Run From The Alpha

Chapter 4

Lucas rubbed his face with both hands, trying to rub the tired out. He had only been awake for a few hours and he was already feeling like today would be a bad day. A sense of dread was heavy on top of him, telling him to just stay home.

He knew that he couldn't do that. No matter how worried he was about leaving, he had to arrange for backup plans in case he needed to evacuate his pack. His father didn't approve of the plan; He wanted Lucas to train up an army in case a war broke out. But Lucas just didn't believe that was the best option. He didn't want to be responsible for the loss of lives - for anyone to lose a mate would kill him.

A painful feeling radiated in his chest. It had been appearing with every thought of his mate for about 5 years now. Years ago when he turned 18, the feeling was one of excitement. It had since turned to pain and longing. Being 25, and an Alpha, without a mate felt like fate had skipped him over. Sure, some wolves take longer to connect than others. However, with all of his friends having found their mates and with all the current, even young, Alphas in North America having their mates, he felt more alone than ever.

Lucas thought about the threats he had been finding on his pack lands. The notes claiming that he had a "power" that he would have to give up, the strange marks left on trees at the borders, a single ominous phone call cautioning war if he didn't hand over this "power" all left him with sleepless nights. He knew someone was finding a way onto his lands, but he didn't know who or how or for what purpose.

Months ago, he had looked to another Alpha based in Canada for support. While the Alpha, Alpha Leon, was not comfortable bringing any potential threats to his own lands, he provided another opportunity. He was thinking of investing in an apartment complex in New York and wondered if Lucas wanted in on the business decision. The location was closer to Alpha Leon's pack so provided stronger support than their current distance. Lucas liked the idea of having rooms to put his pack members in if he had to find different lands for them, which Alpha Leon agreed to if the time for that came.

So, despite the digging feeling in his stomach telling him to stay home, Lucas would go to New York to assess the area and apartments. He needed to know that he could provide safety for his pack and he trusted his dad, former Alpha Amos, and his Beta, Beta Blake Walters, to look after the pack while he was gone. Besides, he would be back in a few day's time.

Upon arriving to the airport, Alpha Leon's beta was waiting to drive Lucas to the apartments. On the drive, they discussed the situation and Lucas's main worries. Beta Lawrence seemed to favor war, just as Lucas's father did, but understood why Lucas wanted to avoid it. Lucas knew he would stand up for his land but he just wasn't sure how he would ask others to aid him in it. He considered only allowing non-mated males to fight, but that would limit his numbers drastically. Having all of his pack member's evacuated before a fight would allow them to not worry about their safety, but how would he decide when that was necessary? Maybe he could find who was doing this and go to them. But he had no leads.

As Lucas and Lawrence walked into the apartment complex front doors, he felt a slight flutter in his stomach. It was barely noticeable and Lucas chalked it up to the stress he had been under.

The building manager greeted them kindly and offered to show them around. He mentioned the laundry service in the basement, the ice machines on each floor, and the "wonderful bakery" just across the street. All in all, Lucas was horrified at the idea of sending his pack to live here, even temporarily, but he knew he may not have that choice. Plus, with Alpha Leon taking the majority of the investment it was a deal he couldn't pass up.

They ascended floor by floor. "Doesn't the elevator work?" Lucas asked, spying the doors down the hall.

"Not currently. The current building owners want to avoid fixing them so close to selling. I'll be happy to be rid of them, if I'm honest," The building manager grumbled out. He seemed to see the hesitation and doubt in the two wolves' faces and quickly stated, "There is a great resident's lounge on the fifth floor, let's go see it!"