The Alpha King's Mate novel Chapter 11

"Tell King Fenris to stuff his taxes up his backside. Or better yet: tell him to come here, and I will do it for him," Gale says, roaring with laughter, setting the whole tavern off. One of the knights brings an axe down over Gale's wrist, lopping his hand off in warning.

The tavern goes silent for a moment, and all the men look at one another and at Gale's bloody hand on the table. Gales passes out onto the floor. Nervous laughter ensues, and the men clink their pints and raise them toward the knights to show they mean no harm. Sitting in the corner, out of view, I go unnoticed by them.

"I am Sir Hugo, most trusted knight to King Fenris. Shut up the lot of you, or I'll lop each and every one of your hands off and feed them to the wolves," Sir Hugo warns.

A brute of a man, whose head brushes the six-foot-high wooden ceiling beam, folds his arms across his barrelled chest. No human would ever dare cross him.

"King Fenris has an army of twenty-five thousand soldiers but needs more men. If you join, you will not have to pay taxes, and you'll be fed well. Food will also be sent to your families as payment for your service," Sir Hugo says, his arms still crossed. None of the men speak.

"If none of you fight and we lose the war, the wolves will kill you, kill your wives, and eat your children – no man will be spared. Now which one of you bastards are going to sign up and help kill these mongrels?" He yells.

With that, Mortly dips the feather into the pot of ink and signs a quick, messy scrawl on the bottom of the scroll. Except for Gale passed out on the floor, the rest of the men follow suit. In disbelief, I go upstairs to my room for the night. What was that? Alpha Damon is not going to like this. I mind-link Alpha King Damon and Gamma Eric everything.

Alpha King Damon

Now able to mind-link Troy, I tell him about my dream the other night, including meeting my mate.

Alpha, even if you find her in time, they still outnumber us greatly. They are growing in number daily. This is not a war we can win. Troy mind-links.

We need a plan and fast. King Fenris will wipe us all out and show no mercy. Eric says.

Troy: stay in West Wallow and keep track of their movements. Mind-link me when they get closer. Eric: gather all pregnant she-wolves and pups and have them remain protected at Moon Crest Castle. If we lose the war, a few warriors will help you, and the she-wolves and pups escape. Prepare beds for any injured. I will set up camp near the forest border and ready myself and the others to fight and defend our land. I will visit every pack and recruit more men and women. If anything comes up that I should know, mind link me immediately. I say.

Yes, Alpha. They reply.

Maia

"Maia," Grace says.