The Alpha's Guardian

The Alpha's Guardian Chapter 71

"Mate?" The man in Burgundy asks, his eyes going wide.

"That is correct. When Samuel was torturing me he destroyed my oath so I was able to sense my mate." Ali says her eyes not moving from the woman. "Torturing you? The report we received is that you had gone rogue" The man in the navy suit says, looking around for any indication that Ali is joking. "Hardly." Ali snorts.

"Ok!" I say breaking in. "How about introductions? I am Alpha Wade of the Moon Shadow pack. You already know my mate, Ali. And this is Alpha Nick, the alpha of this fine pack and my good friend and trusted associate"

"It is nice to finally lay eyes on you, Alpha Wade. I am James, and this is Joseph. And that fine specimen at the end of the table is Rita. I apologize for the members who can't be here. Edward is searching for the missing Alphas and Mary's grandson is gravely ill, so she is with her old pack helping. And well, Samuel is dead." he frowns.

Joseph nods in acknowledgment and Rita rolls her eyes, huffing in annoyance. It doesn't take a wise man to interpret that she is upset and doesn't want to be here.

"First things first," Rita says finally speaking. "Alpha Wade, we long ago decided you would be the perfect fit for the role on the committee."Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"And what role would that be?"

"I am sure Samuel filled you in," she responds.

"Yes, he gave me his version. I would like to hear your version to compare." I say leaning back in my chair, waiting. Rita checks her watch and rolls her eyes. "Joseph, tell him."

"Of course. Alpha Wade, we have been watching you for some time, since you took over the pack from your father that is. Many packs are either decreasing in size or are being taken over by their neighboring packs. Where yours and a few others, seem to maintain your pack size or only be growing. By our count you have lost only one pack member since becoming alpha, the others have only left for reasons concerning their mates, and many have come back with their mates. It is rare for a male wolf to leave his pack and go to his mate's pack. Yet this seems to be a common factor in your pack. You also have a very high rate of extremely loyal born omega's who respect and love you. This is not a quality other alphas possess."

"Ok, but none of this answers what you need from me."

"At least they aren't just saying how important you are," Ali whispers, smirking at me.

"We would like you to be the Justice committee member," Rita says, jumping in.

"Fantastic. What does that mean? what does it entail?" I ask again, growing impatient.

"In the past few years, we have all taken on separate roles, heading up a certain area and then conferring with each other for votes and suggestions," James explains. "We long ago decided we needed someone to oversee all the alphas and ensure justice. An Alpha who is well respected, loved, and loyal. We wanted an Alpha who has a level head and thinks of all pack members, not just the ones who can give something in return. For some time we have pulled back and allowed the alphas more reign in their packs, but we have learned that when Alphas go unchecked they get rowdy. They want to establish their dominance and they do this by growing their packs and fighting with their neighboring packs."

"You want me to police other Alphas and their packs?" I ask, trying to follow their vague answers.

"We want you, in a way, to be the head alpha."

"Of the other alphas"

"Of this continent...."

"I'm sorry, it sounds like you are saying you want him to be like an Alpha King." Ali breaks in.

"No, not like that," Rita says waving her hand like the statement is preposterous. "We all would work together but he would be the person who ensures packs are in line, that alphas who fall out of line are stripped of their title and the pack is given to an alpha that will treat them fairly." "So I would travel a lot then," I ask, glancing at Ali.

"Yes and no. You would have alphas you trust in the different regions who would keep close eyes on things and reach out to you. You would travel to them when things get out of hand or a severe punishment must be given out." James adds. "Will I get to pick my alphas?"

"The rest of the list was meant to be a list for you to choose from. But since we aren't sure where they are..."

"Many of them are dead," Ali says plainly.

"We don't know that for sure," Joseph says.

"We know a few are dead." Alpha Nick says finally speaking.

"And how would you know that?" Rita asks.

"When the packs attacked Alpha Wade, a couple of the Betas spoke with an authority that was recognized by their pack members. That usually is a sign the alpha title has passed to the Beta at the time of death of their Alpha."

James and Joseph look at each other worried and then both slide glances to Rita who stares at me intently. Her stare is meant to intimidate, call into question my ability to do the job they want me to do, but it won't work. No longer am I feeling hesitant about this position. I've made up my mind and her attempts at intimidation are useless, does she not realize I'm mated to the most intimidating woman in the world? I smile sweetly at Rita, then lean forward in my chair.

"I accept your position." I start. "With a few conditions."

"Oh, and what conditions would those be?"

"Alpha Nick will be the alpha in this region."

Rita looks Alpha Nick over and then nods her head.

"That seems acceptable. He seems to be very loyal, and if you choose him then we trust your judgment." She says standing. "Now, I think that about covers everything."

"No, Rita. It doesn't cover everything. I have some questions that need answering."

"About what? You have already been filled in on what you are needed for. James will be staying behind to help you for the next few days and then you will come to the main city for a meeting and sign the paperwork" "My second condition- I need answers about Samuel," I say firmly.

Rita sighs heavily and gracefully finds her seat again.

"Go ahead."

"How did the committee not know his true identity?" Ali asks, chiming in.

"Excuse me?"

"Silas. His real name was Silas, and he did horrible things. How could he be on the werewolf committee and not be known?"

"Yes, Silas was his first name. We felt his middle name would be a better fit to hide his past. He was reformed, looking for redemption for what he had done, who he had been. The committee members at the time felt that he was sincere in his pleas and gave him the guardian sect. He trained them all so well when the role on the committee had a spot open up everyone agreed he was perfect because of his reformation."

"So you knew about the things he had done?"

"The committee knows many, many things, young lady. But it is not always our job to intervene, or hold a grudge." Rita answers, getting very defensive.

"When did you know what he was up to here?" I ask.

"We were blindsided by his betrayal. We learned of it when one of his guards defected and came to us." James answers.

"And what did his guard say?"

"Samuel felt he could be the unifier in the werewolf community. He wanted the role we had slated for you, Alpha Wade. But he also wanted more. He wanted complete control. We believe he assigned Ali to you to seduce you, and catch you off guard." Rita says, sliding a glance to Ali.

Alpha Nick breaks out into laughter that soon becomes contagious. I try to remain in control but the thought of Ali trying to seduce me when she first arrived is so far-fetched. When I finally calm myself I look up and find that the other guardians in the room are also trying to contain their laughter. These men must have trained with Ali and know just as well as I do that there is no way in hell Ali would ever agree to seduce anyone.

"I'm sorry, Rita. That's preposterous. And the fact that your guardians who have been nothing but stoic and statuesque are even laughing just further proves how crazy that notion is."

Rita whips her head around and scowls at her guardian who clears his throat and squares his shoulders.

"She was his favorite. It makes sense he would want her to be a part of his plans" She defends herself.

"He killed my parents and is the reason that as a child my wolf was partially ripped from me. He got sick joy from keeping me around" Ali says.

Rita snaps her jaw shut.

"I apologize for her accusations. The committee is not all in agreement with her thoughts. Mary was beginning to doubt Samuels loyalties, as was I. I learned too late what he was up to and the promises he had made to other alphas who swore to aid him." James says, tossing a menacing look at Rita who snubs him and crosses her arms across her chest.

"Like Alpha Liam," I conclude.

James nods in affirmation.