47 Loophole

Nate

The old chair creaks under me in my father’s office as I fidget nervously. We listen intently with my brother and Mark as my father, his Beta, and the pack’s head of security discuss border patrolling.

This is the first summer our father asked me to join him and see what it's like to lead a pack. Gabriel has already spent his last three summers with him, training to be the next alpha. He is 14 years old, and I’m 11. As the second-born, I’ll never be the alpha of this pack, so sitting here is a privilege, as my father puts it.

The head of security turns his head to the side. His eyes glaze over - the tell-tale sign of mind-linking.

“Alpha, someone has entered our territory on the east of the forest,” he informs all of us a moment later.

“Just one rogue?” my father asks with a suspicious face.

“Yes, only one they could detect,” he answers, eyes glazing over again to get more information.

“Who is in the area?” My father stands, and everyone follows.

“We have three guards sur