Ch. 261..270

Chapter 0261

As the soap sluices down my body I graze my hands over my n*pples which are hard peaks at the thought of my guys. I slowly travel further down my stomach, my heart rate increasing the lower my hand travels. I settled on Dakotas face, the playful look in his blue eyes, His thick dark hair tousled from me running my hands through it. His god-like muscles on full display for me. He reaches between my legs and finds the nub at my apex waiting and ready to detonate for him. Then Cameron’s emerald green eyes come into my vision. They are both leaning into me one in front one behind like that day when they told me when they kissed me it wouldn’t be in the hallway.

I rub slow circles living through my fantasy. It doesn’t take much effort for blinding white lights to sear the backs of my eyelids as I come so hard on my own hand. I continue to rub until my core has stopped pulsing. I am panting and gripping at the tiles of the shower. I have no idea how long I have been in here, but I hurry to get out and change, just in case it was longer than necessary.

I guess I didn’t need to be in a hurry, since it was a full thirty minutes late that Xander and Oscar came to retrieve me.

“I’m sorry, okay, I can’t help myself. You will understand when you find your mate. You won’t be able to keep your hands to yourself.” Oscar is pleading with me, even though I haven’t said a thing. I may be a little flush in the cheeks and laughed at him looking completely out of sorts when they came to get me, but I left the topic alone. What they do as mates is what they do, it’s none of my business.

“Just remind me when I do find my mate to call you for advice on technique.” I say to get him to stop yammering at me. I meant it to be a joke, but Xander’s head snapped to me and Oscar got the biggest grin behind his back. Oscar and I are going to be lifelong buddies, I can feel it.

“Stop talking, now. I feel like Cameron, Dakota, Mateo and Oliver are all screaming in my subconscious to keep you two apart.” Xander scrubs his face with his hands.

“All the better to pretend we are not even having this conversation.” I say as if it were Sierra by my side, not Oscar. Oh, the two of them are going to get me in trouble.

“By the way.” Oscar whispers in my ear, even though we both know Xander can hear us. “Who were you thinking about?”

I just look at him in confusion.

“You have that ‘just got laid’ look and I know for a fact no one was in your room, so which one were you thinking about?”

“Does more than one count?” I smile and leave it at that, hoping he could live his vicarious feeling out with very little information.

Chapter 0262

We make it to the elevator, Oscar and I laughing and Xander being dramatic saying if the guys find out that I have been having these kinds of conversations with his mate, they will find some way to torture him.

We step out to a crowd similar to yesterday morning, just less formalities. I still get the stares from the people who have decided I am a threat, but don’t know what to do with that since I am never left alone.

A few people I don’t recognize from the meetings yesterday are here. Based on build and the way they stand they must be guards or warriors of some kind. I wonder why they are all here?

Alpha Reggie and Luna Anne have already stepped up into the buffet line, they seem to be waiting for us, I hope they haven't been waiting long, I didn’t even bother looking at the time. We make our way towards them, Xander not acting like we are late at all. I am a nervous wreck, I am not someone who keeps the King and Queen waiting.

“Nice of you to join us, Xander, Skylar, Oscar.” Alpha Reggie says polite enough, but the undertone is exasperation and amusement rolled together. He at least knows what kept the boys, and I am too chicken to say anything to correct his assumption.

We move through the line quickly, saying hello and acknowledging people as we go. When we get to the head table, I am sitting between Oscar and Xander. Clearly there is some potential for threat against me. This is really frustrating, I just need to fight in front of these people and then they won’t mess with me. On second thought though, these idiots would probably think it’s rigged so it wouldn’t matter. It’s so stupid.

Unlike yesterday though, people are milling about throughout breakfast and several come to the head table to talk, mostly to the King and Queen, but to Xander and I too. A female warrior approaches. I only know because she has the same training gear we are required to wear on the

Elite Warrior grounds. She can’t be much older than me and she looks fearless, like Sierra on the warpath for the perfect dress. She walks straight to me.

“Did you really take on the whole warrior team at trials?” She asks without even bothering with the formalities of introductions. It wasn’t an aggressive or accusatory question either, she really is just curious.

