Chapter 87-Christmas Eve

“How is the feast coming along?” I ask Melanie, the pack’s head cook.
“Everything is coming along nicely, Alpha. I’ve ensured there’s plenty of food for both packs, with extras.” She says with a proud smile.
“You’ve done amazingly, Melanie. If there’s anything you need help with, please speak with Gino,” I tell her.
“The Omegas are all taking care of everything, Alpha. They’ve been very helpful, as always.”
“I’m proud of all of you,” I tell the rest of the Omegas and they all smile and bow their heads.
“Alpha, I need a word with you,” Leah says from the kitchen door.
“Of course,” I tell Leah. “Please excuse me, Melanie,” I smile at her.
She bows her head and returns to her work, and I follow Leah into the dining room, where I find Rich and Noah waiting.
“What can I do for our Epsilons today?” I ask with a smile.
“We have a report from our border patrol, Alpha,” Rich says.
“There’s been a sighting of a couple of rogues hanging around our borders,” Noah explains.
I stiffen. “From the pack?” I ask, instantly on guard.
“We’re not sure,” Rich says. “The patrol came to advise us immediately; in case it was a trap.”
“Which border?” I ask.
“The east border along the mountain,” Rich answers. “Justin and Oliver are waiting at the base of the mountain for us.”
We run out of the pack house and towards the mountain as I mind-link Tony. ‘I need the Crescent Warriors to meet me and the Epsilons at the base of the mountain.’
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Rogues have been spotted.’
*
Ten minutes later, we arrive at the base of the mountain and find the two patrol members, Justin and Oliver, waiting for us.
“Where did you see them?” I ask.
“This way,” Justin says, running towards the border.
We all shift and follow Justin and Oliver into the woods along the base of the mountain. As we run along, Enyo sniffs the ground and air to see if she can pick up on any unfamiliar scents, but we can’t smell anything different.
Justin eventually slows down, and points with his paw towards a small river that runs along the border. ‘We saw them there. They were lycans, but we couldn’t tell if they were real lycans or fakes from the rogue pack,’ He explains.
‘And this is the first time you’ve seen them?’ Enyo asks, and he nods in response.
‘Justin, Noah, Rich and Tony, go down the left of the river and see if you can find anything. The rest of you will follow me to the right of the river. We’ll meet in the middle on the other side.’
They bark in response and run in the direction I told them. I lead the others to the right, and we cross the river, our ears pricked, listening for any noise.
‘Can anyone pick up on a scent?’ I ask.
‘Nothing, Alpha,’ the others respond.
We head to the left, Leah on my right flank as we head towards the middle of the river.
‘Alpha, we’ve picked up on two scents. They crossed back through the river and towards the side of the mountain, into our territory at the river fork,’ Noah mind-links.
‘What the hell are they thinking crossing into our territory?’ Enyo asks.
I come to an abrupt stop as an awful thought hits me. ‘Noah, when’s the last time you were at the cabin?’
‘The afternoon after Gamma Alex’s memorial. I told you that you and Andreas ruined the cabin for me,’ he chuckles.
‘Noah, get everyone to the cabin, NOW!’
There’s a brief silence before he mind-links back. ‘Shit. We’ll meet you there.’
I start running again, crossing the river and heading down to the fork in the river, and the scent instantly hits me. One I recognize. One I don’t.
I let out a low growl and look up the side of the mountain where the scent leads.
‘Alpha? What is it?’ Leah asks.
‘We need to get the cabin.’
*
We finally arrive at the cabin after taking the long way up the side of the mountain, and I burst through the front door. I run through to the small living room, and find Noah, Rich, Justin and Tony standing there, going through a large sports bag.
I shift back, my heart racing as I think about the intruders in our territory and what they could be planning.
“What have you found?” I ask Noah.
“No one in the cabin, but the same two scents are all over it. I think they’ve been staying here,” he explains, handing me the bag.
I go through it, but there’s nothing important in there. Just a mix of male and female clothes and supplies.
“You know the scent, don’t you, Alpha?” Leah asks with concern.
I nod with a growl. “One of them.” I say shortly.
“Who?” Rich asks, concerned.
“All you need to know for now is they’re going to die.”
‘Alpha, we have a problem. We need you at the pack house’ Ryna mind-links.
I sigh. ‘What now?’ I ask, with exasperation.
‘Alpha Pollux has arrived, and… Well… You’ll see when you get here…’
“Noah, I’m needed at the pack house. I want you all to search this mountain and find Catherine and whoever she’s with. And when you do, bring them straight to me.”
“Yes Alpha,” Noah says.
I leave the cabin and shift, and I make my way down the mountain road and towards the pack house as fast as I can.
When I get there, I see Ryna and Alpha Pollux at the side of the pack house talking, but I can’t see anything important that would need my immediate attention.
