Chapter 3

Darius’ POV

“Faster,” I called out to the warriors.

They obeyed instantly. Their boots slammed harder against the ground and their blades flashed under the morning sun. Torin, the highest ranked among the young warriors, led the front line. His form was good, but he was too eager. He overcommitted on every swing. I needed to teach him patience.

I stepped forward, picked up a weighted practice blade from the rack, and balanced it once in my hand.

“Torin. Come over here.”

He turned and wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his forearm. “Yes, Alpha.”

"Watch us," I yelled to the others.

Torin lunged straight in with his blade high. That's the problem. No patience. I blocked with a good parry. Then I twisted low and drove my elbow into his ribs.

He grunted and stumbled back one step.

Now that I was on the front foot, I pressed forward.

.

My blade came down on him. He raised his own just in time to prevent damage.

CRACK!

He rolled from his position on the ground and got to his feet. Then he countered. I blocked his attack and slammed my knee into his thigh. He dropped to one knee, and his blade rolled off his hand.

I stopped with the blade tip an inch from his throat. “Don't rush in combat. Be patient. Wait for a window you can exploit."

Torin nodded while breathing hard.

I tossed the blade aside and snapped my fingers at the others. “Pair up. Spar until I say it's enough. I want to see your patience on display."

They got to action straight away.

As the warriors sparred, Rick walked up to me.

“Good morning, Alpha,” he said and stopped beside me.

I kept watching the sparring warriors. “Good morning. Any report?"

“Umm, yeah. The meat reserves are dropping really fast. Hunters need better gear in the coming weeks."

"How much do we need?"

"Thirty-two thousand coins."

I turned my head to glare at him. “Thirty-two?”

“Everything is expensive. Red Rock is choking the eastern trade roads again. Suppliers are nervous and charging extra for risk.”

Viktor Shaw. Always him. I need to do something about him.

“Cut it to twenty-five,” I said. “Crossbows and laser guns first. We can stretch the rest.”

Rick nodded. We walked around the field side by side.

He cleared his throat. “Alpha, you’ve been up since four. If you're not training, you're reviewing border logs or doing council prep. You need to rest more.”

“Rest? I can't rest until everything is in order.”

He glanced sideways. “Okay, but what about a mate. You ever considered it?”

I stopped walking and turned fully to face him.

Rick raised both hands with palms out. “Just saying. Pack’s solid because of you. But an Alpha without a Luna… people are talking."

"What are they saying?"

"Three packs are sniffing at our gates. A strong bond at the top give is stability.”

I stared at him long enough that he looked uncomfortable. “I don’t need a mate."

“Some would argue you do,” he said.

"Forget about romance. Focus on the hunters. Get the order placed. I’ll sign the money."

He exhaled and nodded. “Understood.”

A runner approached us, panting.

“Alpha Ironfang.” He stopped short and bowed. “The elders want to see you.”

“Tell them I’m on my way.”

The boy left.

I looked at Rick. “Any idea what they sent to talk about?"

“No.”

"Okay."

I left the yard and headed away from the field. Warriors bowed as I passed.

I acknowledged them with the barest tilt of my head. I hurried to the council hall and found seven elders waiting at the long table.

Elder Hagrid spoke first. “Alpha. Sit.”

His voice sounded calm, but I was uneasy. These old men would never stop bothering me.

I sat and waited for them to continue.

“According to the border reports,” Elder Hagrid said. “Red Rock struck three convoys this week. Seven dead. Twelve wounded."

I met his gaze steadily.

“I’ve read every report,” I replied. “I know the numbers.”

Elder Tara leaned forward. She had a small frame and fierce eyes.

“Then why do the attacks continue? You know the numbers so what have you done about it?"

“It's not an easy problem to solve. We have many enemies, but the biggest one is Viktor Shaw. He wants Lunar Veil,” I answered. “He won’t stop until he takes it or I put him in the ground.”

Hagrid tapped his finger on the table. “So what's your plan? How do you counter him?"

"I'm working on that privately. I don't intend to discuss my tactics."

Tara’s lips thinned. “The pack feels fear spreading faster than blood. They are talking. They question why their Alpha does not end the threat at its source.”

I sigh. “You want me to attack Viktor. No! Facing one pack means the other two hit us while our back is turned. I will not sacrifice wolves for pride or optics.”

The elders stay silent. I waited impatiently for one of them to say something.

“You mean the border troubles won't stop?" Elder Kael was speaking for the first time.

I shook my head.

“I'll handle it. Tomorrow I will lead the eastern border patrol myself."

Hagrid studied me for long seconds. “You will go personally?”

“Yes. I'm not a leader who hides in the office for his officers to do the dirty jobs.

Tara exhaled. “That's risky. If you fall. . .”

“I won’t.”

Kael nodded slowly. “See that you don’t."

I turned and walked to the nearest glass wall. I looked into the horizon.

Bright lights. Gleaming towers. Flying drones. Viktor wanted to have all of this. I built this place with blood and tears. No, I wouldn't let Viktor take it.

"Alpha?"

Without turning, I knew it was Rick. He walked up beside me.

“Is it true tomorrow, you want to lead the patrol?"

"How did you hear so fast?"

Rick smiled. "You know how information spreads in this pack. So, is it true?"

"Yes, it is. I want the elders to know I care. I'm doing this to shut them up."

"It's risky. . ."

"I know, but I've given my word. Tomorrow, you'll take charge of pack activities."

Rick's eyes told me he was worried about my decision, but I didn't care what he thought. I needed to get the elders off my back.

I pat Rick on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll return in one piece."

I stepped away from him and headed back to the training field. The warriors were still sparring. Sweat lined their foreheads. 

A smile stretched my lips. I was once like them. Now, I was the big dog. And it was up to me to put intruders like Viktor in their place.