Page 5 of Spirit Walker Pack (Kingdom of Wolves #5)

LYLE

We need to go run in the forest. My wolf Hunter mind links.

‘I can’t just drop everything and go run in the forest, Hunter,’ I respond.

You have nothing to drop except your clothes, Lyle!

‘I have responsibilities. I can’t just take off for a run. Why did you say ‘Lyle’? You’ve never used my name before.’

It isn’t nice to hear, is it? Hunter snarls.

‘So why would you do it?’

You did it first.

‘I did not, did I?’

We need to go for a run! You are driving me insane. Rabies would be easier to suffer than you are right now. Hunter again snipes.

‘Alright! I’ll see what Glen is doing and maybe he can go with us. We can’t go alone.’

Outlaw says they have nothing to do, so are free to run. I checked already, Hunter states smugly.

‘Alright, but we won’t be too long. I have things to attend to.’

You forget who you are talking to. I know how bored you are. I suffer you more than anyone in the pack suffers you. Hunter once more is nearly growling his reply.

A knock at the door halts the conversation before it can deteriorate further. “Come!”

The door swings open and Glen steps in. “I understand that we are accompanying you on a run in the forest? It’s a good day for it, weatherwise.”

‘It’s not me they are accompanying, it’s you, ‘Hunter’. You want to go gallivanting about in the forest.’

As soon as we are free of the packhouse, I see that it’s not just Glen and I that will be on the run. He has six warriors waiting for us.

“Are so many warriors really necessary? It’s only a little run in the forest.” I must sound like a petulant child by the look I get from my Head Warrior.

Maybe if we had a mate, you would have more to occupy your mind and burn off some energy to help with your calm.

‘Maybe if I had a mate, you’d be too busy producing pups to keep tormenting me!’ I respond to Hunter.

Glen’s voice echoes through the mind link. ‘Alpha Lyle. Perhaps you’d better concentrate on the run more and less on your wolf. We all heard that.’

Quietly fuming to myself, I step up the pace and give everyone a thorough workout. As soon as I feel myself tiring, I allow Hunter to come forth and he sets a blistering pace that will have everyone working hard to keep up.

He stops by a stream, and everyone takes a well-earned break.

Once we’ve all caught our breath, he takes off once more, but at a lope that eats up the distance without expending much energy.

Lounging at the back of my mind, I wonder what our mate will be like when, and if, we find her.

Of the Lunas I know well, I admire Tati’s resourcefulness and persistence, Hope’s kindness and thoughtfulness, Taria’s willingness to learn and progress, finally Aurora’s warrior queen abilities.

Wow. Not much to expect or demand then. I hope to the Goddess she doesn’t turn out to be a simpering, feminine, needy little thing that demands attention all the time. I guess if the bond is there I won’t care or even notice, but I sincerely hope not.

Our run takes three hours, and when we get back to the edge of the forest by the packhouse, I have to say that Hunter was right. The stress from my muscles has relaxed with the physicality of the run. Leaving Hunter to lead has given my mind time to wander and destress.

You are welcome, Hunter states smugly.

****

Resisting the urge to check on the pack once again, I reflect on everything we know of the rogues and their leader, Arric.

There have always been rogues. Mainly they have been outcasts from their pack for failing to comply, social outcasts, or there were a few that had lost their mate and didn’t want daily reminders.

Those failing to comply were usually the lazy ones or bullies.

Social outcasts were those that just liked to be left alone.

Every pack has them and they are usually found living on the outskirts of the forest or in the solitary jobs.

Those that lost a mate and left, were more often the older generation that wanted nothing more than to fade away and meet their mate with the Goddess.

The lazy and the bullies were the ones that became a problem as rogues. Too lazy to provide for themselves they stole what they needed. Bullies made others steal for them! I wonder which bracket Arric would come under? Bullies, I would expect. Being idle rarely achieved a position of power.

So, Arric would have to be in the bully category, but where did he come from?

Was he born a rogue? Surely if he came from an established pack, someone would have come forward by now?

He hasn’t come from a pack in our sector.

Southern Sector? I have never had any contact with those packs.

Maybe Flint could follow that path? I think I’ll give Falan a call and see if he has any ideas in that respect.

Like most alphas, Falan is quick to answer his phone. “Alpha Falan speaking.”

“Lyle, here. Have you got a few minutes to spare?” I ask.

“I always make time for another alpha, Lyle. You never know when you may need the same courtesy. Apart from that, I find myself liking you. My spies tell me you’re a good sort!” Falan, I’m sure, has no spies in my pack.

“Before I execute them, I’ll be sure to thank them for their kind words!” I can’t keep the humor out of my voice, which gives the game away.

“I’ll have them return home immediately. I don’t have enough that I can just fritter them away, willy-nilly.” Falan, too, is laughing.

“I’ve been trying to work out where Arric may have come from…” Before I get to finish my sentence, Falan is ahead of me.

“Not from your sector obviously, or you’d know of him.

I can’t find anything about him from this sector, either.

So, he was either a Southern Sector reject or he was born a rogue.

I lean toward the rogue theory. It’s hardly likely, but not impossible, that he came from the Southern sector and now rules the rogues.

There would have to have been more than a few that would challenge him for that position.

If he was born rogue, he would just have to rise through the ranks.

Don’t you think?” Falan’s theory is echoing where my own thoughts were tending to lead me.

“I think we’re on the same wavelength, Falan. I know Flint has a contact who is a Shadow Warrior. I think I’ll see if they have any information on Arric that they haven’t shared as yet. It’s a longshot but you don’t know if you don’t ask, eh?”

