Blackshadow (Kingdom of Wolves #2)

Beta Challenge Day, and I can’t wait for it to start. It’s going to be fun watching them fight for the position. The way they fight will be watched too because the last thing I need is a Beta that fights dirty, unless he’s fighting against the no-man’s-land rogues or saving mine, or my Luna’s life. Now where did that Luna thought come from? I’m having a lot of thoughts about finding and having my Luna, I realize, and if I’m being totally honest, I can’t wait to find her.

Entering my office half an hour later, I take the seat behind my desk and check the paperwork waiting for me. One is a report on how much work needs to be done, and the cost to repair the lodge. Another is the amount it will take to upgrade Merry’s cabin, and that one is simple as she’d kept it in good repair for the most part. The last I’m studying is the cost of building a safe room, what it will entail, and how long it will take.

I look up when there is a tap on the door. It opens and Caleb walks inside. “Morning, Alpha Connell.”

“Morning, Caleb. I’m checking the work required for the lodge, cabin, and the safe room. With us building the pack size, I think we need to do one thing at a time. Should we start with the largest job, or the smallest and work our way to the largest?” I’m probably speaking to myself more than to Caleb, but I look up when he replies.

“I think we should do the smallest, which is the cabin, right?”

“Yes, cabin, lodge and then safe room. But we have the cabins we want to build also, so a lot of work.” I rub the back of my neck at the thought of all the work required.

“Yeah, I still think if we start small, it gives the impression of achievement. That will boost everyone’s morale. Mind you, I want to say that everyone seems to be in high spirits since you took the alpha position.”

“I’m trying, Caleb, but restoring faith after the horrors my father brought to the pack isn’t easy. I’m surprised they even accepted me as their alpha.”

“Nobody blames you for what he did. We all saw you were unable to fight him at that time. Man, he was so out of control and feral we could all see it. The ones that tried to bring him down were either ripped apart, banished, or had to watch their mates being murdered. Which, let’s face it, was the same as being killed themselves, anyway.” Caleb takes a seat and grins, “Changing the subject, I’m excited for the Beta Challenge. We have quite a few names down to compete. My question is, do you want me to compete or what?”

“No, I know you will either be my Beta or my second Beta. It depends on who wins the challenge. If they are stronger than you, then they will take the first Beta position. But you will remain a Beta regardless of who that is.” I’m firm on that decision, as Caleb has shown I can rely on him no matter what happens, or what I ask.

“We have mostly the new pack members, Baildon, Chaz, Drew, Walim, Stephen, Alan, plus Iona, Swan, Armon, and Brian.” Caleb rubs his hands together then continues speaking. “I wish some of the pack had stepped forward, but it seems they are all happy to do what they do, and not have more responsibility. I thought Gaul would have stepped up, but when I spoke to him he said he was happy doing work around the grounds, fixing things and generally being on call when needed.”

Gaul is a great pack member, but he has no ambition. He likes to just do what is needed without having to step up. He’s a good one to help do the fixing up of the cabin and lodge. “Leave him be. He’ll be good to help with all the construction we’re going to be doing. He follows orders well. He just doesn’t want to give any.”

Chuckling, I look down when my phone rings. Picking it up from the desk, I’m surprised to see the call display. It’s Alpha Aurora calling. Taking the call, I speak with the authority in my voice she’d expect to hear from another alpha. “Good morning, Alpha Aurora. What can I do for you?”

“Good morning, Alpha Connell. Well, it’s what I can do for you, actually. I have some of the rogues from the Northern Parklands in my territory. It seems they are making their way to you. I know I gave permission for them to cross the pack territory previously, but I didn’t know there would be more. I’ve allowed them to stay overnight, rest and recover.”

“What do you mean, recover?” I quickly ask.

“They were attacked by a few no-man’s-land rogues. They survived okay, but had some injuries that one of the females treated. My patrol warriors made sure they had water, and allowed them to hunt before watching over them for the night.”

“What the hell is going on when rogues attack other rogues?”

“I don’t know Alpha Connell, but we are watching our borders carefully. So far, we have only had a couple of skirmishes, unlike Alpha Lyle, who seems to get the worst of it.”

“Do you know how many were traveling to me?” I ask, wondering if I can send a vehicle to collect them.

“Around fifteen or sixteen, I think. They are carrying boxes of herbs and other equipment, from what my warriors tell me. Hardly any clothing or other supplies. You’ll be supplying necessities for these people. They have nothing of worth.” Alpha Aurora growls slightly under her breath. “I’m going to send over clothing that may be suitable for them. We keep a room here where anything that doesn’t fit, is put there for anyone else to take. We’ve handed out clothing parcels to the Parklands a few times now, so it’s nothing to us to send some to you.”

“That’s kind of you, thank you. Can I send two trucks to pick up the people traveling? Or do you think a truck and a van would be a better option?”

“Hm, send a truck for the herbs and equipment. Then a van that’s large enough for all the people. I think about sixteen, as I mentioned before,” Alpha Aurora gasps a little before continuing. “Oh, I’ve the minibus. How about I put them all in that and send to you, and you send the truck to pick up the other things?”

“That would be great. Thank you so much. I’ll get the truck sent in a few minutes. Shall I tell them to come to the border nearest Wolfsfoot territory?” I don’t want to cause trouble with Alpha Gabriel, but I’m not going to leave these rogues stranded when they are trying to get to safety.

“Great. Meet us at that border and my warriors will take your people to pick up the equipment. By then, the minibus will be near, or at the border, too.”

“Thank you again, Alpha Aurora.”

“No problem, Alpha Connell. I’ll either speak to you later or see you at the council meeting.”

Before I can even say bye, the call is cut and I turn to Caleb, fill him in quickly on what is happening, and he rushes out to organize the truck and a driver.

I make a call to Alpha Gabriel and, thankfully, he is understanding about the rogues passing through once more. He can’t stop them from entering town, but if they veered onto the territory itself, it would cause an incident. Informing him of what is happening is the polite and right thing to do, and it’s building trust between us.

Caleb returns a while later, informing me the truck has gone with Noah and Chester. Chester has gone to make sure they know this is not a trick or a threat. Hopefully, they’ll be at the pack by the end of the afternoon, with no issues happening along the way.

Flint walks into the office, grinning broadly. “Okay, let’s get these challenges started.” Rubbing his hands together, he turns and walks out again. I look at Caleb and he smirks while rolling his eyes in mock exasperation.