Chapter Four

Alpha Leo

As much as I hate being Alpha, my dad loved the role, and he's the only reason why I haven't just upped and fucked off and left the pack members to look after themselves. That and how incredibly loyal they are to me, but with Scar struggling so much, I'm not sure how much longer we're going to remain sane. And I know I don't want a mate, but still, even if I was willing to do something about the whole mate situation, I can't because we haven't even met her, and I'm beginning to think that we never will.

In fact, I'm so convinced that we won't meet her that I've already made Johnny promise that if I go mad he's to put me down, no arguments, because once a wolf loses it, they aren't themselves anymore and will hurt anyone in their sight and that's the last thing that I want to do because while I may hate several of my pack members, there are still a select few that I am very found of.

"Where are you, Alpha?" My Beta Mark's voice rings through my head as he mind links me and just pisses me off even more. I hate that guy. He's a slime ball, and I know he does shit that he shouldn't and breaks more than one rule, but I just can't prove it... Not yet anyway.

He would never have been my pick for a Beta, but he was next in line to be Beta in the pack and made a massive scene about how it was his birthright until I eventually gave in and gave him the title. Obviously, he was entitled to the role, but he's a horrible dick-head who doesn't deserve the role, doesn't deserve to walk around like he owns the place and certainly isn't someone I want at my side or trust with anything that I don't want anyone else knowing.

"I'm away from camp. What's wrong?" He doesn't sound happy with my answer, but I couldn't give a flying fuck. I wish that I could go further out so that I couldn't be mindlinked and disturbed, but as Alpha, it just can't be done.

"There's a phone call for you. A Mr Robert. He says it's urgent." Oh fuck. I was hoping not to receive this call, but I have a feeling that this is just that. "I'll be there now. Meet me by the border. North side." He agrees right before I close the link between us and run with all I have to reach him. The moment I reach him, he hands me the phone, panic clear on his face.

"Robert, are you there?" There's no time for formalities here, not if the worst has happened.

"Alpha Leo, we are being attacked. The plan needs to happen now! Please say you're still willing to take in Lucy?"

"Of course I am. Get her on her way. Oh, and Robert, I hope you can survive this. If you do, please make contact." I can hear him taking deep breaths as if he's running.

"It's not looking good, but if we get out of this, I promise to contact you. Once again, thank you for taking in Lucy. Please look after her, please protect her." He sounds like a broken man, like a man fully aware that his life is going to end soon, and it's a sobering thing to know.

"You have my word that she will be safe."

The line goes dead as I near my tent and signal for both Jonny and Mark to follow me. "What's going on, Alpha?" Mark asks the moment we step inside. I take a seat behind my desk and take a moment to process what's going on before I tell them everything and wait in silence while they both take it all in.

"Fuck! I've met them more than once; they're good people, good wolves. This sucks!" Johnny shouts as he stands up and starts pacing my tent. "Why won't they take any help?" He's struggling to take this in, and I get it because, if truth be told, my earlier phone call with Robert has been playing on repeat in my head since the moment I got off the call with him.

"I told you why," Mark grunts, drawing my attention to him as he stares out of the tent window. "Do you have something to say, Beta?" He'd best not come out with any dick comments about this, or I'm going to lose my shit with him. "What's there to say? As you said, they've made their decision, and honestly, I think it's commendable, honorable." I'm used to Mark's comments throwing me off course, but it's usually because he's being a dick, but for once, I'm in full agreement with him.

"So the sister... Lucy, are we supposed to let her travel for two days on her own to get here?" Johnny asks, seeming to have slightly calmed down now. "That's the plan, and believe me when I say that I'd be more than happy to take a group to find her; however, Robert made a good point during our conversation. He said that if any of the members of their enemy pack are still lurking, checking for survivors and pick up our Rogue scent, there's a good chance of them coming for us, and that puts Lucy in danger. On her own, she can remain quiet and easily hidden and has a much better chance of making it here."

"I get that, but it just doesn't seem right to let her travel all that way on her own." He huffs as he finally stops pacing and sits his ass back down. "I know, and I'm with you, but unfortunately, it is the safest way for her to travel."

"I have an idea," Mark says, looking pleased with himself. "I'm listening." He takes a moment to find his words, while I will him to just hurry up. The quicker I can get him out of my tent, the better and while I know that this seems harsh, trust me, it's not. There's a lot of stuff about him that he doesn't realize that I know, but he will find out one day.

"What if we send out a small group of wolves to find her, but they're not to comfort her or go near her in any way. Instead, they can just stay close by to make sure she's safe, and that way, if anyone were to attack our members, she won't be with them." Yeah, his idea is a good one, and I'm happy to do something like that, but it won't go as he plans.

"I like that idea, and I'm happy to go ahead with that plan. Johnny, as acting Gamma, I need you to take the lead on this trip. Pick five warriors to take with you; you'll leave ASAP." It takes my brother a moment to let my words sink in, and I know that he would rather stay here, but I don't miss the moment that he realizes why I've done it. "Of course, Alpha. I'll go and gather the men and bring them back here to form a plan."

"Excuse me, Alpha, but I thought I could go. It is my plan after all." Mark looks pissed, but I don't give a fuck. If he thinks I'm going to let him lead a mission like this, then he is even more insane than I thought. I don't trust the guy as far as I can throw him, and I certainly don't trust him with Lucy, not now, not ever.

"Don't let him go, bro. You know I hate being in charge of anything, but I'll be happy to do this." Johnny's mindlink throws me for a second, but thankfully, I manage to pull my attention back to the room before Mark notices. Johnny hates taking charge of anything, but we lost our pack Gamma, three months ago to a random attack while he was out in the forest one night and with no other family to take his place. I managed to get Johnny to agree to covering the position temporarily until I can find another member to fit the role.

"I understand, Mark, but you're needed more here. Your role is important, and I'll need you to handle some business over the next few days that I can't." My words are lies, but they have the desired effect as an ugly, cocky smile covers his entire face, making me want to rip his head off. The bastard thinks he's something special, and both Johnny and I know that he's just dying to fill my shoes, to become Alpha and, as much as I don't want the role myself, it will be a cold day in hell before I let him take over. I'll gladly suffer for the rest of my life if it means stopping him from taking over.

Just one hour later, Johnny leaves with five of our most trusted and loyal warriors to find Lucy and keep her safe from a distance while I continue my own work of getting proof of what Mark has been doing. I'm still not sure how I'm going to do it, but somehow I will get what I need and bring that prick down.