“What do you mean Golden Fang won’t let anyone near their borders!” My hand freezes in the air as I pause my intended knocking. I had gotten a report from the Council about Golden Fang rebuilding their pack and that they have chosen their new Alpha and Luna. Some of us speculate that this person is the Head Warrior Quincy Steele and that he has found his Mate, but I have met that wolf a few times at the Annual Assembly of Alphas that take place every August first. He seemed happier leading Warriors under the Beta than leading a full pack by himself – even if he does have a Luna to help.
“It is what our men say, Alpha. They flown the plane as close as they could to the pack without being noticed, but when they tried to sneak onto the land, they were stopped and threatened that Golden Fang would kill them for trespassing.” I recognize the voice as Beta Jett – the man who replaced Brynlee’s dad last year. Shocked by the news that my father sent our men to spy on Golden Fang, I pull back the power radiating from me in hopes of hiding my presence. I knew my father wanted to bid for the land in hopes of trading it in the future, but sending wolves before the seven days grace period is over is an open declaration for war.
“As far as our men can tell, Golden Fang has become organized in the last five days after the attack.” Beta Jett continues reporting. I can feel my father’s rage from here. Feel the power in his blood mixed with something that worries me. Something dark and twisted. I force myself not to flinch away in disgust as I have felt this darkness before. It is the greed for power that can corrupt a great man. One that has slowly been poisoning my father since my mother’s death.
“What changes have our men seen?” A growl vibrates the walls around me and I shiver. My father is angry - angrier than I have ever seen him.
“The patrols are spaced at even intervals and from our men’s attempt, there seems to be a secondary patrol a little further in and that is where they were threatened. When the plane managed to get close enough to see the pack, they noted many places under construction and that any residue of the attack is gone.” I listen intently as Beta Jett continues the report. He lists off things any pack would do after being defeated in an attack. How houses were built. How someone had cleared some open land for a farm. How the pack seemed to be flourishing. The shattering of glass cuts off the final point and I step back in fear. My father had snapped.
“And there are no signs of an Alpha or Luna?” He questions, his words eerily calm.
“None.” A feral growl reverberates along the halls of the pack house and I take this as my que to leave. I wanted to discuss with my father about the email that was sent by the Council but that can wait. With my father enraged, he will skip out on patrolling the pack lands today or risk him turning on our pack mates. This duty will fall on me now.
Climbing down the staircase, I notice Tanya sitting in the smaller of the four sitting rooms with her friends, the four girls laughing as they discuss our up-coming wedding. I can tell she is excited. She finally gets what she has wanted for the last ten years while I am forced to give up everything. Suppressing a growl, I continue out the door towards the shed were we keep the ATV’s. As much as I need a good run in my wolf form, I need to complete my patrols as I am now so that I can speak with the wolves that guard the borders.
“Rune wait!” Turning to the sound of the pack house doors. Beta Jett comes jogging towards me with a look of concern on his face.
“I scented you outside of your father’s office.” He begins, holding his hand up when I open my mouth to say something.
“I lied to your dad. I know who the new Alpha is because she messaged me, offering me a chance to leave Pine Moon.”
“You want to leave the pack?” I hiss out, worried someone will overhear us.
“Yes. Wolves have been having a hard time since you rejected Brynlee. They want to leave and so do I. I am only staying till you and Caspian take over the pack.” He continues, his hazel eyes boring into mine.
“Why are you telling me this Beta Jett?” I ask, suspicious of this man.
“Because your father is going to ruin Pine Moon. I am not going down with it when he does.” His lips are set in a grim line and I am left speechless. This is my father’s Beta – the man he chose after Beta Knox’s death - and if his words were to get back to him, my father would kill Beta Jett without hesitation.
“So you are only biding your time till you can leave?” I scoff out, getting a sad nod from him.
“Pine Moon hasn’t been the same since your mother’s passing. Tanya has made many of the weaker wolves feel unsafe and honestly, I have asked them if there was a pack willing to take them in, would they leave.” He answers, his honesty worrying me. It seems my pack feels unsafe here and it is all my fault for not keeping Tanya in check.
“What was their answers?” I ask, unsure if I wanted to know.
“Many said they would abandon Pine Moon if there was an opportunity to. They are scared Rune and want a pack that will give them a sense of security and home.” His answer stings and look down in shame. Many of my pack mates no longer see this place as their home and it is my fault.
“I just wanted to be honest with you. You are like your mother and she would be disappointed in how the pack has declined since her death. Anyways, I have to plan a few patrols with our Head Warrior.” He places his hand on my shoulder, the tone of his voice solemn as he lets out a sigh.
“Be careful of your father and Tanya. I know the deal that was made to keep Blood Claws from attacking us but I think something else is going on.” With those final words, Beta Jett backs away before turning around and rushing back inside the pack house. I watch him go, my mind reeling from the warning.
Something catches my eyes and I notice a few pairs of eyes staring at me from the wind. Tanya and Paisley stand there, their faces void of smiles. Glaring at my fiancé and her best friend, I turn on the ATV and drive off. Something tells me I need to talk to Caspian later. For now, I will focus on my duties to the pack.