The Viking Alpha

Old and new threats

James POV)

His wolf was on edge. Cassandra's letter was still in his hands. He read it over and over again. Trying to think what to do. It had been weeks since he'd seen Cassandra. Since he left her at the Doctor's office he was on alert. Everything was quiet in the kingdom. Too quiet. His people, now currently gathering outside the castle for him to calm them, rejoiced that Cassandra was found and was safe. But they could sense that without her around again he'd revert to the moody dark brooding king. His wolf craved her. Needed to be near her and their unborn cub. The copy of the sonogram was framed and placed in his office next to a picture of Cassandra. A picture he stole from her beloved photo album. He'd hoped she wouldn't mind much. But seeing her face gave him some comfort. A tiny morsel at least. Whatever Cassandra saw in her premonition had not happened. Not yet anyway. He was torn. In a few days he'd be going back to her on the full moon. Leaving his kingdom alone and the people vulnerable had him strategizing. Maybe he could pull in his allies? The council had long since turned their back on him. They showed up after Cassandra was taken. He'd all but nearly ripped their throats out one by one. So that left nearby packs, which were still allies but he knew they heard the stories of him turning feral. Then there was the new ally of the bear shifters. Not his first choice but he could bargain with them in exchange for protection. Different shifters usually didn't work well with different shifters but with the right bribes and motivation it could be done. It would be tense but still manageable. He was also half tempted to bring Ezri back here to put a protection spell around the borders but that left Cassandra without a teacher and a bodyguard. Not that she didn't seem to need her much these days apparently. He had sent one of his guards for daily updates on her and her progress. Cassandra sent messages back to him. Letters on her classes, her progress on magic, her father, Rexton, and Vincent. She seemed content. It both pleased and saddened him. He wanted her back here. But he learned from his past mistakes. He could see now it was wrong of him to simply take her the way he did in the beginning.
'Your highness. The people are waiting. Shall I announce you?'
Turning he saw his new gamma, Drello, waiting by the door.
'Not quite. Send word to the nearby packs as well as the bear shifters.
Tell them I have a proposal for them. For their protection over the next few days, I'm willing to trade and negotiate.'
'Sir.' He nodded and turned to leave.
Focusing on the letter again he read it for the umpteenth time.

James,
I've been practicing my powers. Since you left I've been exercising my premonitions mostly. I'm getting better at calling them on command. I think I'm dreaming of them too. At least trying too. Thanks to my pregnancy hormones it starts out normal but then gets weird. I will see them coming but then near the end I see Lucas is hugging mom in a field while it's on fire around them and then it cuts to Ezri salsa dancing in the kitchen while Rexton and Vincent are shouting at a football game on tv. But when I'm awake I still am seeing what I told you I saw last time. What you said makes sense. I think it's Rouges too. But little things keep changing. The first time I saw them ambushing the front gates. Then I saw them coming in all directions. Now I'm seeing them dividing into groups to test for weak sides. Rexton and Vincent said that there could be more than one alpha. In this case several alpha women are thinking up different plans. It is obviously a revenge mission. Please come back to me safely. Don't do anything stupid.  I love you.
                             Cassi

Straightening, he walked out to talk to the crowd. He could smell the confusion and fear.
'My people.' His voice boomed over the murmuring crowd. 'An impending threat has been made toward us. I've been warned. I'm currently securing extra protection for all of us. Rest assured you will not be left unsafe. But I caution you all. Be on guard. The women and children should be relocated near the safety room. Warriors, stay close to the inside of the walls, double the watch on the towers. You are dismissed.'
They all scrambled away quickly.
Drello approached him from the side.
'Sir. The other packs have agreed to listen. They'll be here shortly.'
'Thank you. Have them shown into my office once they arrive.'
Turning away he went back to his room and started to pack. He was hoping it wasn't all for nothing. He prayed the other shifters could be bargained with.
Out of nowhere he wondered what his brother would think if this situation.
Stilling with his bag half shoved with clothes. Where had that thought come from? He really hadn't thought much of his brother since he talked to Cassandra about him. Come to think of it now he hadn't heard much of any updates recently from the guards that stood outside the dungeons. As if he had no control of his actions he walked to the door and headed down to the dungeons. As he descended further and further down, it became colder, darker, the stench of rotted meat wafted up. Reaching the two solid doors he looked at the guards on each side.
'Why haven't I received any reports on him?'
They both looked at one another before the one on the left cleared his throat.
'Our apologies sir. We thought we were supposed to report to your gamma. There is not much to report. He's been quiet lately. But still very much alive.'
'Stay on guard.' He warned before reaching out and taking a torch. He didn't need it to see down there. But the light would be convenient for heat.
As he walked further he distantly heard whimpering. Scuttling. Then a growl. Making it to the bottom of the step he scanned the dark stone room. Skeletons littered the floor in a jumble mess. Stepping down they clattered and cracked under his feet. He found his brother. Sitting against the wall with his knees in front of his chest. His hands hung over his knees. His head down.
'The almighty alpha graces me with his presence. What do I owe the honor?'
Johnathan's voice was weak and dry. He smelled of rot, urine, and dirt.
'Haven't heard any updates. Just wanted to make sure you're still miserable.'
His brother let out a dark chuckle.
'Miserable? Yes. Bored? Yes. But, at least down here I dont have to witness what's to inevitably come.'
'Oh? Pray tell, brother. What is that supposed to mean?'
'Just that even without my influences up there your precious world is crumbling. I bet anything that as we speak you are drowning just trying to keep everything afloat. How is sweet Cassi by the way? Did you ever find her? Or is she still being used as a charger for the witches?'
James' teeth grinded at that jab.
'She's safe. Happy. Strong. Something you'd know nothing about.'
Johnathan lifted his head. James knew the extent. He expected the grotesque sight. But it still took him back at the disfigured facial features of his brother's face. His eyes still sealed shut. Scarring webbed over his eyes. Where his eyes were once open and could charm any female now were red angry scars.
'Not pretty is it? I've got to hand it to you, James. You know how to dish out punishment. What do you say we call it quits, you let me out and I disappear?'
Leaning against the wall he smirked at Johnathan.
'You think I'm stupid? I'll let you go and you'll find a witch to heal you. Then you'll retaliate towards me. I know you better now, Johnathan. I won't endanger my family with the likes of you again.'
Johnathan sneered. 'Family? So, the little bitch is pregnant huh?'
Flashing over to him, James pulled him up and punched him in the mouth before letting him drop.
Laughing, Johnathan sat up. 'Low blow. Punching a blind guy.'
'Say something else about her and I rip out your tongue.'
'Okay. How about your little bastard? The one Cassi is carrying. How long do you think you can protect it, before it is ripped to shreds by your many enemies?'
James saw red. Picking him up by the throat he held his brother up. Watching him choke.
Johnathan now gurgling and twitching in the air. James was about to rip out his throat with his canines when he had an epiphany. Dropping him again he stepped back.
'I know what you're doing. I know what you want. You're not getting off that easy. You're not dying by my hand. Cassandra decides how your life goes or ends. Until then you rot in here.' Turning away, he went to leave.
'You will be nothing without me. A failure. You need me!'
He ignored him while walking up the steps.
'Do you hear me?! Nothing! That's why you came down here! YOU NEED ME!'
Shutting the door on the shouts, he left without a backwards glance.
Enough of the past. Now he needed to focus on future threats. Not old ones. He'd prove his brother wrong. His kingdom, Cassandra, his cub would be safe with him. Even if it took everything he had in him he'd see to it.