The Eternal Avenger

Chapter Forty-Two: Alpha

(Claray's POV)

I sat in the chair next to the desk in the former Alpha's tent, my mind racing a mile a minute. I looked up just as growls penetrated the room, opening the flap just in time to prevent Natasha from ripping someone's head off. The wolves were trying to protect me from her. I smirked at the irony. As soon as they saw me, the wolves backed away grudgingly. I glanced up at the sky, knowing they'd be shifting back soon. I gestured both Natasha and Bridgit inside. "So much for staying put, hmm?" Natasha dashed to my side, grabbing me and began immediately checking for injuries. I groaned when she found a sore spot. "I'll be fine, Tasha," I smiled, grinning through the pain.

"You should drink," she said, her eyes fierce with protectiveness. I shook my head.

"No need, remember? Shuri made it so I could heal myself." She jutted her chin forward slightly, narrowing her eyes.

"I said you should drink, not that you needed to," she grumbled at me. "It will help you heal faster, yes?" I nodded hesitantly, and she immediately held out her arm. "Do it."

"Natasha..." her eyes narrowed even further, and I gulped slightly. She was not in the mood to argue. I caught Bridgit smirking at me from the other side of the tent, where she had made herself at home tidying up. I sighed, taking her arm gently in my hands before drinking for a moment, pulling back, and glancing up at her.

"Better?" She asked, her arms now characteristically folded across her chest. I nodded. I winced slightly as she smacked my shoulder. "What were you thinking!" A howl of laughter from Bridgit's side of the room lightened the mood, and Natasha and I couldn't resist the urge to join in.

"I like her," Bridgit reiterated once she was able to catch her breath. I rolled my eyes.

"So, what now?" Natasha asked, rubbing the place on my shoulder she struck, placing herself on my lap. She wasn't going to like the answer. I traced my fingers over her back absent-mindedly while pausing to consider my response.

"I'm going to have to stay here for a while," I began with a sigh. Natasha glanced at me but didn't make a move to argue – yet. "The pack is relatively new. The previous leader did not follow pack rules and didn't teach them to the rest. I'm going to have to start from scratch."

"Pack rules?" Natasha asked.

"There's a reason that no one believes in vampires or werewolves anymore, really." I started, leaning back in the chair. "A lot of that reason has to do with basic pack protocol. They mark their territory, so individual vampires and wolves know to stay clear. Packs can defend themselves from oncoming attacks, but rarely instigate them. Packs that fail to follow these guidelines are subject to...new leadership." I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose between my fingers.

"And you're that leader now?" Natasha's voice was soft, and she had her arms wrapped around my shoulders comfortingly. There was a tone in her voice that it took me a moment to place. She sounded proud. I nodded.

"With both the Alpha and Beta gone, I don't' know who I can trust yet to take over. So, I'm going to have to stick around, give them guidance and make sure they're on the right track." Natasha leaned forward, resting her forehead against mine.

"You've got this, принцесса," she smirked, kissing my cheek. I could feel myself blushing. I patted her butt, prompting her to stand up so I could move around the tent. By the ruckus outside, it appeared as though the pack was starting to shift back. I looked down, still noticing the blood that covered a large part of my body from the fight, and my clothes were covered in it. Good.

A few minutes later, the three of us strode out of the tent, Bridgit and Natasha both flanking me in a wedge position. The two wolves – now men – assigned to guard the tent immediately jumped to attention at the sight of us, falling in line behind the two women. I didn't have to say a word – the pack was already gathering. They jostled each other for position as they clumped together, waiting for me.

"Listen up!" I called. The silence that fell immediately was almost deafening. At least they got the Alpha thing down. "Your former Alpha did not see fit to guide you in the ways that would best keep you safe. The pack stomped their feet in acknowledgement. "I am your Alpha now." The stomping was joined with a few, distinctly human sounding howls. "I will be guiding you, teaching you, and ultimately finding you a new Alpha that has your best interests at heart." The stomping resumed. I gestured to the women slightly behind me on either side. "These women – one is a powerful witch, and a vampire." The pack looked towards Bridgit as I pointed her out. "This one," I pointed to Natasha, "Is an Avenger, and my soulmate." The pack looked between me and her slowly before – one at a time – they began dropping to their knees, acknowledging what they had been told, and the relationship bond between me and Natasha. Soulmates – for werewolves and vampires alike under most normal circumstances – were off limits. "You will protect them with your lives, and in turn, they will similarly protect you." I spoke, but my voice had lowered to a near growl. This was not a request. It was an order from the Alpha – one I knew would be obeyed.

(Natasha's POV):

After Claray's initial speech and an admittedly surprising display of deference and obedience, I watched as she made her way through the pack, talking to them, laughing with them, reassuring them. It was something to see. Granted, I wasn't familiar with wolf pack dynamics, and I'd never spent any time with a pack itself but watching her with them was something special. Bridgit caught me watching and stood at my shoulder with a smirk on her face.

"Impressive, isn't it?" She asked, nudging my shoulder, and smiling.

"She is," I agreed, barely above a murmur.

"What do you think of the pack now?" She asked, taking my arm, and walking with me. I glanced around, noticing that at least 3 people were keeping a close eye on us, and as we began to move, they followed. Bridgit followed my gaze and laughed. "You don't need to worry about them. They're watching us to protect US." I glanced back at the trio again, and they offered small head nods in my direction, which I returned.

"They're something else." My mind was racing with the flood of new information.

"If you had to pick between the two?" Bridgit pressed. I laughed. Her curiosity knew no bounds, and she did not notice or care about personal boundaries. Honestly, it was refreshing, and I adored that about her.

"Between a wolf and a vampire?" I thought on the question. They both had their perks. "Probably still a vampire," I finally decided with a slight laugh. "I'm partial to them for some reason." Bridgit looked at me with a knowing smirk.

...

We stayed around camp for a few days as Claray got settled in. I walked with her as she helped the pack create a symbol for itself and began marking its territory. I was glad they were listening to her and following her directions – it was for their safety as well as everyone else's. But finally, it was time for Bridgit and I to go. I was headed back to the Avengers compound in New York. Steve had thrown himself into the task of trying to help the people who were left behind, Rhodey had a few leads on Clint that I wanted to follow up on, and my family needed me. Even though it would suck to say goodbye to the hybrid temporarily, she had her work cut out for her here. She approached, pulling Bridgit into a crushing hug, kissing her lightly on the cheek before turning in my direction.

"I'm going to miss you, bana-phrionnsa (princess)" she murmured softly, pulling me into a hug. I didn't want her to let go, but we both had responsibilities. I smiled up at her, tracing my fingertips over her face briefly.

"You're going to get it for calling me that, you know," I smirked. The grin on her face at the possibility of payback at a later date was worth it.

"Let me know when you find Clint," her voice turned serious. The man was practically untraceable, but the reports that had been coming in were troublesome to say the least. No one had been able to contact his family, either, and I had started fearing the worst. I nodded, holding onto her hands for a few extra minutes before following Bridgit into the tree line, away from the pack, and away from the hybrid who already felt like home, regardless of where we happened to be.