“I, umm, I actually don’t know, really. I don’t even know who or how many I went up against, it’s kind of a blur.” I look to Xander, maybe he knows the answer.

But before he can say anything a large man I vaguely recognize walks up behind her and places a hand on her shoulder. “You’ll have to forgive my daughter, you have become something of a legend amongst the warriors around here. She doesn’t believe me when I tell her what you were able to accomplish during your trials.” He laughs and she doesn’t even pretend to be offended. “Skylar, this is Wilhelmina, my daughter, and may I say your wolf is an amazing fighter. We learned a great deal from our time with you at trials.” He inclines his head to me.

“Thank you, I appreciate that…” I leave the end of the question hanging since he didn’t introduce himself too.

“Jeremy. I hope to train with you again.” He smiles warmly.

“And you can call me Mina. There’s no reason to go throwing that mouthful of a name around.” She smiles at me. “But really, do you know how many people you actually fought against? The rumors are all over the place and no one wants to offend you by asking you outright.”

I knew I liked her straight away.

“Honestly, Warrior Osiston would be the best person to ask, I really don’t know how many opponents I had. I have been told I went against the most though.” I shrug trying to give her the best

answer I can.

 

Chapter 0263

“Every warrior keeps stats, there’s no way you didn’t count if you're as good as everyone says.” She puts her hand on her hip, letting me know that my answer wasn’t good enough, but there’s still no animosity in her tone, just logic.

“You’re right, I normally do, I’m actually really competitive, but I also went into trials this year under the impression that it was just an assessment for my trainers to see me with warriors from outside packs and for me to learn. I’m only fifteen, we had to get special permission just for that. Alpha Reggie allowed it because it was hosted at my pack, otherwise I don’t think I would have even been able to participate this year. So my focus was more on watching the people around me in battle scenarios.”

“What were your takeaways then?” Her eyes light up when she asks.

“Were you there? I feel like I would remember you even if you fought in your wolf form only.”

Something about this girl draws me in, kindred spirit maybe. I vaguely hear someone say, ‘we lost her.’ And a response of ‘we lost them both.’ But I couldn’t be bothered, another warrior who might have been at trials like Wyatt and Lillian, makes me feel closer to home somehow, that connection still alive even with everything that has happened since then.

“No, not this year, but next, I’ll be eighteen soon and there’s enough time between my birthday and the next trails for me to look for my mate and if he’s not here, then Dad says I can participate.”

“That’s so exciting. Either way you have something to look forward to.”

“So, if you’re only fifteen, why are you in Elite training? How did you manage that?”

I try not to let the darkness that passes through my mind at what Kaley and her cronies did to me show on my face, I take a deep breath and give a half truth. “Alpha Reggie, Warrior Osiston and

Warrior Nathaniel decided that since I was ahead in school, that it would be okay for me to come and do a modified training and education schedule here. It was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.” I left out the part about not being able to refuse because I was beaten unconscious, that would open up the floodgate of questions I’m not ready to answer for any of these people.

She looks at me for a second and I think she might try to probe more, but she must see something there that stops her. Instead she asks, “What is something you learned that you didn't already know?”

“Really the basics are always crucial and I think they are sometimes overlooked when warriors start to advance. I noticed that my ground work and grappling need to improve. I’m small so I try not to let the fight go to the ground, then my opponent’s size can be used against me. No matter how skilled I am, if my arms and or legs are pinned I can’t use them to defend myself.”

She nods her head. “We should workout together. I bet my dad could make that happen.”

“That would be great! I love working with new people.” I almost jumped out of my seat, from excitement.

“You weren’t this excited to work with Xander and I.” Oscar pretends to whine next to me.

“I have already worked out with and beat Xander and I’m faster than you, so I think we’re all good.” I smile and wink at him and Mina starts to laugh, like actually cackling loud enough for half the room to turn around and look our way.

“Oh man, I like you. How long are you here, in the castle I mean?”

“I go back to the training compound today sometime, but Alpha Reggie hasn’t really said when yet.”