When Ryna sees me, he calls over to Melanie, who’s standing on the porch, to bring me a change of clothes.
When she comes back out, I shift back and get dressed.
“Welcome Alpha Pollux. I’m glad you’re here,” I tell him, shaking his hand.
He bows his head at me. “Thank you, Alpha. We’re glad to be here.” He smiles.
“I was dealing with an important matter, Beta Ryna. What was so urgent?” I ask.
“Follow me,” is all he says, and he walks around to the front of the pack house. When I walk around the corner, I stop in my tracks in shock.
“Alpha Pollux brought others…” Ryna says, trailing off.
I look down the road, and I see what looks like nearly two hundred people standing around, waiting for instructions.
I turn to Alpha Pollux. “I thought your pack was only small?” I ask him.
“It is, Alpha. We only have 50 pack members, including myself and my brother.”
“Then who are all of these people?” I ask, trying to keep the panic out of my voice.
“Surrounding packs who all have chosen among them. They heard the stories of you, and when they found out we were bringing our pack here for protection, they gathered their chosen to bring them here as well,” he explains with a smile. But his smile falters when he sees my reaction.
“These packs have chosen lycans in them?” Ryna asks when I say nothing.
“Yes Beta. There are five packs here, including mine. All small packs from the surrounding area of my pack,” he explains.
“You should have told us you were bringing this many people,” I whisper to him, no longer able to hide my panic. “We aren’t prepared for this many people!”
“We have brought a lot of supplies with us, Alpha, including tents and temporary housing for those you weren’t prepared for,” he explains, and as I look down the road, I see two trucks coming through the gates. “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you in advance. But I was worried you would say no. Please don’t turn them away,” he pleads.
I take a deep breath and try to calm myself. “I would never turn them away, Alpha. They’re welcome to stay. But next time, please let me know first,” I tell him.
“Of course, Alpha. My apologies,” he says, his smile returning. He nods towards his brother, Beta Castor, who walks towards us with four others.
“Alpha,” Beta Castor says with a bow of his head. “Please allow me to introduce you to the Alphas of the packs who have joined us today.”
“Of course, Beta,” I say with a smile to the four Alphas.
“This is Alpha Tate of the Blessed Moon Pack, Alpha Avery of the Dark Moon pack, Alpha Samuel of the Moon Valley pack, and Alpha Jackson of the Snow Moon pack.”
All four Alphas shake my hand as they're introduced. “Welcome, Alphas. You and your packs are welcome here,” I tell them.
“We thank you for your hospitality, Alpha,” Alpha Jackson says. “Where can we set up the temporary housing?” He asks.
I think for a moment. “Why don’t we start with the training fields, and we can go from there if you need more room? Beta Ryna has the room and housing assignments and will work with you all for any changes needed.”
Ryna nods in agreement. “Please follow me, Alphas,” he says, and leads them away.
Before Alpha Pollux follows them, he asks, “If you don’t mind me asking, Alpha, what was the important matter you were dealing with before our arrival interrupted you? Is there anything we can help with?”
“Two rogues were spotted on our border, and their scents have led into our territory,” I explain to him quietly.
“My brother is one of the best trackers in the state. Where are your people? I will send him to help,” he offers.
I look around and see Michael talking to one of the visitors and I call him over.
“Gamma Michael, the Epsilons and Crescent Warriors are dealing with a matter up at the mountain cabin. Can you please escort Beta Castor up there so that he can help?”
“Of course. Alpha. This way, Beta Castor,” Michael says and leads Beta Castor away.
“You look extremely stressed, Alpha. I hope this isn’t my doing,” he says with a look of concern.
“A lot has happened since you left, Alpha. I will catch you up on things tonight at the feast. For now, get your pack settled. I need to check on a few things.”
“Of course,” he says with a smile, and heads in the direction of the other Alphas.
“Melanie!” I call out.
“Yes, Alpha?” Melanie says from behind me.
“I believe we’re going to need extra food for the feast,” I say with a sigh.
“It’s all taken care of, Alpha. I believe we will have plenty,” she says reassuringly.
“You’re truly amazing, Melanie,” I say, squeezing her shoulder.
She giggles. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, Alpha. I’m prepared for anything,” she smiles, and heads inside.
I see Andreas walking over from Mom’s house, and when he see’s my expression, he runs to me and engulfs me in a hug. I squeeze him back, taking in his scent and letting it calm me.
“What’s wrong?” He asks.
“Look behind us,” I say. He takes a step back and looks over at everyone.
His jaw drops. “What the hell?”
“That’s not even our biggest problem right now.”
“There’s a bigger problem than this?” He asks, pointing over to the crowd.
I nod. “Catherine’s back."