The Wolf Kingdom

Chapter Five

        The next morning, I woke up with a splitting migraine. Getting out of bed was hard, my body hurt but it wasn’t like that physical pain more of a bone deep need to sleep. The night was long, and my sleep was restless. I didn’t know what I was going to tell Annie this morning, but I knew she would know that something was wrong. Going through my morning routine I get ready in record time not feeling the need to get truly put together I slide on a pair of capri yoga pants and a form fitting tea shirt. Making my way to the kitchen I look around to find mom, Rachel, and Annie with some others in the middle of the kitchen.             

                Making my way to them I say hi to a few of the others. Josie one of the omega’s stopped me to ask if I was okay. “Yes I am. Thank you for asking.” I smiled at her and kept moving hoping that no one else stopped me.

                As I approached Annie turned to me and rather than her signature smile, she is frowning at me. I think her eyes might be teary, but she turns away before I take a better look. My mother and Rachel look at me and give me a small smile that doesn’t make it their eyes. They know, I don’t know who or why, but they know. Sitting down next to Annie I scanned the kitchen of staff and notice that no one else seems to be looking at me as if I may fall dead. I let out a sigh my father or brother must have told them about what was going on, no one else seemed to know. Thank the moon goddess for small favors.

                “Good Morning.”

                Annie looks at me and I can see that she is trying to hold back tears. I grab her hand as my mom give me a coffee, “Annie it will be fine. There is nothing to worry about right now. I am going to be extra safe for now and I start training with David today. Maybe you can come with me?”

                She looks from me to her mom. Her mom smiles more genuine, “Yes that sounds good. It may be a good thing to be more prepared in the coming weeks.”

                “You too need to have a strong breakfast and the rest of your chores will be covered by others. Everyone will be chipping in and rotating under the alpha’s order to make time for everyone to get some training in.” My moms voice was low for only us to hear.

                “They haven’t told anyone yet have they?”

                “No Jazlyn, they want to wait till after alpha Landon and his beta’s leave. It will be this afternoon after lunch.”

                I shake my head. It all seems like it can’t be real. One of those situations that you think ‘that can never happen to me’. Looking at the clock over the kitchen entrance I see that its already seven in the morning. “I think we should go get some food.”

                Annie clears her throat, “Yea let’s do that then we can head out to training.” She looks me in the eye. “You aren’t going any where with out me. Me and mom are moving into the second floor of the pack house for now.”

                A little surprised since Rachel was adamant that she stay in her home with Annie even when her mate died when Annie was two, I look to her and she nods her head. “That sounds great Annie let’s get going.”        

                We get to the dining hall and it’s the usual bustle of activity. I spot my father and Landon with the betas at the table in front of the massive front window. He waves his hand and draws everyone’s attention to us. Landon looks at me and then I swear his eyes scan down me, I narrow my eyes at him, and he smiles. Shaking it off I drag Annie to the buffets to get plates before we head over.           

                “What was that with Landon he was checking you out!”

                “No, he wasn’t”

                She snorts at me as she starts loading up extra sausage and bacon. “Uh, yes he did. He’s fairly good looking to if you hadn’t noticed.”

                “Well maybe I’ll put in a good word for you.”

                She slaps my shoulder and we both laugh. We head over to the table I notice that Andrew and Oscar must have moved down because the only seats were by Landon. I look at Annie and she laughs; she spots Jeremiah, and he shrugs. I huff not really getting why they moved we sat down, I am certain that Annie chose the seat by Andrew out of mischief. If she sat next to Landon she would have been across from Jeremiah. I elbow her and she winks.

                “JJ we are heading out to training a little early to get everything ready.”

                I look at David and he doesn’t seem the least bit worried why Landon made his betas move down. “Okay, I want Annie to come with and training Rachel already agreed that it was good idea.”

                My father speaks, “Good we were already going to suggest it after breakfast.” He smiles at both of us. “Landon when are you planning on leaving this morning?”

                His voice seems huskier and lower than usual, “after breakfast. The early we leave that more time we will have when we get back. Everything is set up for your office.”

                My father nods his head. Landon looks to me. “Will you join me out front in a few minutes JJ?”

