Chapter 19
Waverly and Nicole got out of bed, ignoring how they both wishes they didn’t have too and left the bedroom, running into Julian and Michelle.
“Daddy? Is-“
“Relax, it’s Nedley and Curtis. They are asking permission to enter our lands. Nicole, are you well enough to come with me to meet them?” the man asked the female Alpha who was about to agree but Waverly answered for her.
“No, she isnt. She lost too much blood. She needs more rest.” The younger omega said before pointing at her bedroom door and giving the redhead a look that told her not to disagree. Nicole gave Julian an apologetic grimace and the man seemed utterly perplexed by his daughter putting her foot down while Michelle gave Waverly an amused look before she and Julian left to greet the other pack Alphas. It was no coincidence they were here.
“I should go get Firefly.” Nicole said when Waverly closed the door but the omega gave her a gently push towards the bed.
“Eliza went to get him. She should get back in a few hours. Are you hungry?”
“No.” Nicole answered as Waverly crawled back into bed beside her but just as she was about to cuddle back into the Alpha’s side Nicole stopped her. Waverly suddenly felt embarrassed and her face fell but the Alpha pointed to the door which opened a second later and Wynonna marched in.
“Fuck me, Haught, you weren’t gone long.” The beta snarked as she dropped heavily onto the bed, forcing Waverly to press into Nicole who could have moved to make room if she had objected a second time but she didn’t and gave the omega a small wink before answering the intruder.
“I knew you couldn’t live without me, Earp.” Nicole grunted before she filled the sisters in on what she had happened to make her turn back. The sisters were very grateful for her actions. “I wasn’t sure you would hear my howl.”
“it was as clear as day. Makes sense Curtis and Nedley heard it too.” Waverly mumbled as she made herself comfortable against the Alpha.
“Who is Curtis?” Nicole asked.
“Our Aunt’s Mate, Curtis McCready, Alpha of the Nature Pack. His lands are to the north. He, Nedley and father are all friends and allies, a battle cry like that would have immediately have called to them too.” Waverly said sleepily before kicking Wynonna off the bed. “Now fuck off so we can get some more sleep before they get here.”
The beta scowled “Rude.” She growled playfully before walking out of the room.
Nicole immediately wrapped her arms around the omega who giggled, relieved the Alpha wanted to have her close but they said nothing before they each fell asleep again, unable to fight their exhaustion.
After a short gallop to the safe road Julian and Michelle spotted Randy Nedley, Curtis McCready and his mate, elder Sister to Michelle, Gus. Behind them stood a number of wolves, some of the best fighter the two visiting pack Alphas had.
Michelle and Gus, a short, slim, salt and pepper haired woman with a stern expression. She was not one to cross but everyone she knew well knew she was exceptionally kind. Julian greeted the other men.
“We came as fast as we could.” Nedley said gruffly. “What happened?”
“I thank you, my friends. We were attacked by an army of Rogues fenrir last night. We prevailed but I don’t know what to make of it.” He explained what had happened. “Did you hear the Howl?” he asked the men as they walked towards where the battle had taken place.
“Who the hell was that, Julian?” Curtis hissed, he and Nedley both having heard Nicole’s warning but unlike the Angel Pack they had never experienced anything like the Female Alpha and although Nedley had seen her wolf he had no idea of the truth.
“The Alpha of the Red Wolf Pack.” Julian smirked as the men and Gus stopped walking and stared at the Angel Pack Alpha and his mate.
“Red Wolf... hang on...” Nedley muttered as he remembered the woman who had saved him and his friend, the one who had Joined Julian over winter. “That woman who saved us?”
“what do you mean the Red Wolf Pack? That’s just a legend!” Gus scoffed but Michelle put a hand on her arm.
“No, Gus, the stories are real. She is of the First Fenrir, Isa confirmed it.” The omega told her sister who regarded her closely.
“Normally I wouldn’t question a priestess but that doesn’t make sense?” the beta woman growled.
“believe me, Gus, If I hadn’t seen it myself I would be sceptical too.” Randy said, scratching his cheek. “I saw her wolf.”
Julian and Randy told them in detail of their first meeting with the woman then Julian filled them in on everything else they knew about the woman as they travelled to the spot where the fighting took place. Some of the Pack members were still dealing with the deceased while others continued to track the enemy who ran.
The forest floor was covered in thick puddles of blood and broken arrows, clumps of fur and broken branches from nearby trees.
If had been chaos.
“We have to find out if anyone knows anything about this. Rogues don’t form a pack, they can’t. They have no pack lands or leaders and they can’t move undetected with that number so why did they try?” Julian said as they went back to the village where he ordered a large amount of food be prepared for the entire pack and his guests before Waverly emerged from her room, dressed and quickly hurried to her aunt and Uncle to hug them both.
Gus wrinkled her nose at the smell of Alpha on the smaller girl but it was very different from anything she had smelled before and when shared a look with Curtis before they saw the tall, redheaded woman come out of the omega’s room too but as Julian and Michelle didn’t seem surprised or perturbed at it so they were obviously fine with the situation
She had thought her niece was quite set on Champ Hardy.
“Nicole, this is Michelle’s sister Gus and her Mate Curtis who is Alpha of the Nature Pack and you’ve met Randy of course.” Julian made introductions and the Female Alpha greeted them politely.
