The Last of the Alpine Pack

Trouble

Chapter Four

　

Annora rushed to her window and jumped. She didn't know how long Alpha Roberts meeting would last so she needed to hurry. She ran as fast as she could through the woods. Annora didn't want to shift yet, knowing as soon as she did her wolf would take over. She was fighting hard enough for control as it was. Heading in the direction of Michelle's cabin she picked up speed. The cabin was a good 10 miles from the mansion and would take Annora longer to reach in her human form. She could run for hours in her human form but not nearly as long or fast as her wolf.

About a mile from the cabin Annora felt arms wrap around her waist. She swore she nearly fainted thinking the Alpha had already found her but Ryan's scent hit her right after. Turning her around in his arms, he asked, "What is it little wolf? What happened?"

Before Annora could answer his face transformed from worried to furious in a second. Annora watched his eyes turn from dark blue to flat black.

"Wha-" cutting her off he jerked her closer. Moving her hair aside he asked in a threatening growl, "What is that?"

The claim. She had forgot other wolves would be able to smell it on her immediately. Guess covering it with her hair did no good. Annora grasped Ryan by the shoulders gently, slowly rubbing her hands up and down his arms in a vain attempt to sooth his wolf who looked ready to kill. Annora hadn't expected this reaction from him, after all they all knew one day she was to marry the Alpha, it was no secret.

"Its ok Ryan, I'm fine." she soothed.

Low growls were forming in his chest. Ryan pulled her closer and tightened his arms around her, resting his head at the crook of her neck. She allowed him to hold her for a minute while he got control over his wolf. When the growls stopped Annora pulled back slightly to look at his face. His eyes were still black but not as dark as they were before.

"Are you alright?" he asked, moving a strand of hair back behind her ear.

Annora nodded her head, "I'm fine," she lied.

When Ryan looked like he wanted to say more, she cut him off. "Come on we have to go," she urged pulling on his arm. "I don't have a lot of time."

When they reached the cabin, Ryan knocked on the door.

Almost immediately Michelle answered. She must have sensed them coming. "Come in I've been waiting for you," she said to Annora.

Ryan grabbed her hand, giving it a slight squeeze for support and guided her back to the couch.

Michelle cut right to the chase, "I'm guessing you don't have a lot of time?"

Annora and Ryan nodded in unison. When Michelle opened her mouth to continue she shut it again giving Annora a concerned look.

"It's ok Michelle. I'm fine. Please I don't have long. I need to know everything," she hurriedly spoke, saying it all in one long breath.

Michelle narrowed her eyes but continued. Ryan gave her still entwined hand another gentle squeeze.

"Ok," Michelle began. Getting a distant look in her eyes she said. "I'm going to have to start at the beginning. The Beta of Imperial Pack, before Russell, was your grandfather."

Ok, she did not expect that.

"That explains a lot." Ryan said.

Looking to him confused he said, "You give off an air of power Annora. Like that of an Alpha or a Beta. That's why most of the pack is unsure of you, you radiate power."

Huh. Now they tell her. Annora had always thought something was wrong with her.

"Your mother, Elizabeth was his only child. Alpha Robert's mate had just been killed during the war against Highland Pack, and just like now he was left without an heir. The Alpha proposed a union to your grandfather asking for your mothers hand. I don't know all the details on that but from what I had heard your mother was against it, because the Alpha wasn't her mate. Her father was forcing her into the marriage so she ran. Luckily she wasn't a rogue for long and found your father right away in one of the neighboring packs; my pack," she said giving Annora an expectant look.

"What pack?" Annora asked, already knowing she wasn't going to like the answer.

"Your father, Titus, was the Alpha of Alpine Pack," Michelle said softly.

Everyone knew Alpine Pack had been wiped out. Everyone was told the story in training, the pack had been out of control with a tyrant Alpha and Imperial Pack had stepped in to take them out.

Tears began to fall again, Annora wasn't even sure she wanted to hear the rest.

Ryan was deep in thought but found his voice before Annora did, to state the obvious. "But Imperial Pack took them down," he said giving Annora a sad look before turning back to Michelle.

Thanks for stating the obvious Ryan!- Note the sarcasm.

"Yes, Alpha Robert had been furious that your mother ran away and started a war to get her back. The war lasted over a year before the final battle. The night you were born they attacked. Your mother had been out visiting pack members when her water broke, you were a few weeks early so everyone was instantly concerned. The pack doctor had been out of town so everyone was in a frenzy trying to find him," Michelle gave Annora a sad smile, "I remember the Alpha barking orders for everyone to calm down, but we were all so excited. Not long after the Beta announced your arrival did they attack. We weren't ready our guard was down and it was a massacre."

Michelle bowed her head crying silent tears. When she looked back up at Annora, the pain and fear in her eyes took her aback. Annora gave a small gasp before rushing to her side, trying to reassure her everything was alright.

"Oh Annora they killed everyone. Women, children, everyone!"

Oh.My. God.

Annora had always hated hearing stories of the destruction of Alpine pack, thinking it so brutal and cruel. Never had she expected it to be her pack, her family. Anger coerced through her. The family she never had. All killed the day she was born. She was crying now along with Michelle. Tears for the mother and father she never knew. The story had been so much worse than she could have ever expected.

"We're the only ones that survived, Annora. Alpha Robert kept me alive to care for you. You were never meant to still be here," she urged gripping Annora's shoulders harder than needed to stress her point. "Alpha Robert killed your grandfather as soon as your mother ran away, but his third in command Sebastian, he tried to get you away. He tried and he failed!" she was wailing now still gripping Annora's shoulders. "I'm sorry Annora I should have tried again but I didn't want to die! I was too afraid of what he would do to me. Please forgive me!," she begged.

Annora was speechless. Alpha Robert was far crueler than Annora could have imagined. And he was going to marry her? Substitute the mother for the daughter? It was sick. If Annora had eaten dinner it would be coming back up right now. Ryan, who had been silent though most of the story now came to kneel beside Annora.

He wrapped her in hug and rubbed her back, "Oh little wolf im so sorry," he murmured. Annora cried into his shirt for a few minutes before she felt it.

Alpha Robert was trying to get into her mind.

He knew she was gone.

Vote/Comment if you'd like! Thanks for reading. Will have the next chapter up ASAP :D