The True Alpha {2}

Chapter 9

Finley

I raced through the trees, leading my little group of allies, my friends. If we don't get back before Alpha notices, I would not want to be us...

I still had no idea what I was going to report to Alpha before we arrived back at camp. I gulped and pushed the doors open. I beckoned my little patrol to follow me and headed for Alpha's office.

Outside the door to Alpha's office I gathered all my courage about me and knocked on the door.

"Enter." Came the harsh voice from inside the door.

I nodded to the others before opening the door and entering the room.

"Alpha." I murmured respectfully and bowed my head. River and the others followed my lead, submitting to Alpha.

"Ah Beta. Good you have returned. What news from the border?" Alpha leaned back in his chair to look at us.

I cleared my throat and began to speak. "We walked along the portion of the border that is most easily accessible, the most likely place for a possible spy to be hiding, we found nothing of any true value for information. Mainly just old scents. There was a more recent scent trail that we tried to follow but it ended up leading to nowhere."

Alpha nodded. "Is that why you were gone so long? You were following a scent that turned out to be nothing?"

"Yes Alpha." I confirmed what I said.

"Very well." Alpha growled. "You are all dismissed."

I turned and began to lead my friends out when Alpha spoke again.

"Except for you, Beta. I wish to speak with you privately." Alpha added.

I smiled at my friends reassuringly. They left the office. I decided not to ask Alpha what he needed me for. Sometimes it's better to just wait and let him talk when he's ready, not when you're ready. I just stood still and waited.

Alpha sighed. "I realized that I gave you no time to send out patrols for the first part of the morning. I sent out the morning patrols today, but I am unaccustomed to sending out patrols so I need you to send out patrols immediately to patrol the borders and I need battle training to commence immediately."

"Of course Alpha." I bowed my head.

"Dismissed." He said roughly.

I nodded to him respectfully before turning on my heel and walking out the door. I closed the door quietly behind me and stood still a moment. I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths. I gave myself a minute to recollect myself before starting off towards the meeting hall.

Several members of the rogue clan were gathered there, awaiting orders. They nodded to me as I approached. I tilted my chin up and walked through the gathered, passing River, Sunny, Gwen, and Daisy on my way through. Reaching the far wall I climbed onto a small ledge that jutted out from the wall. This ledge is where I usually stand when Alpha has an announcement that must be made here.

"Right. I need two border patrols, each patrol will check half of the borders and meet in the middle. I also need battle training to commence immediately." I began. "I will take out the patrol battle training. I want at least a dozen with me, four on each of the border patrols. Lilac I want you to lead one border patrol, Nyroc you'll take the second." The two young werewolves that I had named both nodded to me and nudged some of the others until they both led a patrol that totaled of four.

I looked around at the rest of the gathered members of the pack. "Who will be coming with me for training?"

The pack members began shuffling around until eleven pack members stood in front of me including River, Gwen, Sunny, Daisy and a couple of younger werewolves; Dark and Pebble. Dark, Pebble, Lilac, and Nyroc are all young and very close friends. I've become fond of all four of them, they remind me a bit of me and Kelly when we were younger.

I nodded. "Good. Let's be going then."

"Where are we going?" An older male growled at me.

"We'll be training in the forest today, a clearing not far from camp. It'll be good to train somewhere where we may get tripped up by roots and other forest clutter, gives us better practice in different terrains." I replied calmly. I learned quickly here not to be too prickly if someone growled or questioned me, but to not be pushed around either.

The male grumbled his assent and I rolled my eyes. That growl is going to be the closest thing I'm going to get from him that's anything near to agreement but if he doesn't want to train in the forest then he can get by on no training at all. Even the senior pack members who don't like taking orders from someone younger who's also a werecat know better than to risk going to war without training first.

Without wasting another minute I started walking away, towards the camp entrance. I didn't have to look back to know that the rest of my battle training patrol was right behind me. I actually don't mind battle training and patrolling with the members of the rogue pack, even the ones outside of my little friend circle that don't know who I am. They may be rogues but some of them are actually great company. Of course I can never tell any of my friends outside of the rogue pack about my feelings. I don't think even Kelly would understand.

I smiled up at the sky as we walked through the forest to the clearing. The eager whispers of Dark and Pebble gave me more motivation to make sure my friends were well trained. There will be casualties in this war, maybe even death. I don't want to lose any of my friends, not to mention the cubs. All the time I've spent with Dark, Pebble, Nyroc, and Lilac has given me hope that one day our world will be great. Where there is no violence, no senseless fighting.

Stepping into the clearing I turned and smiled at the patrol following me. "Right. Let's get started."