Wolfsfoot (Kingdom of Wolves #1)

“I can help you learn what will be required as the Alpha ofthe pack, but at nineteen you are old enough torule the pack, you would, however, have to kill your father the reining Alpha,or he‘d have to step down voluntarily which we know he won’t do.

“Let me speak to my fellow council members and see if I canget a vote to remove your father from his position and allow you to step up. Inthe meantime, report to me, watch over the pack and, if needed, you’ll have todo whatever it takes to stop the atrocities that have been happening. Like thecrap I witnessed today.”

Nodding, Connell rubs his forehead with his thumb and forefinger.“I’ll do whatever I have to because there will not be a pack soon. People aretalking about leaving again, but they are under the Alpha command that theycannot leave. I know Isadora left, I felt it, but how she left I don’t know?”

“I helped her. I overruled the Alpha command. GabrielGoldman is also leaving with me on Sunday. He’s coming with me to learn someimportant lessons. His future isn’t set yet, but time will tell.”

Nodding, I can see the relief on his face. “I thoughtsomeone had helped her, but the Alpha was so busy beating an innocent packmember that he didn’t even feel her leave.”

“Okay, let’s work together. I’ll contact you every week andI’ll see about what we can do with the Alpha to keep him from stopping you fromthe ruling, albeit illegally, for the time being.” Rubbing my hands togetherbecause I feel like things may start to improve.

Saturday came and went and Sunday morning I take my leavefrom the pack and instead of heading to Lykos first, I make sure Gabe is sentto my home where he’ll be put to good use for the foreseeable future.

Chapter 11

TATIANA

Saturday evening and at last Lykos, Akela, and I are having a quiet hoursitting in the late evening sun, enjoying the peace. My body is aching with theamount of training Drake puts me through, but Lykos has given me a good sessiontoo, as Drake had to run off somewhere.

Hearing a shout, we all three look over and see Drakewalking towards the farmhouse with a female walking next to him. Lykos standsand offers the female his seat, and after thanking him, she throws herselfdown, looking exhausted.

“This is Isadora, she’s from Blackshadow Pack, and Flintsent her to get her away. She’s going to the Blood Pearl Pack tomorrow. If it’sokay, can Isadora stay here for the night? If not, we’ll start walking again,clearing our territory as fast as we can.”

“Of course Isadora can stay the night. I remember you fromwhen you were a pup.” Akela smiles. “You were a quiet pup, and your mommaadored you.”

Isadora smiles before some sadness crosses her face. “She’snot with us anymore. She refused to take another mate after my father died, andshe faded quickly, not even trying to remain.”

I can’t help thinking how selfish that was. It’s how someshifters feel, Tati. I’m not sure I agree because, at the end of the day, lifeis life, and she had a pup that needed her. I was happy that Ebony agreedwith me, but you never know the loss until you have had to live it.

“I remember you, Tatiana,” Isadora says, and I look at herwith some surprise. “That monster of an Alpha mistreated you. Making you a packslave is what he did. You were just a pup when your parents died and the Alphacommanded us all to never interact with you. It was cruel and heartless. Manyof the pack were disgusted, but couldn’t break the Alpha command, although manyof us tried.”

“I’m thankful to hear some tried. I always felt alone, andhaving Dahlia to work with all the time was never easy. She’s not a good personto work with.” I smile, trying to make sure my comment wasn’t coming out in anasty way, but nonetheless truthful.

“I couldn’t stand her. She’s a horrible person. I’m thrilledto see you got away and you are happy.” Isadora gives me a bright smile.

The conversation changed to why Isadora left and how she gotaway, continuing to how bad the pack is and how she feels Connell is not a badperson but needs to step away from the control of his father.

I’m not sure I agree, but I’m not arguing because it doesn’tmatter to me anymore. One thing I’ll never do, is go back to that pack.

Drake goes home as the evening air cools and we head insidethe farmhouse. Akela takes Isadora to a bedroom for the night and I make my wayto bed.

Sunday early, I see Drake leave with Isadora to get to theBlood Pearl Pack, and as it’s five hours to the border he’ll not be back untiltomorrow.

I help feed the animals and as I’m finishing with the pigs,Brod arrives. Brodwin Bowhunter, 14 years of age, hair is nearly black but notquite, and he has eyes that are more silver than gray. But he’s bubbly,loveable, strong, and protective. He’s going to be a warrior, I’m sure.

Waving when he notices me, I smile and shout. “MORNING,BROD.”

“Morning Tati. I’m here to give you a workout and invite youto lunch at my house.” Brod trots over and I can’t help but see howloose-limbed he is when he moves.

“Workout? What do you mean?”

“Drake said he will not be here today, but he wants you tostay loose, so he told me what he wanted you to do. Come on, we’re going intothe forest.”

Shouting to Lykos as I follow Brod to the forest has himwaving me off, and that has me thinking he knew about this but never mentionedit.

In the forest, Brod walks to where there are a few treeswith thick trunks and strong branches above us.

“Okay, we are going to be climbing as high as we can andback down again. The last one up and back down has to do the other’s biddingfor a week.” Brod jumps and scampers up the tree nearest to him.