She nods her head in thought for a beat and then looks over her shoulder. “Dad, can I take SKylar to the training grounds for a couple hours? I bet she hasn’t even seen the whole territory yet.” She

looks back at me. “We have a few different training grounds since the territory is so big, but the one closest to the castle is probably the best after the Elite Warrior grounds, but us lowly general warriors aren’t allowed on those grounds.” She smiles as she says it, being dramatic with her hand on her chest.

Chapter 0264

Her dad immediately looks to Alpha Reggie for confirmation. “Do you have plans for Skylar this morning? Or can we let the girls have their fun before lunch? I mean, if she’s anything like Mina, they’ll figure out a way to make it happen anyway.” He shrugs and all of the adults laugh while Mina and I just roll our eyes, he isn’t wrong.

“That sounds excellent! Skylar hasn’t had a chance to see the grounds really, her training started abruptly and she hasn’t had much downtime since she started. Take Oscar with you though since you can’t mindlink with us, just in case and be back by lunch.” Alpha Reggie offers.

“What about me?” Xander sounds incredulous.

“You, my dear son and future King, have duties today. We are still meeting with the Elders to go over all of the results of yesterday’s conferences and I’m sure they will want to revisit your mate situation, since it is the only topic they haven’t gotten their way on in a very long time.” The look that passes between them is a serious one and I can tell other words are being said over mindlink about it.

I really want to know what is going on and why in the world the Elders think they have so much power and say in everything. They are advisors chosen to give opinions to the kings so he can make informed decisions about large matters for the kingdom. They are liaisons for the different packs in the kingdom. Clearly many of them have become lazy, self important and self righteous, but I wish Alpha Reggie would just shut them down. Maybe that’s what this meeting will be. A respectful shut down of their stupid notions that Xander should take a chosen mate done behind closed doors so no one is embarrassed or ridiculed.

Mina and I don’t hesitate to jump from our seats, Oscar follows more slowly. He is clearly not used to being separated from Xander, but he also can’t call attention to their relationship yet. They need their Luna first.

I don’t miss the excited looks from some of the girls we pass as we basically run out of the dining hall. I feel bad for leaving Xander, but he has been dealing with this for a long time and doesn’t actually need me to protect him. I’m sure it makes his day go so much better having Oscar and I there as a buffer. Maybe Mina can step in too when I’m not here.

Oscar leads us out the front doors I came in on my first visit here and heads over to the side of the castle where the hidden garage is. A smaller door opens and he comes out driving a very supped up golf cart looking vehicle.

“Your chariot, my ladies.” He laughs at us.

“Is it really so far that we have to drive there?” I question, I would rather walk, it makes me feel lazy if something really is close enough why waste resources?

“Not so much that it’s far, just I would rather get there and get to work than waste precious time walking.” He drawls out and I can’t help but giggle.

He does not disappoint either. With the cart we got there in less than ten minutes and we did not take the well worn path, he made sure we were entertained by offroading and almost throwing me from the cart a couple times in the process.

 

Chapter 0265

The training ground was further than the lake we stopped at this morning, but I could still see it and the water fall clearly. The space was wide open with clearly defined sparring circles marked in the dirt and the grass. The dirt patches were dry and full of rocks and pebbles which would suck to get taken down on, but I guess in a real fight there won’t be padding and pillows to catch our falls. Beyond the sparring circles were more of the ropes and climbing courses like what we have at the compound, although the ropes seem to be placed closer together here probably making the training easier here. There are a few more cargo nets and platforms built into trees. I like the idea that they are using the surrounding area for naturally occurring things to train with. It makes the training more realistic for sure.

Mina wastes no time finding a sparring circle in the grass. “Alright, you said you wanted to work on your ground work, let’s see what you’ve got.”

“We aren’t going to warm up first?” I ask stalling a little at her abrupt stance.

“Nah. We aren’t really going to go that hard and let’s be honest if we ever do fight our enemies won’t wait for us to be properly warmed up to kick their asses, they will just attack.” Okay, she’s not wrong.

