Of Runt (Redone)

Chapter One

I roll over while pulling the covers over my head. Vic is being a blanket hog and there's a lot of noise coming from outside... Our Alpha must be running some sort of drill for the guards on duty. I just let out a soft groan of my own while yanking the covers. I've known Vic since we were little and he has always insisted on taking all of the covers. I'm startled awake when my ears pick up some loud shouting.  "Round up!" Someone panicky shouts again.

"Vic? Victor!" I shout but he doesn't budge. I can't get in trouble for not going to round up, it could be seen as treason for someone of my status. Round up is a call for us wolves to gather in the woods and await orders from the Alpha or Beta. Instead of wasting time on attempting to wake Vic, I jump out of bed and run downstairs. I trip over the last few steps from his room to downstairs and bounce against the railing. I push myself off the floor, not paying attention to the damage I've done and run to the round up point. I slip beside my fellow trackers while trying to ignore the burn of pain in my body from my fall.

"Line up!" Beta Garret shouts. I step in line beside some of the older wolves while making sure I keep my head held high and my jaw set. "Alpha Archer-"

"You three!" A strong authoritative voice shouts. I am grabbed by the arm and two others are pulled along with me. The man, or the Alpha as I assume, pulls us forward with a tight grip on me.

"My scouts are already there along with some fighters. Your job is to take a high ranking prisoner is that understood? If I do not have at least one prisoner when this is over you all will be punished," The man growls out. He has to be Alpha Archer. I have never actually met our alpha, mostly due to my rank, but I do know that he is a very strong and commanding Alpha. Despite his more aggressive tone, his voice is rather alluring which is a common effect from a mateless alpha wolf onto a mateless she-wolf. It doesn't mean I have this huge secret crush on him, it's just nature.

"Yes Alpha," we all say at odd increments of one another. He then starts to look over us, like he is trying to memories the way we look so that he may be able to recognize our dead bodies on the battlefield. Slowly his gaze reaches me and quickly turns from a hard look to a confused one. His emotion change takes me by surprise and feels me with a sense of uncertainty. What is wrong? Is it my rank? Can he tell right now?

"Is she even of age?" Alpha Archer suddenly whispers to his Beta. Garret looks at me with a growing smile before he nods to his Alpha. I actually know the beta because of my sister so I have spent time with him. It was hardly anytime, to be honest, but it was enough to learn the basics of our second of command.

"She is eighteen."

The Alpha gives me another once over, it is almost like he doubts that I am seventeen and wants to tell me to go back to hide under my bed. Instead, he just lets out an annoyed growl which I take as a sign of approval. He goes to turn around but stops before looking in my eyes. I quickly lower my eye line and bow my head to him. "Don't fail. " Don't fail? What a confidence boost, huh?

"Follow us!" Beta Garret shouts, which succeeds in knocking me out of my thoughts of our Alpha. Garret shifts into his large wolf and soon we all follow suit into turning into our inner beasts. I take the lead out of the three of us trackers and take us at a fast-paced sprint. I quickly notice that my two companions have trouble keeping up with me. I have to remind myself not to get too ahead of myself even if I am a Tracker. Not all trackers are as quick as me.

I let the biggest of us take up the lead when we reach the battleground, which is a whole new sight to see compared to our round up spot. It is littered with shredded bodies. Blood pools into puddles and stains the ground. I think I know understand why our Alpha wanted to make sure I was at the required age limit, this area is a nightmare. I know that there are vampires, I overheard someone saying that while we were waiting but what was failed to be mentioned was that there are other wolves fighting against us. We are staying close to the outside of the carnage as we scout the field for someone who would help us make our Alpha pleased.