Chapter Ten - Chase

My fingertips danced along the wood of my desk, as I scribbled down my notes for the upcoming alpha’s meeting. It’d be my first one to attend while actively ruling a pack. The monthly meetings forced us to keep up with new births, rogue sightings and any disobedient wolves. It was a lot of paperwork that came along with the job, and frankly, I understood Alpha Gerald’s need to step down. The stress an alpha had on his back for decades would weigh on any person. Someone knocked on my door and drew my attention from the paperwork in front of me. I blinked away the daze from my eyes crossing. “Come in.” The door opened and Regis stepped into my office. I immediately felt my wolf go stiff. There were only a few reasons he would be standing in my office doorway, and I assumed it was about Willow. “How can I help you, Regis?” I asked. “Come take a seat.” Regis stalked over, and sat down across from me. His fingers wrapped tightly around the arms of his chair, and he took a deep breath. “I want to speak with you about Willow.” I stared back at him, leaned back into my chair and gestured for him to continue. Regis roughly slid his palm down his face. “I’ve known Willow my entire life. She’s been treated differently in the pack because of Alpha Gerald. She was the alpha’s daughter, and he was easy on her. Especially after her mother died. But, Alpha Gerald isn’t in charge anymore, and frankly, things need to change around here. No disrespect to you. I know you’re new, and you seem to be a rule-abiding alpha.” He looked toward the window and swallowed. “We all know Willow wants to become a warrior, and everyone knows she-wolves aren’t allowed.” He braced his elbows against his knees. “My question is, what is going to be done about it? You saw what she did to me, and I still see her walking around the pack lands training with Derrick.” “I’m very aware that she-wolves aren’t allowed to become warriors, Regis. I did not get together with her and set it up.” “Of course not, Alpha. I’m just curious if she is going to be punished for what she did to me.” His gaze lowered to his wrist and back to me. “My wrist was snapped into two pieces when I attempted to touch her.” I lifted both brows. “Are you comparing her jumping onto your head to you attempting to hit her with your fists in human form?” Regis narrowed his eyes. “No. I’m comparing the fact that she was out of line twice with no repercussions.” I sat forward swiftly. My wolf on edge from this wolf’s audacity. “The way I discipline other wolves isn’t your concern. I’ve taken note on what Willow was allowed to do, and her desire to become a warrior. It’s not up to you to inform me of anything. Or tell me how I should run this pack. I’m aware, and I’m handling it.” “Are you?” he asked. “Because it doesn’t feel like it to me.” He stood slowly, overlooking me in a way that made my skin crawl. “It feels like you’re letting her get away with the same things her father did.” He pushed back his chair and walked toward the door. “I would hate for the regional alpha’s to find out that you’re letting a she-wolf train to become a warrior. My question is why? Are you sleeping with her—,” I stood up quickly and diminished the space between us. Regis took a step away from me, and his back hit the closed door. “Don’t you ever speak ill of me or Willow again. Do you hear me? It doesn’t matter what I do. I’m your alpha. You do as I say, not the other way around. Got it?” Regis’ eyes shifted red, his wolf angry at the instruction, but he nodded. “I got it.” I stepped back and wiped my palm over my jaw. “Don’t come back in here with demands on anything. You weren’t that great out there on the obstacle course if you ask me. I’ve had plenty of training, and been in many wars. I don’t need your opinion on anything.” Regis’ jaw twitched in irritation, but he didn’t dare reply. “Leave,” I said, turning back to my desk. The door shut behind him and I screwed my eyes closed. Now I had an angry wolf, and someone that would be willing to go to the regional court about me. I slid my palm over my face. I’d promised Alpha Gerald I wouldn’t allow her to train. I would keep her safe. If she pulled another stunt as she did at practice, I’d be sent to the court with punishment ahead of me. My phone buzzed on my desk, and I swiftly answered it. “Chase.” “I’m in Chesire,” Rex said. “I’ve found someone that’s seen the tattoo before, but not on who we’re looking for. Apparently, it’s a group of rogues that all have the same tattoo.” “So, there are many rogue wolves with that tattoo?” “Yup. It doesn’t mean I can’t find ‘em, it’s just going to take me longer to narrow it down.” Like I needed any more bad news. “Thank you for trying,” I said. Rex moved around on the other side of the phone and then a door shut. “What’s wrong? You sound like someone killed your puppy.” “You could say that. I just had a wolf threaten to tell the regional court if I didn’t punish Willow for crashing training.” Rex snorted. “You think he has the balls to do that, Chase?” “Yeah,” I said. “I do. He’s hated Willow for a long time. He’s harboring this, and wants to take her down. She does provoke him.” “What are you going to do about it?” Rex asked. “I don’t know yet.” “Don’t stress over it,” Rex said. “I’ve got to go grab something to eat before I head toward the next town. I’ll call you when I find out something else.” He ended the call and I shoved my phone into my pocket. My mind was racing already to find out that the attack was on purpose. I needed to find a record of everyone in the pack from the time of the attack until now. Hopefully, I would be able to track down some wolves that went rogue or troublemakers over the years. Standing up from my desk, I walked out of my office and locked the door. My wolf easily caught Willow’s scent, and I found my way toward the door of the pack house. I reached for the doorknob when I heard someone call my name. A she-wolf that looked vaguely familiar ran over. Maybe she was one of the she-wolves who waved at me from the field the night before. The one Willow didn’t like. “Hey, Alpha Chase. I’m Tiffany. We haven’t officially met yet.” Yup, that was her name. “Nice to meet you, Tiffany. How can I help you?” She beamed and tossed her blonde hair from her shoulder. She was dressed oddly provocatively, but it was summer in the south. “I asked Keith about you visiting the maternity ward to see some of our procedures. He said he would ask, but I thought I would get a head start.” I had one million other things to do rather than visit the maternity ward now. I opened the door and stepped into the doorway. “I’ll have to check my schedule for next week. I’m very busy the next few days. Remind Keith and I’m sure he’ll make sure I visit.” Tiffany looked vaguely disappointed but smiled anyway. “Sure thing, Alpha Chase.” I left her watching me descend the stairs and follow Willow’s scent around the pack house. Derrick’s scent was mixed with hers. I was sure they were sneaking around to train, and it pinched my chest to know I would have to ask her to stop. I found them in a clearing in the woods surrounding us. There was the heavy smell of pine and a nearby stream. Willow and Derrick were training in their human forms. Willow was drenched with sweat from head to toe. Seeing her bare stomach in her athletic gear, and the focus on her face, made my wolf crazy. I tightened my fists beside me and watched. Willow was effortlessly good at fighting. She dodged Derrick so easily. She was limber and light. The way she moved reminded me of a feather. We should let her train, my wolf said. I shook my head, knowing Regis had most likely been watching them from a distance for years. Willow leaped out and tackled Derrick, sending him onto his back, and making him laugh. She stood up, and offered him her hand, and then she noticed me. She swiped her palm across her forehead. “I need to speak to you,” I said. Derrick took the hint immediately and left. The silence between us felt like fingers tightening around my neck. Go break her heart, my wolf growled. Bastard.