I move to the circle and watch her closely. She moves like a cat, lithe and deliberate. She’s studying me as much as I am studying her. When she finally realizes I will not make the first move she lunges right at my torso. This is the obvious choice since I mentioned ground work, she wants to take me down right away since I identified it as a weakness. I hold my ground for as long as I can. She is taller than me, like most people, but I think I have more weight than she does. She’s built lean like a runner, long graceful muscles that you don’t really see on a warrior very often.

We continue to move together, no punches are being thrown, this is strictly grappling to gain dominance and ground the opponent. Arms are flying, hands grabbing, but neither of us can keep

hold long enough to get the other to submit. She finally gets her leg around to sweep mine, but I counter as we both go down and she doesn’t expect me to roll the way that I do and I end up straddling her stomach while she tries to buck me off and I am desperately holding onto her wrists, but we are both so sweaty at this point that it’s hard to maintain my grip.

Just when I think she is going to give a feral growl rips through the clearing and the next thing I know, I’m being thrown out of the circle we are sparring in and all hell breaks loose.

I hit my head and for a second can only see stars, but I can hear the growling and snapping of jaws, claws ripping up the ground. I shake my head and look around again. There are five wolves, bigger than I have seen before outside of the Alphas and Betas I know. They look rough and mangy like they live in their wolf form and they reek something awful, old blood and death wafting out of their open jaws.

I quickly get up and run for the wolf who has managed to pin Oscar by the back of the neck. I don’t even think about the consequences, he can’t die, that would destroy Xander and I can’t allow that. I jump and throw my full body weight at him. It’s not much but enough to knock him over since he didn’t see me coming and Oscar jumps up bleeding from the neck, but he doesn’t even check it before tearing through his clothes to shift and comes after this large dark gray wolf that now has me in his sights.

Once he’s distracted I look for Mina, who has already shifted into her russet colored wolf and is fending off two wolves right now. The other two rogues seem to be standing guard or waiting to engage for some reason. I keep them in my line of sight as I run towards Mina shifting in midair. I land on the lighter of the two wolves, they all seem to be different shades of gray. We go rolling and I maintain my dominance by grabbing the scruff of his neck and biting hard, tasting the metallic flavor of blood. It’s disgusting and yet invigorating at the same time. I feel more powerful knowing I injured him right away and so forcefully. He rolls over and tries to pin me with his bulk forcing me to

let go and roll away. This was the exact reason I wanted to train with Mina. Now it seems like a great oversight in my training and that blame lies solely on me for not pursuing it before.

Chapter 0266

I can’t think of that right now though. I have to keep my head focused and use the strengths I do have. No doubt Oscar has called for back-up but it is going to take a bit for them to get here. My rogue wolf charges again, mouth wide open not even trying to disguise his form of attack. I can smell the rotting sewage scent from his mouth. I wonder if that is just from killing a bunch or if that’s a rogue thing? Something to pack away and ask later. I roll out of the way at the last second sending his bulk barrelling past me and I go on the offensive, chasing him down. He is leading me toward the other two rogues standing guard, he really isn’t that smart if he thinks I can’t see the ambush coming. I pick up speed just as he’s getting close to the first one and jump, sending all four of my paws into his side and knocking him into his buddy, sending them both toppling in a heap of legs and fur.

In my single minded focus though, I lost track of the other sentinel, until he came up and sliced his razor sharp teeth into my back leg, instantly dropping me to the ground. I roll around keeping him in my sights. He doesn’t seem to want to kill me though. He’s content with me being on the ground, injured. He only snaps at me if I try to get up or scoot away. His bulky body is blocking everything else. I can still hear fighting on the other side of him, but I don’t know who it is and I can’t link with my friends to check on them.

The pain in my leg is starting to subside. This rogue is letting me just lay here and heal, but he also doesn't know that I am a fast healer, Thank you Alpha blood. I just need a couple more minutes, the feeling is coming back to my foot now that the wound has closed and I’ve stopped bleeding out everywhere.

