Page 1 of Kingdom of Wolves: Blackshadow

Chapter 1

CONNELL

Striding through the pack house, I watch every member who passes by me, because I have to choose a Beta and whomever I choose to fill the position has to have determination, honesty, reliability, and honor. As it’s an important position I can’t and won’t settle for anything less.

Bladrick is one of my inner circle, but he gossips far too much to be a good Beta, and keeping lips firmly sealed is something that I will insist upon. He is, however, good at following any orders that are thrown his way.

Don’t think he will be a good one either, I hear Knight my wolf say to me. I’m not surprised to hear his opinion, and now that we are Alpha, he is much more active in his communications with me.

Noah was a high possibility, but his fighting skills are not as good as required. He can remain silent, and is trustworthy, but the Beta has to have my back and, if he cannot fight strongly, then he is not worthy of the status.

Teach him to fight better, he’ll be good then. I can’t help but agree with Knight; Noah is a good pack member and is ranking higher with being a part of the inner circle.

William has no ambition to be more than a reliable pack member. He is of warrior status but prefers to assist around the pack wherever his help is needed.

Should be Omega, Knight chuckles in that wolfish way he has.

Caleb, now he’s the one that could be a second Beta. It’s not unknown for a pack to have two Betas and it may be good to have Caleb close. He is calm and rational, keeps to the inner circle but never causes drama of any kind.

Caleb good. Make good second Beta.

‘Yeah, I think so too, Knight. It’s a shame we lost Gabriel to Tatiana and the Wolfsfoot Town, well it’s a pack now. He was ideal, but let’s be honest, he’s a great Alpha and Tatiana deserves the happiness she is having.’ I can hear Knight mumbling agreement and he is the same, as I feel shame at what happened to Tatiana in the pack and our part in it.

Lost Carter Goldman too. But going with his son was to be expected.

Nodding, although Knight cannot see me doing that, I mumble agreement because losing Beta Goldman was a hard knock for the Blackshadow Pack.

Although the Blackshadow Pack has never had a she-wolf as Beta, I’m not averse to that if it’s the right person. Iona Whiteclaw is a top warrior in our pack, she plays around my thoughts along with Declan O’Hara.

Sighing to myself, I continue making my way to my office. I have some reorganizing to do for the pack's benefit and I want to check in the pack records when the whipping post punishments were started.

Maybe I could hold Beta challenges? That could easily bring out the strongest of the pack that has any interest in climbing into the higher ranks. But I only want pack members who can tick the boxes to have all the qualities I want and need.

I come to a halt in the office doorway when I see Zoella placing paperwork on my desk. She’s mumbling to herself under her breath. I can’t help but think that she must talk in her sleep, because I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her be quiet.

“What are you saying?” I ask as I approach the desk. Now I can’t help the smirk that crosses my face when Zoella jumps a mile high and squeaks with fright.

“Nothing Alpha Connell. I was just reminding myself of all the things I have to do this morning.”

“Okay. Let’s get on and get things done then, shall we?” I quirk an eyebrow as I watch her scurry out of the office.

Although she is a gossip, she is good at her job. Keeping everything in its place, office tidy and the filing up to date. Those things I cannot complain about, but she has been warned if she gossips about anything she hears within the office she would be in serious trouble.

Checking the paperwork on my desk, none urgently needs my attention. My mind wanders back to the challenge I’m thinking of holding and making sure the option is open for everyone.

Walking over to the wall safe, I punch in the code and take out the journal that covers the pack's history, and where, as Alpha, I will now add anything significant for future generations of Alpha leaders.

Placing the journal on the desk, I sit and take a deep breath before I open and search for anything regarding the whipping post. I have a bad feeling my father introduced it, and with that in mind I find the reference to Alpha Torrance and read the things he introduced to the pack and the things he abolished.

Here we are, whipping post, comments being:

As the Alpha of this pack, I need to teach them obedience. It is the way forward, and fear, of course, as a healthy dose of fear is good to get an Alpha’s wishes done without question. As future Alphas, you cannot afford to be squeamish. Take the pack in hand and bend them to your will. Whipping post introduced and used to quieten any of the pack who question my authority. Follow my lead in the future.

Knight speaks in the front of my mind, and on the verge of pushing me to shift because his anger is raging. It’s good he is dead, or we kill him.

‘He is dead. He can’t hurt anybody now, Knight. Let’s do what is right. Make sure the pack grows and is stronger. It’s a long road, but we can do it. I’ll speak to Flint and see if he can come and help with the challenge for the Beta position, or positions.’

Okay, that’s good. I feel Knight move back in my mind and visualize him curling into a ball with his nose tucked under his belly.

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