Chapter 21
Nicole shifted uncomfortably in her saddle. She and the other Pack Alphas were waiting for their messenger to come back with a response to their request to meet with Alpha Moody of the Black Rock Pack.
They had been on the road for a number of weeks, asking permission to speak to each pack Alpha of any lands they passed through. Most met them with suspicion as they had an ever growing army at their back but once Julian explained the situation every pack Alpha committed warriors they would send on to the Capitol as they all remembered Bulshar’s earlier attacks from years ago and the thought of an army made up of Rogues was a worrying and by now word of the attacks on other packs had spread.
Nicole had decided not to reveal who she was until the Pack Alphas met in the Capitol. She didn’t want rumours to spread and instead she elected to leave the speaking to Julian, Nedley and Curtis.
She sat up and gave Julian a nod to let him know she heard the messenger returning and when he did, Robin shifted and told them Richard Moody would met them but they had to leave their army on the safe road.
Nicole followed the 3 pack Alphas with Wynonna, Doc and Robert over the pack boundary and Robin led them to the pack house in the centre of a large, bustling town where a number of men in armour with spears met them and walked them though the large doorway and into a large hall where the Alpha of the Black Rock Pack was waiting for them.
The older, black man wore a stoic expression as he watched his guest walk towards him and he sniffed the air before his eyes settled on Nicole. It had been a very long time since he heard of a Female Alpha walking around.
“Alpha Charles, Alpha Nedley, Alpha McCready. Welcome.” He said evenly. “I assume you’re here about the recent attacks?”
“Yes. We are sending word out to all packs. You remember the destruction Bulshar caused before. We don’t know exactly how many rogues he’s got but there are thousands of Rogues out there and that’s enough to overwhelm most packs.”
“How is he still alive? He’s got to be close to one hundred.” Moody said, looking weary. “Who are your companions?” he asked as he looked at Nicole again.
The female Alpha tensed under his gaze and forced herself to avert her eyes to show submission to keep her cover and Julian knew Richard, a shrewd man, didn’t give a damn about Robert, Wynonna and Doc and really he just meant Nicole. The Angel Pack Alpha bit back a growl, a rush of fatherly affection for the redhead made he and his wolf angry at Moody for his blatant stating. Nicole was not some curiosity.
“My stepdaughter Wynonna and her mate Doc. And this is my other stepdaughter’s mate, Robert.” Julian looked at the mohawked man and then Doc and chuckled in surprise like something had just occured to him. “You know, Boys...I don’t know do I call you two ‘my son-in-laws’ or ‘stepson-in-law?’ What does the ‘in-law’ part mean anyway?” he rambled off for a moment, taking his own petty revenge by making Richard wait a few more seconds, knowing it would frustrate him.
Robert, Nedley, Curtis and Moody gave Julian baffled looks, unsure what to make of the man’s out of character tangent while Nicole, Wynonna and Doc bit back smiles, knowing exactly what he was doing.
“And this one?” Moody loudly asked as he pointed to Nicole, barely hiding his impatience.
Rua snarled In the redhead’s mind at their host but Nicole kept her cool. She was used to this, to be treated as a freak by rogues and pack fenrir alike when she was unfortunate enough to come across them but this was the first time since she learned she was a Pack Alpha, accepted her fate, and it made her want to puck the man right in the jaw but she couldnt jeopardise the plan.
“This is my finest Warrior, Nicole Haught.” Julian said proudly, patting her shoulder and winked at her.
“Bullshit.” Moody laughed. “If you had a female Alpha in your pack word would have spread. What pack are you from?” he directed at her.
“I am a Rogue.” Nicole said easily and Moody’s face morphed into disgust before Julian let out a warning growl.
“What? You brought a Rogue into my pack?” the darker man snarled but Julian stepped between him and Nicole.
“Careful what you say, Richard. Randy and I owe this woman our lives and If it wasn’t for her my pack would have been destroyed in the Rogue attack. I won’t tolerate you disrespecting her any further.” Julian said quietly but his wolf was snarling in his mind, forcing him to stare down the older man.
