Alpha's Chosen

15

Meredith’s POV

I shuffle back in the chair, releasing my hands from the arms of the chair and holding them together as I try to even out my breathing.

A determined expression now painted on my face, hopefully covering the nerves beneath as I await my father.

I don’t have to wait long. . . . “What are you doing here?” my father heaves, darkened eyes focusing on me as he stands panting after slamming open the door.

I can see his struggle to keep Morro in check, his wolf even more protective over me and probably wanting to break through to drag me home.

“I’m helping” I reply, attempting to stand my ground, even whilst remaining seated as he looms over me.

“You can help from Blackfur. I’m going to ask once more, why are you hereeeee?” He asks ending in more of a growl than actual speech.

“Dad, you can’t keep me locked up forever" I sigh, looking down at my hands as I do.

"You're not...." he begins".

"I am" I interupt coming to a stand.

"You try, maybe even think that I'm not, but I am.

I'm not allowed to leave without escort, without former planning... and guards..... Prisoner seems to explain it perfectly" I say, looking from dad to Cole.

Dad follows my line of sight finding Cole standing tall on the other side. If he's uncomfortable to be part of this, he isn't showing it.

"And what part do you play in this?" Dad asks, turning his full attention to the visiting Alpha now and making my stomach rise further into my throat.

"Nothing..." I begin to answer but Cole cuts me off.

"I brought her here. Yesterday and today. Her input is too valuable to be wasted on a telecom link" he says completely unaffected by the anger currently coursing off my father in waves.

Dad shakes his head, a silent conversation seeming to pass between the pair before dad quietly asks, "What of rogues? The borders are unprotected as the warriors and packs work to rebuild Red Lake".

"I'll keep her with me" Cole offers, his eyes softening slightly before he holds out his hand to dad, as if I'm not even here any more, just a burden passing from one wolf to another.

"I don't need a...." I begin but my father's hand has already encapsulated Cole's, theirs heads coming together as the quiet promise of "she'll be safe" passes Cole's lips.

A mere second passes before dad backs away, a small, last nod passing between them before dad disappears. Not sparing me a glance as he does.

"Did I just get sold?" I ask, brow furrowing as I look over to Cole, the wolf finally seeing the annoyance in my features.

"He was worried" he tries, my arms crossing over my chest as he does.

"I..." Cole begins before sighing in defeat, "I'm sorry" he says instead.

"Don't be" I reply, causing his brows to furrow now, "You're stuck with me now" I smile, Cole's expression instantly changing as I do.

"Let's go" he says, rolling his eyes as he does. But I can see the smile.... even if he doesn't want me to.

And with that he is off, me trailing along behind.

This continues until late afternoon, Cole monitoring and directing demolition as well as partaking in it himself.

All the while I still feel his eyes on me, even with his back fully towards me I manage to feel them.

Under different circumstances the feeling would have been unnerving, but his aura feels warm as it wraps around me like a blanket of safety.

I’m also no longer invisible, since no one can miss the giant Alpha they seem careful too not to come close to his straggler.

As I follow along I help where I can, making phone calls and using my map to note completed and cleared areas.

As the day draws on I wonder where the man’s stamina comes from, certainly not food.

I have been starving for over an hour now, but he seems unfazed and, not wanting to bother him further, I stay silent, only grabbing bottles of water for us both when we pass the loaded tables.

It's his wolf's exhaustion that finally makes Cole relent, calling for the end of our first day.

And its in the truck that my stomach betrays me, roaring loudly.

“Sh*t” he whispers, looking to me as he adds “sorry. . . I don’t usually eat during the day. Remind me tomorrow”.

“I’m coming tomorrow?” I ask as Cole focuses back on the road.

“Need someone to map our progress. Oh and . . Actually don’t worry” he says shaking his head as if to shake away the idea altogether.

“What?” I ask instantly, turning to fully face him, my eagerness letting him know there's no chance of him not telling me now.

“I just. . I mean you seem good on the phone. . . Our other ally packs wished to be kept informed of progress as well as the council. And then there are some supply orders too... . As I said you don’t ... .”.

“I’d love to” I cut him off with a wide smile.

“You don’t mind?” He asks cautiously.

“Not at all. In fact give me all you got, it gets me out of Blackfur and stops me feeling like a burden riding your tail all day” I reply, feeling a little lighter and like I will actually be useful for once instead of another person's burden.

Cole only nods before passing me a cord. I take it, tracing it back to find its origins before plugging in my phone, allowing music to fill the silent vehicle.

During the drive we relax, music playing between us and small talk being traded.

But this all halts when Blackfur comes into focus.

Cole’s Beta waiting for us.

The look on Cole’s face tells me he wasn’t expected, and my stomach instantly twists with worry of something wrong back at Hunter's moon.

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Cole’s POV

Even after all these years, I still hate the phone.

Thankfully, Meredith’s enthusiasm quickly halts any guilt I feel lumping the tedious phone calls over to her.

One less thing to do tomorrow.

Embry packs delay has surprisingly been to our benefit, although now I want to get the majority of the clearing done before their arrival, making tomorrow a hefty workload.

I was granted a small reprieve from it all as I enjoyed the car ride back to Blackfur.

Meredith choice in music wasn’t what I expected, but wasn’t terrible either.

This reprieve, however, is short lived, as I pull into Blackfur and find Hugo waiting for me.

He hasn’t called.

Hasn’t linked.. . .

And my mind immediately races with the possibilities.

My heart twisting as I fear an attack in my absence.

Before leaving the vechile I quickly waded through my members, their tethers all still securely in place and I feel no pain.

“Thank goddess” I whisper to myself before getting out of the truck, taking long strides to quickly reach Hugo. “What are you doing here?” I ask.

But he isn’t focused on me.

“I’ll meet you here tomorrow?” Meredith asks as she catches up.

“Yeah, five” I reply quickly, turning my focus back to Hugo as I awaited his answer.

Hugo gives me a curious look but refocuses quickly with a small glare from me. “It’s your parents. . .”