The Alpha’s Regret

Chapter 9

When we arrive at the northern border I take in the scene and my mind begins to assess the chaos before me. At least 20 rogues are fighting with pack warriors trying to push their way through onto the territory. Luckily due to our changes in attack protocols, we quickly out number them and secure the border tightly stopping their advance. From my peripheral vision I spot a large ginger wolf charging in my direction. His claws scratch my stomach and I grab him by the neck and toss him to the ground. I clench my teeth tightly and feel the blood and life drain from his body. I look up to see James and Lorenzo both fighting off two rogues at a time. I charge and lunge at a scruffy brown wolf who has a hold of Lorenzo’ hind leg. I pin the wolf to the ground and he throws his claws along the length of my snout. I dig my claws into his chest and draw them down as he yelps in pain. I hold him in place until he stops moving and I leap into action again running at full speed towards James. He nods at me and we both attack the two wolves in tandem. James sinks his teeth into the rogues neck in an instant and throws him against a tree. The wolf I am fighting is strong and I plan my next move while we circle each other. Suddenly I hear a loud voice thunder through the now quiet forest. 

“STOP!!” 

I turn my head to see a recently shifted Lorenzo standing in front of me. 

“He’s the last one Ella.” He states before I can kill the disgusting beast. 

I nod in acknowledgment, he will need to be brought to the dungeons and questioned. We had previously discussed a line of questioning and torture techniques for this very situation just a couple of days ago. 

A few warriors beat the lone wolf until he is forced to shift into his human form. They then drag him off towards the pack house heading for the basement door which leads down to the dungeons. 

I slowly follow the remaining warriors while mind linking my team to ensure that the perimeter is safe and make sure that the pack members are escorted back to their homes safely. 

I watch as James shifts to his human form and grabs a pair of shorts from a large box in the pack house gardens. As werewolves, we are used to nudity. Having to shift at a moments notice sometimes means we are left without clothes to wear so usually there are boxes around the territory with a mixture of clothes inside for moments like this. After putting on his shorts, he walks over to me as I shift into my human form. He turns his head away from my naked body and hands me a long shirt and a pair of shorts from the box. I can feel the awkwardness between us after our moment on the balcony a while ago. If it had been yesterday I bet we would have both enjoyed catching a glimpse of each other naked. When I’m dressed he turns around to smile at me. We are both covered in dirt and blood from the fight and he looks as handsome as ever. 

“Thanks for helping us out Ella, that’s the quickest we have ever dealt with a rogue attack and  no one has had to go to the pack hospital.” He says heading toward the basement door. 

Each pack normally has its own small hospital since werewolf DNA is significantly different from that of a human, it’s necessary to have our own specialised hospitals and doctors. Werewolves are able to heal at a rapid rate so hospitals are usually only needed in the event of a serious injury. 

“Are you alright? You have a lot of blood on you.” James observes whist checking me over for injuries. 

“Nah don’t worry, it’s not mine.” I smile at him genuinely. 

“Well, let’s go as see what this motherfucker has to say then.” He opens the door and gestures for me to go through first. I hear the screams of the rogue wolf below and realise that the warriors are already putting our plan into action. 

***

I stand behind the bars of the cell with James and a few warriors and observe while Lorenzo beats the s**t out of the scruffy rogue. The man put up a good fight in the beginning but I can see his facade begin to slip as he begins to succumb to the pain of torture. His face is bloody and bruised and his body of covered in cuts and dirt. His shoulder length black hair is matted to his head and his eyes are almost swollen shut. The sight makes my stomach turn but I know that it’s a necessary evil if we are going to find out the motive behind these attacks.

“I’m going to ask you one last f*****g time you pathetic mutt, why are you targeting this pack?” Lorenzo mutters in a dangerously low growl. 

“You won’t get anything from me Alpha! I won’t f*****g talk.” The rogue spits back between pants. 

I can see in Lorenzo’s eyes that he is now struggling to control his wolf. Alpha’s do not take kindly to disrespect. They have a fiery temper and their powerful emotions can sometimes take over their bodies. This is where it is essential to have a cool and level headed Beta who can step in for support. Lorenzo closes his fists tightly and I can see his chest moving up and down rapidly. James steps forward into the dark, moonlit cell and puts a hand on Lorenzo’s shoulder. 

“Don’t worry Alpha, I’ll make this piece of s**t talk.” James mutters in a sinister voice that sounds so foreign coming out of his mouth. Lorenzo turns his back to the rogue and grips the bars in an attempt to get his wolf under control. James takes over the torture and I try not to turn away from the sight before me. The sounds of his screams are sure to stay in my memory forever. 

Eventually the rogue is hanging on to life by a thread and I know he is nearing the end of his tether. 

“I’ll ask you again asshole, why are you targeting this pack.” James spits out. 

“For the girl!! He’s obsessed with the girl!” The rogue chokes out. 

“What girl? Who is obsessed?” James yanks on the rogues hair and pulled his head up. 

“The little f*****g Luna” the rogues spits out. 

In an instant Lorenzo is on him punching him hard. He has totally lost control of his temper and is being pulled away by two of his men. 

“Stop Lorenzo, your going to kill him!” I shout as I tug on his shoulder. “We need to know more! We need to know why they want Anna.” I reason with him. 

He pulls himself off of the rogue and I notice that his claws are now protruding from his fists. He is holding himself back from shifting fully. 

“What does he want with the Luna?” James questions. 

“All I know is he is obsessed with her. He’s determined to make her his.” The rogue pants out. 

“Who is he? What’s the bastards name?” Lorenzo says seething with anger. 

“We don’t know his name. He just pays us to carry out the attacks. He has a brother and they are both as twisted as each other.” The rogue chokes out. 

We can tell that he has no more information to give and pushing him further is sure to kill him. 

We all exit the cells as Lorenzo barks out orders to his men to place extra security around the border. He then takes off towards the stairs and I’m sure he is off to go and check on Anna. 

James turns to look at me and we both let out a sigh in exhaustion. 

“Well I guess this night has been eventful.” He smirks trying to lighten the mood. 

“I guess so. At least we have a motive now. We are making steps forward.” I reply. 

“Lorenzo has mind linked me, we are to meet first thing tomorrow in his office to come up with a plan of action.” 

I nod in reply as we begin to make our way up to our rooms in silence. 

“I’m sorry about earlier.” James suddenly blurts out. “I kinda got the impression that you didn’t enjoy our kiss.” He states sadly. 

“It’s not that James. Really you are such a great guy and I am attracted to you. It’s just something was out of place. With my wolf.” I reply honestly. 

“Yeah mine too. I was surprised because I know that I want you. Maybe we just have to spend some more time together.” He offers hopefully. 

“Yeah maybe.” I smile back at him. 

“Well I’m here to chat if you need me.” James says while unlocking his room door. 

“Likewise. Goodnight James” I reply as I shuffle inside my room and click the door shut.

I run the shower and allow the searing hot water to cleanse my body of all the dirt and blood. I think back to the awkward kiss. Maybe I did just need to get to know James more. Maybe the spark would come eventually over time. It was weird though. Ivy seems to have completely changed her tune with regards to James. She seemed set that he belonged to another and that we did too. Maybe second chance mates do exist. I push the thought from my mind. If I get one I’m not sure that I even want him. I’m in a good place now. I don’t want anything to spoil the life I’ve built for myself. I dry off quickly and throw myself into bed. Just before I drift off the handsome face of my former mate flashes before me like a forbidden dream.