Her Savior Alpha
Chapter 30

Dane

I never much cared for the offspring of my daughter. Her cheerfulness and her naughty ways as a child made me wary of her. I’d always sensed she was trouble from the start with her bright, cheruby smile and free spirited nature. She was an inquisitive one knocking about jars, getting into scrapes in the forest and causing more trouble than I thought her worth. One day she’d gotten stuck in the river tire that had been created by her father to swing in. To me she was a pest. I never showed this when my child was alive, but once she’d been laid to rest all of my irritations, grief and fury shot to the surface. I’d come to loathe Vera. She’d become a thorn in my side that I’d been unable to remove. Every time I saw the likeness of her mother shining in her face I wanted to backhand her across the room at every opportunity.

As I sat in my office contemplating the sturdiness of the new recruits we’d claimed I wondered why she took so long to fight back. She’d found her strength the last few times I’d challenged her, I rubbed my wrist where her small foot had managed to land a few punches. It was hard for me to admit being the wolf I was that she’d been successful in hitting the right spot. Her kick had an extra dose of power behind it and I wanted to know where she got it from.

Vera’s strength had grown and I’d seen her in passing with her newfound power and her small frame transforming into an agile, compact machine. There was a small degree of value in her after all. I wouldn’t dare utter this to anyone. The insight would remain under wraps and would be kept to myself.

There was an inherent sense that Beartown had not struck for a considerable amount of time and there lack of attack placed me on edge. I smoothed my hand over my two day growth as I contemplated what this could mean for the pack. Sigmund was not a man to give up easily so I would give him no leeway. There would be no slacking in training and I made the call to Clive who oversaw many of the trainers.

“Clive,” I barked.

“Yes?”

“Up the training sessions to twice a day. I’ve had some outside contact news leading me to believe the Beartowners may be gearing up for attack.” I had no real evidence of this other than I could feel it in my bones.

“Have their been more rogue sightings? Do you want to build a recon team for defense? Things have been pretty clear on my patrols. I think things are doing pretty well for us.”

“The patrols have been holding well, but there are other borders; the south quadrant of the barracks is wide open and coyotes could easily slip through there. I want twice a day training as I said. Where is Vera currently?”

I wanted to keep an eye on her, as lately I had no cause to unleash on her. She’d been finishing her chores quicker than normal and was able to keep up with her training as well as any other wolf much to my irritation. I didn’t know how she managed to have the inner will to do that considering all the broken bones I’d managed to create in her.

“She’s finishing up rounds of laundry for the uniforms I believe.” Clive thought I didn’t see him defending her, but I saw everything. I had a birds eye view over my pack and nothing escaped my eyes except Vera. She had a cunning streak and had lying under the radar for some time.

“Hmm. Okay. Fine. Back to it then.”

“Yes sir. Will you be visiting the barracks anytime soon?”

“No, why would I?”

“No reason. I thought you might want to check out how weapons training was going.”

Crunching my knuckles together I let the air pop out of them and stood up stretching my legs.

“I will make my way over to review. I hope as you’re training Clive, you’re also stepping in the ring and completing your own training.”

“Yes, I’m not losing ground if that’s what you mean. I’ve been keeping fit and leading out the forest trail runs.” I was found of Clive and he’d put his life on the line several times for the pack. I trusted him to complete the duties I’d set out for him. I held a soft spot for him after the battle of Beartown. He’d experienced the loss of his parents too along with Reily. Standing to admire the view out of my window I rounded my oak table grabbing my coat to shield from the chill and to replace out more about the rumblings I’d heard regarding Reily and Vera.

“Good. Keep it that way. If I get a sniff of any rogue activity I may need to send yourself and Thelma back out on mission.”

“Okay. See you when you arrive.” I was keeping an eye on Clive as I saw how close he was to Vera. For some ungodly reason he watched over her along with the rogue - Archer. He’d proven himself to be of value and saving the life of my favorite daughter Grant. Secretly, I’d come to know of her desire to rule the throne, but she would do no such thing under my dominion. I had no time for a female to be in rule and I would not step down. My claws were still extremely sharp and I wanted the blood of any Beartowner that crossed my path. I wouldn’t rest until I’d avenged the death of my daughter and her husband whom I’d come to love and respect. I vowed not to rest.