Politics amongst the Pack Alphas was a delicate dance. One wrong move could start wars. Inner pack politics was simpler. The strongest wolf in the pack usually challenged the current Alpha when their wolf told them to and the transfer of power was usually smooth in the average pack, generally not much changed day to day. However Pack Alphas made the agreement that they would settle their minor disputes in quieter ways. No one wanted to lose their Pack to another Pack Alpha.
Stare downs were simple, the first to look away, the ones who’s wolf was weaker would submit on the issue.
Richard huffed as he lowered his eyes and went back to his chair.
“will you bring Warriors to the Capitol?” Julian asked after a moment of tense silence.
“Yes. I already committed 250 fenrir and 100 archers. I will see you in the Capitol.” Richard replied before waving dismissively to let them know to leave. When they were back on their horses Nicole gave Julian a grateful smile, he was a good Alpha.
“They will know the truth soon and they will treat you as you should be.” He said to her but she shrugged, not upset.
“I’m used to it. I doubt they will believe it and I don’t care but I don’t want to lose this coming war.”
They turned their horses west and rode on to the next back.
A couple of weeks later they arrived at the Capitol. No one owned the Capitol city, it was open to all and any issues were dealt with by the Alpha council members who were voted in every 5 years.. there also was a smaller council made up of betas and omegas who dealt with trivial day to day things.
Nicole had never seen so many people in one place. The noise and smell of the city was overwhelming to her stronger than normal senses and she bit back a whimper as she followed the other pack Alphas to the Grand Hall where the Alpha’s were to meet.
Their army was camped outside the city walls with many other packs fighters. Bulshar had attacked more small packs and wiped out everyone bar children who’s parents had fallen. What happened to those poor pups was unknown for now
When they dismounted their horses Nicole pulled the hood of her simple cloak over head and followed the men into the Grand Hall where easily a hundred pack Alphas were shouting and posturing at each other. Some beta and omegas were dotted around the room too, mates of some of the Alphas.
‘Male Alpha’s are fucking idiots.’ Rua huffed in her mind and Nicole agreed.
‘It smells so, so bad in here!’ Nicole could tell that the Pack alpha’s without true mates had taken advantage of the many brothels in the city and it absolutely reeked.
Some of the Alpha’s greeted Julian, Nedley and Curtis warmly as they were well liked. Nicole stayed back and kept her head lowers but her scent cut through some of the foulness in the air and caught the attention of some of the males close by. They looked around but with so many bodies and the Female keeping a low profile they didn’t know where the scent was coming from.
Nicole watched as her companions spoke to row of Alphas sitting at a high table and they spoke quickly before the man in the centre seat who was portly and bald with a short beard stood and banged a small gavel on the table.
“Quiet!”
Silence filled the room, not because the man was powerful but because in this room they respected him as head of the Alpha Council.
“Who’s that?” Nicole muttered to Nedley who huffed.
“that bloated, old Billy goat is Alpha of some rich pack near the southern coast. Cryderman I think is his name. He’s a blow hard. Keep yer head down for now.” The olde man whispered and gave her a small wink .
“we all know why we are here. We ride out in two days time. We have sent scouts out to Red Wolf Mountain, we hope to figure out where Bulshar has them camped out but the mountain range is treacherous and vast, parts of it are impossible to reach which helps.”
Nicole snorted softly. Those impossible to reach areas was her home, protected by ancient magic. At least it was until the Attack on her pack ten years ago.
She just hoped that the Rogue army hadn’t managed to get to her Village.
Soon, non pack Alphas were asked to leave so they could discuss more sensitive information. Nicole and Julian’s eyes met and the Female nodded. She took a deep breath. It was now or never.
She pulled down her hood and straight away someone pointed to her and shouted “get her out of here. She’s a rogue!”
It was Moody and soon the room erupted into shouts of anger and protest but Nicole stood tall as they men rushed at her.
She released her wolf and let out a powerful, deep, primal howl that made the Pack Alphas freeze, exposing their throats while their wolves bowed in submission to the woman.
“Allow me to introduce you all to Nicole Haught, Alpha of the Red Wolf Pack.” Julian said with a grin.