k********g the Alpha's daughter

Chapter 2

It was nightfall by the time Rick made it back to the pack lands and the housing section. Dreading the moment he had to stand before his Alpha and lie, he had dragged his legs and bought himself as much time as he could.

But now the time had come to face the music. He headed back to his own apartment first. Changed back into his human form and put on some clothes before heading for Kurian’s dwellings.

Kurian Daniels was the Peten’s pack ruling Alpha. The old wolf was well into his fifties, but he was still as strong and built as a tank.

Though every wolf here knew Kurian was just and wise, no one ever mistook those qualities for weakness. And when one wolf decided to put it to the test, Kurian reminded them why he was the ruling Alpha.

These were the thoughts on Rick’s mind as he entered the house and stood before Kurian and Jakes. Jakes was number one in charge of the pack warriors. Making him Rick’s superior and Kurian’s right-hand man. He was also a mean brute with a bad attitude.

“Well?” Jakes was the first to speak, and he threw a look behind Rick as though expecting Owen to materialize out of thin air.

“I lost him over the falls to the east.” Rick’s voice did not falter, even though his heart was technically beating in his mouth.

“You lost him?” The incredulity in the question was hard to miss. And Rick began to wish he was a better liar.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he pressed on. “Yes sir. I gave him a good chase, but he went over the falls. Several hours of search,” he paused, “but there was no sign of him. I fear he may be dead and washed away.” Rick kept a straight face through it all, hoping Jakes would not dig deeper into the matter.

The sound of Kurian clearing his throat showed he was now about to speak and Jakes held his tongue. Although his eyes told Rick exactly what he thought of his story. Complete bullshit.

Rick turned his eyes to Kurian as the man addressed him, “I am sure this was not a simple task for you. He was your closest friend, after all.”

“My loyalty is to you and our Pack, to uphold the law at all cost,” Rick responded firmly.

“Hmmm.” Kurian’s response gave Rick goosebumps, but he held still as the old man regarded him quietly. And not for the first time, Rick was more than grateful to the universe that they could speak through their minds telepathically, but they could not read each other’s thoughts.

For at that moment he knew, if Kurian could read his thoughts, Rick would have joined his parents in the afterlife that very night.

Kurian gave a slight nod, accepting Rick’s explanation. He then turned back to Jakes and said, “Well, it saves us the trouble of doing the work ourselves.” He turned to Rick and said, “Well done, son.”

Rick’s stomach fell at the mention of what would have been Owen’s predicament, but he stood firm and replied, “Thank you, sir.” He then slowly released the breath he had been holding.

“We still have the matter of finding a suitable guard for my daughter,” Kurian said as he headed for his chair and sat facing the two men in the room.

Jakes rubbed his forehead embarrassingly as he responded, “Owen was the third guard in less than three months and one of the best, I must add. They all crumble and fall for her charms in the end.”

“Are you suggesting my daughter is to blame?” The sharp tone of Kurian’s voice was enough to dissuade Jakes from continuing that line of thought.

“No sir. Of course not. But with all due respect, Alpha, she is not making the task any easier,” Jakes spoke evenly and slowly.

Kurian rubbed his chin and responded, “Perhaps you keep assigning the wrong wolf for the task.”

Rick could tell Jakes took offense to that statement as it portrayed poor leadership skill on his part. But the werewolf held his tongue and did not show a hint of anger on his face.

Even though Jakes was in charge of all the wolf warriors in the pack and one of the best fighters, he could never go up against Kurian and expect to walk away in one piece.

Rick remained quiet and observed the two wolves discussing the delicate matter of finding the right wolf to guard the Alpha’s daughter.

“How about Rick here?” Kurian asked. Rick had momentarily zoned out of the conversation and was now confused and scared of what it was he was being suggested for.

Before he could open his mouth and ask, Kurian spoke up again, “He just proved his loyalty and dedication to the Pack and its laws. He would be perfect for the task. Don’t you agree Rick?”

That was the most rhetorical question Rick had ever heard. For though the Alpha phrased it as a question, it was a statement and Rick did not have the room to answer it either way.

Rick simply looked at Kurian and nodded solemnly, without uttering a word.

“Great, the matter is settled, then. Jakes, make sure to reassign all of his duties by tomorrow morning. Rick, I trust you will not disappoint me. Goodnight, gentlemen.”

And just like that, they were dismissed and Rick was now in charge of Sue Daniels’ safety. Five years of dedicated duty and he was promoted to be a babysitter? The Alpha’s daughter, who he had never laid eyes on before and who had just cost Rick his best friend, Owen.

He was still musing to himself as they walked out of the house when he heard Jakes’s angry voice in his mind. “You screw this up and I will personally chase you down like a rabid dog and you will not have the luxury of a waterfall to disappear into.”

Rick was glued to the step as Jakes walked past him and angrily bumped him with his shoulder. With such a warning, Rick had to wonder if he should have just joined Owen and disappeared together in the sunset.

He walked down the path and headed to his apartment. He had bags to pack now. For tomorrow, he would move to the border town on the edge of their Pack territory and finally meet the infamous Sue Daniels.