                Shocked I look to my father who shrugs and my brother who nods for me to go. What the actual f**k are they doing? I look back to Landon, “okay I don’t see the harm. I am done eating if you want to head out now?”

                He looks to my plate that I barely touched, and I see a tick in his jaw. He nods and stands waiting for me. We make our way to the front of the house and we draw attention in form of whispers, and giggles. I sigh something was going on, I remember having to fight with my father for a month to let me go on my first date back in middle school. He still didn’t like me dating and scared more of the men away. David wasn’t so aggressive, but he was still just as bad in his own way. Them letting Landon lead me outside to privacy means that they are all in on this, what ever it might be.         

                The sun is bright this morning and already warm. I remind my self to get water for training. Landon stops at the swing on the far end of the front porch. He sits and looks to me, so I sit next to him but putting as much space as possible between us.

                Noticing he smiles. “I wanted to speak with you about some of the things that me and your family have already gone over.”

                I squint my eyes at him, “if you all think that I will agree to decision being made about my life without me your wrong.”

                “That’s what they both said, and I could tell that. You don’t carry yourself like some one that would allow anyone tell you what to do.” I nod at him to continue more curious about what he has to say that couldn’t come from my father. “We think that it may be beneficial for you to come to my pack for a while.”

                Before I could say anything, he rushed to continue. My guess is that my family told him to not let me get a word in or it wouldn’t go well. “Before you say anything, I ask you listen to me and what we talked about. It is your choice, and you wouldn’t be the only one.”

                I fall quiet looking at him confused. “We got word that some of the beasts were seen heading this way. Your packs defenses are strong but as a precaution your father and Paul asked if we could take some select people in.” He paused and I realized he was waiting on me I nod, and he sighs. “It would be you, Annie, Marybeth, Jeremiah, Axel, and David.”

                “That’s the next generation of leaders” my voice was small.         

                He takes my hand in his. “Yes, after discussing it with Paul and your mom and Rachel it was decided that it wouldn’t be the worst idea to split the leadership of this pack up. My great grandfather and his father put a wall around our mainland made sure that it was one that couldn’t be jumped or climbed for the most part. Your father wants all of you safe and he has already chosen a guard to take up security here in all of your absence.”

                Trying to wrap my head around the door opens and David comes out. He makes his way to us and Landon gives him a nod. He looks grim for a minute and then kneels down in front of me. “This could be for the best Jazlyn.”               

                “You want me to run and leave everyone else I care for here at the risk that I will never see them again.” He flinches, “we have to think of the packs future now. This isn’t just because you are in danger but also it’s our best chance to make sure that our pack survives.”

                I sit there thinking for a minute, “What about the celebration?”

                Landon squeezes my hand. “It’s canceled all the packs are harboring down in their areas and the Alpha’s and Beta’s are moving women and children with some warriors to safe locations some here and some in other kingdoms.”

                I look at both of them. When did they have the time to think of all of us? I didn’t want to leave but what they said was true it would help the future of the pack if the leaders ship was split. I sigh knowing that I really didn’t have a choice I was the alpha’s daughter and I had to make sure the pack was able to survive it was why I decided to become a nurse.               

                “When do we leave?”

                David sighed and hugged me, and Landon looked a bit pleased and bit shocked. “I really didn’t think it would be that easy from what you all told me I thought s**t would get broken that’s why I came out here.”

                I pinched David’s side. “Really what did you tell him about me?”

                Being the obnoxious brother, he is he laughs, “only the truth little sister.”

                I growl at him and stand up. “Are we still doing training. I assume the move needs to be as soon as possible.”

                Landon nods, “I am returning now with Oscar. Andrew is staying here to head back with you all later today at night. The drive is about two hours.”      

                I release a breath, that only gave me a short time to get everything set up and packed but at least we would be here to support father when he talks to the pack. “Okay I will go get Annie and head upstairs to pack.”

                “She is already there. We were all up early this morning and father had mom talk to her and Rachel this morning.”

                That’s why Annie was teary eyed this morning. I couldn’t even muster up the energy to be mad. I nodded and headed back inside I passed by Andrew and Oscar who both nodded at me. I made my way to my room in peace and quiet and no one was there. Figuring that Annie and my mom and Rachel would be here soon I fell into bed and was back asleep in matter of seconds. My last thought was how can a life change so quickly.