Abel - 3

"Alpha."

I turn from the window to see one of the Elders, Nyko, standing in my doorway.

"What should we do with the Brinshire girl?"

The Brinshire girl. I found her last night on my monthly patrol. Being an Alpha with no active Luna and no heirs, the Elders rarely let me do patrols along our borders. However, when the Great Mother is at her fullest, I go. Unlike most months, this patrol, would change everything.

I came across her, this black wolf, just inside our territory. As I jumped at her, I caught a glimpse into her gold eyes and could see fear. No, I felt her fear deep within my core. I glanced around to realize that her fear was not of me but rather, of her pack that had stopped at their border. She had crossed our boundaries, committed treason which is punishable by death. I should have killed her where she stood, but instead, curiosity struck me.

Why would this Brinshire wolf commit such open treason to escape her pack? Surely, she should know that the consequences of this blatant act is execution. So why face death by your mortal enemy? I needed to know.

"Alpha?" Nyko speaks again, dragging me from my thoughts.

"I have to see her?" I announce with authority.

"But Sire."

"No, I must speak to her. I will not take no for an answer," I finish as I approach the Elder who is like a father to me.

"As you wish, Alpha," Nyko replies, bowing his head in submission.

The car ride to the jail where this girl now waits for her judgement, passes by the cemetery and I think of my Luna's headstone. She had been taken nearly ten years prior, when we were just barely wolves. Her patrol, one night, turned tragic as one of those Brinshire bastards ripped her apart and now, I am on my way to speak to a Brinshire she-wolf. I chuckle to myself as I think of the irony.

"Abel, are you sure you want to see this girl? Do you think it wise?" Nyko speaks softly to avoid the driver from hearing his informal questions.

I turn toward him and answer quietly, "Yes. I want to know what could drive a young she-wolf into the waiting clutches of her enemy. What could possibly be worse than death?" With that, Nyko bows his head in acknowledgement, and we finish our ride in silence.

Soon, we arrive at the jail. It is a depressing building, as it sees very little activity these days. Nyko and I walk in confidently as I establish my status as Alpha to the guards.

Then I see her, for the first time, in her human form. She is beautiful! Red hair, fair skin, thin figure, not at all what I had envisioned a Brinshire black wolf to look like. I wave to the guards to open the door and enter the room. She glanced up at me and realizes who I must be. She quickly falls to her knees and begins pleading to kill her now. She is begging for me to not send her back.

Her pain cuts me like a knife to my heart and I lower myself to calm her. I can't explain why I don't want her to fear me. All I know is that there is something compelling me to protect her, even from our own laws. I cannot execute her, even once I get answers. She looks up at me as I peer into her gold eyes and I know deep inside, I will know this woman, maybe even, love her.