Innocence

27

It took a couple months to get the warriors in shape. I'm proud to say that my pack is exceptionally strong. The pups love playing "get away" with the warriors. It's like tag. The warriors try to grab hold of them and they have to "get away" safely to whomever is on their team. Then the attacking wolf spars with the pup's teammate. It combines training in a fun way that has us laughing while we work.

Little Red has been annoyingly persistent. I don't know why but she seems set on pushing my buttons. She turned 17 a month ago and literally smashed my face in my pice of cake! She said it was an accident complete with a "Sorry Alpha." That was dripping with sarcasm. I think I even saw an eye roll.

Anyway other than one teenage girl the pack seems to like me and has accepted me as Alpha.

Unk and dad are finally coming to visit. It has been so hectic I haven't been able to get away so I am glad they could come. I need to see little Storm too I miss that pup.

"Why are you standing there like a doofus?" I hear her voice and sigh. I don't know why I haven't forced her to submit yet. It's what any Alpha would do to a disrespectful subordinate but I can't seem to do it.

"It's Alpha, Little Red." I correct her.

"Why are you standing there Alpha doofus?" She smirks at me and I huff. I walked right into that one.

"My dad and uncle are on there way to visit." I answer and she nods.

"I thought Alpha Edmund was your dad?" She asks.

"Edmund is my father. Zane is my dad." I explain. Yes I've started calling Edmund my father. He's not so bad to be around. I don't call him dad but it's something and I know he loves when I call him my father.

"So Zane is the Beta who raised you?" She continues her questioning.

"Yes... my mother was his mate. My older brother his son. He took me in and is an amazing dad." I tell her.

"Your mom had a mate?... and a pup? How did she end up with Alpha Edmund then? Cheating on her mate? I'm surprised the Beta took ya in then, Wow!" She rambles and I growl.

"My Ma was not a cheater! She was kidnapped and forced to be a sex slave so don't make assumptions about her!" I was vague with the pack on purpose but I thought I was clear enough that we were in a cell against our will.

"I... I didn't think Alpha Edmund was like that." She mumbles. "He's my dad's friend and he forced..."

"He didn't know." I cut her off. I don't want Edmund to lose her respect over this. I may still have some anger toward him but she has no reason to.

"Oh... yea that makes sense." She nods. "So why are you waiting for them out here tho? I'm sure someone will link you once they get close." She changes the subject.

"Alpha they are nearly here." Sam says walking up beside me. "Good afternoon Ralynn."

"Hello Beta." She greets him.

"That is why I'm out here waiting. Unk is a stickler for punctuality. He said 2pm." I tell her holding my phone out to show her the time 1:55pm.

"And there they are." Sam says as three bug SUVs pull up in front of us.

"You've lost your touch Unk!" I yell as soon as his door opens. He runs over to me picking me up in a big hug.

"What do you mean?" He asks setting me back on my feet.

"You're four minutes early. What happened to perfect punctuality?" I tease him.

"Maybe I was excited to see you nipote. Want me to take a lap around your pack and come back?" He asks and I laugh.

"Then you'd be late and I'd think an alien took over your body." He laughs then is quickly pushed away from me.

"Cedric! I missed you my boy!" Dad cheers hugging me.

"Missed you too Dad." I tell him as I wrap my arms around his back.

"Cerick!" Storm yells grabbing my leg.

"Twister!" I yell picking him up.

"I'm Storm!" He corrects me and I laugh. That didn't last long.

"I know buddy. I missed you little Storm." I tell him and he smiles.

"Miss you too." He pouts hugging my neck. "No leave again."

"Hi ya cuz!" Kelly yells before giving me an attack hug.

"Hi Kelly." I grin hugging her.

"Alright pups my turn." Aunt Milly pulls them off of me. "Lookin good pup." She says hugging me. Man I missed my family.

"Wow you guys are serious huggers!" I hear behind me and roll my eyes.

"I know Beta Sam but who is this little thing in your welcome party?" Unk asks.

"Little Red is one of the pack pups who tends to put her nose in everyone else's business." I say.

"Hey I'm only a year younger than you on great Alpha." She says all snarky. "And my name is Ralynn. Nice to meet you Alpha Raymond, Beta Zane, family." She shakes each person's hand. Zane gives me a questioning look and I just shrug. I never know what this girl is gonna do.