peace and calm despite the palpable tension in the room around her. Beauford could still hear the increasingly incessant cries of her sibling behind them, but Austen continued to look peaceably around the room, a picture of ease.

"Alpha, it's a boy!" One of the nurses announced as she cleaned up the second-born sibling.

So the Moon Goddess is with us, Alpha Richard barked disrespectfully to Beafurod in his mind link. This is your future Alpha, Beta. Take that abomination and deal with her accordingly. I will not bear that affront to the Moon Goddess a moment longer. Alpha Richard's aurora soaked through every word through their mind link. Beauford felt his mate hiss across his mind as she heard the Alpha's words against his child. Beauford worked to keep his composure so as to not let the Alpha know his mind was still open to his mate. Beauford's wolf instincts were telling him that there was danger imminent, and not just for the vulnerable baby his Alpha wanted him to kill.

Barely able to acknowledge his Alpha respectfully in that moment, Beauford managed a nod before he turned to exit with the child. He carefully tucked the child into his shirt, shielding her from prying eyes. His Alpha saw this and Beauford could feel his approval through their mind link before his Alpha severed it. Alpha Richard had assumed he was hiding the child to keep her birth hidden from anyone he might pass in the pack hospital. In reality, Beauford's only intent was to protect the infant and anyone else by keeping her identity a secret. He had a bad feeling about what his Alpha would do to anyone who knew of her birth. Quickly, he re-opened the mind link with Alpha Richard before reaching the threshold of the hospital room door. I sent Claude home before you... Beauford paused, trying to think of a delicate way to state his Alpha's agitated state... called me. My mom needed help with the boys, something is going on with Cole. Would you like me to call her back to tend to the Luna now, sir?

No, was his Alpha's only response before the mind link severed. As Alpha Richard replied, he had reached out to take hold of his son. Beauford took one last look at the scene behind him as he reached the door. The devotion and adoration his Alpha showed to his son made Beauford's stomach turn. Beafurod still felt his mate's presence, a shadow in his mind through his open mind link. She had heard his lie to the Alpha about where she was, and she did not seem surprised. Beauford hoped that meant Claude had seen this play out in her visions from that night, and he hoped she had a plan. As he left the room, he heard his Alpha call his son Alec before the Luna's heart monitor faltered and then flatlined. He could still hear the nurses and doctor moving around her, and it pained him to walk away from his Luna if she was in trouble. But he knew caring for her child and ensuring her safety would be what his Luna wanted.

You're right, my love. Hurry now. We don't have much time. Claude said through their mind link. Beauford could feel the sadness in her mind as she thought the words. Their Luna, Margo, had trained as a moon priestess with Claude before her father arranged her marriage to Alpha Richard. Unlike his mating to Claude, which was a true love match blessed by the Moon Goddess, Alpha Richard and Luna Margo had chosen to be mated and wed. While they showed each other respect, their mating was not a love match. Margo had left her priestess training at the insistence of her own father, much to Claude's dismay. Claude had said Margo was a powerful priestess and was sad to see her abandon that training for less than a love match, but respected her decision nonetheless.

As Beauford thought about his Luna, he prayed to the Moon Goddess to heal her as he weaved his way through the bustling pack hospital. When he reached the exit, he looked around for his mate and son. Beaford felt his mate calling him through the mind link, guiding him where to go and how to find them. She led him through the large clearing at the hospital, toward the wooded edge that met the forest, farthest from the other homes nearby and nearest to their pack border. Cole must be using his gift, Beauford thought. Sometimes, the Moon Goddess blessed werewolves with special abilities above and beyond their usual strength, speed, and other enhanced abilities. Cole had been born with enhanced abilities as a shield, as they called it. Cole was able to mask the aura, scent, and essence of himself and others since birth. Only three people knew of his special ability - Beauford, his mate, and Beauford's mother. Claude had insisted they keep the talent hidden until he got his wolf. Beauford assumed the Moon Goddess wanted Cole's ability to remain hidden to protect Cole until his wolf was able to do the job, but now he could see a bigger purpose for the secret, and realizing what that meant for his son had Beauford's heart shattering as he reached his mate and son on the forest's edge.

Mine as well, beloved. But the Moon Goddess has ordained these steps. We must have faith in her. Claude thought through their still open mind link as she took the infant from Beauford and cuddled her close to her chest. Claude opened the mind link to Cole, so the three of them could speak without fear of being overheard. As Cole joined the mind link, Beaford could feel his eldest son's fear and confusion, as well as his determination to protect infant cradled in his mother's arms. Cole's instinct to protect the future Alpha made Beauford proud, and he thanked the Moon Goddess silently in his mind for the goodness that was his son.

