The Alpha Demon's Kidnapped Mate

3. The punishment

Sarah, David, their Beta Watt and a few pack elders sat in the Alphas office.

" How many this time ?" Sarah asked softly sorrow seeping into her usually kind and happy voice.

" Five dead, three seriously injured and it's unknown if they will make it. Besides, seven seriously injured but stable, Luna." Watt bowing his head respectfully tried to inform his Luna in a calm tone.

The elders sucked in a breath shocked whilst Alpha David sensing his mates fear walked around the desk to embrace her is his loving and reassuring warmth as her face paled.

" That many.." she whispered.

" The ambush occurred on the Northern border this time correct ?" the Alpha enquired with an air of authority and power radiating from him.

" Yes Alpha ". Watt replied an uneasy atmosphere took over the office although Watt and the elders loved and respected David the Alpha and knew him to be a smart, kind and fair man there was no mistaking the waves of anger coming from him, kind and fair or not an angry Alpha was a terrifying thing for any wolf even one you know who's anger is not aimed at you and would not harm you.

" Give me a full report of events now... please" he hesitantly added taking a deep calming breath aware of the fear and tension seeping into the room, as angry as he was he did not believe in ruling by fear and was well aware of his mate who was now seated in his lap was in a fragile state and did not wish to scare her further.

" Of course Alpha, the North patrol was patrolling on a shift in a group of twenty scouting the area where the rogues were previously scented, a young warrior saw a rogue and gave chase mind linking the patrol group his location for back up, as they approached the riverside huge rogues sprang from the bushes and trees tops surrounding the patrol ."

" How many rogues?" Alpha David interrupted.

" At least Thirty sir " the Alpha shocked by the large number of rogues took a deep breath and then nodded for Watt to continue. " It seems sir they were somehow masking their scent, so we're able to successfully lead the patrol into the trap and ambush them, reports say the rogues were not as strong as our warriors but due to their ability to mask their scent and the surprise of their attack they managed to lead the attack and caught the patrol unawares hence how they managed to cause so much damage to our elite warriors.."

" I see anything else Watt ?" the Alpha asked whilst rubbing a soothing hand over his mates back.

" Yes, Alpha its reported there seemed to be a leader " watt replied disbelief seeping into his tone.

" A leader of Rogues ? " The elders shouted in unison, " why the very idea of a leader of Rogues is absurd, Rogues are by definition are lone wolfs who do not respect the authority of a leader and have no pack.." the oldest elder exclaimed.

" I too find the idea of a leader of Rogues hard to believe but I trust my warriors and if they say it is so then it is. We must increase our patrols at once, be vigilant, alert pack members, warn our neighbour packs and write a letter to the Pack Alpha's and King asking for a meeting and support. Until further notice the pack is on lockdown only travelling in groups is permitted no visitors unless declared, pups, the vulnerable and women are to be guarded and no one is to enter the forest unless authorised for patrol... " the Alpha began. 

" Dear Moon Goddess where are our pups? "the Luna suddenly exclaimed jumping from the comforting warmth of her mate. 

" I saw Hanna in kitchen, Luna overseeing the lunch preparations,  Josh I believe was in the pack house in the lounge and I haven't seen Isabelle since breakfast." Watt replied.

" Calm love Hanna and Josh are safe Isabelle will most likely be at the training school you know how she sticks to the warriors like glue and is eager to train, I will mind linking the warriors now to check" the Alpha sat behind his desk opening a private link between him and the warriors, "Has anyone seen our daughter Isabelle ?"

 A wave of replies began to appear none of which was the reply the Alpha was hoping for.

" No Alpha"

" No Sir "

" Negative Alpha, shall I search for her? "

Trying his best to produce a calm tone to not worry his mate David stepped in front of Sarah reaching for her hands he grasped them delicately and softly began the stroke them before placing one hand on her cheek and looking lovingly into her mesmerising eyes " Isabelle's not at the Training school with the warriors love she slipped her guards again but don't worry she will be close by blissfully unaware of the panic she is causing we will go back to the pack house and organise a search for her come."

" David, her mind link is closed off she is not replying, oh Moon Goddess please keep her safe... " Sarah cried.

