On Bended Knee

Chapter 2

"How many are missing?" Andrew catches up to me as we match pace with the few straggling members that haven't made it back yet.

"No one yet that I know of. You gave the order early and everyone made it out of the building in one piece. I will do a final count in the pack house." I nod my head at him as he moves faster through the trees.

I stop my forward movement and stand still among the trees. My breathing is completely silent as I listen for any movement behind us. Only when I strain my ears can I hear the faint footsteps of the last of my pack running in front of me. Nothing else is coming. I lean forward, placing my hands on my knees and take one deep breath before running towards the territory border again. My mind can't wander. I can't think about him right now.

Human. He was human. I could smell it on him the second I stepped up behind him. Human mates weren't really uncommon, but they had always been female. Two of my warriors had human mates. They stayed with us on pack lands for their own safety. If anyone cornered a mate alone, the pack would stop at nothingㅡ

Shit.

I broke through the pack border and ran straight into the main house without stopping. The shouting was easily heard before I even opened the front door. It didn't go silent as I entered the room, but it quieted down enough to be respectful as I made my way up the staircase. I stopped on the landing, turning to address the pack below me.

"We were not followed."

The sighs and murmurs lifted the weight off of the room. A few of the women let out some 'thank the gods'.

"This time." My gaze touches each of my pack members as they settle again. "Thank your warriors for their vigilance and advanced warning. They once again have shown all of us that we are only as strong as our bond and commitment to each other."

Are you going to tell them?

Andrew's voice filtered through my mind, but I ignored it. "Give thanks to the gods that we all made it home safely. Warriors, I am proud of each of you. Two hour rotations for the next 48. I want you rested and vigilant. Your Delta will brief you shortly." I nodded my head towards the pack and moved the rest of the way up the stairs towards my office on the third floor. My Delta was already inside waiting for me. "Talk to me, Hector."

"Everyone is indeed accounted for, you were the last to cross the border. Units of three wolves each stationed every half mile along the border, two hour rotations as requested." Hector was my Delta and the lead warrior for our pack, head of our security, and easily the most dangerous wolf among us. He was my most trusted ally. He was stiff and rigid, but that comes with the job of securing the pack lands when everybody and their brother is trying to kill your whole race.

I sink into my high-backed chair behind my desk and rest my forehead on my hands, sighing heavily, finally letting the weight of the past two hours settle on my shoulders.

"How close was it, H. Really." I didn't bother to look at him, but I could feel him walking to stand in front of my desk.

"Close. They definitely saw us, but not close enough to put hands on. You gave the right order at the right time, Andy." Hector was standing in front of me, leaning his hands on the desk to look down on my hunched shoulders.

"So much time with the recon and the security, did it even matter?" I look up to my friend. "Did anyone come back with news?"

Hector gave his small smile that I think he only reserved for me and small children. "Two. They are waiting in the hall. But I can tell them to wait until tomorrow if you aren't up to it."

I was shaking my head before he even finished. "No, you know how important the first few days are for integration. Bring them in." I stood from my chair and walked around the front of the desk as Hector opened the door to bring in two of my pack members and two new scents that clung to each of them.