The moment they entered the auditorium, everyone was already there. The pack was exceptional and ready for anything. Even if someone was at the bottom of the mountain and got the link, they knew they had to get there as fast as possible.
Alpha Ciandra motioned them to sit, they lowered themselves, and Alpha Ciandra went directly to the point, “as you all know, I will be leaving in a few weeks, and with no news from Alpha Craton, Beta Garrick will take over for me while I am gone.”
Neither did anyone whisper nor shoot their hands up to ask where Alpha Craton was, why Beta Garrick had to take over and not someone else, or even when Alpha Ciandra was going to return. Nothing. The hall was silent as the words sunk in, waiting for Alpha Ciandra to continue talking.
In less than thirty minutes, the meeting ended and everyone returned to their training.
On her way to her office, she ignored the footsteps behind her, it was Beta Garrick trying his best to act as though he wasn’t there. “I will summon for you when the time is right.” Alpha Ciandra said while shutting the door to his face.
“Are you sure? Why don’t I come in and watch you work, I might learn something from it.” Beta Garrick replied.
“Beta Garrick.”
The commanding tone from Alpha Ciandra said it all, and Beta Garrick had nothing to do but leave her alone.
With the pack aware of her and her father’s predicament, she decided to leave the office and the pack for a smooth transition for Beta Garrick. She picked up her schedule book and began planning the time and where she would be for the next few days.
No one disturbed her, and she stayed in the office for the whole night. By the time she heard the chatter from the werewolves outside, Alpha Ciandra stretched her body and left to shower. She sent a mindlink Beta Garrick, “gather the teenagers for me.”
“Yes, Alpha Ciandra.”
Alpha Ciandra was trained to be in control for all her life, and she promised herself not to break down just because daddy wasn’t back yet. She finished showering, dressed up, and met the teenagers on the field. “It is a nice morning, isn’t it?” She asked, smiling.
“Yes, Alpha Ciandra.” They replied in unison.
“Good, I am glad your training is going well. Do I need to wish any of you luck before I leave?”
“No, Alpha Ciandra.”
Their answers were robotic-like, and they meant what they said. Alpha Ciandra saw Beta Garrick approaching her, she took a step backward and finished, “one more thing, rest when you are required to rest. You can’t be a good warrior if you are burnt out. No competing with one another, we are one and we should aim at growing stronger, together. A weak wolf does what?”
“She or he fails at her mission.” The wolves shouted.
Nodding encouragingly, Alpha Ciandra finished, “let us aim at being the best of the best.”
“Yes, thank you, Alpha Ciandra.” They tilted their heads slightly as she walked away from them.
“How are you?” Beta Garrick asked.
“I am okay.” Alpha Ciandra responded with finality in her voice.
They headed to the gate. Again, she ignored the looks she got from Beta Garrick, when they reached the gate, she couldn’t take it anymore, so she spun around, “if you can’t get your eyes off of me, you must return and read the notes I made for you, they are on my office.”
Beta Garrick looked down with respect.
“That is what I thought.” Alpha Ciandra turned around, waved at the wolf at the gate, and off they left to the first place she wished to visit before she left.
Reaching the Shutter Haven, a house for pregnant, broken, and rejected wolves, gratitude and passion ran deep in her veins. She encouraged everyone to love and to be there for each other, and she finished by promising them the Vagabond Pack wouldn’t forget them after her departure, and if they did, they would never be forgiven.
“What are you looking at?” She asked Beta Garrick on their way out of Shutter Haven.
“Why are you sweet at them and not to us?” Asked Beta Garrick with no shame at all.
“Don’t tell me you need mama’s love.” Alpha Ciandra mocked.
“I mean…”
“I said, watch your mouth, Garrick.” Alpha Ciandra wasn’t looking forward to listening to whatever Beta Garrick had to say, any other day, she would have entertained him, but today, no. Remaining focused was her aim. Furthermore, Beta Garrick knew why she acted the way she did while they were at the Shutter Haven.
Pryden, House of Noirin was next, it was a brothel built by Alpha Ciandra’s great-grandfather. Her words carried meaning, and promises and most importantly, showed them they were not alone. In no time, she only had Beta Garrick to speak to.
Returning to the pack, she was in a gloomy mood, and she thanked the moon goddess for not making Beta Garrick open his mouth once more or even stare at her with worry in his eyes.