I am about to pounce when a feral and dominating growl rips through the clearing and I hear thunderous pounding of paws on the ground. My opponent makes the mistake of looking away from me and I jump up, sinking my teeth into his neck and lock my jaw. He can toss and roll all he wants, I’m not letting go until our back-up arrives and he can be interrogated. Five rogue wolves don’t just stumble onto the Alpha King’s territory and start a fight for no reason.

The blood in my mouth tastes disgusting, but I won’t let go even though my gag reflex is telling me to do just that as the warm, thick liquid rolls down my throat. My teeth are slowing the flow down so he won’t die quickly, but he won’t get a second chance to hurt anyone.

The noise of fighting grows around me as warriors storm the clearing. I still can’t see Oscar or Mina which makes me nervous. The warriors make quick work of the other rogues and an enormous black wolf with the most beautiful chocolate brown eyes walks up to me and the rogue I am trying to contain. The black wolf looks at me and his eyes soften for a brief moment and then look back at the rogue and go murderous. Then I feel the aura blast from him with a growl that pulses from his chest, vibrating through everything in the clearing. The Alpha aura that causes everyone to stop moving except for a large gray wolf with black markings along his face and down his head to his shoulders and me. Xander and Alpha Reggie.

I slowly let go of my rogue and stumbled sideways, my leg still healing and not really liking the body weight placed on it now that adrenaline is starting to subside. I refuse to fall or sit down though. These jacka*ses don’t get to see that they were able to injure me so easily in case they were reporting to someone we can’t see.

Chapter 0267

Xander continues to growl at my rogue but moves closer to me so I can lean on him. It looks more like a lover’s gesture than him holding me upright which my ego appreciates at the moment.

“These two are gone, your highness.” A warrior I don’t recognize says somewhere to my left.

“This one is still breathing, but barely.” Mina’s dad says.

“Oscar and Skylar’s rogues are still alive, take them back to the holding cells. Give them just enough treatment to keep them alive. Have Doc Sylvia force their shift then collar them.” Warrior Osiston comes up from behind us.

All the other warriors have shifted and started with their assignments, Xnader and I remain in wolf form, I refuse to shift without something to change into, I don’t know any of these guys really and I don’t like being naked in front of Sierra on a good day.

As if he can read my mind, Warrior Osiston looks at me. “I have a shirt for you Little One, Xander is blocking you, shift so we can talk.”

I don’t hesitate, I want to tell them what happened so I can get information in return. What the hell just happened? And why are hostile rogues so far into the King’s territory? I shift and grab the shirt pulling it on quickly, then Xander shifts next to me and it’s then that I realize all of the warriors were fully clothed when they shifted back.

“How do you do that? Shift without destroying clothes? That could be useful information.” I look up at Xander then to Osiston expectantly.

“It is something we will teach you how to do in Elite training, don’t worry. Now tell us what happened. How far out did you guys go to train? Mina and Oscar know not to leave the territory with so few people, especially this side.” Osiston looks like he’s trying to hold back anger.

“What are you talking about? We didn’t go anywhere outside the territory…Sir.” I add as an afterthought with my slight attitude. I wasn’t going to let my friends get punished for a perceived lack of following the rules. “We came right here to train and this is where they attacked us.”

Xander looked from me to Osiston and back. “That’s not possible, there’s no way they got this far undetected.”

“As you can see it’s completely possible, they did just that.” I gesture around me. “We were here training when three attacked us. Two were waiting over there by the tree line.” I pointed to where the rogue I was fighting waited until he thought I wasn’t paying attention about twenty yards away from where we are standing now. “The two extra seemed to be waiting for some kind of signal to join in. We didn’t hear or smell them until they were attacking. What’s going on and how did they get so close to the castle? Are Mina and Oscar okay?” I can’t see them among the other warriors cleaning up, but some have set out to run quick patrols to make sure there aren't any other rogues here.

Chapter 0268

They both share a look which is starting to piss me off. Something is clearly going on and I am being left out. To keep from yelling at them, I start to shift on my leg testing it out and mentally checking for any other injuries. I am covered in blood, some my own, some the rogues. I need to scrub this nasty smelling sh*t off, but I really want answers first.

