The Alpha's Guardian

*Wade POV*

I'm not accustomed to feeling like a prisoner in my home. Samuel continually banishes me to the confines of my packhouse. Not that it does much. I still walk around pack grounds, greeting my pack members. Even if he gets angry about it. I am not the type of person who cowers in a tower waiting for the bad guys to go away.

Samuel, of course, isn't happy about my resistance and begs me to respect his orders. Respect is a mutual thing and I can tell he thinks I am beneath him. He talks politely enough but his side remarks and whisperings with his men and tries to act nonchalant when called out on it.

I know Ali's escaping bothers him. She bested him while being unconscious after all. That kind of blow does something to a man's ego, especially a man whose ego is bigger than it should be. I think what worries him most, though, is knowing she is out there and that she now knows he is no longer the good guy. Someone is on to him, and it's someone he fears.

"Alpha," Francis whispers at the window.

I rush over and unlock it, allowing him to enter my room. He looks at me and smiles devilishly.

"Oh Romeo, my Romeo," He jokes.

"Hah! Real funny. You a*s." I laugh.

"I really can't believe he has you locked away up here like some fairytale. I really took you more for prince charming than a princess in distress."NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

"Francis, you are my best friend and my Beta. I would really hate to murder you in my own room." I scowl, but the smile on his face can't be wiped away.

"Nothing can bring me down, Alpha Wade. Not even your violent threats."

"Oh yeah? And why is that?"

"Sammy had another appointment. The wolf has successfully become a part of the baby."

"And Sammy?"

"She is an omega now, but she is alive and to me, that's more than enough."

"Sammy is an amazing mother."

"I knew she would be," Francis says.

His eyes are a mixture of emotions. Pride and admiration are at the forefront, but I can still see a hint of sadness there. I reach out and pull my best friend in for a rough hug. "I am glad they are both ok, Francis, but it's ok to be sad about Sammy losing her wolf too."

He just nods before turning and wiping his face. He clears his throat and turns back around to face me.

"I have news from Alpha Nick since you can't seem to get a moment alone to discuss things with him."

"It's like having an extra shadow. My room is my only sanctuary." I mutter in annoyance.

"Well, Ali met with Alpha Nick three days ago."

My heart thumps wildly at her name and even though I was paying attention before, it feels like the whole of my body is waiting in anticipation for more about our mate. "How is she?"

"He said she looked pretty messed up. He said her face was pretty bruised and cut up, but there was no swelling. Considering what she looked like when she escaped, I would say that him saying she wasn't swollen is a good thing." "You're probably right. What else did Alpha Nick have to say?"

Francis grows pale.

"Oh, that good, huh?" I say in jest.

"Alpha, several packs have declared war on us."

"I see," I say, trying to keep calm. "Did he give you a reason they might want to declare war on us and who they are?"

"According to him, it's the packs with missing alphas all on the same list as you. They seem to have some information that states you are holding their alpha's captive."

"Fantastic," I say, sarcastically.

"Alpha Nick says we need to be prepared for their attacks at any moment. He has no idea when they will arrive or how many packs are involved."

"I would assume seven."

"Well, he said he was able to dissuade three packs."

"We need to evacuate the weak for the time being," I say, determined.

"How? It's impossible without Samuel knowing."

"It's time to call my sister and her husband's pack and ask that they take our omegas and the sick."

"That's an international flight."

"I am well aware. It will be a pack expense."

"I will make sure it gets done by tomorrow," Francis says, walking back to the window.

"Francis, make sure Mason and Robin are on the flight too."

"Alpha," Francis says about to protest

"Francis, I know they picked up on training quickly and that they are excellent, especially Robin, but they are still minors."

"I'll do my best," Francis sighs

"Francis, did we get a time frame?"

"No, but I would assume any day now."

"Sh!t," I murmur.

I turn my back away from Francis, trying to think, figure this out. When I turn back again, he is already gone. Nothing feels worse than waiting in the dark for death to come knocking. Though with the way I'm being forced to live, death sounds inviting. Francis could have come through the front door, but then I would have been forced to meet him in my office with one of Samuel's goons present.

Samuel is obsessed with separating me from my pack. Maybe he is hoping they will turn on me. Perhaps he is convinced if he keeps me hidden away for long enough, my pack members will believe I have abandoned them. There even seems to be some type of disturbance that prevents me from mind linking my pack members. Oddly enough, when I leave the packhouse, it seems to work just fine.

My stomach growls in protest of me skipping a meal once again. I move to the door and find myself in the kitchen, staring into the open fridge in shock. It's completely empty. I turn and see a basket of fruit and notice only one apple remains. Smiling as it reminds me of Ali, I grab it and take a bite.

The room lights up in luminescent orange and white and I'm lifted from my feet and thrown over the kitchen island. A loud bang finally hits my ears as dust and dirt fall around me. The world echoes and a few small fires crackle around the now blown apart wall. I blink through the smoke and confusion as I lift myself into a standing position. I can see figures moving around frantically. They are trying to come to help me, put out the fire. I squint to look closer.

I'm wrong. I look out and see Samuel's guys chatting happily with a group of warriors I have never seen. The moment they see me standing in the rubble that was once my kitchen, their eyes turn dark and they stalk towards me. Wolves step in front of them, growling fiercely, and I recognize Francis and Ada. I run towards the opening and jump out, landing right behind my pack members who have run to protect me.

I guess now is as good a time as any to go to war.