The Mark of an Alpha
Chapter 21

The sweet aroma fills my senses as I practically run back into the packhouse. The smell of coffee and maple syrup fills my nostrils as Hunter and I walk into the dining area.

There is a table set aside for the children. They are laughing and eating enjoying some time unsupervised. Their parents know that they are safe at the packhouse.

Anyone wanting to come in here and attack us has a death wish. This is the only place that the wolfs can lower their guard.

There are some pack members at the table. The place reserved for the alpha is empty and to the left is Andrew pushing his scramble eggs around with his fork. He does not look too happy.

Hunter grabs two plates and hands me one. He grabs four pancakes and stacks them on his plate then he scoops up some scrambled eggs onto his plate and lastly he grabs couple pieces of bacon. The food is set up as usual on a long table so that the pack can grab and go, like a buffet.

I grab a pancake and two pieces of bacon. Hunter stares at my plate and does not seem pleased. I grab the maple syrup and drench my pancake with it and he shrugs and walks to the beverage area.

Hunter starts making his coffee, he seems comfortable for being in a new territory. The other wolves give him a look but quickly turn away as I stand by him. I pour myself some orange juice. We then take our seats at the table I sit at the head of the table and Hunter sits in the omega’s seat since I have yet to choose someone to fulfill that seat.

Andrew glares at his plate the second that Hunter sits across from him, he must not like him.

“Hey Andrew,” I give him a small smile and his eyes snap up towards me as if he cannot believe that I was talking to him.

“Hello alpha,” he retorts and then starts playing with his food once again.

What bug crawled up his butt? My wolf seethes at him.

“Beta,” I nod and turn away from him. Hunter is stirring his coffee and I grab my fork and cut off a piece of my pancake.

“Is there any business that anyone wants to address to your alpha?” Hunter says as he takes a sip of his coffee.

My eyebrows shoot up and I look at the rest of the pack members at the table. They are all staring at me when I notice that my fork is half ways to my mouth I drop it and stare back at them.

I glare at Hunter. He is a visitor on my turf. A passerby. My pack now quietly stare at me as if to wait for some kind of announcement.

One of the elders clears their throats, “Alpha Blake," the word alpha and an elder directing it to me is weird, "what are we going to do about the young newly shifted wolves they are not getting any training.”

Down to business, I guess.

I nervously straighten my fork and clear my throat but notice that it is dry so I take a sip of my orange juice, “My beta was trained by my father and I believe that he would be perfect to teach them.” I know that I have not asked Andrew but he would be perfect for the job.

My eyes go to Andrew and he nods his head without looking at me keeping his eyes on his plate.

A woman that I remember being good friends with my father speaks, “Most of the pack is wondering why Alpha Hunter has made an appearance here?” I throw a glance over at Hunter and he looks at me telling me that he will answer that one.

“As you know I am also a fellow alpha, Alpha of the Crimson Moon Pack.” He straightens up and his voice seems to go deeper as his alpha aura shines through. He has that dominance that comes with the status.

Crimson Moon? My wolf thinks that over as Hunter keeps talking.

“We are a couple of miles off the southeast border of your territory. My pack has been having some trouble with rogues roaming the area between our territories. I came here seeking help from your alpha. You see this pack is double the size of mine and they seem to be picking us one by one. Last week a rogue killed one of my pack's she-wolf and now I am seeking revenge and I want my pack to have peace of mind.”

I stare at him and I know that my father went to other packs seeking help and Hunter seems like a great ally to have. “We’ll talk more about this later,” he nods and everyone starts up their conversation as they eat.

I pick up a piece of bacon and chew on it as my eyes wander over the people at the table. Everyone in the pack is welcome to eat at the packhouse but it seems as if only a fraction of them do.

When my father was alive I remember having to wait to eat since the table was packed. Now there are some people scattered around. I finish up my bacon and my pancake does not catch my attention. Hunter is eating his scrambled eggs since he already finished his pancakes.

Hunter stares at me and I look back at him and he shakes his head.“You hardly eat.”

I shrug, "Lost my appetite, I guess." I do not want him to know that this is the most I have eaten in a long time.

He grabs my plate and his and trades them giving me his bacon and he takes my pancake. “I know that your wolf is not going to be satisfied with that.” He cuts off a chunk of the pancake and puts the piece in his mouth while his eyes stay on me. I grab a piece of bacon and eat it as a smirk appears on his face.

Andrew gets up with his plate full of food and walks away from the kitchen.

Andrew, what the hell is the matter?

I’m going to start training. With that, he walks away and I stare as he disappears into the kitchen.

Breakfast is full of small talk the elders wanted to know how I was doing, fine was all I could say. Hunter stares at me the entire time. We grab our plates and take them to the kitchen where the housemaid takes them and starts washing them.

