Page 17 of Wolf Trapped
“You really think they are a danger to me?” I ask, wringing my hands together and flopping on the couch.
“I would like to believe they aren’t, but some of the females might be in the same mind as Rochelle. I don’t know, just stay here.” He growls. I shouldn’t push him because I know how much he hates explaining himself, but I needed to know. He’s less than communicative unless I push him.
“Fine, I’ll stay inside.” I groan. Most of the pack likes me, and we have excellent little talks when I go for walks, but now I am being asked to stay inside.
How will I survive this life when the pack turns on me in the blink of an eye?
6
ARCHER
Istorm from the house in a rage. How had that pack meeting devolved into blatant disrespect and a hysterical female? I shake my head as I race down the path back to the clearing.
The forest goes silent as I make my way down the path. The trees sway softly in the breeze, but all the prey animals and birds grow quiet as they sense the predator in their midst. I am a fucking predator. Good.
I stop at the clearing seeing only a few shifters around. Didn’t Angela tell them to stay behind to sign up for shifts? I can’t remember for sure because I was so worried about getting Jara away from the hateful glares. I dealt with them, but my wolf had been riding me hard to get her to the house where she would be safe.
Angela has a clipboard, speaking with the male shifters who stayed behind after the disaster of a meeting. Jacob is standing closer than anyone, and I don’t know how I never saw it before. The enforcer is completely in love with her. I hide my smile even though my beta deserves that happiness and stride to the other side of the clearing to the group.
“This is all the volunteers we have?” I growl. Only about ten men are milling around. They are all enforcers except Carter. “We need round-the-clock patrols. You ten are not going to be enough.”
“I will patrol as often as you need me to, alpha.” Carter steps forward with grim determination on his features. I nod to the shifter male, thankful we have some pack members who care about our territory's security.
“Thank you, but I will not burn you all out. I will make it required to do a patrol if I have to.” I take the clipboard from Angela, noting the names. “Carter and Jacob patrol first. I’m taking this and going to all the other pack members and making a schedule I will post on the bulletin board in town.”
I don’t miss Jacob kissing Angela on the cheek as he moves to go patrol with Carter, and I raise an eyebrow at her. She glares at me, warning me to keep my nose out of it. I grin in response. She won’t be getting out of this that easily.
“Rochelle’s fucking outburst had everyone leaving instead of volunteering,” Angela grumbles as she falls into step beside me.
“They are listening to her insane ramblings about Jara.” My steps quicken the closer we get to the village. My knuckles are white, gripping the clipboard.
“It’s easier to blame someone for being bad luck than blame yourself for not doing more to keep your family safe.” Angela sighs. "They are listening to Rochelle because she was born here, and they have known her their whole lives. Jara came from a rival pack, and they believe Rochelle over her without even giving her a chance to prove herself.”
“I figured there would be problems with some of the unmated females, but the men of the pack have no honor if they aren’t willing to protect their families. I only have so many enforcers.” I scrub a hand over my face in frustration.
“Maybe I should take that before you break it.” Angela chuckles, taking the clipboard from me. She’s not wrong. I’m so angry at their pettiness. I want to punch something.
The first house we arrive at is a newly mated young couple. I knock a bit too hard, but I don’t give a fuck. Every able-bodied shifter in the pack should be helping with the patrol. I don’t treat women in the pack any differently than men. Unless they have cubs to take care of, they will all patrol.
“Alpha,” Mark says softly, his eyes widening in fear.
“Why aren’t you on this list? Do you not care that the pack and your mate are possibly in danger here?” I ask, and his eyes widen almost comically. His mouth gapes open like a fish. “For that matter, why is your mate’s name not on here?”
“I’m s-sorry, Alpha.” He reaches for Angela's clipboard and writes his name on it. “My mate, she’s with cub. Can she be excused to be kept safe, Alpha?”
“Of course, your mate and the unborn cub will be protected.” I turn without another word and stomp to the next house.
This is so much bullshit. I should not have to go door to door to intimidate my fucking pack into helping patrol.
“That was easy. He was terrified of you.” Angela giggles.
“Most will be that easy, but there will be pushback,” I grumble, knocking on the next door.
“Hi, Alpha.” Little Libby grins wide as she opens the door. I crouch in front of her ruffling her hair.
“Hi, Libby. Can you get your dad for me, please?” I chuckle as she bats my hand away playfully.
“He’s not here. He went back to the clearing to sign up for patrol after bringing me and mommy home.”