Xander notices my fidgeting and seems to take me in fully now. “Are you hurt? I noticed your limping before.”

“I’m okay now, I think. That rogue got a good bite into my flank, but I think it’s healed completely, I’m just sore, not a big deal. Are you guys going to tell me what’s going on, or am I not high enough to be given information?”

“None of that, Little One. If we have information to share we will share it. You were injured, you need to be seen by the docs.” He tilts his head past me to a group in line. They all seem to be fine, but waiting to get checked anyway.

“I’m fine. Everything already healed so I can’t have been that bad.” I shrug it off hoping they will just talk to me, let me in. But, that was too much to ask.

“Not an option Little One. Anyone involved in a fight gets checked out thoroughly. We don’t know what kind of sh*t they might be carrying and you were bit and it looks like you bit one of your opponents, we need to make sure we take precautions.”

I closed my eyes to keep from rolling them like the teenager that I am and take a deep breath then let it out slowly. The line isn’t going anywhere fast so I feel like I can push a bit more.

“Is Oscar and Mina in line? I didn’t see them when everything stopped.”

“Oscar has been checked and is out on patrol, Mina has been taken back to the pack hospital, she broke her leg and it needed to be reset. She should be fine in a couple of hours. The two of them combined gave us less trouble than you are now. Go get checked then you can ask all the questions you want.” Osiston physically turned me and pushed me towards the queue of warriors.

“Will you actually answer them though?” I throw over my shoulder. Not really needing an answer, but I decided acting like a child towards him is a good distraction for what just happened.

I could hear a low huff, but he didn’t respond otherwise.

The check-up station was pretty basic, they asked me if and where I had been injured, how many times I was bitten, if anything was painful or lingered, things like that. I thought I was going to get away and be able to help with patrol, but that would have been too easy.

“She needs to see Doc Gannon and Doc Sylvia for blood work. She was bitten and she took a pretty good chunk out of the guy we took prisoner.” Osiston walks up behind me.

“Yes, Sir.” The healer looking at me said not making eye contact with me. I’m sure I’m not the first warrior who just wants a quick check and to just get back to work.

She leads me over to another golf cart that has two other warriors who seem to still be bleeding. I forget that I am a fast healer for a second and wonder what could have happened that would cause them to continue bleeding half an hour after the fight was over. The guy I sat next to must have seen me staring as he bumped my shoulder and smiled.

“It’s not as bad as it looks, I swear. The little one tried to take a chunk out of my arm before we took him down. The skin flapping around is making it hard to heal. Doc Gannon will stitch me up and I should be ready to fight again tomorrow.”

Chapter 0269

I give him a small smile. “One of them got me in the leg. My first rogue bite, definitely don’t need that to happen ever again.” We both chuckle as we go bumping over the terrain, back to the pack hospital. The guy sitting in front looked worse by far. He was pale and his head was bobbing around like he didn’t have the strength to hold it up. What happened while I was fighting off the one rogue? I really needed to learn how to fight my opponent and pay attention to my surroundings at the same time.

There wasn’t a lot to do once we were there. I had already completely healed, so I really just needed a shower, which Doc Sylvia allowed me to do in one of the treatment rooms after I gave her a blood sample. I have no idea why my blood is so interesting to her and she never explains what she is doing. She even took a sample of the blood that was on my skin, I assume from the rogue. I should be more suspicious, but I can’t seem to find any animosity or bad vibes from her, I trust her like I do SIerra. We’ll see if that’s smart or crazy. I think she is just naturally curious and has her own questions to answer and if I can provide answers for her so be it.

It was time for dinner when I was finally able to leave the hospital. Luna Anne and Barty were there to take me back to the castle.

As we drove the short distance a thought occurred to me. “I thought I would be going back to the training compound tonight. Shouldn’t you just take me back and let me eat dinner there? They would be just finishing training by the time we got there. I really shouldn’t miss any more mandatory trainings, it’s starting to look like favoritism.”

