Page 43 of Wolf Trapped
“From now on, Patrick, Alex, and Carter will be the watch captains. You will do as they say while on patrol. If you do not, you will spend time in the cells chained, standing up. This is enough. I am done being nice. I warned you all once. I am not going to warn you again.”
Whispers fill the crowd again as Alex and Carter chain Mike and Tim and take them over to the cells. “For today, John will be the watch leader while the others get some fucking sleep, then you three will rotate days. There will be no exceptions, and anyone, I mean anyone, who does not pull their weight will be spending time in the cells.”
“Are we any closer to finding the rogue?” A woman in the back yells over the whispers of the crowd.
“We have some ideas but nothing concrete, so we will continue curfew and patrols. Be vigilant and keep the cubs close.” I turn to walk back to the pack house when John jogs up.
“Alpha, who will be patrolling with me today?” He asks as he comes up beside me.
“Pick three wolves who haven’t patrolled in a couple of days. I’m tired of a few taking the brunt of the patrols.” I grunt. These wolves are going to remember what it’s like to live under a ruthless alpha if they aren’t careful.
“Yes, Alpha.” He jogs away to get men for patrol. I change direction as I spot Carter and Alex making their way back to me.
“You two. You are off the rest of the day. I want you to rest. Get some sleep, and Alex, you start as watch captain tomorrow morning, and Carter, you will relive him tomorrow night. Patrick and John will do the same on alternating days.”
“Alpha, I’m fine. I don’t need to rest.” Carter protests, but I cut him off.
“This is an order from your alpha, Carter. You four are not the only ones that need to do this. We need the others to step up as well.”
“Yes, Alpha.” He grumbles, his eyes trained on the ground.
“Are Mike and Tim chained up?” I ask Alex.
“Yes, Alpha. Their hands are chained, and they are on the hook.” Alex nods, his hands on his hips.
“Good, leave them there until this time tomorrow. I don’t know when I will be back, but Angela has a way of contacting me. Let me know if you catch the bastard.” I clap Alex on the shoulder and jog to the house. It’s time to get back to my mate.
I just hope everything is okay when I get there.
15
JARA
The breeze through the open window ruffles my hair, and I scent something strange on it.
Is it the wolf? Did he find us?
I sit up abruptly and sniff the air again, almost positive that it’s the wolf. Shit. Where is Archer? He’s been back with the pack for hours, and I didn’t think whatever he was called back for would take this long unless something happened.
Chewing my lip, I set the e-reader aside and stand before pacing nervously. Did another pack member get injured, or worse? I stride to the window looking out to the still forest. The birds chirp in the distance, but the sound doesn’t comfort me as it usually does.
The warm sun is still high in the sky, warming my skin as I stare over the lush greenery. It’s not enough, though. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end as I scan the trees.
A chill runs down my spine. Am I being watched? Archer said no one knew about this place, so how could anyone have found me here? Did the rogue follow our scent from last night? Is there anywhere that’s safe from this bastard?
My feet move almost of their own volition to the front door. Maybe if I can catch the rogue, then Archer will see I can take care of myself and stop locking me away from everyone and everything. Opening the door, I take a step outside but stop. Archer told me to stay inside.
Indecision roars within me as I weigh the consequences of disobeying my alpha. He will probably lock me in the tiny bedroom for it, but what if I can catch the wolf? We could go back to the pack house and back to somewhat normal.
I chuckle with no joy in it. There has never been anything normal about my life in the Everette Pack. It has been one thing after another since I mated with Archer. Will it ever have any kind of normalcy? I hope so. I’m tired of danger and the crazy alpha locking me up and whisking me away from the pack.
The ax sits by the door, and I pick it up on a whim before stepping down off the porch. A twig snaps in the forest, and my head snaps toward the sound. Tentatively, I step forward to the tree line holding the ax out in front of me. This is like the horror movies Archer likes so much. At least I have the ax, though.
Growling reaches my ears, and I flinch, tightening my hold on my weapon. A large gray wolf peeks out from the trees snarling at me. Shit. This is a terrible idea. The wolf crouches, and his eyes blaze with hate. The green is almost familiar to me, but I can’t place it.
Who is this shifter, and why does he seem to hate me so much?
I swing the ax experimentally to keep the wolf away, but he just stares at me, about to pounce.
