Rejected by Alpha, Claimed by Beast

05.Visitors...

The trio made a plan for their visit to Mountain Run Pack. They decided to approach it as a maternal visit while they tour packs. They can also use that maternal approach to tour Mountain Run. After all, they're already there.

While waiting for their arrival from their flight back from the council, Colton looked into Mountain Run Pack and noticed that they hadn't had an official tour from the Council. That was highly unusual.

Typically, official council investigators tour a pack from top to bottom every three years. This process ensures that all omegas, women, and children are treated properly and that the dungeons are utilized correctly according to legal practices.

Intense interrogation practices are to be sanctioned by assigned council members, never pack warriors or ranked members. They are to remain neutral and not dip too close into feral-like behaviours. This law was appointed by the Elders and the Royal court nearly a decade ago when horrific evidence came forward about a pack torturing women and children of falling packs. This type of treatment is no longer tolerated. This is what differentiates a pack from rouges.

"This pack needs to be investigated, regardless. These reports showed that Jacob and his pack haven't been visiting and officially toured since he took over." Colton stated as he flipped through the reports once again.

"I wonder why that is?" Lord Layton pondered out loud.

"Just remember that he is innocent until proof is found, Colton." Lady Layton stated firmly.

"Just remember this isn't your son we are investigating; it is an Alpha being accused by multiple members, for using brute and unacceptable force on a wolfless woman, Anne-Marie."

"Enough! Both of you. We can't go inside with this tension attached to us." Lord Layton cut off any other arguments from continuing. He often played referee between these two. They cared for one another, but both were incredibly stubborn at times.

As they pull up to the Mountain Run Pack's border, several pack warriors stop them. Their car is marked with the official council flag on the hood; they should not be stopped but allowed in immediately.

Colton goes to leave the car, but his brother, Lord Layton, pauses his actions. They didn't want a fight.

Letting the window down, their driver, Denis, shows their credentials and insists they allow them to pass as they are on official council-sanctioned business.

The warriors continue to stand in place. One is linking, most likely their Alpha.

“This is ridiculous,” Colton growled and reached for the handle to step out. Richard stopped his brother and insisted they wait to see what happened first.

Colton shook his head in frustration. “This is strictly prohibited. You are not to deny council visits.”

“Why are you looking for problems?” Anne-Marie piped up. She was upset that Colton was becoming more aggressive towards her son's pack. This was just a routine visit, not a confirmed investigation. The allegations have yet to be proven; they are merely hearsay.

Colton goes to respond, but his brother raises his hand to both of them. He was at his end with the bickering.

“Colton, check yourself. If you pick anything up, we’ll figure out our next step once we report back to the border. Anne-Marie, please remember that this is not your son but an accused pack Alpha. You are accused of brutal treatment towards an innocent female. You are using extreme measures which the court outlaws. I need you two to focus on the mission and not your dislikes towards one another. Enough!” Lord Richard Layton was a man of strength, and his words were final.

“Of course, my love.” Anne-Marie cooed.

Colton rolls his eyes and slumps back in the luxury leather seats. Their wait was unacceptable, but Alpha Jacob and his Beta, Raymond, eventually arrived.

Upon their arrival, the trio stepped out of the SUV.

“Mother, why are you here? And follow up, why are you here with those two mutts?” Alpha Jacob barked out. His stance was defensive and prepared for attack. Colton followed suit and emulated the same stance. The difference was that Colton was much more prominent in physical stature.

“My son,”

“It’s Alpha Jacob to you.” Her son corrected instantly.

Richard snarled at the jaded snipe towards his mate.

“Alpha Jacob, we are here on official Council business.” Richard took charge of the conveyor and expedited the process. He could feel the tension on both ends.

“What business?” He noted that his stepson looked nervous about something. Perhaps there was value to the complaints after all.

“The council noted that you have not had an official tour since taking over. The three of us were already touring other packs on the way, and the council added this pack to the list to be inspected.”

Beta Raymond clenched his hands as he stood ready to act beside his Alpha. Colton made a note to report how uneasy both males appeared at the idea of unannounced inspections.

