The Alpha 6: Protect. Procreate. Prevail., page 2
“Right.” I clapped my hands together as I peered off into the trees. “Before we start up again, I want you guys to tell me what you could do differently. How could you change the angle slightly?”
There was no use in me telling them what to do, because I needed them to know that for themselves, so I stood patiently as a thoughtful look crossed their faces.
“Could we use height to our advantage more often?” Marley asked. “Maybe we could hide in the trees as we watch you from up above?”
“Yeah… that could work,” I mumbled. “But you’d need to make sure you don’t create too much noise as you scale the trunks. I suspect I’d probably be able to hear your claws scratching away at the wood, so you’d need to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
A small smile curled across my lips as I watched them struggle over the answer. I knew what they had to do, and I was desperate to open my mouth and tell them, but how were they ever going to learn if I handed the answer to them as easily as that?
But they were still struggling after an additional five minutes, so I decided to give them a hint.
“Okay, think about your natural instincts,” I said. “When you’re in your lion forms, what’s the first thing you want to do?”
Abigail’s eyes widened, and a smile formed on her face, so I had a feeling she knew the right answer.
“We automatically want to stay low and hidden,” she said. “Perhaps in tall grass, or behind a fallen branch, and then creep forward as silently as possible.”
“You’ve got it.” I grinned.
“We also work best as a group,” Jackson added. “So when it comes to taking down our prey, one of us attacks from behind and the other takes the head.”
“Even better,” I replied. “That’s how you’re going to do it from now on. Silently converse with each other, make sure you all know where you are in relation to me, or whoever you’re tracking, and then make sure you’re in the right position and you’re pouncing at the same time. You don’t want to have too many of you attacking the same animal, because that could become too confusing, so the others can keep watch in case your opponent has backup.”
“So, we pick the strongest fighters to get the animal to the ground,” Marley concluded. “The swiftest keep watch for backup.”
“Yeah, exactly.” I nodded. “Instead of all of you jumping onto your prey to see who could cause the most damage, you need to be prepared and ready for anything to happen. For all different kinds of approaches. Say this was a real fight, and it was all of you against me, then you’ll decide who’s the strongest and who will overpower me. Then the others help with tracking and discreetly surrounding your target while they keep watch. Like what Noah did earlier: he kept low, and I had no idea he was there, so you all need to do the same.”
“I think we can do that,” Abigail mumbled.
“Of course, you can,” I said. “If I didn’t think you could, then I wouldn’t have put these sessions together. Now, if you’re all ready, then you can run off and hide, and we’ll start it again.”
“Will it be the same as last time?” Jackson asked. “If you reach your car, the hunt is over?”
“Yeah, we’ll keep it the same for now,” I replied. “Once you’ve gotten the hang of this, we’ll think of a new ‘game’ to play.”
My audience seemed eager to get back into the game, and some of the mountain lions even let out wicked monstrous growls as they prepared themselves to go again.
Abigail, Marley, Noah, and Jackson shifted back into their mountain lion forms, and then I gave them a countdown as they hurried off into the trees.
To make it fair on the group, I returned back to a full wolf, but there would be a session when I stayed in my hybrid form. There would be many times where these werecats would be up against an alpha, and there was a chance he may be in his hybrid form during the fight, so I wanted to add in those difficulties at a later date.
They certainly knew how to fight, that much was clear, but they knew how to fight in a way that would just kill their opponent in a slaughterfest, and that’d be the end of it. My mainland pack was stealthy and constantly communicating, and I needed this group to do the same, otherwise in a battle against our rivals, it would be a complete mess with everyone doing something different. I had a lot of faith in these islanders, though, and I knew they’d pick up on my rules and regulations, but I still had to teach them step by step. I didn’t want to teach them to run before I taught them to walk.
I hung around in the clearing for a little over a minute, and then I searched my surroundings with sharp reddish-orange eyes as I looked out for any signs of a mountain lion.
The group could have been anywhere, and I had no idea whether they were nearby, or if they had decided to hide closer toward the country road this time. I couldn’t see any fur sticking out from behind a fallen branch, nor could I see any swishing tails in the trees. So this either meant they were getting really good at hiding, or they had decided to go a little further into the forest.
But as long as they had their eyes on me, then that was all that mattered.
As I took a deep breath, a low howl formed in my throat, and then I began to run.
I mentally worked out where I currently was in relation to the country road, and because I knew the forest like the back of my hand, I knew there were three main routes I could take which would get me to my car. So I picked the first route that came to mind, and I headed in that direction.
I kept an ear out as I ran and tried to work out where the lions were, but I couldn’t hear anything. It could have been that I had completely bypassed them, so they were hiding somewhere else, or they were waiting for the right time to make a move.
I made a mental note of these little things, and remembered to mention them once we had met up at the end of the session, but for now I focused on getting to my car.