Hunter needs to communicate with his pack and I decide that I need to wash up and get ready for the day. I take a hot shower and change into some skinny jeans and a burgundy hoodie. I let my hair air dry and walk out. Hunter is walking out of his room at the same time and he smiles at me.

My wolf yields happily. “Alpha,” he nods his head and I nod my head. “Where are you going?”

“I was going to check on my bet- I mean Andrew.”

He’s your beta, he needs to live up to the title and position. I ignore my wolf.

“I’ll join you, my beta and I do our training back home.” He smiles and I walk down the hall and toward the front yard. I take a seat on the steps and Hunter sits next to me.

Andrew has five boys and two girls before him. The girl’s eyes go to us and their cheeks blaze red as they see Hunter. They cover their faces and start to giggle.

“What’s so funny?” Andrew snaps at the girls clearly annoyed that they are not paying attention. The girls stop and throw glances at Hunter. Andrew turns around and looks at me he smiles and then he spots Hunter and his smile vanishes.

Andrew turns around and starts lecturing the wolflings. The sight before us reminds me of when my father would train me. He would tell me that it is a battle of the mind. You can be stronger and faster but if you do not think it through your strength and speed can be your downfall.

“What are you thinking about?” Hunter’s voice breaks my thoughts and I turn to face him.

“Nothing,” he narrows his eyes and returns his gaze to Andrew.

Andrew has one of the male wolflings in a headlock. “Okay, okay,” the boy taps Andrew on his back telling him he is done.

Andrew releases him, “You have to be a great fighter in wolf form as well as in human form.”

“You need a great opponent to show them how it’s done,” Hunter interjects and stands up walking towards Andrew. Before he reaches him he turns back and gives me a wink, I can feel my cheeks grow hot. “Come on Andrew, give me what you got.”

Andrew turns to look at me giving me a ‘you’re kidding me right’ look and I shrug. The girls shriek in excitement. Hunter walks closer to Andrew and Andrew looks at Hunter.

“Alpha, I would rather-” Hunter does not let him finish. Hunter crouches down and his leg side sweeps Andrew’s legs sending him tumbling down. Andrew lands hard on his butt and his back flings to the ground. He sits up quickly looking at Hunter I can see his face going slightly red.

“Rule number one always be ready.” Hunter states as Andrew glares at him from the floor. I cannot stop the giggle that escapes me both Hunter and Andrew turns to look at me.

Andrew gets up on his feet and dusts himself off. They both end up teaching the wolfling about some fighting skills. Now they were moving on to block attacks.

“You know our very own alpha is the best I’ve seen at blocking,” Andrew says as he gasps for air. Both Hunter and Andrew were sweaty from going after each other. Hunter looks over at me and arches an eyebrow, I shrug.

“Well, then Melany show me what you got,” Hunter smirks at me and my wolf is revving to go. I stand up from my seat and walk over to them.

“I have no idea what he is talking about,” Andrew takes a step back and Hunter throws a punch at me straight at my face when my reflexes kick in my arms go up crossing at the forearm locking tight pushing my arms up as Hunter’s arm lands where my arms meet. I push my arms higher making his fist connect with nothing but air. My arms drop quickly and I spin and swing my arm to the side my fist gently connecting with his ribs.

Hunter looks at me surprised as Andrew looks at me grinning.

“Told you she was good,” Andrew beams.

“She’s amazing,” Hunter stares at me in awe.

“Keep teaching I’m going for a walk,” I say to Andrew and walk away from them heading to the trees. I can hear the footsteps rushing towards me as two groans follow far behind.

Those girls like him. My wolf says as I walk past a couple of trees.

“Why did you leave? Things were just about to get interesting,” Hunter’s long strides have him by my side fast.

“I can only annoy Andrew for so long,” I look over at him and his grin makes me smile.

“Sure, he is annoyed with you!" He chuckles.

I do not answer him instead I listen closely to the birds chirping and the squirrels squeaking.

Let’s go for a run.

I take a deep breath and my wolf relaxes with me. Before I met Marcus her animal side was taking over me every time I shifted I feared that it would happen again when he left but she seems fine.

Do you have so little faith in me? She snarls her reply.

Shut it.

I turn to look at Hunter and he is staring at me with smoldering golden eyes sending me into a trance. “Has anyone told you that you have spellbinding eyes?” My body jerks back at my words.

Damn it, keep yourself under control! I snap at my wolf as she manages to take over my mind for a moment.

Calm yourself, you know you wanted to say something about them. She nods her head triumphant.

Hunter chuckles and shakes his head, “Well not in those exact words.” I am back to myself and turn away from him.

“I’m going for a run.” I take off my shirt and fling it to the side I can feel his eyes on me and my wolf is doing somersaults. She loves that he chases after me. It is the first time since Marcus that she enjoys someone’s company.

Stop it you hormonal beast. She mentally rolls her eyes at me. I sprint further into the trees with Hunter coming after me.