The Alpha's Guardian

My leg bounces anxiously while Jacob drives at what seems like the slowest pace possible. I slide a glance towards Jacob; the rogue selected to come with me and I can't help but get the feeling that I know him from somewhere. He looks over and makes a face.

"Why are you staring at me?" he asks

"You look so familiar."

"You just left the Moon Shadow pack, right?"

"Yeah..."

"I look like my younger siblings." He says wistfully. "They are twins."

"Mason and Robin?" I ask, my eyes going wide.

"You know them?" He asks, shocked.

"They were some of the first people I met. You-you're THEIR Jacob? The one that disappeared and was best friends with Frank?"

"Sheesh. So you know them, and I didn't disappear. I left them a letter."

"I don't think they ever got it. They are convinced you are dead. Well, Mason is."

"My dad must not have given it to them." He clears his throat and looks forward.

"As far as I knew, they are being raised by your grandma Ethel. I've not heard anything about their dad or mom."

Jacob stiffens and I realize that what I'm saying is probably hard to hear. I'm basically telling him I think his parents are dead beats or just plain dead.

"Oh." is all he says and silence overcomes us.

After what I'm sure is an eternity in silence, we arrive at the back border of the Blood Star pack. A wall of warriors greets us in the road and looks us over. In my injured state, and now knowing that Jacob must also be an omega based on his parentage, I'm feeling a little concerned about our odds if things go sideways.

"We come in peace," Jacob says and I slide him a dumbfounded look.

"Jeez, way to make it sound like we are talking to aliens," I mutter to him, taking a step forward.

"My name is Ali, I have a meeting with Alpha Nick."

A shorter muscular man steps forward, looking me over.

"It looks like you had a rough go recently, Ali," he smirks, a gold tooth shining in the direct sun.

"Nothing I won't heal from." I smile back at him.

"Alpha Wade told me you might reach out and that you were to be trusted. From the intel I've gathered, he is in quite the nefarious position, it seems?"

"I'd love to sit down and have a chat if you can spare the time," I respond.

"Come along then," he sighs.

His office is much more lavish and ornate than Wades. Where Wade's is modern and minimalistic, Alpha Nicks is deep and rich with collector's items and fancy little statues. The walls are a deep burgundy with dark wood trimming and the room smells of cigars and leather. This is definitely a more typical Alpha males office.

"Come, come, have a seat." He says sweetly, walking over to his own chair.

I had expected him to be grand, taller, and, well, a little more menacing than the shorter, older man sitting in front of me. He shoots me a smirk, pulling me from my assessment in my mind.

"I am accustomed to people severely underestimating me, Guardian."

"I am aware of your strengths, Alpha Nick. Alpha Wade only keeps the best kind of company."

"Until of late." he sighs.

I tilt my head in confusion. Could he possibly already know about Samuel and the things happening within the pack? I assume that Wade already has a new guardian by now and is being watched like a hawk. "What would you like to speak about?"

"I am sure you are aware by now of the committee's favor for Alpha Wade and a few select other alphas?"

"Yes, and that all but Alpha Wade have disappeared."

"The rogues have come across some intel that Alpha Wade is being blamed for the disappearance of the others, for his own selfish ambition."

Alpha Nick throws his head back in a loud barky laugh.

"Alpha Wade and selfish ambition in the same sentence is strange to hear," he says trying to calm his laugh. "I'm sorry, continue."

"Those Alphas' pack have been convinced that he is holding their alpha's captive."

His eyes widen in shock.

"And they have declared war." he finishes for me.

"Yes."

"This is bad. All the packs?"

"I'm not sure, at the very least, three," I say, shrugging.

"And you want me to pass this information on to Alpha Wade?"

"Yes, and no. I want to know that Alpha Wade can rely on you for aid."

"Why do you care? He is not your charge anymore."

"He is my mate. And Shadow Moon is my pack. I will die defending him and it." I say without hesitation.

"Hmm. I know the Beta and acting alpha for one pack. I may be able to dissuade him and perhaps he can talk a few other packs down. But I have to tell them something, give them someone." "Samuel."

"Samuel?"

"Yes, the committee member. I am sure he has a hand in it."

"But he is in your pack grounds now, is he not?" He asks, concern etched in his brow.

"He is."

"Sh!t. Then if they come for him, your pack will be caught in the crossfire."

"You worry just about reaching out to the acting alpha you know and Alpha Wade to make sure he knows what is going on. I will work from my end with the rogues."

"I have to admit, I'm not too keen on working with the rogues," he says, sighing.

"From what I have seen, most of them are decent people who were left with no other option but to defect. I agree not all of them are good. But for now, our only option is hoping we have enough to help fight if it comes to it."

"I

I suppose you are right, doesn't mean I have to like it. I will call a few bordering alphas as well. Alpha Wade seems like a small pack, but he has many loyal friends, and by our extension, he has a lot of backing. He has always kept his word if it was within his power." He says, trying to reassure me.NôvelDrama.Org © content.

"This may be out of place but..."

"Why didn't he have help earlier when he was attacked by rogues?" he finishes my thought. "Alpha Wade was out of sorts for a few years. He really thought he could handle everything on his own, so we often never knew of the attacks until they had passed. When I finally called him out on it, he told me his wolf was fighting for control. I mentioned to him he should take a mate to help calm his wolf."

"The pack was poisoned," I say simply.

"Really?" He says looking shocked.

"For a few years."

"Well, I'll be damned. No wonder he was weird and short-tempered. Did he find out who was behind it?"

"I have my suspicions, but as far as I know, no. They haven't figured it out yet."

"That is very interesting indeed," he says softly as though in deep thought.

I have a feeling that Alpha Nick might have some insight into the whole poisoning issue, but that's not why I am here. And I am sure if he has information, he will share it with Wade. He seems to be a genuine friend and a real ally, and I'm grateful that Wade could snag such loyalty from such a smart man.