The Alpha Complex

The Call - Tony

The little s**t ran again. As he does every time training doesn’t go his way. I should’ve know, it’s been too quiet this afternoon. I looked in his room, nothings missing. No signs of struggle. I checked every room in the pack house.

“Adam, he’s gone. He definitely ran, I’m sure it’s because he was bored in training. I dismissed him after he tried to fight one of our strongest warriors.”

“Understood. I’ll start getting the trackers ready. Keep the younger brothers in their rooms, the others are -“

The phone started ringing so I pushed him out, Adam can be mad later.

“Hello?”

“May I speak with Alpha Adam please?”

“Unfortunately Alpha Adam is busy, this his brother Anthony. Who is this and how can I help you?”, I used more tone than I meant but this day was already giving me a headache.

“This is Beta Connor from the Emerald Forest pack. We have your brother in our possession. He said you’d come in a few days anyways, but we figured we’d save you the trouble and call instead.”

“It’s appreciated, we don’t want to waste the man power. He’s done this before, and unfortunately it probably won’t be the last with his temper. I’m sorry he intruded, I will be there shortly to get him -“

“Actually that’s why we called, our Beta… well, recently demoted Beta was trying to get information behind our Alphas back and slapped your brother. In good spirits, as well as an apology from the demoted Beta, we’d like you pack to visit. The Alpha is having rooms prepped for who’d like to visit now. We should be ready in a weeks time. Your brother seems to be enjoying himself in our care as well.”

“Beta Connor, that sounds like a great idea. It’s been awhile since our packs have gotten together. I will run it by Alpha Adam, and call you back this evening. Two of my brothers and I will be there by tomorrow though. I’m sure you are taking good care of our brother, but you must understand he is still in another packs territory.”

“Of course, thank you. We have recently switched Alphas, and we’d like you to be introduced. Alpha Mel anxiously awaits your arrival.”

“We are excited to meet him too. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye”

“Adam, brother has been located. Augustus, Artemis and I will grab him tomorrow but they would like the entire pack to visit to meet their new Alpha in a weeks time.”

“Alright, Tony. Please be civil when you get there. I know you are mad with Ashton, but let’s not make the new Alpha think we are savages. Their heir died, so I’m not sure who they have replaced Alpha Christopher with.”

“Noted.”

After a quick phone call to the Emerald Forest pack and let Beta Connor know we’d be coming for sure. After mind-linking the twins I headed up stairs to pack, but my inner wolf was howling to get out. Ashton is going to be the death of me, and my wolf feels like it’s clawing me apart to get out and relieve the stress. It’s 4:30, and we hadn’t planned to leave for another hour. Probably two as Artemis is more worried about being attractive for potential mates than a warrior.

I head out the back door of our small pack house. We are a strong pack, but one of barely 150 people. As soon as I hit the woods behind us I shift, howling. I roll in the soft grass before taking off on a run down my favorite trail. I run to a little secluded stream, taking a couple sips before putting my paws in the water. Feeling the water run through my fur. Now that my wolf is at peace, I trot back to the pack house and as I’m about to shift I hear the shrill voice I never want to, “Hellllooo Tony! I was just looking for you!”

“Yes Candace?”

“I’ve missed you. I want you, if you know what I mean.” She winked as she looked my grayish-black wolf over. The only black wolf in the family. I know the rumors of me being someone else’s child, but I know my mother never strayed. She had always been a good Luna.

“Tonyyyyy, I don’t like when you ignore me”, and just like that I’d regretted even being close to Candace. We slept together one time a few months back, right after we lost my mother. I needed a release, and I definitely found the wrong one. This girl was never going to leave me alone again.

“Sorry Candace, I must go. Ashton ran off and we are going to grab him.”

I shifted back and they way she looked me over made me uncomfortable. Not that I mind being naked, you get used to it in the werewolf community, it’s the WAY she looked at me. Like meat, and I instantly knew this must be like what women speak about all the time. I dashed madly for my room to grab my bags, and back down to the pickup I go.

