A Challenge

To blow off some steam, I decide to attend today's pack training.
It has been a long since I last challenged my warriors, it is time for me to demonstrate my strength and authority in the pack again. Quickly I go to my apartment and dress in sportswear. As I walk onto the training ground, everyone stops what they are doing. Training today is coordinated by the former Beta Kenston, Rain's father. I walk up to the man and extend a hand to him.
"Father, give me your fiercest group. I'm ready for a solid fight. Your top three, please," I ask him after a handshake. He shakes his head; Kenston has often told me just to call him by his name. As the Alpha, I am superior to him and calling him Father suggests he has some authority in the pack. But I insist on giving my father-in-law the respect he deserves; if he had not blessed this earth with such a wonderful daughter, I would not have such an outstanding mate today. Mating to Rain is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
"Alpha," he states emphatically. I chuckle, knowing what he means by that tone.
"No, father, you know you can call me Jasper, I'm your son-in-law first and only then your Alpha," I point out to him. Even before he can refute this, Rachel intervenes. "Dad, you know Jasper is right. You are his father-in-law, whether Rain decides to come back or not. I'm still here, available to fill the void," she declares, cocking her hands at her sides and breasts pressed forward. As often she is very scantily clad, at the slightest movement all her assets are there for all to see. This kid just doesn't seem to get it, just because I take into account that she's Rain's sister, I'm not giving her the spanking she deserves.
"Rachel, to you I am still the Alpha. Rain should give you permission to call me by my name first and as far as I remember, she hasn't done that yet," I rebuke her tightly. "Don't make me correct you again. I'm not always in the right mood for your nonsense," I growl. "Why don't you wait patiently for your mate to come to get you? There must be a reason why he stays away so long. Your patience may well be greatly rewarded". Disappointed, she turns and walks away with large strides.
Kenston stands by and follows our conversation disapprovingly.
"Jasper, I'm sorry about her behavior. I don't know what got into her," Kenston apologizes to his daughter. "Ooohhh well, she'll get over it," I wave off the event. "Now, give me your best warriors. I need to vent my frustrations," I indicate. "I'm in for a good fight."
"Still no word from Rain? Ruth told me she got a letter from her when she left and hasn't heard anything from her since then," my father-in-law informs me. "We are so worried. Rain has always been so independent. As our middle child, she soon had to fend for herself and can do that very well," the man tells me wistfully. "Ana is inconsolable. She blames herself for paying little attention to her daughter and she may think we won't miss her. I beg the Moon Goddess every night to keep her safe".
The sadness in Kenston's voice is terrible.
All the while, I was immersing myself in my own misery, I did not for a moment think about how Rain's parents must feel now that she has disappeared without a trace. I was really selfish, a bad Alpha to my pack members. "Don't worry, father, we'll find her. Rain loves me, she won't be able to stay away any longer," I assure him as we walk onto the training field and stay in the middle. "Anje, Kenrick and Jacob," he calls out to a group of training wolves. "The Alpha wants a formidable fight. Don't spare him, show what you are capable of. He is the one who asked for it," he urges the trio.
Kenrick my Gamma grins, this is the fight he has been looking forward to for a long, long time. He is strong, technically the best of the pack and that is why he is the Gamma. But as the Alpha, I have the strong genes of my bloodline to my advantage, it will take Kenrick a lot to match me. His mate is the strongest she-wolf in the fight, so it didn't surprise me that she ended up being Kenrick's mate.
Anje is Rain's nemesis.
She hates my mate, has always been very unfriendly to her. I always thought the women had to work it out between themselves, but Anje seemed to consider it her life's work to pepper Rain that she was not wanted in the pack. "Why don't we attach a reward to this fight?" suggests Kenrick suddenly, an evil grin on his face. Why have I expected these words to come out of his filthy mouth all the time? I know exactly what my Gamma is going for. "Since you have neither a mate nor heir and declined Rachel's offers consistently, the package is of no use to you as our Alpha. If we win this fight, you will transfer your position to me, Anje will become the Luna and I will be the Alpha of Storm Forest. Jacob will then be appointed my Beta".

Startled, Kenston stared at the young man; by the looks of it, he had not seen this coming.
"Kenrick, do you even know what you're suggesting? Do you have a death wish?" my father-in-law asks the overconfident Gamma, stunned, hasten to stand between us. But Kenrick has no intention of backing down. "This is what I've been training for, for years. Call the warriors to attend this, Kenston. I will not kill Jasper. They will have to tie him up in the dungeons". With an open mouth, my father-in-law stares at him. "I only take orders from my Alpha and that's not you, Kenrick," he scolds the man. "Do as he says," I order briefly now.
Incredulous, Kenston turns to me.
"Alpha, forgive this stupid young man. He is temporarily confused," he tries to save the Gamma. "Do as he says," I repeat. In the mind link, Kenston calls for all pack warriors to be present for this fight. Everyone stands dumbfounded around us. "Alpha, I don't join Kenrick. I don't know why he includes me in his nonsense, you are my Alpha and I have no ambition for the Beta position," Jacob now voices and leaves the two to rally behind me. This will be the fight I was looking forward to, the one I need to get off. All that pent-up disappointment from Rain's disappearance and the searches to no avail.
"I am ready. Wolf and human are both allowed. There are no rules beyond that," I announce with supremacy. Kenrick begins to take his place, Anje beside him. "Locking up in the dungeons is out of the question on my part, Gamma. I hate traitors. And the way your mate treated her Luna, now is my time for revenge. You'll stand as an example to those who think to mistreat her again when she is back in Storm Forest". ...