They arrived inside the pack, checked the wolves in session, encouraged them one last time, and then returned to her office where she found Beta Garrick waiting with his legs shaking up and down.
“For a beta, you are scared to guide a pack you have known for ages. You knew this would happen. Now get your shit together.” She ordered.
“You need to mourn.” Beta Garrick’s advised his voice barely a whisper.
“What I need you to do is to be a beta, Garrick, do you want me to choose someone else?”
“No.” He jumped, making Alpha Ciandra amused.
For a week, she kept alternating between training, talking to the wolves, and advising Beta Garrick. All the while, Alpha Ciandra kept pushing down the need to go down on her knees and break down, she missed her father so dearly, he was her pillar, and not once did she ever she would leave the pack without knowing he was right here waiting for her return so they would lead the pack together like father and daughter.
No one asked how she was doing or her feelings, and she was grateful for it. Days passed by so fast that she wondered if it was waiting for her to move quickly. One morning, after her session with Beta Garrick, Alpha Ciandra said, “I am satisfied with how faster you have learned, and since I am still here, in case of anything, ask me, okay?”
“Yes, Alpha Ciandra, I wish you well.”
“You know I don’t need it. If only, you are the one who needs it.”
For a moment, Alpha Ciandra acted the way she used to act whenever she was with Beta Garrick, and for a second, they maintained eye contact, the intense feelings in their eyes said it all, and the air in the atmosphere dropped.
However, Beta Garrick destroyed the moment by saying, “are you sure you are okay to leave?”
The expression on her face turned cold, she turned on her heels, she was a strong woman with a promise to herself not to break her best friend's chest.
A week and a few days have passed, and still, Alpha Craton isn’t back. No one talked about it, it was as if he hadn’t been their alpha. In a weird and toxic way, it increased Alpha Ciandra’s tranquility state of mind. With no arrangement like a funeral, she safely completed Beta Garrick’s training and she was ready to leave. Hell, if it was wasn’t for the fact everyone had to leave on a set specific date, she would have left today. She assured Beta Garrick he would be a better alpha as she believed in him and left to pack some essentials she required to use while at the Dark Shadow Pack. In the evening, Alpha Ciandra wanted to throw a spade at Beta Garrick after he suggested they bury a banana leaf as a way of showing respect to their beloved maybe or maybe not dead alpha. It was absurd and so pathetic, and the moment the words left Beta Garrick’s lips, Alpha Ciandra roared, making everyone shudder. Fearing she wouldn’t control herself and attack her best friend, she left for an ev
With her intense training since she was born, Alpha Ciandra’s physical agility was infinite. Climbing down the mountain was a piece of cake and as she walked towards the neighboring pack, Free Pack, she knew in no time she would be inside the Dark Shadow Pack. She passed in front of the Free Pack and the wolves guarding the gates lowered their heads with respect and pleasing smiles. She returned the smile and continued her walk. She was a respected and renowned alpha who kept everyone under control. When her father had given her the letter from the elders of the Dark Shadow Pack, she had accepted it like a pro. She had written to them a week earlier, informing them she would arrive soon. After she read the words on it, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Foreal, hadn’t she sent the letter saying she would go? A few days later, she had learned why they had sent that letter with the order, the Dark Shadow Pack’s alpha was one mean son of a bitch who expected nothing but perfection.