“Finally, and I thought Artemis was going to be the reason we were late”. I rolled my eyes at Augustus, but sure enough Artemis was already in the car, playing on his phone as usual. “Artemis, you contact the pack between us to make sure they knew we were passing through?”

“Yeah, yeah. They said it was no biggie. If they’d know the ‘rogue’ that crossed through the top part of their territory was Ashton, they’d have stopped him.”

I nodded and started the truck as everyone loaded in. Augustus was asleep before we left the territory and if I had any guess what Artemis was doing, I’d probably be about 5 shades deeper of red. I prefer driving, plotting escapes if need be, learning of the territories. As freeing as running in my wolf form is, the truck is so much faster and makes it easier to travel in the human territories between the packs.

Thank the Moon Goddess for highways, I can see the sign for the next pack coming up. It’s on a town sign and what most would see as graffiti is actually a sign between the packs to let them know which pack territory you are entering. Red moon was between us and the Emerald Forest pack. They’re red moon with a paw print in the middle as the indicator. I looked back to the twins sleeping and rolling my eyes. My phone was blowing up, but I didn’t need to looks to know it was Candace. The same messages every time I travel.

I pray to the Moon Goddess I find a mate soon, so she will understand that it was a mistake. I pulled over into the nearest gas station. I get the truck stopped and begin to fuel up. I walk up to the door and hold it for some of the humans coming out the door. Rolling my eyes at the smell of them. They are pungent creatures, I have no idea how pack members stray to them. I smiled as a couple girls walk out, eyeing me and giggling amongst themselves. I give them a wink as I walk inside to grab snacks and drinks for the rest of the trip.

I get a lot of attention in the human community. I’m not overly attractive but I’m tall, and muscular from all of our warrior training. I’m leaner than most of them, but I keep up with the best of ‘em. Other than that I’m dull. Light brown hair and your typical brown eyes. I hopped back in the truck, tossing snacks and drinks to the now awake twins. Artemis bitching about how I took too long with the items he didn’t ask for. Just 3 hours to go.

“Tony, are we there yet?”.

“Augustus you know damn well we aren’t. We just passed the territory sign a few miles back and their pack house is deep in the territory like anywhere else”.

The fact the twins were some of our best warriors always made me roll my eyes. They are eighteen. They should be fierce warriors, instead they’ve spent that past several hours complaining like school girls. We drive down a long narrow road, passing several beautiful trees. I’m assuming they are hundreds of years old, and the reason for the packs name. I love how unique that is. Our pack is side note to our last name, our family has only ever had males so at least the name sake will stay.

I pulled up to the pack house, and it was exactly what I remember. An older stone building, with greenery growing up the sides. The weeping willows behind it gave it an eerie feeling, but also made it seem exquisite. The doors open and a few men walked out, I’m assuming their best warriors. Then a man and a younger woman followed behind. I’m assuming the Alpha and his Luna.

Artemis spoke from behind me, “Quite the age difference huh?”

“I think that’s his daughter?”, Augustus asked.

“Well how about we quit staring at them and get out to meet them? You two are going to creep them out staring at the window like that.”

As I opened my door, an aroma so pleasant made its way to my nose. Like fresh rain and honey suckles, my wolf howled. As we walked up to the stairs I tried to contain myself at the small blonde looking up at me. I nodded at her, wondering if she was also having this weird sensation. I smiled at the man, “Alpha Mel thank you for having us. We are sorry about our little brothers unexpected vacation in your territory”.

The woman smirked, and the man bit his lip side eyeing the woman. “You are certainly welcome, but I am Beta Connor. This -“ he motioned to the woman “- is Alpha Mel”.

When I say my jaw came unhinged I wasn’t lying. The way the woman snorted told me my face was more priceless than I felt.

“Tony since when doe females lead packs?”

“I don’t know Augustus, but I’m sure we are about to find out”.

I didn’t have to look to know Artemis was already texting Adam to let him know what was happening.

And just like that, this week was a whole lot more interesting.