Claude began to speak urgently to Cole and Beauford through their mind link. Cole, this is your Alpha. Her mother called her Austen. Cole nodded his understanding. He knew of the tension it caused the packs when the law changed to include first-born females as inheritors to the Alpha title, but Beauford could see as he shared his son's mindspace that it was immaterial to Cole the gender of his Alpha. Cole knew he was to protect her and would do so. Claude continued, she is the first-born female Alpha ever to exist and the Moon Goddess has big plans for this little one, I have seen it. Pieces of visions flashed through Claude's mind into their mind link. Beauford saw a powerful white wolf with glowing, grey-blue eyes that were piercing. The wolf's aura in that vision was strong, but before he could ascertain more the vision slipped away. Because of this, Claude went on, snapping back to focus, this young Alpha is in mortal danger. With that, Cole let out a feral growl. Beauford was shocked at the sound. Cole was only thirteen, and his wolf wouldn't awaken for another five years. Claude only nodded her head before continuing. Cole, you will have to protect your Alpha without your pack, until she can protect herself.

Both Beauford and Cole stood in stunned silence, their shared mind space electric as the blank void stretched on with the tension of the moment.

Claude, Beauford hesitated, speaking into their mind link, he's only thirteen. He has no wolf. How can he protect her without a pack? Where will he go? What will he do? Beauford suspected that Cole's special ability would be pivotal to protecting the young future Alpha, but he never imagined he'd be doing it on his own. How can he do this alone?

I will do it, papa, because my Alpha needs me. The Moon Goddess will show me how. Beauford turned to see his son's face. He could feel Cole's determination through their mind link, and could see Cole's acceptance of his decision plain on his face. He was his mother's child, no doubt, Beauford thought to himself ruefully.

He's right, my love, Claude interjected. And the Moon Goddess has already been making preparations for this day long before any of us knew the need. Do you remember when you got lost last year, Cole? Their son nodded. Cole had been out playing with other, older pups. The other kids weren't paying close attention to their younger companion, and Cole got lost. He wandered outside of their packlands into a no-man's land, far from human or werewolf civilization. In his fear and frustration, Cole had accidentally activated his shielding ability, and couldn't even be reached through their mindlinks. Claude and Beauford knew they'd have to find him on their own, or risk everyone finding out about his ability when they couldn't scent or speak with him through his mind link. Claude was sure he was fine, and Beauford relied on her wisdom as a moon priestess to be right as they shifted to their wolves and set out in search of their son, alone. They found him wandering the wilderness. When they asked where he was and where he'd been, he'd simply said he had been "home," and that the moon goddess had shown him the way until he felt he should go. He said he'd found a small, abandoned cabin and waited there until he knew where to find his parents. He hadn't even realized he'd activated his shield until he couldn't speak with us in our wolf forms. Claude and Beuaford were never able to find the cabin he spoke of, but having their son back safely with them, they let it go, until now.

Claude spoke again in their mind link, pulling Beauford from the memory. You need to go to the cabin again, my love, and you need to activate your shield as soon as you leave here.

How will I contact you and father? Cole asked, his determined mask faltering lightly.

You won't, my son. From this moment forward you must keep your shield up and you must hide yourself in this young one. No one must ever be able to find you. Claude said sadly but sternly. She kept her eyes focused on her son's, ensuring he understood the importance of what she was telling him and the task at hand. Only Beauford could here the light whine in her voice, both Claude and her wolf's heart aching with each word.

Claude, there's no pack he could go to? No human town he could hide in? Beauford asked, knowing Claude knew best but also fearing for his son. He needed to hear his mate say it.

There isn't much time to explain, Claude replied, but this is the way the Moon Goddess showed me. If there was any other way, I'm sure she would have shown me that instead. I don't like this either, my love, but I trust the Moon Goddess will protect them both. Beuaford could feel her resolve to follow the Moon Goddess' will, but also her sadness. This would be the last time they saw their eldest son, as far as they knew, and that fact was not lost on the High Moon Priestess. She let one tear fall as she pulled Cole into her embrace, his head resting on her shoulder as she drew him near with one arm and held the young alpha in her other. You can do this, Cole. This is what you were born for. Do you understand what you must do?

Yes, Mother. He nodded into her shoulder. He broke off the embrace hesitantly, his eyes brimming with tears. The resolve set on his face did not falter. He reached for the infant, and Claude placed her gently in his arms.

If you fail, you will both die. I need to hear you say it, Cole. Claude's voice was solid granite in their mind link. Her words were heavy with the seriousness of her statement, the dread of placing such a burden on her young son, and her grief in this moment.

Cole's mask broke from one of determination to near anger, but in their shared mind space Beauford and Claude could see his anger was not towards his mother, but towards the threat that hung over his Alpha. Leaning protectively over the bundle in his arms, Cole snarled through their mind link, I will not fail her in this, mother! I will protect my Alpha with my life! No harm will come to her, I swear it!

