Alphas United: The Battle Before the War

Chapter 2

 When I walk into my office, Malcolm and Paul are both waiting for me. “Thanks for meeting me, guys,” I start. 

“Not a problem. What do you want to do?” Malcolm asks.

“I already sent Samuel and John to take a message to the coven. I’m sure they’re busy right now, but I want to know why this happened. I want a meeting with the leader of their coven… an elder maybe? I don't know how coven’s work,” I shrug.

 “I also sent Craig and a few guys to keep tabs on Jacques and his pack. I assume this wasn't brought on by the coven. They’ve never had an issue with us before, and to attack when you're alone with one human? That doesn't make sense. This is on Jacques,” I point out. “Sam and John will relay the message to the coven that they have our support. They'll let them know that we are not affiliated or connected to any of Jacques' pack. We’ve never had an issue with the coven before, and regardless of what is the norm, I’m getting involved,” I state.

“I assumed as much,” Paul smirks, and Malcolm nods plainly. They know the drill when it comes to me. We’ve been together long enough, and got involved in enough people’s battles for them to know exactly where my head’s at. Protect the vulnerable and innocent. I’m not sure how vulnerable they are, because I don’t have much experience with witches, but I’m ready to take care of this. If it was Jacques, which I have a feeling it was, he was warned. 

“Okay, how sure are we that the rogues that attacked them are actually Jacques' guys? Do we know for sure?” I ask. “I don’t want to attack and decimate an entire pack off of misinformation,” I state, just as Lauren walks in. 

“Morning, Luna,” Malcolm says with a nod. “Sorry to get you in here on the weekend, Luna,” Paul smiles apologetically.

“Morning guys, it's not your fault,” she says and gives Paul a pat on the shoulder as she rounds the desk to me. I lean over, grabbing her chair that's off to the side, and haul it over next to mine. She helps me work in here sometimes, so we have matching chairs.

“Thanks, babe,” she smiles and sits. “So what’s the plan?” she asks. My hand finds her thigh, resting comfortably and her hand finds mine all within seconds. It’s just our nature. 

“I was just asking the guys if they know for sure that the rogues responsible are Jacques,” I explain. She nods and looks to Paul for an answer.

He looks around nervously, realizing everyone is now looking at him for confirmation of this. 

“I know it was a werewolf. I’ve heard that Jacques guys were also at Peggy's last night. No one saw other rogues either, so it seems to fit," he shrugs with a frown. 

“I need confirmation before I attack. It could have been a drifter for all we know. I need more proof,” I add, and Lauren squeezes my hand, and when I look over, she gives me a small smile and the smallest of nods. She’s always letting me know she’s proud of me, and that’s exactly what that small gesture was. It might not have been noticeable to anyone else, but I know her. I give her thigh a squeeze in appreciation. 

“Maybe I should just call Jacques out on it. Accuse him of it, and see how he reacts, if we can’t get anything from the coven?” I shrug. Just because I am willing to help or even take care of this problem for them, doesn't mean that they are going to want me to. They might be too proud to take our help. I won't sit around and have Jacques one by one harm innocent people, regardless of their species.

“What if it wasn’t him, and you piss him off?” Malcolm wonders.

“They’re rogues, in what I consider my home base. This whole town and anything around it is my responsibility in a way. If he gets pissed because I accuse him first, he doesn’t want peace as much as he pretended he did when we first met,” I explain, and I hear my phone ding. 

Sam: The coven Alpha… or leader or whatever… She wants to meet with you. Can you come to her witchy house?

Me: Yes. Witchy house? Wtf? What’s her name?

Sam: Alicia Parker. I don’t know man. It gives me the creeps, and I don’t know what to call it.

Me: When does she want to meet up?

Sam: Now. She’s ready now. Do I tell her you're coming?

Me: Yes. 

“She wants me to meet her now,” I say looking up from my phone. 

“I want to come,” Lauren says. “I’m Luna, I should go too,” she says firmly. She doesn’t go with me for this stuff. Never. We have a system. I do the dangerous stuff, and she... doesn't.

“You’re not fighting. You’re talking, and given that this is so close to home, I want to be present. I want them to know we are a team and that they have our support truly. Bringing your Luna with you sends a message of peace to them too. I think that I should be there,” she explains.

“Let me check,” I nod hesitantly.

Me: How does Alicia seem? Hostile? Grateful? Spiteful?” I text.

Sam: Towards you… Not hostile. Indifferent? 

Me: Okay, tell her I’m on my way with my Luna.

“Okay, let’s go. I want to bring a dozen or so warriors. I’ll feel better about bringing Lauren with me if I know I have all my bases covered,” I explain, and Lauren smiles appreciatively. 

