The Wolf

Ch. 38: The Lowest Place On Earth

~Alex~

Keeping a secret is harder than I expected. I'm not used to grasping for excuses or canceling plans just to keep my conscious clear. I'm barely sleeping and the smallest thing will set me off. My memories couldn't have been returned at a worst time. Because the camp is changing drastically and I'm supposed to be a clear-headed Alpha that can lead without my feelings getting in the way.

Not only that, but Blake, Kayla, Nico, and I have been doing group training in preparation for the mission. Seeing my girlfriend and my mate together is unbearable. How am I supposed to abandon Kayla? How can I ever make it up to Nico? The tension has been killing me, so I've been leaving the training up to Blake, while I train the other wolves as an excuse.

Everywhere you go, there are signs that things have changed. Pack members spend their free time exercising excessively, training endlessly, studying battle strategies instead of Algebra. Pack activities have been put on hold. Food is being stocked up and the ambiance of the camp, overall, has changed. Everyone is more somber and on edge. Any day now an attack can happen and that's scared a good chunk of the camp away. Elderly and children have been sent away, teens and adults who can't stomach the thought of war have gone as well. Fortunately, most of our members are still present, as well as the Druid and Vampire reinforcements.

"Sir, I have a report from the last mission, number 7123." A teen stands before me, looking bored as he delivers his mandatory report.

On top of camp preparations, many members are being sent on missions to scout out enemy packs and find allies for the upcoming battle.

"Understood, Delta wolf, your report has been verified, you may rest now." I drop my formal tone and lay a hand on the young wolf's shoulder, "Good work, Cody, try and enjoy yourself."

Cody smiles and nods his head eagerly. "Thank you, Alex." He runs off with a spring in his step. It seems just a little recognition can make their day. I'm glad.

I sigh and slump into a foldable chair. All day I've had to listen to report after report. It's exhausting being an Alpha. My father has been cooped up in the Head House stuck in a meeting with the council.

My nose twitches and I perk up. The smell of fresh rain and pine fills my senses, almost overwhelmingly so. I sit up and look around, spotting Nico a mile away. He's walking with Blake, a smile on his face as he laughs at a joke. His shirt is off and I can tell that he's been training again. His body is filling out by now so he doesn't look like a bag of bones, but rather a lean teenager. His pale complexion is being replaced with a faint tan. I'm surprised and a little irritated that he would be walking around with his shirt off. First, it's January, so it's still cold, but secondly, he's mine.

I feel Sol stirring inside of me, begging to be let out, but I calm him down. Allaying his need.

Mate, Sol grumbles.

"I know," I mutter under my breath. Sol has become even more irritable than ever with each time that we see Nico. He doesn't care about trivial things such as societal standards or Kayla's feelings.

"You know what?" Kayla inquires chirpily, appearing behind me.

I jump back, startled. "Jeez, Kayla, you scared the heck out of me. When did you get here?" I look around, wondering how long she's been watching me for.

"I got here 3 minutes ago, but you were too busy staring at something off in the distance to notice." She puffs out her checks in pretend anger.

So she saw me looking at Nico? I plaster on a fake smile. "Ahaha... I was just thinking about our upcoming mission and I was wondering if we're going to be ready. "