Claude's eyes shown with her pride in her son, tears spilling over onto her cheeks as she pulled her son and young Alpha once more into her embrace. Beauford stepped forward then, enveloping all three of them in his own embrace momentarily. The moment was cut short by a loud scream and the scent of fresh blood coming from the pack hospital. Before they could turn to see what was happening, Claude spoke urgently in their mind link. The time is upon us, she said quickly, ending the embrace. You must activate your shield now and hide your mind and your scent. Hide your auras, son. No one, even your father and I, must be able to find you. Go now, before it is too late! Her voice in their minds went from urgent to pleading, nearing frantic as she urged Cole and the infant on.

I love you son, I'm so proud of you, was all Beauford was able to get into their shared mindspace before Cole turned and disappeared with the infant into the forest. He had done as he was told and lifted his shield. Beauford nor Claude could not smell his scent, feel his aura, or reach him in the mind link. Claude whimpered beside him as Beauford felt her call out to his mind one more time. She meant it to be a test to make sure Cole had followed instructions, but feeling the void in the mind space her son should have filled caused her physical pain. Beauford reached for her, but Claude stepped away quickly.

I am fine, beloved. Or I will be. There is no time. You must go back to the hospital and tell the Alpha it is done. He will not ask if she is dead, so use your words carefully so that he does not doubt you. He must not doubt that you have followed his orders. Claude said in his mind.

But I did not heed his order, Claude. How could I? He wanted me to murder his own daughter! Our future Alpha! Beauford was shaking in his anger at his Alpha for creating such a mess.

Peace, mate. Claude said, stepping forward to place her hand over Beauford's heart. Be still. Alpha Richard asked you to deal with the young Alpha. He did not choose his words carefully because he could not even bring himself to think of the abominable things he meant for you to do to his child. That is why I asked you to come to me before he could be more specific, before you could ask what he meant in your confusion. He has no reason to doubt you. If you tell him it is done, he will assume you followed his wishes. You have not dishonored yourself in this, Beauford. You have brought honor to your name and to your pack.

Beafuord stood taller with his mate's words, her soothing tone caressing his mind and healing the strain the night had brought. As she felt him relax some, she kissed him on his chin before pushing him towards the hospital gently.

Go now, Beau. I'll go home to be where you told the Alpha I was. Be careful. Claude loped to the other side of the clearing, staying near the trees to stay out of sight as she rushed to their home. Beaford turned to go back towards the hospital as he smelled fire with the blood wafting from the pack hospital. Only moments had passed since Cole left the clearing with the young alpha, but the scene before him was utter chaos.

The pack hospital was burning. Part of the large building was in flames, and the portion of the hospital where the fire was appeared to be the maternity ward. Beauford ran at his full wolf speed toward the chaos that was unfolding in front of him. As he approached, he caught briefly the sight of the Alpha's second born child, Alec, in the arms of a nurse as she exited the hospital. He noticed the nurse was not one that had been in the delivery room with the Alpha and Luna. "Beta Beufaord!" The nurse cried as she saw Beauford running toward them. "Please get the Alpha, he's still inside! Please help him, Beta!"

With her words Beauford charged into the near-empty hospital, pushing through the remaining hospital staff that were charging out of the building in his haste. Beauford was angry at what had transpired tonight and angry with his Alpha, but he had sworn a duty as his Beta and he could not leave him or his Luna to die. As he barreled down the hall towards the maternity ward, the smell of fresh blood increased, making Beauford's stomach roll at the smell as the flames continued to lick up the walls around him. Beauford could hear the glass shatter in the nearby rooms as the fire spread. As he rounded the room where he left the Alpha, Beauford couldn't believe his eyes.

Alpha Richard stood upright, his hands turned to claws as they were drenched in fresh blood. Around him lay the hospital staff - nurses and doctors - who had delivered his children and worked to save his Luna. Their bodies bleeding out onto the floor from wounds in their throats or abdomen. From here, Beuaford could see his Luna, Margo, still in her bed with her eyes open. She was completely still. Beauford wondered if she died in child birth or if the Alpha had killed her himself.

Turning to Beauford as he caught his scent, Alpha Richard opened his mind link and asked, is it done, Beta? Have you done as I commanded?

Claude was right, he couldn't even bring himself to think the words, even in the privacy of their mind link. Yes, Alpha, it is done. Beauford's stomach rolled with nausea as he bit down his instinct to challenge his Alpha then and there. He knew he would lose. Alpha Richard was powerful, the most powerful Alpha the Blood Moon pack had ever seen. And apparently, the most maniacal Alpha they had seen, too.

Good, thought Alpha Richard in their mind link. And with their deaths, Alpha Richard held out his arms to the c*****e he created around him, no one will ever know what happened here tonight. You will speak of this to no one, Beta, not even to your mate. No one will know what transpired here tonight. You will not speak or think of it to anyone. Alpha Richard infused every word with his Alpha aura, leavening no room for disobedience. Beta Beauford would take what he knew of this night to the grave, whether he wanted to or not.

Alpha Richard smiled to his Beta as he walked calmly out of the room where his chosen mate lied lifeless, covered in his pack member's blood, and said, now where's my son?