The Alpha's Claim

21

"Gregg has been taken," Daria said sadly.

Murmurs of scared voices echoed around the room.

"We are tightening patrols once again. He went willingly."

"We know where they are?" a woman cried.

Daria winced. And nodded.

"Where?!" the woman cried. "I want my girl back!" Similar shouts echoed around the room.

"Quiet, please," Daria commanded politely. The room fell into silence. "We are working on a plan to get them back. We need more hands. We are partnering with another pack to build up troops. Within a couple of months, we will—"

"Months!"

"They could all be dead by then!"

"We have the right to know!"

The grief-stricken voices were almost too much to bear.

I hadn't seen Berry yet. I had failed her. Again.

I had failed everyone. Pathetic.

As the shouts continued, I exited quietly out the back. I hurried over to where the warriors stored their weapons. I found a gun in a holster and strapped it to my waist. I didn't know what I was doing, but no matter what I did, I always made things worse.

I tucked my shirt over the holster and dipped outside. "Flying away, are we?" a voice asked.

I turned to see Daniel staring bullets into my back. "Daniel," I said.

"It's Beta Daniel to you," he said harshly. "Here's my advice. Never come back. Go, live with my brother." His eyes were sparkling with a relentless anger. He poked a finger into my chest. "At first, I pitied you. I thought maybe you were like us. Maybe you knew some pain. Some discomfort. I was wrong. You're a spoiled brat who got a lucky lot in life. I'm glad my brother found someone who is just as wretched."

Tears filled my eyes.

"I won't be back, Beta Daniel," I promised.

"Good."

With that, I pushed up and began flying out to the Eyeless base.