I keep my focus out the window as I say it. I don’t want to see their reactions. It’s no one else’s business what I do or don’t do outside training and if the Alpha King requested anyone else to attend functions they wouldn’t bat an eye, but it’s me and everything about me and my presence here has been against every rule that has been set in place. It doesn’t matter how many times I prove myself, I’m too young to be here, didn’t go through the rituals with them, and have a

connection with the royal family that no one understands because they aren’t privileged to that information. I’m back to being the freak. I take a deep breath and do my best no to sigh too loudly at that thought.

“Not tonight Little One, we have things to discuss and you were an integral part of the fight today, your insight is needed as much as Ocsar and Mina’s.” Luna Anne said calmly, but I heard a note of something there, disappointment maybe. But what was she disappointed in? Me, the fight, having to keep me at the castle? Maybe I was a bigger burden than she thought. I’ll have to talk to ALpha Reggie about getting me back to the compound tonight, no matter how late it is. I don’t want to inconvenience them any more.

We pull into the garage and I am led back up to the floor with all of the conference rooms, only this time the doors are thrown open and loud voices can be heard from the stairs at the end of the hall. I look at Luna Anne then Barty, but neither acknowledge me, just keep walking, stoic expressions on their faces. We walk into the largest conference room and the round table is full of Elders and Alphas with guards and their mates standing close by.

“We should have been told there was a potential threat to us coming here. You are taking liberties with our lives. That could have been any one of us out there today, attacked and rendered useless to our packs.” Alpha Sharp from the Shadow Pack shouts at Alpha Reggie and I feel an instant urge to defend him.

Chapter 0270

“As a pack Alpha I would hope that your skills would be keen enough to handle the likes of five rogues not much bigger than myself. Although, I’ve never seen you fight so it’s just an assumption. If a small fight like that renders you useless, maybe you are in the wrong position.” I stand next to Alpha Reggie, hands clasped behind my back doing my best to school my face into something neutral. “There are always threats, power has that effect on some people. It will never go away and as Alphas and Elders you should know that and understand that to be a huge part of your job description.”

“Watch your tone, girl. You have no business being here in the first place. More regulations have been ignored where you are concerned than anyone I have ever heard of. You need to remove yourself from this official meeting with the leaders of our kingdom.”

“You are incorrect in many of your assumptions Emanuel. First she earned her way here, the age restrictions are to help wolves find their mates, nothing more. Second, she belongs in this meeting because she was involved in the fight and managed to capture and keep alive the one rogue we have been able to interrogate. Something your warriors should consider next time, capture not kill, we get more answers that way. Third, as a leader in her pack she is representing her Alpha in his absence. You would do well to remember who is in charge, we have a hierarchy for a reason and you have been selected to be a part of that, not in charge of it, but the Moon Goddess has also removed those privileges too. Many of you have become too comfortable in your positions and forgotten what your position entails.” His pointed look swept the room. “Now, we were discussing opening the branding ritual for Skylar so she can communicate the next time she is required to assist us in battle.”

The same Alpha spoke up as an Elder looked ready to speak. “We have already done the ritual for warrior branding and she is far too young. That level of connection is privileged, she has not earned it yet.” I am seething inside, but doing my best to keep a neutral face. This is why I would not be

good in a leadership role, I really want to punch him and if he keeps talking sh*t I just might jump over this table and give into my impulses.

“You really are a misogynistic moron aren’t you?” Another Alpha speaks up. Alpha Beau from the Eclipse pack doesn’t usually speak up or say much unless he’s asked a direct question. He’s a silent observer, but from what I understand, he more than makes up for it on the field. “You were there today, right? The training grounds where she,” He points at me, “managed to not only keep herself and her friends safe, but is also the only one to have a live captive to question.”

“My warriors did what was best, kill the lot of those filthy rogues.”

“But we can’t get answers from the dead. Things like how many of them are working together, would be nice to know.”

“They are rogues. By definition they do not work together.” Alpha Emanuel spat, like this was an absolute answer.

“The way that they fought today would suggest otherwise.” I finally say. This guy needs to step down and let his heir take over, he's going to get everyone killed with that narrow mind.

“You don’t know what you are talking about, silly girl. Let the men speak.” Amanuel hisses at me.