His Warrior Alpha

The Promotion

Reeds POV

I slept in a bit. Well, slept wasn’t really the word for it I guess. I had laid awake most of the night. I was pretty tired from the events of the previous day but I knew I couldn’t be late. We were supposed to meet at 9:30 today. We had to set up sign-ups and we would still need to plan what resources would need to be allocated to the event. Depending on how many/who signed up, we would also have to meet with the head of the Omega to ensure she had enough people to cover duties, as any contestants would be exempt from their duties for the month leading up to it so they could train. From what Dad said, in the first Warrior trials they held, they had the slaves work up until the day before and most of the people who participated had died. They held it again the following year and almost no one wanted to sign up, so they put in the clause of giving them time off before to heal and train.

As I walked through the doors of the pack house, Dawson greeted me at the door. He seemed in a really good mood and I wondered if it was due to things with Sandra or if he really was this sadistic to be excited over the warrior trials. Having to help plan them at all filled me with disgust. “Maybe you can convince the dummy to stop the trials once he takes over.” Benne commented. “-Yeah maybe.-” I wasn’t very hopeful about this idea. I really didn’t know where Dawson stood on his father's ideals, but I knew his morals weren’t the most sound.

“Hey man, thanks for covering for me yesterday. Me and Sandra had a wonderful time. Man, that girl has a lot of stamina and, being an omega, she would do anything to please me. I had her on her knees for hours.” Dawson made a lewd gesture to demonstrate what he meant by that.

“Okay, no problem, but I don’t need the mental picture.” I scowled but Dawson was pleased to make me uncomfortable. He looked at me, taking notice of the bags under my eyes.

“Late night? Did you find some pretty wolf to shack up with? She must have had you going all night long. You look like hell man.” Benne growled in my head. “How dare he refer to our mate as just some “pretty she wolf.” I could feel his anger but he didn’t dare fight for control, regardless of his feelings, he could not go against his future Alpha.”-Calm down, Benne. He doesn’t know and may I remind you that we DON'T want him knowing?-” This didn’t make him any happier and he chose instead to shut me out all together for the second time in 2 days. Temperamental wolf.

“You know I am not you, I don’t bed every she wolf who shows me interest.”

“Yes, but Reed? Would it kill you to show interest in at least one she wolf? I’m beginning to think that woman might not be your cup of tea.” He chuckled at his own joke and gritted my teeth.

“Would it kill me? No, but I was raised to respect my fated mate and wait.” This was the same conversation we had time and time again, it would end the same way, with me changing the subject to avoid continuing on forever. “Anyways, are you going to tell Sandra she won’t be Luna or keep leading her on?”

We stood outside the door, waiting for whoever was inside to finish up. If the door was closed it meant that they were currently in a meeting and they would mind link Dawson when done as they were expecting us. I hoped they would hurry up as I didn’t really want to continue talking with him. It was odd though that he was having a meeting so early this morning.

“Like she could ever be a Luna. My pups will not be weaklings with omega blood. Maybe once I find a submissive Alpha's daughter, I will. Maybe a Beta’s daughter if she is really pretty.” I rolled my eyes at his comment. He wanted a mate he could walk all over, but she had to have a pedigree. Of course.

“Well, I will pray to the moon Goddess for you.” Pray for the poor soul who would be mated to him. Dawson's eyes glazed over for a moment and I got optimistic that the meeting might be over. Unfortunately, it was not my day, as he groaned in frustration.

“Dad says it will be another few minutes. He will fill us in on why, when they are done. Do you know if Ryan is around? Dad wants to see him too.

“Ryan? What does he need Ryan for? He should be around though, he mentioned getting breakfast at the pack house before going for training.” Dawson just clicked his tongue in annoyance at my question.

“Do you think if I knew I wouldn’t just tell you?”

‘Alright, alright, I will go check the dining hall for him. I’ll be right back.” I said, making my escape to the dining hall. A few moments later, I stood behind my brother who was absent-mindedly pushing food around his plate.

“Hey Ryan, Alpha wants to see you.”

Ryan snapped his head in my direction, clearly startled by the suddenness of my arrival. Or maybe he was just so lost in thoughts he hadn’t sensed me approaching. He nodded back at me and stood up. I wondered if he was nervous about sign-ups being today. It would make Quinn's candidacy in the trials official.

“I’m always here if you need to talk.” I said, patting his shoulders. I grabbed the plate off the table and quickly handed it over to the nearest omega. Alpha Jacobs would be very upset if we made him wait. He was not a very patient man.

As we headed to Alpha’s office, we could see Dawson still waiting at the door. He looked bored as he leaned against the wall. “He should be wrapping up now.” He informed us. I was thankful he didn’t seem interested in continuing to converse. He didn’t particularly like Ryan as he still saw him as the annoying little kid who always tagged along behind us.

The door began to open and Delta John led Gamma Derrick's wife Rachel out the door. Her face was red and puffy as if she had been crying for a while. I wondered what happened to cause her to be in this state. “If you ever need anything, you can always come see us.” He smiled at her, which sent chills down my spine. He always gave me the creeps. I didn’t know if it was his yellow eyes or the fact he gave off an unsettling aura, but I had always tried to stay away from him whenever possible. “I see you were able to get him.”He gestured towards Ryan. “Alpha is waiting to speak with you all.”

We made our way into the office and took a seat in the 3 chairs arranged in front of the Alpha. Delta John left the room, leaving the three of us with our Alpha. Dad wasn’t here today, which was a bit odd, he was still helping with most of the administrative items. Ryan fidgeted with his hands nervously beside me. Aside from a few times as kids when we played hide and seek in the pack house, he hadn’t been there before.

