Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

Chapter 11 - Carter

Glad to get out of the confines of that office and away from that buffoon of an Alpha, we followed Mari out of the door. She seemed on edge once again. Though this time, I think that may well have been down to the fact she had pissed her Alpha off. His anger had been more evident.

“We got you in trouble, sweetheart?” Sonny asked with a light-hearted smile in her direction as she led us back down the winding corridor out of the packhouse.

I turned to watch her response, and could not help but notice the way her big blue eyes flickered as if holding back tears. Nor the way she swallowed heavily before answering. “Maybe. I think he would rather me not have admitted he had received your email.” She said quietly. "It made him look like a liar."

No, it did not make him look like a liar. It had shown he was a liar, and for that, I had appreciated what the girl had done. I do not think she realised that. “That was my fault.” I said bluntly. “I ordered you to look. I will smooth it over with him.”

I saw Hudson look at me with a raised brow, likely wondering why I was going so far as to try and smooth something over for a feeble little omega, but I did not want her blaming for helping us out. She had done as I had asked, and in doing so had proven that right now this pack may well not be capable of trusting. She had done us a favour so I was simply returning the favour.

‘I don’t think she is an omega.’ Draven unhelpfully pointed out.

‘Huh?’ I questioned. She sure came across as one. They seemed to use her as one too. I could barely detect a wolf, not that I was paying a great deal of attention, but if there was a wolf it was weak, I knew that, so an omega seemed fitting.

‘They introduced her as the Beta’s daughter, did they not?’ My wolf stated, making my mind flicker back to when we had arrived. I had been paying little attention, initally unhappy at having to be away from pack at all, and then more irritated at the lack of presence of the Alpha. Maybe they had said she was the Beta’s daughter and it had slipped my attention…

I glanced toward her. She was walking without so much as a word. Her mind so clearly elsewhere. Anxiousness radiating from her. That was not what I would expect from someone of Beta blood. And even if she was of Beta blood, why was he so nasty to her when he was in the office? You would have thought he would have stood up for his little girl, not berated her in front of a room of strangers. No. Something did not make sense.

As if feeling my gaze upon her, her blue eyes met mine. “It is fine.” She said calmly. “You don’t need to do that, but thank you for offering. I am sure it will all calm down.”

Hudson was watching me now with a curious expression. ‘Something seem off to you?’ He questioned through our mindlink so the girl would not hear. ‘I think she is only saying no because she doesn’t want them thinking she asked you to. That or because she is already in the s**t with them over today.’

Maybe he was right. But why would that be the case? Yet I nodded my agreement, unsure what else to say.

‘She is a scared little thing though, ain’t she?’ Hudson added with a shrug as we moved toward the packhouse doors, and I knew he had noticed it too. I think we all had. Again, if she were of Beta blood that would not be normal. She would have a strong and dominant wolf backing her up. I would expect someone a little more confident perhaps. Like my Gabrielle had been...

My mind automatically went to thoughts of my lost mate, and my heart ached. I knew this was a black hole I could not afford to go down right now. I gave my head a shake. Turning to look at Hudson quickly, needing something to distract my mind. ‘Can you sense her wolf?’ I suddenly found myself asking him, without even meaning to. This was no business of mine, but if what my wolf told me is right and this was the Beta’s daughter then her wolf should be a lot stronger…

Hudson’s brows furrowed in confusion. ‘Oh, interested are we, C?’ He began, a sly grin forming upon his face. Was he implying that I was interested in this pathetic little thing by our side? Nothing like insulting me. And the memory of my lost mate, and his sister…

Irritation rippled through me, while once again my heart twisted in pain at the thought of my mate. The hollow emptiness her loss left. How f*****g dare he imply I was looking at another she-wolf?!

‘No. Just answer me.’ I snapped angrily, and I saw the grin upon Hudson’s face fall swiftly. His expression changing to serious once more, clearly realising his error.

‘Sorry, bro, was only joking. It has been four years since Gabrielle...' He began, but my cold stare seemed to halt his words, and he smiled apologetically before continuing. 'But can’t say I have paid attention to her. Come to think about it, no, can’t say there is much of a strong wolf to sense.’ His words confirmed my on suspicions.

‘Me either. I thought she was an omega, but Draven said she is the Beta’s daughter, or that is what they said, didn’t they?’ I wanted to check my wolf had heard right.

Draven grumbled inside of my mind, not happy at me doubting him. But Hudson nodded. ‘Yeah they did. I don't know. She seems the opposite of what you expect a Beta female to be, at least after meeting her wolf. Maybe they said that she was the Beta's daughter so we would give her the time of day. Maybe she is just an omega. But they needed someone to work with us, and it was her, so they lied to us.' Hudson suggested, and I had to say his suggestion made sense. 'I mean, that Beta treated her like s**t. You wouldn’t do that to your own daughter, surely.’ He added.

I glanced at Mari again, as she opened the packhouse door for us to walk out of and nodded. Maybe he was right. That was not how we treated our own.

“Here you go.” Mari smiled over at us. “I think the warriors were being brought down to meet you. So they should be waiting for you.” I could see a sense of anticipation within her eyes, confusing me a little. That was the most excited I think I had seen her all day. Maybe she was glad to see the back of us. Perhaps it was our presence that had been intimidating her all along?

But, I was not given any longer to consider that because a panicked voice interrupted my thoughts. “Alpha!” I turned to see one of my senior warriors running towards me.

“What's going on Joel?” I demand, not liking the panicked aura radiating from him. This was a man that should be calm in all scenarios. He was a man of war. Of conflict. What the hell had him so panicked?

“One of the men has been killed.” He said, and I looked to him in horror. A cold chill spreading over my body.

“What? Why was I not notified?”

“We were out training. It was suggested we go on a run. See how good we were compared to their warriors, so I saw no harm in it.” I watched as guilt passed over my senior warrior’s face. “Only as we neared the borders one of our men was attacked. A rogue? One of their men? I don’t think I could say in truth, Alpha, but we lost him…” His voice faltered.

With a sinking heart I realised our visit here today had cost us more than I ever expected. “Why did you not call for us?" I asked.

"We were told you were busy and that the Beta could help. He dealt with it all. Was adamant he should seeing it was suggestion we go for the run." Joel said with sadness. "I am sorry, Alpha, they made us feel like we should not disturb you in the meeting. I did not want to ruin anything for you."

I nodded, seeing so much guilt upon this man's face. This was not only one of his men but his friend. "Who?” I asked, my tone a little gentler now. I know each and every one of my pack members. Especially my warriors. These men trained to defend my pack. Fight and put their lives on the line for my pack. It is my honour to be a friend as well as an Alpha.

“Rafe.” Joel said with a shaky voice, and my heart ached for the loss for my pack. But what shocked me more was the pained gasp from behind me upon the steps as Mari crumbled to the floor, her head within her hands…