ALPHA WALKER: PACK MEETINGS

The high-pitched blare of my alarm clock instantly jolted me from sleep, interrupting my dream in the process. I groan, tossing and turning as the bed cover entraps me in their minutest folds. I groped for my alarm clock on my nightstand so as to press the snooze button but I pushed it off instead. I growl loudly and come down from my bed, feeling very sleepy. 

Damn it! I swore as I bent to pick the damn thing from the polished, wooden floor. My eyes were not yet adjusted to the sun rays and it hurt my eyes. So I turn back towards my bed and groan again, my eyes shut tight while my spine slowly chills. 

I fell back to bed again, kneeling. I slowly opened my eyes and the familiar chestnut scent wafted into my nose. I fumble through the bed cover for my phone but can't find it. I later came to see it under one of the many pillows. The sun's rays had already seeped through the curtains and its shadow was cast on the floor. Using my fingerprint, the dark mode screen appears, not hurting my eyes much. I gazed at the numbers at 8:01 am. 

I never knew what convinced Alpha Allan to schedule the meeting this early. When he did things this way, it meant that trouble was brewing. We are a very peaceful Pack but we are constantly troubled by other surrounding Packs because we ruled them despite their being independent. We were a confederacy but we still had an upper hand above them because the Moon Goddess had destined us to rule, right from the time when Packs from  other regions attacked us. The nine of us here in the southern region leagued with each other, for mutual aid and protection. I had become one of the lords here in the Crescent Moon Pack and I was charged to obey everything the Alpha said without thinking twice. 

The unity of all nine Packs warmed our hearts and strengthened our bond. Well, not until all went from sweet to sour. The nine knights from each Pack were selected as the strongest from each Pack. But we were ten in total, because Alpha Allan who ruled over the Packs was from the Crescent Moon Pack as well. But we were tightly-knit together despite our differences. The cult of knights comprised Alphas Allan, Mason, Kai, Fabiola, Vanessa, Cantwell, Smalling, Connor, Jason and I, Obinna. 

I joined the group after my training at the Pack's arsenal. Going back to my abusive father's house after my training only meant trouble. Thankfully enough, Alpha Allan, my very good friend, asked me to join them a day or two till the end of my training. I was deeply gratified but that gratification died with each day, because of the disturbance and stress that it brought. 

Another problem was that of finding my mate. I still reel from the shame of Cara's rejection. The deep wound it caused me was slowly healing but its pain seemed to renew itself anytime I thought about it. If I found my mate before the next Carmella, I would be made a noble. Alpha Allan had promised me that but I wasn't able to find her till then I would leave the Pack in search of her, becoming a rogue in the process. And time is not on my side. A month from today and I would be forced to exile. 

I quenched my heart by sleeping around, nobly though. Other than that, she-wolves constantly threw themselves at me and I took the opportunity to rail against ey did so. Yesternight was spent at the bar with an hour-glass shaped Beta. The pleasure still lingered, up to this point. 

I would be late if I didn't start my reparation immediately, and lateness was unacceptable. I quickly got up from my bed and got into the bathroom. I was out in five minutes. I put on a checkered long-sleeved shirt, black pants and white-soled sneakers. I fumbled for my keys in the pocket of my overcoat. Taking it, I headed for my car outside and drove off.  

Rain clouds had gathered and a dark shadow was cast over the earth. Thunders grumbled slightly and a chill seeped into the morning air. The air grew cold again. It was a ten minutes drive from my house to the conference room. I killed the engine and came out of the black sedan. 

Two hefty men guarded the doorway. This had never been done. I wondered what was amiss as I strode into the large conference room. They were all there as I sauntered in. With the way they looked at me, it was evident that they were waiting for my arrival. The whole thing seemed more serious than I thought. They all carried such fearsome looks on their faces while some supported their jaws with their hands. I neared the table where they were all seated. One of the seats was vacant. They were eight, instead of nine. 

I pulled out a seat and wedged myself into it. "Good morning," I greeted but no one responded. Fabiola was the only one who cared to do so through the mind link. This was more serious than I thought. 

"Welcome. Thank you for joining us" Alpha Allan intoned "As you can see, we've all been expectant of you. We appreciate your making it to the meeting on time. Without wasting much time let's begin. Be rest assured that this place is safe, even the air needs my permission to come in" he chuckled but it was mirthless. The laughter was soon gone and in its place was a sinister expression. 

"One of us is not here" Vanessa expressed, her face tilted towards Allan. 

"I'm well aware of that and I was going to explain shortly before you asked. The whole thing is more serious than we think. If we don't take drastic actions to stop the impending war, something sinister will befall us. That is why Alpha Connor has been suspended till further notice. His Pack poses a very great threat to our existence and we cannot keep a potential enemy within us no matter how much we trust him." 

"Jumping to conclusions already?" I asked.