I crossed over the range to the barracks. I watched the wolves scatter in multiple directions as I entered the side door. A grim line crossed over my lips as I watched them. Lazy pigs. Clenching and releasing my fingers I felt a tightness around my jaw. No one should have been on the interior of the barracks in my opinion, all of the trained Mount Hunter pack members had been given their posts, so loitering in the lobby so to speak was unacceptable.

Jack had his back to me and was guffawing with another one of the female wolves likely attempting to take her to bed. One of Reily’s pitiful crew. “Jack! Are you not supposed to be patrol duty on the eastern side of the barracks?” I yelled as I recognized the lady he was speaking with was one of the new recruits.

“Ah, yeah, sorry. I was just on break. I’m due to go back out in a couple of-” I angled my head to the entryway.

“Go. Now. Young lady are you not supposed to be training today?” Searing into her with my eyes and towering over her fragile frame she reminded me of Vera and an instant body reaction surfaced as me wanting to punch her in the face.

“Yes, sorry Dane. I was doing the same, getting a snack.” I held back my fist letting the rumbling rage die down. Terror existed in her eyes as I looked past her to the corridor to trounce any other wayward wolves. None were found and had flown out of the entry points already.

“There will be no fat wolves on ground here. Move and get back out on the training ground. Sessions will be increasing, you’re going to have to perform otherwise I will spit you out of the pack. There will be no weak links, do you hear?” My voice propelled at her with such force her hair flew back from her face.

“Yes, I understand. Sorry.” She dashed away as I stalked through the rooms looking for Reily. Good, he wasn’t inside. The barracks were neat and tidy, no dust anywhere, plates and dishes in the mess hall were stacked and clean in their nooks. Everything was in its rightful place. I had no just cause to beat her. Vera had won once again.

I will have to increase her chores. Make it hard for her to train. My mind ticked away with petty possibilities to keep Vera enslaved until I saw Reily with his dirty blonde hair flopped over his eye.

He pushed it back as he entered from the back room. He was soaked through with sweat from training and glugging back a Gatorade. “Hey Dane. Nice to see you over here. What brings you here?”

Crossing my arms and standing in front of him, my thick eyebrow lifted voluntarily. “I could ask you the same thing. What is this I hear about your mate?” I regarded him from top to bottom. Reily was an exceptional fighter. A little more brawn than brains, but still useful and with the loss of his parents, the anger he harbored gave me just the volatility I needed to unleash him on the right opponents for attack.

He shifted his eyes for a moment as he took another sip of his drink.

“I have found my mate,” he said slowly as he gently placed down his drink. His words echoed off the backboard of the hall as I saw that look in his eye. It was the same look I had when I met my wife. The look of love, and his eyes were glossed over and his mouth wore a goofy smile.

“Who is the mate you speak of?” I asked if I had no clue, but I knew who.

“It’s Vera and I know Dane, it’s been rough for you, for me, for Clive, but I think Vera has suffered long enough. She’s my mate and in a way it’s kind of redemption. I can care for her and she’s orphaned as well. I think we both agree I would be good for her.” There was a plea in his voice. A hunger, and a cry for forgiveness, but I couldn’t deny the pain lodged deep in my soul at the loss of my own.

“You wish to be with her?” Reily had not been the most dedicated wolf the whole time. He was nothing like his brother Clive who was steadfast, but I’d come to be proud of him in his most recent efforts.

“Yes. I do.” He offered me a solemn head nod as I searched his face for any hint of a lie, replaceing instead only goo-goo eyes over a wolf we’d both willingly made the pack pariah. What an awful twist that Reily would have to suffer the fate of such a mate in his life, and on top of that to appear happy about it.

“You wish for this?” I continued to press him as he ran a hand through his wet hair.

“Yes. I do. She’s not what you might think. She is a pretty good fighter these days and she does her chores. Things are kept in line. I feel like it’s time for both of us to forgive. I’ve not treated her well at all. I’ve caused her much pain as have you. Can you not see?”

“I see alright, but I don’t understand how you’ve had such a change of heart.” I wanted to reverse my comment as soon as it exited my mouth. The mate bond was an extremely powerful connection. Once bonded it was damn near unbreakable and hard to remove. I had in my lifetime seen it done a few times, however it caused many layers of damage throughout the generations of wolves it affected. I crunched the air from my knuckles as Reily stood firmly fighting for the woman he loved.