As we head down, we stop in the kitchen to see which of my warriors is already up and ready. I want to leave now. As we walk in, Lauren tells me she’s grabbing us coffee to go. 

Within 2 minutes I have 15 warriors that are up and ready to go, including Julien. Lauren shows up with Coffee for me, her, Paul and Kyle, then hands each of us a bag.

“I’m guessing you guys didn’t eat yet, either,” she adds. “Breakfast sandwich,” she smiles, as she hands them out. That’s my Luna, always thinking of everyone. Not just me, and I love that about her.

“Thanks, Luna,” they both say gratefully. Even though we’re in the kitchen, they understood this is a serious matter, and they wouldn't have made us late, so they could eat. 

“Thanks, babe,” and I place a kiss on her temple.

“Of course. Let’s go!” She leads the way, and everyone trails behind her. She’s not a fighter, but she’s a leader and she’s loved by everyone. Our pack truly adores her.

We load up into five vehicles, I drive in our Escalade with Lauren and Paul and Malcolm are in the backseat. It’s around a 15-20-minute drive; I’m about 10 minutes outside of town to the west, and the coven is on the outskirts to the east of Red Riverview. We spend most of the time talking about possible ways to deal with Jacques and his group of rogues if they are responsible for this. I bypass the strip mall, then Peggy’s. 

I pass the last of the houses, and I approach the highway leaving town. The road seems so desolate. No one is in sight, and the narrow highway is surrounded by dense trees, but the sun is bright this morning, and it looks so peaceful and unaffected. It’s so strange that terrible things can happen, and the sun still comes out, shining bright. The world keeps moving, and you’d never know that someone’s family was torn apart last night.

 A mother is mourning her daughter this morning. Another mother is probably at the bedside of her hurt daughter, distraught, wishing she could take the pain from her. All that pain and suffering, and the sun still shines. It coats the pavement and the trees in such a way that it seems impossible to think anything bad could ever happen here. 

I turn right, the last possible street before riding the highway out of town. There is a sign that says “Triora Rd.” The street is narrow, and the trees are overgrown. The sun still peaks through some of the overgrowth, but it doesn’t feel so bright and cheery. 

“This is kinda creepy,” Paul says under his breath, and I hear Lauren giggle at that.

 I drive past a few small homes, looking weathered and unkempt. There are vehicles though, so I know they’re not abandoned. At the 4th house, I see a much larger 2 story home. It looks to be in the same state as the others though. The house could use a painting, the white paint is chipped, and the shutters are faded and a few of them look like they’re barely hanging on. The grass looks more like uncut weeds, and the trees and shrubs could use some maintenance. 

I see Sam and John standing outside talking by their car, and they seem comfortable the way they’re leaning against it. We pull up the gravel driveway, and they come to greet us. 

“Alpha,” they nod seriously.

“Luna,” they smile and nod. I guess I don't get a smile this morning?

“Alicia Parker, she’s their -”

“Why the entourage? I thought you were here to help?” I hear, and I see a woman at the front door. Her tone was sharp, and she’s not happy. “This seems more like an ambush,” she snaps.

“That’s her,” John adds under his breath.

“Ms. Parker,” I start.

“What are your intentions,” she barks.

“They’re honourable. Excuse my mate, this is all my fault. I insisted on being here today, and he’s just being overly cautious because of me,” Lauren speaks up, and starts walking to greet her. I see her head tilt to the side, taking in the sight of my mate. I’m not sure what she’s thinking, but I found myself at Lauren's side before I even realized I was moving. Ms. Parker looks at me, her green eyes startled by my sudden movement. Now just a few feet away, I see she’s probably in her late 40’s if I had to guess. She’s tall and slim with mocha skin, and she has an authoritative confidence about her.

“I’m fine, Zac,” Lauren whispers, and I see Mrs. Parker’s lips twitch, and she nods in understanding.

“They stay outside,” she says, pointing to my warriors. 

“I’m not-” I start,

“That’s fine. This is your home. We mean no disrespect. We’re here to help. I’m Luna of Red River Pack, my name is Lauren, and this is my mate, and our Alpha, Zac,” Lauren cuts me off, and I sigh. I see Ms. Parker’s lips curl up into a small smile. 

“Alicia Parker,” she says, extending her hand to Lauren first. “I see what they say about your kind and the mate bond is true,” she cackles and motions us inside.

I look at Lauren, and she smirks, hiding a small chuckle. She puts a hand on my back and pats my chest as we start to walk. 

-It’s fine, Zac.- She mind links me.

I wrap an arm around her as we follow Ms. Parker inside the house, looking back one last time, giving my guys a look of warning with a mass mind link.

 -Stay on guard. For Luna-