Hated Ties That Bind

Chapter Nine

Stepping into the farmhouse door, the Silver Cross warriors were pleasantly surprised to find a modern interior, the broad beams of the structure complemented by a contemporary décor that gave the feel of homeliness.

A young man hurried forward, bowing to the warriors and guests as he took the coats of the Green Vine men and rushed off to put them away.

Nodding to his comrades, Tory dismissed his men before leading the five visitors up two carpeted staircases to the second floor and along a corridor that had walls covered in photos of various families smiling brightly until he reached a white painted door that had a small brass plaque with the word ‘Alpha’ inscribed on it.

Knocking smartly, Tory waited for a low growl to reply ‘enter’ before opening the door and stepping inside, bowing deeply to the older man behind the desk who beckoned them all inside.

The Alpha was in his late sixties, silver hair peppered throughout his short black hair and beard.  His face held stormy grey eyes that held an element of mischief to them, lines crinkling at the sides as he smiled warmly at the visitors, standing up to extend his hand to Nathaniel who stepped forward to shake it in a firm grip.

‘Silver Cross warriors?’ the Alpha growled out in amusement, ‘I must say it is an honour to have you here in our territory Future Alpha Nathaniel.’

Nathaniel smiled back, ‘thank you for allowing us to visit Alpha Christof, I know it is a bit unorthodox to just appear in your territory uninvited.’

Christof waved his hand dismissively, ‘don’t worry boy, we are not a territorial pack, we love and care for our land, but we do not feel threatened by people walking through it as long as they mean no harm to us’ he replied.

Nathaniel nodded, ‘I assure you sir, that we mean no harm to anyone here, I am merely searching for my mate and am searching out the more . . elusive? Packs to see if I can find her.’

Christof laughed heartily, ‘that is one way to describe us son, well you are certainly welcome to search for your mate here, the Green Vine pack would be eager to alliance with a pack such as Silver Cross through a mating of one of our females.’

Grinning widely, the young Alpha thanked the older werewolf as everyone took a seat, Nathaniel introducing all of his fellow travellers to the older Alpha who shook each one’s hand in his strong grip.

‘Luna Riley, well this is even better’ Alpha Christof boomed, ‘your mate is well respected by us and other small packs around the area.’

Riley returned the man’s smile, ‘it is a pleasure to visit you Alpha’ he replied simply.

A young Omega knocked tentatively before entering pushing a small trolley that held a large teapot, cups and two plates laden with sandwiches and cakes.

‘Ahh Keeley, come in my dear’ Alpha Christof called out warmly, his expression grandfatherly as the teenager hurried inside, placing the trolley beside the Alpha’s desk and beginning to pour tea into the cups that she handed out to each person in the room.  Once she was done, she bowed to the group before leaving again, turning to the warriors, he added a drop of milk to his cup before taking a small sip.

‘We have eight unmated females that are over the age of eighteen’ he said, ‘that was Keeley, one of our Omega’s and by the looks of it, not the one you are looking for Alpha.  I will get Tory here to show you around the pack and introduce you to the women this afternoon, regardless of whether you find your mate or not, I hope you will allow us to accommodate you tonight before you move on.’

Nathaniel nodded immediately as he sipped his own tea, ‘that is very kind of you Alpha Christof, we would be delighted to avail you of your hospitality’ he replied.

The group talked happily as they ate and drank, the Green Vine Alpha summoning his wife, Edith, who was equally as excited about their visitors.

‘We don’t get a lot of outsiders here Alpha’ she gushed happily, ‘you are causing quite the stir around the farm’ she teased.

The young Alpha gave an embarrassed smile as the others laughed, ‘looks like you are the new Green Vine heart throb mate’ Landen said as he clapped his friend on the back. ‘Maybe we should make them a pin up calendar for all the she wolves that will be disappointed, something to remember you by’ he added, making the room laugh louder as Nathaniel shoved him.

‘Yeah, we could take some photo’s of you with your shirt off kid, get those muscles rippling’ Daniel joined in wickedly.

‘How would you feel about two new members to your pack Alpha Christof?’ Nathaniel growled loudly, ‘I have two that are about to find themselves without a pack.’

Christof chuckled as he beckoned to Tory who stood up quickly, ‘take our guests around the territory, introduce them all to everyone and then bring them back for dinner.’

Tory nodded as Luna Edith added, ’I’ll let the kitchen know that we have five guests for tea tonight and get you some rooms sorted on the first floor.’

Thanking the two leaders, the group stood up and followed Tory out of the office, down the stairs and out into the farm.

‘We’ll start with the warriors Alpha, and then the workers before finally the kitchen staff if that is OK with you’ the fighter said respectfully.

‘Lead the way Tory’ Nathaniel replied with a grin, falling in to step beside the warrior who set off toward the back of the farm, behind the large red wooden barn where ten warriors were busy sparring.

Walking toward the group, a young red headed woman broke off from the group to approach them, wiping her hands on her shirt before stopping in front of the group, eyeing the visitors curiously.