“I regret to inform you all that Gamma Derrick was killed in a rogue attack last night. He was on a special mission to check out rogues within the Mountain Crest region of our territory. There was a surprise attack that killed him and 10 of our warriors. Only 4 warriors survived the attack.”

How did a band of rogues get the upper hand on the pack's Gamma and 14 warriors? Something didn’t seem right. Why would Alpha not have my father here for this meeting? Gamma Derrick was like an Uncle to Ryan and myself. He was my father's closest friend. Could he really be dead? I wanted to make sense of this but nothing about it made any sense. How could Uncle Derrick be dead? He had a wife and twin 10-year-old boys to look after. I felt tears begin to sting my eyes and I balled my hand into a fist to try and stop it.

“Why am I here for this?” Ryan said through his own tears. “Gamma Derrick was like an Uncle to me but my father isn’t even here. Why would you call me in and not him?” There was clear anger in his voice behind all the pain. He had a good point. Why would Ryan be called in here?

Alpha Jacob sighed as he stood up to walk over to us. “Boys. I know how much this hurts you all. He was one of the people I was closest with as well too, however, we still have a pack to run and the loss of 10 warriors is great. If we do not name a new Gamma and show our ranks are as strong as ever, this could lead to more attacks that would weaken and divide the pack. As you know, Gamma Derrick's sons are only 10 and definitely not old enough to take up their father's father's position. That is why I would like you, Ryan, to take on the pack's Gamma role. “

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Less than 24 hours after the death of his Gamma, he was replacing him with another? I felt anger build up in my chest as I wanted to yell at Alpha Jacob for suggesting such a thing. A funeral hadn’t even been held yet and he wanted to put Ryan in the Gamma seat while it was still warm?

“No.” Ryan responded. His voice was quiet but defiant. “I will not take the Gamma role. Not like this, we should hold a funeral first and allow people their time to grieve.”

“I thought you might say that. I don’t think you are really understanding the gravity of the situation though. Not having a Gamma puts the pack at risk. I will not allow for that to happen, so you will take the position or”, Alpha paused as the door opened up. Delta John held Quinn by her arm as he pushed her roughly into the office and she fell to the floor. “I could just lock up your little girlfriend here for good in the dungeons.”

“QUINN!” Ryan knocked his chair over in his attempt to stand up and get to her quickly. “Are you alright??” He helped her to her feet and stood in front of her protectively.

“So, what will it be?” Alpha Jacob gave a smile as if he had just won at chess. Ryan stood there quiet but I could feel the anger rolling off of him in waves. I could see the gears working in his head as he tried to plan something. Anything to get them out of this. After two minutes of silence, he resigned himself to the reality that his only choice was to accept.

“Ok. I will accept it with one condition. You let me take Quinn as my chosen mate.”

“She has to prove herself first. That means she needs to participate in the Warrior Trials and you have to turn 20, so you are sure no one in the pack is your fated mate first. You are unable to reject your fated mate until 20.” Alpha Jacob said this all as if it was planned. He knew this would be Ryan's demand.

Ryan hung his head in defeat. Quinn would still have to compete in the Warrior trials for a spot in the pack. “You have a deal.” He reluctantly shook Alpha’s hand. Delta John produced a golden box from a cabinet behind them. It held the ceremony knife that Ryan would use to cut his hand and swear allegiance to Alpha Jacob. Delta John took out the knife, handing it to Alpha Jacob. Quinn still stood behind him and she was shaking.

“I, Alpha Jacob Jackson, promote you, Ryan Miller, to the position of Gamma of the River Mist pack.” As he said this he made a small slit in his palm before passing the knife to Ryan.

“I, Ryan Miller, accept the position of Gamma of the River Mist pack and promise my allegiance to Alpha Jacob.” He cut his own palm and extended his hand to Alpha Jacob, who took it and shook, which made the Gamma link to the pack official.

“Now that wasn’t too hard, now was it?” Alpha Jacob asked. “Now on to other business. Delta John and I have adjusted the rules of the Warrior trial due to the loss of warriors. We want to give more people a fighting chance at serving our pack.” Delta John handed out some papers to myself, Ryan, and Dawson.

“Each contestant will undergo and pass a physical assessment. This will be conducted by the pack doctor and lead trainer of the warriors. After this has been completed, they will have two weeks to prepare and must win in a 1v1 fight against a warrior trainee. As always, no shifting allowed. All contestants must be 18 by the time of the warrior trials fights in 6 weeks.” Dawson seemed disappointed with the rule change, telling me he was looking forward to the normal bloodshed. Looking over the page again, this was almost reasonable.

“What? The trials were supposed to be held in 6 months. What about those who wanted to participate and would have been 18 by the original date? Do they have to wait for two years for a chance?” Everyone was surprised by her sudden outburst, except Alpha, who seemed amused.

“Well, Ryan, I can’t say I don’t see why you like this one. She’s pretty and she’s feisty.” Ryan growled at his words. “Well Quinn? Do you have someone in mind who wants to participate but would be disqualified by this change?”

“Yes. My brother Jeremy. Please Alpha, let him participate too.” Quinn begged.

“Very well. With all the bad things that have happened already in the last day, I will be generous and allow your request. Jeremy can participate. Any other questions or concerns?” Alpha asked to the room. No one made a move to respond, still processing everything that had happened in this interaction. I needed to talk to my dad as quickly as possible, something was going on and I needed to know what he knew about it. “Alright then. You are dismissed. Delta John will be handling sign-ups. He has already added you and your brother to the list.”

We all stood up to leave the room. Ryan had his hand around Quinn's waist protectively. “Let’s go see dad.” I said and they both nodded, following after me.