‘Fenya Stormhowl. Report to me in my office immediately.’
Hearing that link fills me with dread, for that is Alpha Falan summoning me.
Leaving my plate at the table, I waste no time in making my way to the Alpha’s office. Striding across the packhouse floor, I see the guard on duty outside the office is my friend, Zephyra. As I take a breath and prepare myself at the door, her hand grips my arm fiercely.
“Brace yourself, Fenya my friend. He is not alone and there have been harsh words spoken around your name.”
“I really screwed up this time, Zephyra, but thank you for the warning.”
Knocking on the door in my usual way, I enter when instructed. Alpha Falan is standing with his back to the room, gazing out of the window. Beta Garrin watches, more like scowls at me, as I cross the room and stand before the desk. I am surprised to see Kynan and Freya in the room, too.
Astra can still smell the faint scent of our mate on Alpha Falan, and she has difficulty remaining silent. She paces in my mind and although I find it distracting, I do not trust myself to try to speak with her at this time.
Still with his back to me, Alpha Falan speaks. “Fenya Stormhowl. You have done great things for this pack and I have never had any doubt of your loyalty to the pack or myself, your Alpha. As the Head Warrior, you have trained the warriors of this pack to levels never experienced before. Every single one of them has looked up to you and aspired to be your equal. Until now!” Turning to face the room, and more precisely me, Alpha Falan’s eyes bore into my skull.
“I cannot think of any reason why you would disrespect me so openly and publicly as you did, by running from the welcomeguard that you yourself helped organize. I cannot bring myself to believe it is because of your misguided notion you wereleft behind. You have the opportunity now to put your reasons before those gathered. When we have heard that reason, I will decide what action that I, as your disrespected Alpha will take.”
How do I defend my actions? What plausible reason can I give without appearing as a weak and silly female?I’m sorry Alpha. I panicked because I smelled my mate, and I don’t want one!How pathetic does that sound? Before I can answer I see Alpha Falan's eyes glow. His wolf is talking to him.
Looking into my mind, Astra is sitting rigidly with her back to me.
“Kynan, Freya. Please leave us alone. Fenya, take a seat opposite Beta Garrin.”
Beta Garrin watches Alpha Falan for any sign as to why he has dismissed what I assume was to be his jury. “Beta Garrin, while I was with Alpha Lyle of the Spirit Walker Pack, there was an interesting development that I have not discussed with anyone from Wolfsong, as yet. Alpha Lyle’s wolf caught the scent of his mate on me. It would be logical to assume therefore that our fearsome Head Warrior caught Alpha Lyle’s scent and panicked.” Looking at me with raised eyebrows and just a hint of a smile, I know the game's up, and that I was betrayed by my wolf!
Beta Garrin looks at me with a renewed interest. “You are destined to be the Luna of the Spirit Walker Pack? The Goddess must really hate their Alpha! Ha! I never thought I’d see the day that our Fenya Stormhowl would be afraid of anything.”
When he begins to laugh, I’m shocked, to say the least. “I’m pleased that you find it so funny, Beta Garrin. I have notaccepted the mating as yet, and have no intention of doing so, either. I will not leave the pack that I have grown up in, and grown with, just to become some Alpha’s plaything!”
“Beta Garrin, please have Fenya re-instated to her Head Warrior duties and rescind the punishment duties in place. Oh, and you can also let it be known as to why Fenya ran from the welcome guard.” Seeing the determined look that Alpha Falan is giving me, I dare not argue as much as I want to. “I will not be seen to be disrespected and the truth, I’m sure, will be as painful a punishment as any we could devise.”
“As you say, Alpha Falan. I will let Zephyra know immediately. That will be as good a place as any to start. She has been extremely worried about her friend. Now she has something to worry about!” Laughing all the way to the door, he leaves, and I can hear him talking to Zephyra before the door is fully closed.
“Fenya, Fenya, Fenya. What are we going to do with you?” Alpha Falan takes his seat and steeples his fingers as he looks at me over the top of them. “No matter how hard I racked my brain to think of who it could be, not once did I put your name in the hat, so to speak.”
“You can take it out of your proverbial hat, because I’m not going anywhere.” Folding my arms across my chest, I frown at him.
“Let me tell you something, young lady. You will go and meet Alpha Lyle if I have to drag you there with my dying breath. He is an exceptional shifter, and one for whom I have the utmost respect. If you choose not to accept him, that will be your loss and the biggest mistake you will ever make. You will however go with me to the Alpha meeting that has been called by their Council, and you will meet Alpha Lyle.”
“Alpha Falan, please don’t…” Before I get any further, I can feel the alpha power building from within him.
“I strongly suggest that you take the next few hours to both pack and get some rest. We leave tomorrow morning.”
After being dismissed by the Alpha, I walk to my room in a daze. Discovering I had a mate out there was one thing, but an ALPHA mate? Oh my! What the hell do I know about being a Luna and running a pack! I hope he doesn’t expect to start raising pups anytime soon, either. Not happening.
Oh yes, it is soooo happening, young lady!
How do I keep two wolves apart so they can’t make pups? If he turns out to be as determined as Astra, I have no chance!
Chapter 11
LYLE
Getting a message from one of the Border Guards advising me that Alpha Falan has arrived with a small escort of warriors, I’m surprised to say the least. I wasn’t expecting a visit and didn’t expect to see him until we met at the Alpha meeting. I give permission for them to enter and instruct a single guard to accompany them to the packhouse.
While waiting for them to arrive, I go over everything with my Beta and Chief Warrior. I was going to have Beta Earl go with me to the meeting, but if Arric gets word that all the Alphas and our Council are going to be in one place at the same time, he could decide to act in a variety of different ways. I’m not prepared to leave the pack without my number two at the helm, so to speak.
As for Chief Warrior Glen, he can accompany me on this occasion. Warrior Sloane will take Glen’s place while he’s awayand I don’t doubt that she will serve Earl every bit as well as Glen serves me.