Placing his muscular arms around his sobbing mate leading her back to the pack house David turns to make eye contact with his Beta and elders before mind linking them " I am taking Sarah home, prepare the letters for the King and Alphas they are to be sent within the hour, organise the patrols they are to start immediately, mind link the pack we will start the search for our wayward daughter at home then spread out to the town, organise a pack meeting for 6 pm at the town hall tonight and I want a hospital update on the injured warriors and a list of the dead warriors within the hour so I can keep up to date with their progress and arrange a visit to the deceased family's."

After receiving confirmation all would be taken underhand as he asked David exited his office trying his best to soothe his mate whilst thinking how he was going to punish his wayward daughter for frightening them both so.

After 30 minutes of searching the house top to bottom and searching the complete residential area the pack decided to move onto the town, Josh not knowing the reason why but knowing they were frantically searching for his twin knew exactly where she would be. No doubt she had slipped her guards again and was idly swimming in the river or sleeping in her secret spot by the river in the forest he thought. Knowing Isabelle was forbidden from entering the forest on her own and not wanting her to get into any more trouble he sneaked down the stairs of the pack house and decided to bring her home himself.

After finding his sister and wrestling with her before receiving the stern mind link asking where the hell he was from his dad which reminded him of his purpose for seeking his twin out in the first place, he persuaded Isabelle to come home after informing her mum and dad were livid with her, Josh mind - linked the pack to call off the search before Isabelle mind- linked their parents to apologise a apology that lasted the whole 15 minutes run home, the twins now stood outside the pack house nervous about going in.

" Do you think we could sneak in and up to our rooms undetected?"

" Don't be stupid half the pack was searching for us, we are in so much trouble. " Isabelle replied.

" YOU'RE in so much trouble, it was you who sneaked off in the first place I was just the good son who went looking for his bad sister ... OUCH !" Josh cried rubbing his no doubt now bruised arm were his twin punched him. " Stop being a baby I didn't hit you that hard and please .. since when are you the good twin ?" both of them distracted by their playful banter did not see the pack members outside the pack house bow submissively or their dad standing in front of them.

" YOU TWO DELINQUENTS INSIDE NOW !!" he roared. Startling the twins from their sibling banter they looked up fearful at their dad towering over them on the porch his face contorted with undisguised anger both rarely seeing him angry knew they were in huge trouble and quickly did as he bid.

Standing in their parents' private living room the twins looked downcast at the floor trying not to make eye contact with their sobbing mother who's sadness was making them feel enormously guilty and trying to avoid their dad's angry glare. 

" Do you know how much you scared us both ?! "

" Look at the state of your poor mother, we were worried sick about you both, Isabelle how many times have we told you not to slip your guard and Josh why did you think it was a good idea to suddenly disappear when you saw we were worried sick already that Isabelle was missing ?!"

" Both of you are grounded for two months, no TV, internet or phones, no playing with friends straight to school then home, both of you will have extra chores, Josh there will be no sweets for you for two months ( Josh had a bad sweet tooth poor thing) and Isabelle no warrior training for a month. "  David exclaimed whilst pacing the room.

" A month ?! Dad, I am so sorry but please don't stop my training for the whole month, I was just down by the river thinking I was in no danger you are overreacting... "

" OVER REACTING ?! There was a rogue attack Isabelle some of our warriors died and others are currently in the hospital seriously hurt, this is no light matter you slipped your guard and wondered off you could have been attacked too when your mother and I couldn't reach you we feared the worse..." the Alpha's voice began to soften and his tone changed from anger to sorrow as he imagined his little warrior dead.

Shocked by the terrifying news and the emotion of her father Isabelle ran to hug her dad before crouching down in front of her mum " Daddy I am so so sorry I had no idea, mum I am so very sorry I am safe please stop crying.. I promise never go slip my guard again I am sorry I didn't know. "

After both of her parents embraced them both her dad sent Isabelle and Josh to their rooms telling them to stay there until they fetch them for the meeting at six, until then they should both stay there thinking of their actions. And that is exactly what the twins did, both quietly walked to their rooms sunk onto their beds and began to think about the ambush, the poor families of those who died, of how worried their parents must have been and how lucky they are to be safe - well for now.