The Alpha novel Chapter 41

Scarlet's POV

*****

The next day I wake up early to go to the shelter again. Now that I'm marked I don't have to worry about going into heat, so my guards have gone back down to the normal three. Ethan is busy working yet again. Now that the possibility of an alliance with the Silver Shadow Pack is gone, they are preparing for a siege. Ethan has ordered a wall to be built around the entire territory. They are even reaching out to their allied packs to see if they want to be included within the perimeter. Security has been doubled and all able-bodied wolves are to begin warrior training.

A few hours later, I come back to the pack house after I'm done serving breakfast to the packless. When I do, I immediately go looking for Ethan. I end up finding him in his actual work office. "You know, I don't think having three offices is really necessary," I say as I lean against the door frame.

He looks up at me and smirks. "And yet I use them all," he replies teasingly. I shake my head at him before walking in without waiting for an invitation. I sit down in one of the leather chairs in front of his desk and he leans back in his. "How's the shelter?" he inquires.

"Good," I answer with a nod of my head. "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."

He quirks an eyebrow at me and the corner of my lip tugs up. He's adorable. "What about?" he asks.

"Well, I think you should consider letting them join the Crescent Moon Pack. Or at least one of your brothers' packs."

He scowls for a moment before forcing a neutral expression. "And why would I do that?"

"Well, because we need more warriors. We already know we will be severely outnumbered if the Silver Shadow Pack decides to attack. And there are a lot of packless that could help. They are good people. People who had been leaders and warriors in their old packs. People who were healers and blacksmiths. I really think it would be beneficial for us," I insist.

Ethan's lips press into a thin line. He clearly doesn't like the idea. "I'll think about it," he says after a moment of silence.

"Really?" I press.

"I said I'd think about it and I will," he states through gritted teeth. I nod, deciding I don't want to overdo it. I know what he has against the packless and I understand. Though, I still don't know if I truly believe it. I think it's time I finally ask Jo and see if I can get some more information about it.

*****

"Wait! So, you saw the packless kill her?!"

"Huh? No! It was rogues! We are right on the outskirts and don't belong to a territory. Back then we had a ton of trouble with rogues. We were attacked and of course she wanted to help. She got killed when fighting off a rogue that had attacked one of the pups."

I shake my head, my eyes beginning to moisten. That's horrible. And so sad. I can't believe Ethan has no idea what really happened to his mother. None of them do. "And you're sure it was rogues?"

"Of course I'm sure! Why? What's with all of these questions?"

"Ethan told me his mother died at the hands of the packless. That's probably why his father decided to ban us from working or living in the territory."

Jo lets out a huff and shakes her head, closing her eyes as a single tear treks down her cheek. I've never in my life seen her cry before. "No no. It was rogues. She died saving a little girl..." Jo trails off before meeting my eyes. "It was you. You were the one she had saved."