“Where is Alpha Alphonso?” Asked Alpha Ciandra. “Be patient my child, you will learn of everything soon.” The elder replied. Alpha Ciandra hummed at herself, walking behind the elder, she was walking so slow Alpha Ciandra almost offered to carry her on her back. Her stomach chose the moment to embarrass her with a loud growl which made Elder Delora turn around. “I thought you don’t get hungry.” Elder Delora remarked. “Uh?” “I mean, you are the great Alpha Ciandra.” “Right.” Elder Delora offered her a sweet smile, “I like you.” She stood abruptly and Alpha Ciandra bumped into her, she apologized while taking a step back. The woman chuckled and focused on something in the distance. “Okay, I have ordered Beta Pierre to bring you food. Let's go.” Elder Delora said. It hit Alpha Ciandra, Elder Delora was talking to the stupid Beta through the mindlink. As they walked towards what she assumed would be a dining hall or room, she noticed the wolves starting to point at her. She overh
Unable to move an inch, or remove the alpha’s warm hand from her face, Alpha Ciandra couldn’t miss the way her body warmed up to the heat. Her face inclined to his touch. Please, tell me this is a joke. She thought. The alpha’s thumb was moving dangerously to her lower lip, and still, she did nothing, she was still chanting, "please, tell me this is a joke." Not once did Alpha Ciandra think the first fight would be between her stuck mind and her raging thumbing heart against her chest. Not once did she imagine her face being held by a handsome man while he looked at her as if she was a possession he couldn’t wait to handle in any way he deemed fit. Confused. It was the only way to describe her emotions at this moment. Alpha Alphonso pulled her lower lip, the interest in his eyes burning. Alpha Ciandra was a spectator to what was happening, far away with broken binoculars making the images unclear. She couldn’t believe this was happening. A wolf was heading in their direction, mak
Beta Pierre swallowed, “we have a problem.” Alpha Ciandra moved out of the way as Alpha Alphonso pushed Beta Pierre onto the seat. From the way he looked at his beta, Alpha Ciandra knew it wasn't something new. She only hoped it was something she didn’t have to deal with Beta Pierre for more than the necessary time. For the little time she had spent with him, Alpha Ciandra wanted nothing to do with him if not necessary, better fight the rogues than sitting with the guy. Alpha Ciandra shoved down the heating sensations she was feeling and asked, “does someone care to fill me in?” Beta Pierre explained, "I was at Tagadi Town, Alpha Ciandra sent me to bring some bows and arrows..." Alpha Alphonso cut him off, with a voice laced with sarcasm, he puzzled, "are we going to learn the real problem anytime soon or should I gather the pups for you to tell them the story? Damn it, Pierre, out with the shit already." Alpha Ciandra crossed her arms over her chest, she could see now why
**Twenty minutes later** Good job Ciandra first mission is done, now you have to be a diplomat and help the young man talk the issue out with Beta Pierre. She thought as she listened to the young man in his mid-twenties. Things turned out okay, the hunters were furious at Beta Pierre as it wasn’t his first time disturbing them. “What is the meaning of this?” Beta Pierre and his stupid face asked Alpha Ciandra. “Alphonso is asking for you.” A wolf she has never spoken to told her. “I believe you will handle this well, Pierre.” She said as she looked at the human with assurance, she was sure he was reasonable and wouldn’t start a fight. For Beta Pierre, Alpha Ciandra hoped he heard the warning in her tone. Walking towards the packhouse behind the wolf, Alpha Ciandra once again noticed the quietness of the Dark Shadow Pack. Yes, most of the time the Vagabond Pack was busy training, but at least anyone could hear them talking, evident enough the pack was inhabited. This… the silen
The meeting with Tagadi Town's leader went surprisingly well, just like the hunters’ leader, he promised to speak to the teenagers so long as they speak to Pierre about his behavior. Alpha Ciandra was glad they had a consensus because she needed to think of mate shit. As they returned, the two elders spoke to each other in hush tones, she kept hearing them mentioning her name, and not once did she ask them why they were being disrespectful. So long as they didn’t speak to her, she was okay. After all, she needed alone time and in whatever way it came, she embraced it. Unfazed, she walked beside them as if they were speaking about fresh vegetables at the market town and not about her. When they arrived at the Dark Shadow Pack, she narrowed her eyes at the two she-wolves guarding the gate, they looked down in respect but something told her it was directed to the two elders and not her. "Go report to him." Elder Kalera said firmly. Alpha Ciandra nodded slightly and walked towards the pa
Most of the werewolves in the Vagabond Pack never talked of these topics; sex, mate, heat, and anything else regarding touching bodies intimately. Why would they anyway when they had packs to protect? And not once did they sit down and start discussing the possibilities about mates, it was important because no one has ever announced they needed a mate or they have met one. No one in the pack had a mate, or so she believed, now, she was unsure if no one had. The fact that she couldn’t help but think someone had but since they never spoke about mates eat her up as she huddled herself in the corner feeling small with no answer. The Vagabond Pack werewolves would summarize every fighting scene in one go and would fight anything and anyone without batting an eyelash. Indeed, they were the chosen pack only meant to be warriors. Most of the warriors in the Vagabond Pack didn’t know their parents because they were brought as pups from Pryden, House of Noirin. When she was old enough, she