The Alpha's Odessa

Chapter 7: Morning Meetings

POV: Raphael

Leo, my Gamma, is running through reports of rogue sightings with me. His job is the security of the pack as our top warrior and zeta. Rogues have been getting bolder and bolder with their attacks. We know they're working with someone. Rogues don't take people for no reason. When a rogue wolf attacks there is always a reason behind it. The main reason for attacks by rogues is for food and supplies.

In the past, there have been times when there were uprisings. One rogue will gather a clan of rogues and name himself alpha. Sometimes pack alphas will get a hunger for power and use rogues to do their bidding. Either way, these rogues are working for someone. I need to figure out what their motive is for taking people. So far there have been no clues. These rogues leave nothing behind. If they are caught, they kill themselves. They would rather die than risk giving out any information.

It's frustrating. Hopefully, the alpha meeting will help. "Where are the scouts? We should send them out to trail some rogues. Maybe we could get some intel that way." I need Thetas. They are trackers. They can track anything. "You mean having them go undercover under the guise that they are rogues?" Leo asks. I nod yes.

Something needs to change and this might be my best idea in a long time. Losing Melanie has affected my ability to lead my pack. An Alpha's Luna keeps them in line. They keep us calm. I've lost my voice of reason. Axel tries, but it's not the same.

"I will gather them up and brief them on their assignment. Should I send them out now or next week when the alphas come?" Leo asks. "This weekend. Who knows how long they will be gone? Give them time with their families." I answer. I don't know what they will find, but being undercover as a rogue, they won't have access to the pack. They will be entering dangerous territory and have to fend for themselves.

I order him to brief them so they can prepare and be ready. Something has to give eventually. Leo leaves my office to carry out his orders. I looked over my agenda for the day. I had most of my day cleared to deal with the Haven situation.

It's going to be very testing having her living in my house. Jake is bringing her to university today. We have a meeting with the council today, so after I talk to Haven I will be leaving with him for that meeting. Jake also wants to be here for moral support for Haven.

I just know I'm screwed with this plan. My urges will be very strong being near her so much. She will begin to feel the bond herself. That alone is dangerous territory.

Jake walks into my office a few minutes later. "Hey, she's still adamant about moving out. She's talking to Gloria about getting in to meet with you now." Jake informs me. I send a quick mind-link to my secretary, Gloria, telling her to send Haven in.

I didn't think Haven would change her mind come morning. She's very stubborn. "Just don't be so harsh on her. She's a little fighter this morning." She always was. Haven's the type of girl who will fight for what she believes in no matter what. That's how you know she really wants this.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I mumble. I internally groan at the scent of gardenias and peaches. Haven. She sits right in the chair in front of me. "You can go. I don't need you for this." Haven points to the door, staring down Jake. Jake smirks, "Or what?"

Haven stares daggers at him. If looks could kill, Jake would be dead right now. "Get out! You're only proving that you see me as a child. I'm not a kid anymore!" Haven snaps at Jake. I arch an eyebrow at her outburst. I wasn't expecting her to react like that.

In Jake's defense, compared to us, she is a kid. Jake is 600 years old. Nineteen is a baby compared to that. I know that sounds bad, but it's true. Although, I don't see Haven as a child. That would be wrong considering the thoughts I've had of her. Those urges made themselves known when she was about 17. They've only gotten stronger. They were tamed down when I was mated to Melanie, but now they are in full swing.

"Fine, I'll be right outside if you need me." Jake relents and exits my office. "What can I do for you?" I ask giving Haven a tight smile. "Well, I-I um, know this s-semester has already started b-but, uh, I was w-wondering if, um there were any available d-dorm rooms left?" She stutters her question. Wow, she really does need a communications class.

"Am I making you nervous?" I couldn't resist the urge to tease her. "N-no." She stutters, looking down at her hands in her lap. She seemed so confident when Jake was here. Now she's alone with me and a stuttering mess. How very interesting.

"To answer your question, there are not any residential spaces left. Why do you ask?" I answer. "A-are you sure?" She stutters again. "Why are you stuttering? Speak normally. What happened to the girl who yelled at me on Monday?"

The question isn't that hard. She needs to be able to ask it straight out. "I-I'm not. Raphael, please, there has to be something." She looks to be on the verge of tears. I can feel her regret and unease. Fear lingers around her. She's afraid of me after I grabbed her.

I sigh defeatedly. I was hoping to see her fight for it, but she's scared. I scared her and made her feel uncomfortable in my presence. "There is something we can do. Your family came to me yesterday. You can come live with me." f**k, what have I done? There's no taking it back now. "W-what? They asked you to take me in?! Unbelievable! I can't believe they would hijack my rebellion like that! It all makes sense now. That's why they weren't fighting me so much this morning, ugh. And you! You just went along with it?" She stands up slamming her hands on my desk and yelling at me.

There's the fight in her. "It was a compromise, yes. You want your freedom, and they want to be sure you're safe. You get that in my house." I tell her. "Un-f*****g-believable! You know I find this hard to believe. Hell must have frozen over for you to agree to this. You don't actually want me in your house." She rants.

I don't deny nor confirm her last statement. "Last I checked hell was still blazing and yet your room is ready if you want it." I shrug. "Fine, but, I don't want you to interfere in my life. Just pretend I'm not even there. Though that shouldn't be too hard for you." Do I sense a tone of bitterness? If only she knew how hard it really is.

"Sure, I'll stay out of your way, and you stay out of mine." I instantly regretted what I said. The truth is I want her to be in my way. This is going to be so hard to fight. "Good." She turns on her heels and leaves my office. I follow her out to meet with Jake only to see Haven slap him across the face. Oh.

"Owe, what the f**k, Haven?" Jake looks at her like she's gone mad. "You know what that's for!" Haven storms off most likely to her class. "What the hell was that for? What did I do?" Jake is so confused. "Well, according to her, you hijacked her rebellion by coming to me." I chuckle. Her rebellion. Haven is not the rebellious type. She's a good girl. She always has been.

"s**t! Why the hell would you tell her about our part in this?" Jake is annoyed now. "I wasn't going to lie to her. I did my part. Plus, don't you think adding more secrets is only going to make things worse?" I shrug. I don't care if Haven knows or not that this was their idea. What good is it going to do to keep that from her? Lying to Haven isn't easy for me. You don't know how many times I wanted to tell her everything.