“Something to hide, Beta? You look real nervous over there.” Colton baited and watched as Alpha Jacob shot his Beta a warning glance.

“Of course not, I just don’t like the idea of washing out the smell of mutts from the pack for the next week afterward.” Colton took a step, but Richard raised his hands to stop him.

These pups were dumb to challenge his brother. “Might I remind you where you fall on the totem pole, Beta?” Richard warned him. “I won’t stop him again if you lay out the challenge.”

Beta Raymond pushed out his chest to show he wasn’t afraid, but it wasn't missed that he gulped before doing so.

“The laws are simple. We are permitted to enter any pack unannounced as long as it is council-sanctioned. We have all the proper paperwork; our car is clearly marked. If you deny us access this instant, you will face trial and your pack will be picked apart by auditors appointed by the Royal Court. Clear, gentlemen?” Richard was done with the game.

He guided his mate back to the SUV, and his brother followed him to the other side.

They didn’t wait for the warriors to move. Richard instructed the driver to drive ahead slowly so that they'd move or die. He didn’t care at that point. He was exhausted with pups thinking too highly of themselves. Respect was earned; his stepson was not his favourite person. But Anne-Marie loved her son dearly, perhaps at times, too much, but he’d never interfere. That was her place, not his. That was made clear years ago, and for the balance in his mateship, he’d respect it.

The tour around the pack was tense and hostile at times, but the trio ignored the baiting jabs by the pups. The streets were quiet; it left Anne-Marie unsettled as she remembered how full of life and joy this pack once was. She’d wondered what changed, but deep down, she knew. After she left, her ex-husband lost control. He was harming others, including himself. He drank too much and started gambling and consorting with rogues. They’d broken trust and a lot of alliances through his poor decisions while he was under the influence of alcohol.

All these negatives left their shared son, Jacob, jaded and a little bit traumatized. His view on mates and women was a little disrespectful, but once he met his own, she was certain he’d see the bliss it brought. You can’t fight the mate bond; it is all-consuming.

The tour was nearly complete; there was only one more place left: the dungeons, which were the reason they were really here.

“I don’t want you to tour the dungeons. It’s not necessary.” Jacob tried again, but the trio distinguished the attempt.

Upon entrance, the cells were all spotless. They looked freshly cleaned. In places, there was still water on the cement flooring. It was a definite red flag, but they could not confirm it.

Colton was in his element, but the amount of bleach used affected his sense of smell. This was deliberate, he was certain.

Everyone knew he was one of the best trackers for the council. He could scent out even the smallest of smells hundreds of miles away. The amount of bleach was burning his nose when he tried.

“Well, as you can see… they’re all empty. Nothing to see, I’m afraid. Satisfied?”

“Why so much bleach? These were cleaned today, it seems. Why?”

“Weekly cleanup happens; it just happened you arrived unannounced on the cleaning day. This did it this morning. Bleach keeps things clean.”

“These weren’t cleaned in the morning; they were cleaned out only an hour ago.” Richard followed up.

“The cleaner was late today.” Beta Raymond shrugs.

The Layton brothers were becoming annoyed with the pair and their ignorance, but Anne-Marie placed her hand on her mate's arm.

“I think we can leave now, my love. This tour was cleared.”

A faint sound caught Colton’s attention. It was the smallest of noises, but it was out of place. It sounded like a muffled gasp or sob. Maybe it was a small hiccup, but it was a female. This drew his attention to the corner of the corridor.

Beta Raymond followed him to the wall. Colton ran his hand along the wall. He could swear he heard it on the other side of the wall.

“Is there another room?” He asked, and Beta Raymond growled.

“What you see is what you get, mutt!” His challenge was evident; this was enough to distract Colton from the wall, and he looked at the disrespectful Beta pup.

“Colton!” Richard barked.

Beta Raymond smirked in victory.

“Let’s go!” Colton growled, his eyes locked on the cocky Betas. There was no way for him to continue looking around with the ignorant pup riding his ass like that. He was distracting him, but why?

Whatever it was, neither the Alpha nor the Beta pup wanted Colton near the wall. But why?