So much had changed in the three weeks since we had gotten rid of the werefoxes, and one of those changes was that I now drove myself places from time to time. Even though Nikita loved driving more than anyone else I knew, I didn’t want to have to always rely on her being ready to go if I had to do something.
Last week, my omegas and I drove down to Aiden’s underground garage because Nikita wanted to change up her car for a few days. She had a desire to take the Audi for a spin. And while we were there, I decided to check out the Porsche 911 Turbo. It felt amazing to be the passenger in a car like that, but I didn’t know what it felt like to properly drive it.
As soon as I was behind the wheel, my omegas couldn’t stop going on and on about how hot I looked, and how “fuckable” I was in a car like that, so I decided to drive it for a few days. And I had to admit, there was nothing better than feeling the rumble of the engine as I put my foot to the floor and whizzed through Monroe.
I didn’t often go places by myself these days, but now that I had also upped my patrol groups, I was safe to go alone without having betas in a caravan behind me.
My territory had increased when I took over the city, and I was also getting stronger as an alpha, so I knew I needed to have extra protection around. I now had groups of betas located all over Monroe, Everleigh, and even along the main road that led to the city. No one could leave or enter these towns without someone in my pack noticing, so I no longer felt like a caged animal, or someone who needed a pair of eyes in the back of their heads.
Now, my territory was so well guarded that any trespassers would be wishing they were the ones with extra eyes.
Granted, it wasn’t like we’d had any issues in the weeks since the werefoxes, but we still had to be careful.
I still had my campus security who followed us to Everleigh every day, and Gemma had now become a solid member, but that was more for simplicity. And especially on account of Nikita being pregnant. I didn’t mind driving myself to the coast to visit the islanders, but I didn’t want my omegas to go out alone, so there was always someone with them.
But the quiet few weeks had also allowed me to catch up with course work, and I’d managed to rehearse for the banquet some more, too.
The alumni banquet was in four weeks’ time, and although I knew the group performance by heart, the solo was proving to be a little more difficult. I told Professor Collins that I’d take the part, and I didn’t want to let him down, so I played my violin every time I had the chance, and I was often joined by Blair at the same time.
Blair had finished off the song she’d created, and it was beautiful and brought tears to our eyes, so sometimes she would play that as I rehearsed the solo, but other times she would simply sit and listen.
It was nice to have some alone time with each of my omegas, and I knew they appreciated it, too. I would go for a long drive with Nikita, make music with Blair, or attempt to make cupcakes with Arielle. I burned the first batch, and then I forgot to add the eggs with the second batch, but my adorable little werecoyote just laughed, and she loved to show me her tricks and tell me where I went wrong.
My thoughts came to an abrupt halt as I heard a twig breaking from somewhere to my left.
I didn’t stop to look, and instead I picked up my pace and began to run faster.
My breathing was deep and labored as I forced my tired muscles to keep going, and I continuously scanned the trees around me without taking my eyes off my route for too long.
The country road was about five minutes away, and even though I wanted to reach the Porsche, I also wanted my werecats to catch up with me. Because if this was a real fight, they couldn’t afford to let their prey get away from them.
I changed my direction every so often, and I made sudden adjustments to make things more difficult for the werecats.
The road was then seen in the distance, and the silver-blue roof of my car sparkled in the early evening sunlight. I was so close, and the finish line was in sight, but I still had to get there first.
I was yards away from the tip of the embankment that led to the road, when all of a sudden, three mountain lions appeared in front of me.
I shoved my claws into the thick undergrowth, pulled myself to a stop, and then located the first clearing and made a run for it.
The mountain lions roared as I put a decent amount of space between us, and I knew I could continue running in an almost curved line before I reached the embankment again.
The hisses from the lions ricocheted through the trees, but I had only seen three of them, so I had no idea where the other four were.
That made me incredibly proud.
I had taught them well.
More lions began to roar, and they sounded closer now, but that still didn’t give me a clear idea of where they were. So I decided just to make a run for it, and I hoped my sporadic movements would help me reach the road before the mountain lions pounced.
I zigzagged through the trees, dodged any low-hanging branches, and cleared a decent amount of ground as I sprinted toward the finish line. It was within touching distance, and for a moment I almost thought I was going to make it.
But then everything changed.
One second I was on all fours and charging through the forest, and the next I was on the ground with two mountain lions on top of me.
I hadn’t even seen them coming, and that was what impressed me the most.
The mountain lions created a cage with their legs to keep me pinned to the ground, and the other five werecats stood around to guard, just like I had told them, but I wasn’t going to give up that easily.
The game wasn’t over just because they had tagged me.
An almighty howl ripped from my throat as I batted one lion away with one paw, and then I twisted my body to try and get the other lion off me.
This all happened in the span of a few seconds, so I was up on my feet before the five guards had even noticed.
There was a small opening between two of the mountain lions, so I attempted to aim for that, but the lions were quicker than I gave them credit for.
