Twisting Fate

Broken Rule

Chapter 38
Avery's P.O.V

I looked up from Travis' foot. I peered into my father's eyes and did not see an ounce of surprise. He gave a slight almost unsubtle nod as he received confirmation of what he'd already pieced together.

Travis on the other hand, was reeling. I could feel through our bond that he didn't know how to respond. He had a thousand questions but didn't know which to ask first. So he did what any calculative wolf would do. He waited.

I reached between us for his hand. I knew the question I wished to ask and I dearly did not wish to upset anymore than he already was. Travis gripped my hand harder than a normal, relaxed hold, though not enough to hurt.

I cleared my throat as I gathered my thoughts. All heads turned to me.

"What about their pack?" I asked softly. My voice on the verge of timidity.

Travis' head swiveled to my father. His hand unconsciously gripping tighter as  I heard his breathing stop. He held his breath as the answer to my question was announced.

"Charles' Beta, Ross-" he seemed to pause as if the information he was about to give had a personal impact on hims of. He took a breath and started again. "Ross was a great man." We all waited for the details of this Beta Ross' demise. The past tense had not gone unnoticed. Travis regained a steady breath as he patiently listened.

"Ross was originally from our pack. He was a born Beta and as such had the privilege of training with the elites. The elites are our kingdom's soldiers. Not just at my disposal, they are used to ensure order is maintained in the packs branching below us. If an alpha goes on strike, a rogue becomes a human threat, anything that needs to be handled quickly and efficiently it is their job to take of it. Now Ross being a Beta gave way to the possibility of challenging my Beta or moving packs once he found his mate."

My father gave a quick glance to make sure we understood.

"Ross climbed the ranks as fast as the best soldiers and when he finished his training he approached my Beta on the field. Daniel, my Beta expected a fight. Ross was only a few years his junior but he was a great wolf. He was smart, calculating, he knew how things worked. When Ross was face to face with Daniel we all awaited the challenge to be announced. Yet Ross stuck his hand out and clasp Daniel in a hand shake. He told him he respected the work he has done here and he would not be the one to rip his hard earnings from him."

My father gave a soft smile as he seemed to look in the distance. "Ross then came to me asked my permission to travel. He wished to find his female. I told him it was granted. On one condition. Should an emergency arise and he had not found her yet, he was to return immediately. Ross agreed readily telling me he would have it no other way. So that night he left. And after a few weeks I received a phone call. He had made it to Europe and there he found a beautiful female awaiting him. His mate. Her name was Shelby. He asked the alpha, Charles, to join his pack so as not to uproot his mate from her family. He mentioned he had trained under my guards and Charles accepted. With a condition of his own. Ross was to be his Beta."

At this point my father stood up and began a slow pace of the medical room. Seeming unable to sit still any longer.

"I apologize for the boring details, I just  find it fitting you should know something about the life of the man who gave everything to protect what Charles had strove for. The values he instilled to his pack."

Travis spoke up now, finally easing the pressure on my hand. "Please, continue."

"When word reached Europe of the attack on the castle, many wolves showed up to help in anyway they could. Ross left the pack to the third in command as he came to the rubbles which once held the dreams wolves around the worlds. The castle walls had fallen. The golden city of were wolves had been demolished and many felt lost. Ross arrived knowing the outlook was grim. He instructed a few men to continue searching for the boy as he placed the caskets of his Alpha and Luna on a plane. He accompanied them home and saw to their burial after weeks passed and it became clear we wouldn't find their boy."