The Elemental Wolves: The Autumn Wolf

Chapter 32 Queen Alpha

It was just after midnight when we arrived back to Pine Mountain. The day's festivities had waned as the remnants of the night's bonfire smoldered under the watchful eye of a warrior. The harvest moon was high in the night sky shining down on the mountain as a beacon of hope. As the convoy of trucks pulled up to the packhouse I noticed all that had gathered to welcome our return. Kade, Atlas and my mom who seemed nervous as her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides.

"Oh, my goddess, she's been alive this entire time," my father said bewildered as he stared at her from behind the tinted glass eyes flickering between hazel and black. It seems like we had the same reaction to finding out about her being alive and well.

"She is the one who needs to explain what she did and why, but we will let you greet her before we get on to pack business and the transfer of power to Aurora," said Xavier his tone serious as his gaze hardened on my father's face and teeth clenched as if he was wanting to say so much more to him. "You need to denounce yourself as Alpha and stepdown immediately with King Atlas present this shouldn't take more than five minutes," he continued as he glanced down at me with concern etched into his lovely face a five o'clock shadow graced his strong jawline and I gave him a small smile. He sighed deeply closing his eyes briefly as the truck finally came to a stop.

"I will do anything you ask," he replied his breathing starting to rise.

"There is someone else I want you to meet after everyone has rested up," I said turning to look at my father sitting beside me as I felt Xavier tense up and let out an angry huff.

"For now, lets' get out of this damn truck so he can see his mate and whether or not she will accept him," growled Xavier as he got out leaving the door open for me. I sighed heavily knowing he was going to be moody for most of the day.

"Bit of a temper on that one isn't there," said my father amused but concern filled his features.

"A bit yes, but nothing that I can't tame or deal with. I am used to his alpha-hole behavior by now, but he does it to protect me and our family," I said as I proceeded to get out of the truck and shut the door behind me.

An alpha-hole am I, came an amused Xavier.

It fits you perfectly and you know it, I said as matter of fact.

So sassy, you know what that does to me, he said with a taunt.

I know, I said with a smile.

I tuned my mate out as I addressed my father who came around towards me eyes on my mom.

"Go to her, the sooner you guys get this over with the sooner we can debrief and get some well-deserved sleep," I said stifling a yawn. He nodded and started to walk towards where she stood and then stopped about four feet away from her, he seemed unsure of what to do. I went and stood in front of Xavier who then wrapped his arms around my waist holding me close. I watched as my mom finally made a move to close the gap between them and then proceeded to slap my father across the face stunning me.

That was unexpected, I said to Xavier.

To be fair he deserved it, he said amused.

"That's for banishing our daughter when she was just a pup," she growled out as she raised her other hand to no doubt slap him again when he caught her wrist and pulled her flush against him. He put her hand on his cheek and held her around her waist.

"Such violence for a woman who was nothing but nurturing and caring for our family and the pack," he said gently as tears filled her eyes. He leaned down and licked one of the tears that had fallen, and I took that as my cue to look away.