“I seem to recall there were Shadow Warriors present when we took my father down. It’s never been mentioned, and quite frankly, I don’t care one way or another.

I’ve had no dealings with them personally, but if they live up to their reputation, it would certainly be worth asking them.

” There is a commotion at Falan’s end of the call.

“I have to go, Lyle. I’ll call you back as soon as I sort this issue out.

” The line goes dead and I have to wonder what has caused the interruption, though I’m sure I would have acted the same.

While I’m left holding the phone, I place a quick call to Flint and ask about the Shadow Warriors.

Apparently, he thought of this, too. His friend, Xavier, has been gathering all the information from all areas, and everything seems to point to Arric being a rogue and not originating from a pack background.

It also appears that the rogues follow him out of fear and false promises rather than from any kind of loyalty.

That could be a useful piece of knowledge for the future.

He has created a ‘royal’ guard that, apart from being his personal protection, ensures that everyone stays in line with whatever his wishes are for that period.

Taking my lunch in the dining hall, I feel safe to do that without Lavender being around, I realize that there is quite a buzz in the atmosphere. As I look round the hall, I see more smiling faces than I have seen in a while. More pack members meet my gaze, too.

The run did you more good than you know. You are more relaxed now and not so sour-faced! Hunter states smugly.

‘So, you’re going to take credit for my good humor, eh?’

Of course! Without me, you would just be a miserable human.

Bursting out laughing has the whole dining hall looking at me in astonishment. Oh, what the hell. I just keep laughing until I’m naturally spent and then, standing up, I take a bow and head off to walk the grounds.

It’s a beautiful afternoon and although I am unobtrusively accompanied by two warriors, my usual complement I might add, I enjoy stopping and chatting as I take my tour.

Seeing Blossom at the edge of the forest, I debate going over to investigate her latest project. Seeing how immersed she is in whatever she’s doing, I decide to leave her alone.

‘Alpha Lyle. Please come to the Alpha Office.’

Hearing Earl’s mind link, I know that it is not urgent, but that it means as soon as I am able.

Upping my pace to a brisk walk, I notice this puts my warrior escort on an elevated sense of alertness.

They scan the surroundings more often and I can see the tenseness in their bodies as they prepare to defend me if necessary.

Reaching the office, I find Earl and Glen waiting by my desk. “What’s happened?”

Earl speaks up. “We were in the office going over the patrol roster and the training schedule when the phone rang. You said we could use the conference table rather than struggle with my small desk in my office.”

“Yes. I have no issue with you being here, Earl.”

“Well, the phone rang, and I instinctively answered it. My apologies, Alpha Lyle. I just didn’t think where I was,” Earl states and looks thoroughly ashamed of his action.

“Earl, I have no issue with you whatsoever. What do you need me here for? Spit it out!”

“It was Alpha Falan. He said they’d had a raid by rogues and that he needed to speak with you urgently.” Earl is almost standing to attention, and he is confusing me thoroughly.

“Okay. I’ll call him immediately. Is that it?” I ask as I take a seat at my desk, reaching for the phone.

“You don’t need to call him Alpha; he is on his way as we speak to visit face to face.” So now we have it.

“Earl… Did you give him permission to visit?” I lean back and make eye contact with him. He looks as though he desperately wants to look away, but holds my gaze.

“Yes, Alpha Lyle, I’m afraid I did. He sounded sincere, and he said it was a matter of urgency that he meets with you. I sensed his urgency and the sincerity in his voice, but if I have overstepped the bounds of my responsibilities, I will step down immediately.”

“I overheard the conversation, Alpha Lyle. I can only echo what Beta Earl has told you. Alpha Falan came over as needing to see you urgently. He did not give details, but I assure you, he did indeed sound sincere.” Glen looks me in the eye and I see the truth in his eyes. He believes what he is telling me.

“Sit down, both of you.” Once they are seated, I lean forward, elbows on desk and steeple my fingers.

Looking from one to the other seated before me, I shake my head.

“Have I somehow undermined your confidence? Earl, if something happened to me this instant, you are to take over until my heir, or whoever should be next in line, is ready to take over the pack. Glen, you would also take a step up in responsibilities. Why would you even think that I would have a problem with your decision making? Is this what has become from my boredom these last few weeks?” I wait for an answer and it isn’t long in coming.

“Not at all, Alpha Lyle. I have never before had to make such a decision.” Earl looks terrified that he has made the wrong call.

“Your decision was sound. I have no issue with it whatsoever. As for making a wrong call? Welcome to my world. I have made wrong decisions since becoming Alpha. I don’t advertise them, but then, who would?

You grow by making a decision and then living by it.

Sometimes you can make it work, sometimes you can laugh it off and get back on track.

It is very rare, but not impossible, that you may have to stand up and be counted for that decision.

” Watching Earl’s shoulders sag a little, I see my words having the right effect.

“Did Alpha Falan say when he expected to arrive?” I ask calmly.

“He said he would be leaving immediately. If he could get permission to go through Blood Pearl Pack lands, he’d be here the day after tomorrow, early. If not, it would be early evening.” Earl has returned to normal, and I smile reassuringly at him.

“Have rooms prepared in the packhouse and notify the border warriors for those patrol times. Also, have a contingent of warriors stationed at the border as an honor guard, or in case they need help getting through no-man's-land. And, please, let’s have no more of this second guessing your decisions. I trust you all in your positions and also in my absence.”

As soon as the door closes behind them, I notify Flint of this turn of events. I wonder what could be so important that Falan has to travel such a distance rather than a phone call?