I recognized Marley from the white tufts of fur on his ears, and before I even made it to the opening, Marley blocked my path, bared his teeth, and swatted the air with his front paws.
Had this been a real fight, and if these werecats were actually out to kill me, then I knew I would have been done for, and there was no way I was getting away from the seven mountain lions who circled around me.
With that in mind, I let out a laugh-like bark, sat back on my ass, and ended the game there.
The islanders sat around me in a group, and the happy, yet exhausted, looks on their feline faces told me they were pleased with their efforts. However, we had been running around for at least two hours, so everyone needed to rest for a few minutes or so.
Before the training session had started, I’d told them to pile their clothes into the Porsche for when we finished. Now, I nodded in the rough direction of the road, stood up, and then slowly plodded back toward the car.
I had hidden the keys under a branch beside the car, even though I knew no one was going to steal it. Once I had shifted back, I retrieved the keys, unlocked the car, and pulled my clothes back on.
There was a major difference in temperature shortly after I shifted, and it always took a minute for my bare, naked body to get used to the chill of the wind again. Even though I was much warmer than any regular human, I always missed the blanket of coarse fur as it sunk back into my skin.
“Very well done.” I smiled once everyone was dressing. “That was really good.”
“Thank you, Jesse,” Marley said proudly. “I noticed the opening this time, so I was ready to cover it.”
“And you did,” I replied. “The only thing I’d add is to make sure some of the guards are always watching me. Once I had freed myself, I had a few seconds to sprint because you guys were too busy watching the trees. But there were five of you around, so some could’ve been making sure the scuffle didn’t go the wrong way.”
“Sorry, Alpha,” one beta, his name was Charlie, mumbled.
“Don’t apologize,” I said soothingly. “It was great that you were keeping guard. But next time, chat with each other and make a plan to decide who will watch the trees, and who will watch the enemy. But apart from that, you were all amazing.”
“We knew where you were heading, so we split up and covered the three routes,” Jackson explained. “Then it was just a case of talking to each other to keep us all in line so you didn’t get away.”
“But we realize this wouldn’t be the case when it comes to an actual opponent,” Noah said. “We know they won’t have a clear finish line.”
“I mean, they might.” I shrugged. “With the foxes, for example, we knew they lived in the city, so whenever they were getting away, there was a chance they would head in that direction. But you’re right, normally an enemy shifter would probably run around in circles in an attempt to lose you.”
“We also stayed as low as possible, just like you said,” another beta spoke up.
“Yeah, exactly what Ethan said.” Abigail nodded. “Hope, weren’t you lying down near where we’d had our last conversation?”
“I was,” Hope mumbled quietly. “I don’t know if you saw me, Alpha?”
“I didn’t see or hear a thing,” I chuckled. “Well done.”
“Thank you.” She smiled.
I’d come to realize Hope was just as quiet as Coral was, so she often relied on others aiming a question at her before she spoke up.
“Given how tired we all are, I think it’s best we call it a day,” I said as a yawn suddenly broke through. “But remember what I told you, and you can always do some more training on the island. Maybe you could try and sneak into the kitchen without others noticing?”
“Hide behind the tables and chairs,” Jackson chuckled.
“Or creep past the windows while someone’s inside making dinner,” Noah suggested with a laugh.
“That would be perfect.” I grinned. “Whatever you can do to keep things fresh. I’m not sure when we’ll have another session, but hopefully it’ll be in the next few days, and I’ll message you all when I have a time and place in mind.”
“Sounds good, Jesse,” Abigail replied. “Thank you again for today.”
“Yes, thank you,” the others said.
“I should be the one thanking you,” I chuckled. “After all, my pack wouldn’t be where it is without all the help from my betas.”
I noticed the pleased smiles on their faces, and given what I knew about Aiden, I had a feeling he didn’t often give them compliments.
But that was where he and I differed.
The group thanked me once again, and then they all headed off in the direction of the coast. We weren’t far from where the canoes were docked, so I didn’t feel bad that they had to run the distance.
Once the group was out of sight, I settled myself into the car, started the engine, and then began the easy drive back to the log cabin.
But I had barely been driving for five minutes when my phone began to ring through the car speakers, and Caleb’s name was seen on screen.
“Hello?” I said as I accepted the call.
“Hey Jesse, I’m sorry to bother you,” his voice floated throughout the car.
“You’re not bothering me at all.” I smiled. “What’s up?”
Caleb was currently patrolling the northern forests that surrounded Monroe, so I knew he wouldn’t have phoned me just for a catch-up.
“I mean, this might be nothing, but the group and I just heard something slightly strange,” he explained. “We know you were training with the islanders, so it might have been that, but I thought it was best to run it past you anyway?”
“What did you hear?” I asked.
I pressed down lightly on the brake in order to pay better attention to Caleb.
