No News From Alpha Craton

“You are a sight for sore eyes, your majesty.” He curtsied.

Feigning seriousness, she replied, “thank you, thy servant.”

Suppressing a peal of laughter, she turned around. However, one look at him and she couldn’t hold it anymore. “May the goddess help you, what in the hell’s world are you doing?”

“Queen, I am bowing.”

“Oh, you wish. I did rather you hop for me.”

“Ouch, my heart.” He grinned and straightened. “Alpha Ciandra, what is it?”

An exasperated sigh escaped her heart-shaped lips. For two hours, she had been standing at the highest top of the mountain looking below, hell, she looked like a queen staring at her kingdoms. Only that, she was troubled. The weary feeling in her stomach intensified, her father, Alpha Hunter Craton left six months ago to protect the Nightstar Pack, his period had ended two weeks ago, and by now he would have been back.

Alpha Ciandra knew her father wouldn’t extend his stay as she was expected to leave for the Dark Shadow Pack soon.

The Vagabond Pack was destined to protect other packs for generations with no exception. From a tender age, they trained themselves, and as such, the percentage of warriors returning after they finished their period was high. Moreover, Alpha Hunter Cranton was a great warrior. So, why wasn’t he back yet?

It was so unlike her to be worried, she believed in her father just as she trusted in everyone in her pack. Everyone knew only the moon goddess would take Alpha Hunter’s life. But today, since morning, her mind had been on a rollercoaster, thinking about her father.  

Beta Garrick moved closer, and Alpha Ciandra smiled, “I am okay, Rick.”

“You are not.” Beta Garrick insisted.

She bent, took a pinch of soil, and played with it. She wasn’t someone to impose on others with her problems. Rising, she inquired, “how is the Wild Group doing?”

“They are almost set for departure.”

The Wild Group consisted of three werewolf warriors preparing to head to the Wild Pack. The pack had lost its Luna and the alpha was completely shattered. The group had to leave immediately as everyone knew, no Luna meant heartbroken alpha. A sweet invitation for the rogues to attack.

Ogling at Alpha Ciandra, Beta Garrick took a step back, his body stiff. He was restraining himself not to hug the alpha. From the corner of her eyes, Alpha Ciandra saw Beta Garrick’s hand trembling, with no time to dwell on his feelings or hers, she inhaled deeply and marched off.

Beta Garrick ran after her, rubbed her back awkwardly, and dropped his hand. Without asking what he was doing, she sprinted towards the packhouse. She was trying harder not to fall for Beta Garrick’s caring attitude toward her. She could hear her thumbing heart in her ears as she increased her pace, literally. Her mind was only on the calendar inside her father’s bedroom, perhaps she had forgotten what date and day it was. 

“Ow! That hurt.” A she-wolf screamed. Alpha Ciandra groaned and changed her direction. 

A girl was on the ground holding her knee. “What happened here?” Alpha Ciandra asked.

The she-wolf on the ground had a wistful smile on her lips, she greeted, “oh, hello, Alpha Ciandra.”

Instead of replying, Alpha Ciandra narrowed her eyes at her, and the other girl replied, “she is a show-off who twisted her ankle.”

Alpha Ciandra commanded as she eyed the elastic crossbar rope tied way too high for the she-wolves, “Beta Garrick, take her to the medical bay.”

Beta Garrick nodded while moving to help the girl. However, before Beta Garrick helped the girl, Alpha Ciandra waved him off, “nevermind, let me do it.” She helped the injured girl and left Beta Garrick behind in deep thought.

“Do you want me to carry you?” Alpha Ciandra asked with a voice laced with concern.

“No, Alpha Ciandra, thank you.”

After ensuring the girl was okay, she left them with the pack doctor at the medical bay. On her way to the packhouse, she made a mental note to summon the teenagers later and talked to them. “Failure is a part of us, take a break if you need to. And when you are well, return and try again. Remember, don’t push yourself too hard.” Her father’s voice echoed in her mind.

Her father’s door wouldn’t budge, she pushed with force, and when something fell with a thud, her fighting instincts kicked in. Slowly, she squeezed herself through, her eyes widened when she saw who it was. “Where is Alpha Hunter?” Her voice shook. The injured wolf’s eyes fluttered, unluckily, before she commanded him to talk, the wolf’s eyes closed as he drew in his last breath.  

“Come on.” Alpha Ciandra barked in frustration. The man had followed Alpha Craton to the Nightstar Pack even after Alpha Ciandra had said no. She felt bad for him, if only they had known he would go and return to his pack and die, she wouldn’t have let him leave.

“Where are you, dad?” She whispered to the space. However, she didn’t have the time to dwell on the dead wolf or her father. With the Vagabond Pack’s rules ingrained in her mind, she sent three messages via mind link. The first one to a wolf to come and pick up the body. Another one to the pack to assemble at the auditorium. Lastly, to Beta Garrick to meet her at her office.

Pacing inside her office, she tried to calm herself. It would be a bad example to speak to the pack while shaking. Before she screamed at the moon goddess, Beta Garrick rushed in, she stopped pacing and bellowed, “Beta Garrick, seat.”

A serious look sat on her face, and she went straight to the point, “you are starting your training tomorrow.

One look at her, and he knew what she meant. “No. No. No.” Beta Garrick furiously shook his head as he jumped to his feet. “No way.”

She shot daggers at him, she asked, her voice dangerously low, “who said you can pick?”

“I can’t do it. Let me go to the Dark Shadow Pack instead, please, Alpha Ciandra.”

“You and I know it is impossible. And if you have forgotten, let me help you get it through your head, I am the only one who has to go to the Dark Shadow Pack. Understood?” She paused to let her words sink, “You are not new to how things work Garrick, we have worked together since we were young. You will take over, once my time at the Dark Shadow is over, I will relieve you of your duties.” She finished.

It was final. There was no need for him to fight her. Beta Garrick flopped on the chair, “it will be an honor, Alpha Ciandra.”

“Stand up.” Alpha Ciandra pointed at the door. She pushed him outside, “tame that mouth of yours, Rick.” Her nails dug into her palm as they strutted to the auditorium. Before they entered, they shared a grim look.

“It will be okay.” Beta Garrick assured her.

“Thanks.” She spoke. “I trust you. The pack will be safe with you.”

If only she knew what awaited her, she would have stayed behind, trained her pack and for eternity, beg the moon goddess for forgiveness for breaking an important rule. But then, how could she have known? She was a great warrior, an alpha destined to protect and not a soothsayer.