‘Gentlemen, this is our lead warrior and pack Beta, Briana, Briana, this is future Alpha Nathaniel, Luna Riley, Beta Daniel, future Beta Landen and their lead warrior Rowan from the Silver Cross pack, they are here to search for Alpha Nathaniel’s mate’ Tory introduced.

Her well-toned, deep bronzed skin shimmered with sweat, her thick, deep brown hair was mostly tied up in a messy knot, a few tendrils framing her face. Holding out her hand, Briana shook each man’s hand firmly, ‘pleasure to meet you all’ she said, her voice strong and self-assured.

‘It’s good to be here’ Nathaniel replied as he accepted her handshake, ‘your warriors look good.’

Looking over her shoulder, Briana nodded proudly, ‘they give their all, we don’t see a lot of action around here, but we like to be prepared.’

Indicating to the other two women that were sparring viciously, she added, ‘these are the other two female warriors that are unmated, come with me and I will introduce you.’

Walking toward them, Briana shouted, ‘OK guys, we have visitors, take five, get some water and we’ll bring them around to meet you all.’

‘Yes Beta’ came the reply from the warriors as they all stepped back from their opponents and headed to their bags that lined the edge of the barn, grabbing bottles and taking hefty gulps.

Making her way to the two women, the Beta caught their attention, halting in front of them as she turned back to the men, ‘this is Raine and Isla, our two female warriors, ladies, these warriors are from Silver Cross.’

The girls each shook the men’s hands, Nathaniel looking into their eyes, his own showing slight disappointment when the pull he desperately sought didn’t materialize.

‘A pleasure to meet you ladies’ he said cordially,

‘You too Alpha’ Raine replied flirtatiously as Isla eyed up Rowan who scowled in annoyance and stepped back, averting his gaze to the men who were watching the group with interest.

Leaving the girls, they heard Raine whisper, ‘that is some good looking meat right there, I wouldn’t mind biting that, though the one at the back was moody.’

Isla replied, ‘I’d take a chance on taming him, that bad boy looks like he knows how to give a girl a good time.’

Smirking at Rowan’s black look, the Silver Cross men followed the two warriors to the males, greeting each one and asking them questions about the pack before Tory bowed to the Beta and led the group back around the barn.

‘You always get the fan club Ro’ Landen teased as Nathaniel and Daniel snorted with laughter.

‘I don’t want a fan group, I don’t need to be stared at like they want to rip strips off me’ the warrior grumbled angrily.

Walking across the field, they could see a woman in her mid twenties hauling hay over the fence of the horses paddock, her denim shorts just covering her rounded ass, a checkered shirt tied together at the front showing off her ample curves, her black hair swinging down her back in a thick plait.

‘Alessia! Visitors!’ Tory called out, halting the woman’s work as she turned around in surprise.

‘Hey y’all’ she greeted as she dusted herself off, ‘you don’t look like you are from around these parts’ she laughed, her voice melodious.

‘We’re from Silver Cross, I’m searching for my mate’ Nathaniel said with a smile as he extended his hand respectfully.

‘Ahh, sorry I can’t help you handsome, I’d love to be your mate, but those sparks ain’t flowing for me’ she replied cheekily making the Alpha relax.

‘We knew it was a long shot’ Nathaniel replied as he pulled away sadly.

‘Well, I wish you luck Alpha, whoever she is, she’s not going to be disappointed when she see’s you’ the she wolf teased before giving them a wave and heading off toward the barn to collect another hay bale.

Carrying on around the farm, they soon found a group of children who were feeding baby lambs with bottles, a young woman sat watching them as they chattered and giggled.

‘This is Luane, she is the pack’s teacher, all the children attend lessons with her and she also likes to encourage them to be hands on with the animals’ Tory introduced as they approached.

Nathaniel took in the female’s short blonde hair that was cut to her shoulders, a simple blue dress covering her pale skin.  Looking up, her soft green eyes connected with the Alpha and he sighed when he felt nothing.  Giving his father a tiny shake of his head, he pulled on a smile as he was introduced, following the pleasantries expected as the she wolf spoke shyly to him.

Meanwhile the children flocked around the others, one little girl pulling at Rowan’s arm, ‘you want to meet my lamb?’ she asked with a bright smile.

Crouching down to her level, Rowan smiled warmly as he nodded, allowing the six year old, light brown haired she wolf pull him toward the pen and point out a baby lamb who ambled over to her unsteadily to be petted.

‘She’s my lamb, my daddy helped deliver her’ the little girl announced proudly.

‘That is a very nice lamb’ Rowan replied softly, ‘possibly the nicest lamb I have ever seen’ he added, making the little girl beam with pride.

‘She’s going to grow to be a big sheep and have lots of strong babies’ the girl confided as she picked up the discarded bottle and pushed it through the bars to the hungry baby who sucked greedily.

Tory called to the group, drawing their attention as they went to rejoin him.  ‘Bye mister!’ the little girl called out loudly, waving at Rowan who gave her an embarrassed wave back.

‘Making all the friends dude’ Landen teased as he nudged the warrior’s shoulder, ’must be your sparkling personality.’

‘Shut up’ Rowan grumbled back, but he cast a look back at the little girl who was still waving wildly at him as he walked away.