Alpha Rick
Chapter 20

Livie (three months later)

My days in the Dark Moon Pack began to get busy, VERY busy. I did most of my studying in the library, but when it got too chaotic, I would retreat to my room. If I didn't need to be present for a virtual class or be in the presence of the professor, I kept to myself when studying, but I began to partake here and there with small stuff around the pack. There was so much to learn. So much history. But I loved every bit of it.

I see why Molly said Ricky was a big nerd. He loved reading about our pack's history. The more I read, the more I got to know every one of our past members, and they left so much to teach us. Most days around lunch, Ricky wrapped things up in his office and did paperwork next to me in the room while I studied, until it was close to dinner.

We had our personal time, and by that, I mean it got freaky in our room. Then we'd shower and get ready to join everyone in the dining room. The week after his dad had come back and found out I was studying the pack's lineage, he was over the moon. He told me stories and legends of their past and would randomly quiz me. He was an amazing person. He's so smart.

He's even teaching me how to speak old Latin. Ricky still translates for me, but I've managed to catch on to a few words. But the best part is that many teenagers have seen my interest in learning the language, and they have now begun studying it as well. I'm impressed and touched that they have taken an interest in the heritage of their pack.

One thing was odd, though. Lucian began to ask me about my family when I told him my last name was Watson. Nothing odd about that, right? But- Since then he began acting a bit strange around me. Not in a bad way, but, still. He would stare at me, and his eyes would darken. It was like he was either mind-linking his wolf, or maybe someone else.

Besides that, I am so grateful for my new pack and my new life. Everyone in here is incredible, especially Alarick. He kept to his promise, as did I. I have successfully gained weight, so, I began training a few weeks ago. I won't lie to you, Zane and Alarick are not making it easy on me. They give me a run for my money, and they have put me up against professionally trained girls to train to fight. By professional, I mean these girls are the ones that train THE TRAINERS that the wolf king has in his kingdom where all the other alphas and leaders of their packs go to train. Weird huh? But yes, the king uses Alarick and Kaiden's men and women to train his people. And from what I have learned, when there is a mission even they don't dare to do, either Alarick or Kaiden takes over those

cases.

It makes me worried because I have seen how Alarick has come home hurt when he says he needs to go on a mission suddenly. He comes back with cuts and bruises still unhealed. I broke down the first time, and I stayed up all night healing his wounds with the first aid kit. What makes me more worried, is that he thinks that the rogue king is planning on invading Skylar's pack again. And if that happens, I know... Alarick will have to be there to fight again.

I can proudly say, I have gotten my ass kicked more times than I can imagine, and I am just in my second week of training. Am I going to give up? Hell no. I am just starting.

On top of that, it was almost my mom's death anniversary and the last time I saw my brother. This time of year always makes me feel so melancholic. I hate it. But I don't know how to tell Ricky. I've always dealt with this on my own, burying myself in work, cleaning until late hours in the kitchen when I was still part of the Silver Moon pack.

I don't know how to talk about this. All I know is that this time of year is always hard for me. That's why I have been training harder. I began training for two hours at first, and have now become training for four hours, sometimes more. It leaves me tired and sore, but I don't care. For one- If the rogue king dares to attack again, I will make sure I am there to fight too. Two- I am tired of feeling vulnerable. Alarick and the pack see my potential. It's time I show it off and prove it to myself.

00000000

Alarick

"Again," I say time and time again, each time I see Livie fall flat On her ass Or get knocked down time and time again. She grunts, curses, and yells from the top of her lungs in frustration, but she doesn't give up. The female warriors we have are professionals, and they have never been known to be easy on newcomers, and Livie is no exception. On the contrary, they have been harder on her, knocking her off her feet and even hurting her. And they have my permission. Why? Because I want Livie to understand that in the middle of a real fight, the first One they will try to knock down is the Alpha and his Luna.

Without their leaders, the pack is vulnerable and will be easier to take over under submission to a new alpha. I have seen it happen to a few pack's in the past. It almost happened to mine when they attacked us and they killed my mother, and it nearly happened again when I had just taken over as Alpha. I'll be damned if I ever let that happen again. For that reason, I need to make sure that Livie learns to fight to the death, if necessary. Rogues will not care nor think twice about hurting her in my presence, let alone in my absence.

