Chapter 8
Julian was sitting in his high backed chair and glaring at the small group of men standing in front of him with their heads down. He had berated Robert, Champ, Pete and Kyle York as well as a couple of other male beta’s and young Alphas who were supposed to be at the training earlier that day.
Instead they had all been in the forest drinking and gambling with other pack members. As Alphas, Robert and Champ were required to be at the training. The defence of their Pack was an Alpha’s duty and the others had signed up as warriors years ago but they had all spat in his face with their disrespectful actions.
Michelle, Willa, Wynonna, Waverly and Doc were all standing beside Julian and Waverly could see the scowls he was throwing her way.
“Robert, I’m particularly disappointed in you. As a member of this family, the Pack Alpha’s family. You have a bigger responsibility than most to see that you follow my orders! To protect this pack!” Julian barked and the men all kept their eyes lowered, Champ flinching as the Pack Alpha stood. “What have you to say for yourself?”
None of them answered, none of them strong enough to rise to the challenge in the Pack Alpha’s voice. Julian was fuming and his wolf was very close to the surface. They all knew that if they spoke and said the wrong thing he would trash them.
Michelle put a hand on her Mate’s shoulder as she told him through mindlink to calm himself so he took a deep breath before giving her a small smile then turned back to the men.
“Every morning at dawn every one of you is to take axes into the forest and cut down firewood until noon when you will return and train with the rest of the Pack members. You will obey Nicole. You will train hard and listen to her because none of you are fit to be members of this pack right now. If you don’t my punishment will be swift and severe . Understand?” he growled and they all nodded tentatively. “Good, now get out of my sight!”
“I’ll make sure my Mate changes his attitude.” Willa said as she kissed her mothers cheek and put a hand on Julian’s bicep. The man thanked his older step daughter before she followed her mate out of the Long house. The Pack Alpha turned and looked at Waverly with a look so filled with disappointment it made Angel whimper but Julian walked to his room without another word.
“No one will save Champ if he continues to behave like that.” Michelle told Waverly, her voice heavy with implication and Waverly felt her body flush with a cold sweat. “Do not push his hand.” The Pack Omega warned and followed her mate.
When Waverly was alone with Doc and Wynonna the couple were looking at her with a mix of frustration and pity.
“if you mate with Champ you’ll be hitching your horse to someone who will drag you down to his level. As his omega, whatever happens to him happens to you.” Wynonna said to her sister and Doc gave the girl an understanding smile.
“You deserve better.” Doc said gently.
‘Listen to them.’ Angel ordered but Waverly growled.
“He’s my True Mate! He will behave, I’ll be sure of it.” Waverly said, ignoring the way her sister rolled her eyes as she hurried from the Pack House. She followed his scent to the forest where he and the York boys were drinking and giving out about Nicole.
“Champ, I need to speak with you.” The omega said and ignored the sour look he gave her before he grabbed her arm and shoved her back.
“I don’t want to speak with you.” He growled at her. “Why would I? You let your father speak to me like that!”
“Champ, you are my Mate, you have to take your training seriously!” she cooed at him but her scoffed.
“Or what? What will you do?” he growled down at her goadingly and she whimpered.
“Champ, I... please, I love you but my father-“
“Your father will lose his pack as soon as I’m soon gonna be strong enough to take him on and when I’m pack Alpha-“
Waverly growled at him in warning. Julian was her Daddy and well as her pack Alpha and she would not let Champ make threats. He turned back to his friends without another word and she went to find Chrissy and Jeremy. It made her feel incredibly uneasy to hear Champ but she also knew that unless her father was on his deathbed Champ had no hope of taking the Pack by challenge but if he was to lose to her father Champ would be run from the Pack and become a Rogue. If they were mated when that happened then she would be forced to go with him.
Angel was furious over the male Alpha’s words and growled with frustration when Waverly promised she would get through to him. He just needed to realise how important it was that he fall in line. She was sure of it.
Over the next week Waverly watched with relief as Champ kept his head down and mouth shut while going about his punishment and training but he played hot and cold with the omega every day. Usually he would approach her, sweet talk her into sleeping with him and go back to ignoring her as soon as he was done.
Julian watched his daughter with dismay one afternoon, having come to see the fighters already visible improvement and started slightly when Michelle slipped a hand into the crook of his arm, having come up behind him.
“What troubles you?” the omega asked her mate softly and Julian sighed heavily.
“It was a mistake to tell her she could mate for love at such a young age. I believe it made her think that she had to name a mate early. We should have said nothing until she matured.” The man growled but Michelle shook her head.
“It came up when she began asking about mating and such. You know how curious she is. We wanted her to have the same happiness we found with our true mate. I assume you are regretting it?”
“I just don’t understand it. Champ is a pig-headed boy-man and Waverly is sweet and loving. What can she see in him? How can I leave my pack to him when it is my time to join the ancestors in the great forest?” Julian lamented. He had worked hard to make his people prosper.
“Unfortunately this is one of those horrible times when you might have to put the Pack first. You love Waverly more than any father could love a pup but you have other responsibilities.” Michelle said with a grim expression. Julian never went back on his word but for the first time he might have to hurt Waverly.
Their daughter was sparring with Wynonna as Nicole watched them closely and gave quiet instructions. Michelle huffed. She had to admit she really misjudged the Female Alpha. The Pack omega’s spies around the Pack told her that even when Wynonna talked Nicole into going for a drink the Alpha stayed sober, polite and respectful. No one else had tried to challenge the redhead and accepted her presence begrudgingly. She behaved herself impeccably.
“You’ve grown fond of the Rogue.” Michelle smiled, having seen the fatherly, approving smiles he gave the woman. They had tried so hard for other children but it wasn’t to be. They cherished Waverly but Julian had so hoped for an Alpha heir. They would be secure now if they had had an Alpha pup.
“I have. It been easy, she is a good one.” He smiled at his mate softly.
“She’s certainly earning her wages.” Michelle said as she watched the redhead make her way around the fighting pairs. Even the older Alphas who had been fighters for years had found that Nicole’s lessons were beneficial.
“Has she reported any rogues?” the omega asked and Julian nodded.
“she’s moved on a couple that were camping but they left without complaint and they apologised. Nothing concerning. “ he said.
Nicole had indeed come across a family of betas with two small pups. They had been terrified when they saw her wolf and huddled together whimpering and crying. Nicole realised they were no threat and shifted to human.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you but you are on Pack Land and must return to the Safe road immediately.” She said softly as the pups continued to cry. She then retreated, shifted and rushed back to Firefly to retrieve her bag and returned to the family in human form. The man and woman were quickly trying to pack their meagre belongings after calming the children.
“please, we are leaving! Don’t hurt us!” the man pleaded when he saw her.
“I won’t. I just wanted to give you some food.” She said kindly and the parents gave each other surprised looks as she held out the small sack she packed her lunch in. There was bread, cheese and some plums she had gotten at the market. They gave her a suspicious look. Not use to kindness.
“Why?” the man asked and she gave the pups a glance.
“I’m a Rogue too. I am only employed here for the winter. I know the struggle.” She said and pushed the small sack into his hands before she gave them directions and left. When she returned they had left and she continued on her way.
Nicole didn’t tell Julian she had fed the family or been gentle with them but she did tell him she had found a family camping and they had left when she told them. Now she went into the forest every day with extra food in case she came across others with children. She couldn’t imagine raising pups as a Rogue. Hell, a small injury could be deadly as a Rogue.
She was relieved then Julian said that she should be gentle with those who posed no risk to her or the Pack. It made her glad to have met the man. He was a good Alpha.