Alpha's Chosen

14

Cole’s POV

“Henry” I greet coldly as I turn to face the thorn in my side that refuses to leave.

I see him look at Meredith and a girl beside her, obviously prompting them to leave.

I scoff, the rudeness of him.

“Meredith” I call before she can leave, offering her my chair just to spite the little weasel.

Meredith looks knowingly between us before agreeing to play along. Her friend too joining us, sitting alongside Meredith on the desk.

“If you insist” Henry mutters.

“I am of the belief you have recently taken three men into your care” Henry begins, eyeing me closely.

I make sure to stay expressionless as he continues “the council were contacted by Alpha Wallace of Northern River to aid in locating the fugitives.

We were tracking their path down through the packs, but the trail seems to end at Hunter's moon”.

I continue my silence, knowing he will soon start with the questions as he always does.

“Do you know anything about this?” Henry asks, walking a little closer to me.

I stand from my relaxed position, arms crossed over my chest but still not appeasing him with an answer.

“If you are found to be withholding information or worse housing the fugitives, there will be consequences.

Serious consequences Cole”.

“Alpha.... Cole” I correct him bluntly, taking a step closer before continuing “prove to me the crimes committed by said fugitives. . . Until then” I end, gesturing towards the door.

Henry eyes me off, his little council bolstering his courage far beyond its true merit.

But instead of giving him the satisfaction I turn, now ignoring him as I now focus on the two women.

I hear Henry leave glancing over my shoulder to check before relaxing my arms down a little, moving my neck from side to side to relieve some of the tension as my hands enter my pockets.

“Well, he seems fun” the woman beside Meredith snides.

“Mmm” I agree.

“Oh sh*t” she breathes to herself before standing upright, offering her hand as she introduces herself “I’m Bella, Mere’s best friend and trainee warrior of Blackfur”.

I look to Meredith confirming “the one who lacks control?”.

Meredith winces slightly, her hand automatically moving to caress her wrist.

Bella looks between us, slowly lowering her hand, but I move her attention back to me as I offer “Hunter's moon’s next set of trainees are Red Lake's warriors. You will join them.”.

Bella still seems confused but accepts all the same “oh . . Of course. I would do anything to be trained by you, Alpha Cole” she finishes with her head bowed.

“You can start by informing your Alpha that Embry pack has been delayed two days, along with their supplies from Winter crest”. Bella nods but hesitates until Meredith too gives her the okay.

“So no Embry pack?” Meredith asks softly but I can see the wheels turning in her mind.

“Not for two days. . . Which also means no supplies for two days” I confirm solemnly.

Meredith takes in the ripped up papers scattered on the floor before silently picking them up and placing them back on the table.

Once she is done, she pulls a folded piece of paper from her pocket.

As she unfolds it, I step a little closer, discovering it to be her map of Red lake.

“Well, I think we should start here” she begins, pointing to the eastern independent housing area “from there we can work our way north. It shouldn’t take more than two days and then when supplies do arrive the area will be cleared”.

Meredith pauses, peaking back to see I’m listening before continuing “I will call, ensure we have enough trucks to remove the debris. . . That’s if my father doesn’t send me home upon seeing me”.

I let out a small scoff as I think of just how that will go.

“Oh” Meredith says, obviously remembering suddenly as she smiles, closing the remaining distance between us, almost bouncing as she walks excitedly “I had an idea”.

“What?” I ask a little hesitant.

“Well. . . I don’t know if you know but you have quite the reputation” she begins.

“I’m aware” I nod, rolling my eyes a little.

Meredith continues to smile “apparently you don’t spar with many even though they are near begging you too. So I was thinking a tournament. A fundraising event where Alpha's, beta's, warrior's, whoever pays an entrance fee, there can be a grand prize or whatever but the majority of the money would be donated to Red lake. What do you think?”.

I scoff, mulling it over as Meredith watches me carefully, hopefully.

Ares already pumping himself up, raring to go.

“It plays on a wolf's pride that’s for sure” I laugh a little, Ares stopping his prancing to give me a look before continuing.

"You really think people would pay, travel just to spar though?" I ask... because I sure as hell wouldn't.

"Maybe not those far away, but the locals will. Especially if they hear of the chance to spar with you" Meredith smiles, a smile that lights up her whole face and I haven't even agreed... yet.

“I’ll think about it” I relent, wanting to say no but not being able to.

It's then I sense someone coming, a small whiff telling me my days about to get even more complicated.

“Your dad's coming” I say simply, Meredith’s face instantly falling as she looks between me and the door before putting some space between us as she takes a seat behind the desk.

A deep breath seeming to be all she needs as she steels herself, her eyes now glued on the doorway.