The female warrior sweeps her under her feet, and kicks Livie on her ribs, making her fall on her side, making her body slide across the dirt floor. "Damn it!" Livie says, getting up frustrated. "Again," she growls, yelling at the warrior. But the girl looks at me for authorization and I grunt, pinching the curve of my nose.

It's been a long day, the sun is starting to set. Livie has learned so much, and I am so proud of her, but she loses focus when she's had too much or she's too frustrated. Something must be bothering her, and I need to replace out what. "That's all for today. You girls can go. Get some rest and I will see you for dinner."

"No. I can keep going. I can do a few more rounds." she says, grabbing her stick and getting into a defense position. "Go," I warn the girls, and they nod in submission, bowing to their luna, and walk away. "Rick!" she yells, making me growl. "Enough, Livie. What is happening? You're losing focus. You are getting really good, sweetheart. And you started off really good today, but you're suddenly losing focus. Is this because of your mom's death anniversary coming up?" I say, making her eyes widen in shock. "How did you?"

"I told you... I know everything about you, baby." I say, pulling her by the waist, kissing her forehead, and resting her head on my chest. "Ricky... I- I'm sorry. I should have stayed focused. I need to do my best, what if you need me next time? I can't... I hate seeing you come home with bruises and cuts from other wolves. You have huge scars all over your chest and back, in your arms. I... I don't want to lose you too, Ricky." she breaks down, hugging me tightly around my waist and sobbing silently.

"Babe, you will never lose me. I'm here for you. And I know you worry, but that's part of my job, to protect you and this pack. I promise nothing will ever happen to me. Ok?" I reassure her, making her tighten her hold around me.

The truth is, I almost didn't make it last time. We were ambushed. It was a setup by the rogue king. He was going after Morrison again, and we intervened. Most werewolves use only their fighting skills and wolf strength. But over the years, rogues have begun to use weapons as well. I had to allow my pack to use weapons for their protection and made sure to train them skillfully to use them.

The rogue king knows it, which is why he has done the same. When we confronted a few weeks ago, he slashed me really good across my chest, warning me to stay out of his business. I bled a lot, and Black agonized because the fucker had dipped his knife in wolfsbane, again. Unlike most wolves, wolfsbane will not kill us, but it still hurts like a mother. And it slows our healing process, which is why I was still badly hurt when I arrived back in our pack.

Livie was so mad at me, cursing under her breath and yelling at me to tell the wolf king to settle his own business. She has no idea that the mission had nothing to do with the king, but rather with Morrison and the rogue king. Sadly, the ones stuck in the middle are Skylar's pack and my people. I need to make sure he gets trained properly and his people get serious about protecting their pack.

What worries me, is that I know the rogue king will return soon, he's not done. I know he's not. The last thing I heard that asshole say was that he was coming back, and this time wanted me out of the way or he'd make sure to move me out of the way for good. I have no idea what the hell Morrison did to him, but I know it's not good.

I drag Livie back to our room and we freshen up to join our pack in the dining room. By the time we arrive, everyone is already there waiting on us. We sit next to my dad, Zane, and Margot. I give the signal to the girls to start serving and my eyes widen happily once dessert comes by. One of the girls brings a big piece of chocolate cake in front of me with a cup of freshly brewed coffee making Black happy inside.

"I hope you don't mind but I took some time earlier in the day from studying to join the girls in the kitchen. I made chocolate cake and cupcakes for everyone. Try it, it's really good. It's... My mom's recipe." Livie says with watery eyes. Dad cups her face, giving her a bright smile. "Puella, te ipsum vicisti." (Sweetheart, you have outdone yourself.) he says, making her smile.

"Gratias tibi, Papa." (thank you, Papa) she replies, making my smile widen. "It's only a small thank you for everything all of you do. I am so grateful for every one of you," she adds, smiling with teary eyes. I know at first, I was mad, angry that my sister Molly had found her mate and I hadn't. I thought it was a sick joke from our goddess for not giving me one, but she had... I just had to wait to replace her. And boy- did she give me the best mate possible. Livie is not just a great mate, but the best Luna we could have ever had. I'm starting to fall deeper in love with her. Don't get me wrong, I've loved her from the moment I laid eyes on her, but every day I fall deeper for her. And I won't let anything bad ever happen to her. Not as long as I live.