Nicole knew that the new comers had been filled in on everything, including her own identity. The stern beta woman was looking at her like she was trying to see right through her and the men seemed in awe. Julian invited everyone to sit before they began to discuss which packs they needed to send word to.
All nearby packs would have to up their security.
“Surely after such a sound defeat the rogues won’t try again?” Curtis spoke up once they sat down and Julian looked at Nicole.
“Your thoughts?” He asked her. “You saw them moving before the fighting.”
“They were moving fast and with purpose. The number was almost enough to make up their smaller, weaker wolves.” The female Alpha said. “there were easily over a hundred.”
“Why your pack?” Nedley asked Julian who shook his head.
“No idea. The wolves we took refuse to shift to human so we can question them yet. Maybe Nicole can persuade them after we eat?” Julian turned to the redhead who agreed.
After a hearty meal Julian had the prisoners brought into the pack house by Doc, Dolls and Wynonna and the Pack Alphas and their Mates, Waverly and Isa stood watching.
The 5 beta wolves and 1 Alpha were still in their mangy wolf forms, some cowering and the Rogue Alpha was growling. Nicole looked at Julian who nodded and she let out a fierce snarl.
“Shift.” She ordered and they did, unable to resist the woman’s power as the others watched on, impressed by her power. When the men, all filthy and naked, shifted they glared around at their captures.
“Why did you attack this pack?” Nicole growled. “the truth.”
The male Alpha on the ground spat at her feet but as soon as he did Nicole shattered his jaw and as he fell on his back writhing in pain she have the other prisoners a look.
“I won’t repeat myself.” She warned them so one of the smaller men spoke up.
“there were a number of packs attacked last night. Not just this one.” The beta told her making the Pack Alphas share surprised looks.
“how many were attacked?” Nicole asked.
“Three.” The man admitted
“Who were the other packs?” Nicole asked sharply.
“I dont know. Only the Generals knew.” The man said.
“Generals? Who leads you rogues?”
“Bulshar Clootie.” He said with a smirk, knowing the reactions he would get from his captures.
It suddenly went deathly silent and Waverly saw Nicole turn to look at her father.
Bulshar Clootie was a name she had heard before but she didn’t know where but by the looks on the men’s faces it wasn’t good.
He is dead.” Julian growled but the man on the ground began to chuckle.
“He was just laying low until he could make his plans. We would have fucking wiped you out if not for that freak bitch.” The Rogue scowled up at Nicole.
“where is he now?” Nedley asked but the man shook his head unwilling to answer but Nicole snarled in warning and he grimaced.
“The Old Mountains.” He growled and Nicole Stiffened. The Old Mountains were her homeland, her Pack Lands.
“Those are my lands!” she snarled and the man laughed.
“No they aren’t. They are his now.” The men on their knees all began to laugh. Julian gave Wynonna and Dolls a nod and the pair stepped up and dispatched the prisoners.
“Waverly, Michelle, can you begin writing letters to the Alphas of the other packs. There is a list in my desk. Wynonna, gather up our fastest wolves and tell them to prepare to deliver them. I’ll need Randy and Curtis to sign the letters too.”
“I’ll grab Jeremy, he can help Mama and I.” Waverly said and ran out of the Pack house.
“who is this Bulshar?” Nicole growled, Rua pacing in her mind.
“many years ago he and his pack went through our world viciously attacking smaller, vulnerable pack with is much bigger, more powerful one, taking land and killing any who opposed them. We eventually fought him back and chased him to ground but not before suffering terrible losses. He was never seen or heard from after. If he’s back and actually gathering Rogues to join him we need to act quickly. We just need to hit him once with a combined force of as many fighters as we can. Once we do your lands will be yours again.” Curtis explained.
As angry as Nicole was to know her home was invaded this man sounded like a monster and she was never one to ignore someone who harmed others. She hated Bullies.”
“He’s rebuilt his army with Rogues. They aren’t as strong as pack fenrir but there are thousands of them. Most would join him for a place to stay and food. Something tells me this was him testing the waters to see how they did, how many he would really need and testing defences of smaller packs. Causing confusion.” Nicole said Just as Waverly returned and gave her a worried look. “he needs to be hit hard and fast with a large force.”
The 3 male Alphas nodded in agreement before Michelle, Waverly and Jeremy began to write letters to the other pack Alphas to warn them and call for the Pack Alpha Council to meet.
“Nicole, the pack Alphas find it normally very hard to agree on anything.” Julian explained. “they all want to be the one in charge.”
Nicole scoffed. Unsurprised.
“You are the strongest. You must show them who you are and show them your power. We can’t afford to waste time with the usual pissing contents. We need strong, decisive leadership in this.” Julian said as he put a hand her shoulder as Nedley and Curtis agreed.
Nicole gave a stiff nod before telling Curtis and Nedley to send for all their soldiers.
“Then what?” Wynonna asked.
“then we gather packs along the way to a central location. It also means we are prepared if we come across another Rogue army. Send letters to the packs on we won’t cross on the way.” Nicole said, knowing they would be taken seriously if they had a 3 pack army at their back.
Nicole left the pack house and shifted. She needed to make sure nothing else was in the air.