Influx

The pack hadn't been planning on hearing anyone out this late, but at the loud sound of incoming cries and wails, they had a serious indication something was wrong.

"Sire?" Lara asked and looked to Metas for instruction.

"We go as a pack - all of us." The Alpha replied strongly and stood on two feet. "Everyone stay with your mate, or in this case - Veltar and Jessie, are you fine watching over one another?"

Both of them nodded, and hid the smiles they wanted to flash to each other.

"My female pack, tend to the children and women. Males, pull in the wounded - and guide families back here. Once we have them grouped together, we can talk about shelter and food.

There wasn't time for affirmations. Everyone stood with their partners and walked as a small group as wolves into the depths of the forest.

There weren't too many who had made it to the wood, unfortunately. From the cries of the children, and the look of horror on the faces of the adults and older youths of the group - whatever happened, was disturbing and terrifying.

"...is that the big wolf?" a small child ask in their mortal form. They looked to be around six, and based on the pajamas he was wearing, he had been pulled from his sleep.

"I hope so," their older sibling said as she held her younger brother's hand.

"Alpha Metas...is that you?" the younger boy asked loudly, which warranted shushes from the others around him.

Metas nodded and approached them still on all fours, and waited half-way for one of the elder wolves to come forward.

...but no one did...

"Who is your leader?" Metas asked as his eyes swept across the sea of sad expressions.

"We don't have one," the little boy replied bravely.

"Hmm. I'd disagree. You seem to be speaking well for the group. Come here on your pads, and tell me what happened," Metas replied with lowered himself down to his belly to show the young one he meant no harm.

The young child looked to his sister for guidance and began to tremble. After what he had witnessed with Silas, an Alpha was a terrifying title.

"That's okay, you don't have to" he said when he read the boy's face.

"I don't want to be in trouble..." he said and started to cry.

Myranda watched as her Alpha King's size worked against him for once, and approached from behind him slowly until she took the same stance he had on her belly, but just a little bit ahead of Metas and tried to beckon the child forward with her small stature and gentle face.

"You're not in trouble, sweetheart. Why would you be? Did something happen?" Myranda asked with soft sniffs that came off far less commanding than Metas' had.

"...I just want to know who the real Alpha is, because I don't want to die..." the little boy replied and started to break down into tears.

Metas' entire pack shared the same grim expression of knowing.

"I'm sorry, we're shaken up. Alpha Silas - or so he calls himself, ravaged our entire village looking for someone named Cassandra. He burned our houses down, and killed a child in front of its mother for daring ask why you are not the King." One of the adults finally spoke and stepped forward as his wolf form - a beautiful mix of greys and blacks that peppered his coat like fine ink strokes.

Metas stood and came to Myranda's side as the male approached them. The last thing he wanted was for anyone touch is beloved Luna. Had seen her hurt too much for his care, and he wasn't taking chances.

"Silas is a puppet. He framed me for my parent's murders and usurped the throne. Furthermore, he killed my mate's sister and has fed our own kind to the Vampire kingdom. I've been exiled from the mountain, but that doesn't mean we're not fighting to get back in. He only thinks I am dead or gone. In reality - this is my kingdom, and no one abuses us and lives, especially not false rulers," Metas said steadily as he read their faces of confusion and sorrow.

"Forgive me, but - we don't know what to believe any longer. The soldiers who ransacked our homes seemed adamant that Silas is the Alpha - and backed his punishments. He was whipping some of our wives in the streets. Where is your army?" the male wolf asked almost accusingly.

Myranda was about to snarl at the male for his disrespect, but Metas spoke first.

"My current army is behind me. My future army is right in front of me," Metas answered solidly.

"We're not soldiers," the male replied lowly.

"Neither are we, but we're not going to stand by and watch the mountain melt into chaos because of Silas. Are you suggesting that you can't fight for our kind because of your job? I'm a baker. Joss and Jessie are from textiles, and Veltar is a prisoner of war who once practiced alchemy. Lara is a lady of the court, and my brother and Ajax are the only soldiers who hold the title of such." Myranda replied sternly, already fed up with this male's attitude.

"You can be a soldier if you want to be, but I suppose it depends on how badly you don't want to live under the rule of Silas and Harbinger," Myranda finished and kept her gaze on the male as Metas had taught her to do.

"I don't think you understand, little miss" the male started, but earned an immediately growl from Metas.

"She is your Luna. I am your Alpha. There is no other order. What is happening in there is false. If you want to live under his rule - go inside the mountain and grovel. If you want a better tomorrow where we are all equal and free of the foolish regime we live under - then you will be respectful to my mate, and you will be respectful to me and my pack. Join us, or join Silas. Those are you current choices," Metas boomed and stood tall over the male. His size was so great that no one had yet to match it in their current society.

"What if we don't want to choose?" the male asked again with more disrespect than before, as though he didn't enjoy being told what to do and when to do it.

"Then go back to your village and deal with Silas on your own, and get out of my woods. Those are your options. I don't want to fight you, or anyone else other than Silas. If you dare to stand in my way, then we will have issues. Otherwise - leave." Metas answered with annoyance and might.

"We can't go home... there isn't anything there.." the little child said with teary eyes.

"Then you can stay here with us, but all I require is respect towards myself, my mate, and my pack. We're prepared to give you shelter, food, and protection. When the time comes, we plan to attack Silas head-on and infiltrate the upper levels. You can choose whatever you wish to do - but either way, pick a side." Metas spoke again, and looked to the male whose scowl had died down a bit the longer the Alpha spoke.

"What if you lose this war of yours? Then what's in it for us?"

"What if Silas loses?" Metas returned with a flat stare. "It is why I state that you must pick a side. Go be cattle for the slaughter under Silas - or rescue our people and start a new dawn of the kingdom with me. It's a real easy choice if you think about it without your anger attached."

"Uhm... your Alphaness...sir? Mister Grave doesn't speak for all of us" the older sibling said suddenly as her hand curled tighter around her younger one's hand.

"Of course, my child. What would you like to speak on behalf of yourself?" Metas asked with a measured tone.

"Silas killed our dad..and...I like the way that white lady wolf in the back looks because she reminds me of our mother. We would feel safer with you, please..." the youthful female said with glassy eyes.

"Then come behind me, and go see Lara. She's the white wolf you speak of," Metas replied warmly to the young girl and gestured with his head for her to come towards his group.

"Is that okay with you, Sebastian?"

The younger child nodded and followed with his sister towards Lara, who had gotten up to meet them. She was such a warm female, that it was not a feat of magic for young ones to drift towards her tender nature.

"Anyone else who would like to join us - come and follow our lead and we will treat your wounds and get you food. We have already started on a shelter." Metas said without giving the doubting male another moment of his time.

They had kids to take care of, and that was more important than any stuffy old coot.