The Alpha's Guardian novel Chapter 3

Ching Ching Ching

“Ali. Could you please stop that?” Samuel says with a sigh.

“I am listening,” I mumble, annoyed, setting my whetstone and daggers down.

Samuel, of course, heard about Alpha Wade’s rejection last night and called first thing this morning to remind me I can’t kill the alpha. It’s not that I was actually going to. Obviously, I would fail my mission if I did this, though a swift punch to the face in the past has proven worthwhile, though Samuel doesn’t like that route.

“He is important and must be protected.” he reminds me

“I know Samuel. I will get him to consent eventually, they always do.”

“Please, no force this time.”

“What!” I say, offended. “When have I ever injured who I am protecting?”

There’s silence on the other end of the line. We both know the last mission had been a committee member, and we were not the greatest of friends.

“OK, fine! I’ll try the gentle approach,” I say.

“Hah! I’m surprised you understand what the word means.” Samuel laughs through the phone.

“Ha! Ha! Samuel. So funny.”

“Aliauna. Truly, he is the most important mission of the century. You must be sure he accepts the Guardianship. If he doesn’t…”’

“I know, I know. We won’t be in tune and it will make my job harder and more dangerous. I promise to make him see the light.”

“Very well, Be safe.”

“Always am”

I turn my phone off, tossing it down to my bed, annoyed. The little shit called my superiors. I’m even more annoyed with Alpha Wade now. If he thinks he can get rid of me that easily, he is sorely mistaken. I have half a mind to give him a piece of my mind, but since he is still in recovery and working from the healers, I should just let him be. Instead, I am making it my mission to learn the lay of the land. First up is a walk around the border, then a visit through the town and a meeting with his Beta. Though I am doubtful, his beta will be of any use to me, it’s worth a shot.

It’s a decent size pack surrounded mostly by wooded areas or farmland. The areas with farmland seem to be the most secure, it’s easier to see, hear and scent a rogue from across the field. The wind carries better than the woods and the openness affords them no hiding places from our adept eyes. It’s beautiful here, easily one of the prettier packs I have been to. I’ve only seen two patrol groups, which is a worrisome sign. Both patrol groups steer clear of me.

I’m certain they have been instructed to avoid me at all costs, it’s understandable. Their alpha hates me and they all seem strangely in love with him. It’s almost annoying how loyal they are. The pack is far too large for every wolf here to actually know him personally and, in my experience, everyone has at least 1 person who secretly hates them. Maybe Alpha Wade bakes cookies and passes them out, it’s the only thing in my mind worth being loyal over.

My stomach growls at the thought of cookies, and I rub my tummy, looking around for the opening. Nothing but trees out here. A small breeze carries with it the smell of coffee and bacon. Opting to follow my nose, I walk through the woods until I come upon a tiny shack on the border. I have never been a shy person, so walking up I reach out and knock. The lopsided door creaks open as a girl sticks her head out from within. Her eyes widen in shock as she slams it shut, yelling to someone to go out the back.

At a leisurely speed, I walk around the back door, listening to the clattering inside and the hiss of the fire being put out. The back door splinters open as two lanky teenagers fall at my feet holding bread and a small paper plate stacked with bacon. I raise a brow at them as they look up at me with worried smiles.

“What might you two be running from?” I crouch down and grab a piece of bacon off the top, taking a bite.

“We... are sorry. We know we aren’t supposed to be here. Please don’t tell anyone you saw us here.” the young boy says, his voice cracking.

“Well, stand up,” I say, reaching down and helping the girl off of the boy she had used as a landing pad.

The boy stands up and they look at each other, worried. They bear a very striking resemblance to the other, both with large doe eyes that are a pretty, light brown. High cheekbones and little button noses. These kids are going to be beautiful in their own right when they grow into their lanky arms and legs.

“Twins I assume?” I am trying to make conversation.

“Yes.” the boy says, puffing his chest up. “I am Mason and this is my baby sister Robin”

“I’m only 8 seconds younger,” Robin mutters, hugging the loaf of bread closer to her.

“And I assume you guys aren’t allowed out here because of the rogue attacks?”

Both of them nod, looking down at their feet, and I watch them. They look shifty, but they also seem sincere.