Howling for Love

Chapter 1: Face to Face

Ron Mercer's wolf was restless, and he didn't like it because it made him irritable and grumpy. He'd decided to go out for a run and let the fresh air clear his mind and soothe his wolf.

However, he didn't even make it off the porch before someone came running around the corner and smashed into him. With a growl, Ron hit the ground.

"Oh, Alpha Ron, I am so sorry," the boy muttered. "I was late for breakfast duty and was trying to hurry. I only turned my head for a second to glance back as my friend yelled at me."

Taking a deep breath, Ron stood and growled. "Try and watch where you're going next time."

"Yes, sir," the boy said before leaving.

Ron was no longer in the mood for a run. So, he headed back up the steps of the packhouse and reached for the door. Before he could grab hold it flew open, slamming into his nose and sending him flailing backward onto the porch floor.

With a loud growl, he yelled, "And what is your excuse for not watching where you're going?"

Silence greeted him.

Alpha Ron stood and dusted his pants off as he continued to growl low in his throat. "You know what? I don't want to know. Just hold the door open make sure nobody is headed for it and let me know if the coast is clear."

"Yes, sir," a man whispered. "The hall is clear, sir."

"Good," Alpha Ron muttered as he headed back inside.

That had all happened before breakfast.

After breakfast, his beta has asked him to come to the training grounds. So, he'd headed out, tripped over someone's shoes they had left in the middle of the floor, and out on the porch he'd tripped on something squishy. He wasn't sure he wanted to know what it was.

When he returned, he was almost scared to walk up the stairs onto the porch. Once he'd made it there though, he'd sat down in the rocking chair and tried to relax.

Yes, he'd had been growling at everyone all morning and now they were all avoiding him. Who could blame him though? They all knew he was blind and to keep things out of his path, which included the hallway and the porch.

Finally, knowing he couldn't put off his office work any longer he stood. Turning with a growl, he went back into the packhouse and stomped to his office. Walking in the door he had barely taken two steps when he bellowed because he ran into a chair.

"Alpha Ron, are you alright?" The timid voice of Jazz, one of the packhouse maids, asked. From the doorway.

Ron could smell her fear, but at this point, he didn't care. Everyone knew he was blind, why would they move the furniture around?

"Who cleaned my office today?" Ron asked with a growl.

"Becca did, sir," Jazz replied with a tremble of fear in her voice.

"Go get her!" Ron angrily yelled. Then crossing his arms over his chest, he waited.

#

Becca Malone was busy putting the finishing touch on her pies when someone walked into the kitchen.

"Becca, Alpha wants you in his office," Jazz softly told her.

"Alright, Jazz. Do you know what he wants?" Becca asked as she glanced over her shoulder and found Jazz was already gone. She shrugged and quickly finished putting the pies she'd just finished in the oven. Throwing the oven mitts, she'd been using on the counter, she turned to Mary. "Keep an eye on these please while I go see what Mr. Alpha wants, Mary."