Truth be told, I’d been in a similar position to him. I’d had to defend the honor of the woman I loved to my alpha pack leader due to my late wife Cylia being seen as a half breed to the pack. She had mixed wolf blood and the Mount Hunter predecessors were none too happy about it.

I softened my stance with him. “Very well. If this is the road you wish to take then let it be done. I will have to make an official announcement. Does Gina have any objections? Not that it should matter, this is your true mate and that’s the end of things.”

Once a man found their true mate life changed in a myriad of ways that would be unknown territory for Reily. “Gina and I have ended. She might be upset right now, but she’ll understand in the long run. We’ve broken up.”

Shocked at the speed in which Reily moved I let loose a dry chuckle. “Keen to consumate the bonding are we?”

A greasy smile tugged at the corners of Reily’s lips. “She is looking rather good with all her training. She’s not so frail anymore, and her wounds seemed to have healed nicely.”

Frowning at the latter half of his statement I stewed over it. She had healed and the crooked fingers she’d managed with all this time seemed to have miraculously healed themselves. It was a Mount Hunter trait - to be able to heal quickly, but Vera’s broken bones and malnutrition were extensive for long periods of time.

“Yes, I noticed. Very well. Gather the wolves for an announcement this evening. I approve and whilst I’m not overjoyed I agree to the union. I understand you will make sure she is taken care of.” I glared at him with a stern glance. I hoped he would read between the lines as to what I meant. Personally, I planned to give Vera a few more blows when I saw her, but it would never bring my sweet, sweet Rebecca back to life. I did enjoy crushing something to ease the ache in my heart, but I’d grown weary of the one sided fights with her. Plus, I knew Reily had served her with more than enough blows to appease me and I allowed it. I presumed if she got out of line, he would do what was necessary as an alpha wolf.

“Yes, I fully comprehend what you’re saying. I will make sure she’s taken care of.” Reily’s sly eyes were enough for me to know he understood what I meant.

“Good. Perhaps the announcement doesn’t need to be in such a hurry.” I doubled back on my statement as Reily’s eyes shot open.

“No, no, let’s do it this evening. I want the pack to know. I want it to be blessed by you Dane. It would be my honor.” Reily half bowed and boosted my ego.

“Very well. Gather everyone in the mess hall at four.”

“Consider it done. I’ll replace Vera and tell her the good news.” My stomach couldn’t help but flip. I would approve the union, but for my purposes only in the long run. I was still yet to learn of the wolf Vera was and now it had become apparent it was endowing her with increased strength. I would have to replace out more...

***

“Thank you all for gathering at such short notice. We have an important announcement to make and I wanted all Mount Hunter wolves in attendance.” There was no need for a microphone or anything of the kind. My voice was loud enough to be heard and carried throughout the room. As looked over all 200 of our Mount Hunter wolves, veterans and new fledging’s, my chest swelled with pride. We were a powerful force to be reckoned with and to see all of my pack banded together as one made me feel like the mighty King I was.

All eyes were on me and I had the floor. I sought out Vera and Reily to beckon them to stand beside me. “Come.”

Reily held Vera’s hand as her long midnight hair hung down below her shoulder blades. It pained me to see how much she reminded me of my daughter in her younger years. She to had the same refined nose and sharp cheekbones. Vera’s arms had filled in nicely with sinewy, wiry muscle, however she still appeared dainty and feminine, not as fragile as she used to be. She held her head now with self confidence.

I must investigate her wolf... there’s something different about her. I have to replace out. I dragged my eyes from her to Reily whose puppy dog face gave him away. Any hopes I internalized at having Vera beaten by Reily were fading away. Hushed whispers echoed around the hall as I placed a palm up for quiet.

“It has come to my attention that Reily has acquired his new mate. This mate is well known to all of us here. Vera Hunter.” I paused gauging the reaction of all, not a clap, pure silence. I sensed their hesitation was due to mine. “I am extremely happy to announce this. Future dates for the official courtship will be announced soon.”

I was well aware that the Mount Hunter pack was changing significantly.