Xander

I dragged Leila into my arms when everyone had finished eating and the place was clear.


I wasn't expecting Antonio to go this far but I wasn't suprised. His greed knows no bounds. It may kill him before I do.

'What do you think about all this?" I asked my mate.

'It's disturbing. Is he planning to control his army or seize control of ours?"


'I believe he's planning on seizing ours." Liam replied, 'from what they said, his own army is already scared and will comply easily to his commands. Seizing control of ours will be to his advantage."

'Do we have a means of protecting our minds from their control?" she asked furrowing deeper into my embrace.


'I can protect our minds" Hera said.

'All us of? Through out the whole battle?"

'Yes."

'Without getting hurt? I don't want to lose you Hera" Leila replied, 'Besides, who will protect your mind?"

Hera smiled, 'No one can get into my head Leila. Thanks for worrying about me but I'll be fine."

'Still, we can't risk it. I don't think you should be fighting while protecting our minds" Liam said.

'He's right" I agreed, stopping Hera's incoming complain. 'You can ward yourself and stay at the edge of his pack but you can't join us in fighting."

She signed and settled back in Liam's arms. 'Alright. I'll stay but I'll stay here. I can protect your minds from this distance and watch over the pack."

'Thank you. That way, if Antonio or his men tries to run here, you'll be here to take care of them" I said.

'We will leave some soldiers with you. They'll watch the border" Grey added.

'Okay."

'Liam, did you get the details I asked you to find?"

'Yes Alpha. There are a total of eighty capable people. Women making most of them with a total of fifty five."

'Hmm…"

Lot of people really died when Antonio attacked. They were at least two hundred capable members before all this started. I had failed them.

Leila sent comforting emotions through the bond and started stroking my chest. I shook my depressing emotions off, this wasn't the time for them.

'Divide them into groups. Farming should have the most. Fishing and hunting can be done by the same group. In the meantime, we need a group to forage for food in the forest."

'Yes Alpha" Liam said.

'Did you see Sonia?"

'Apart from the time she met Leila and I, I haven't seen her. I feel like she's avoiding us Alpha."

'Is this Sonia going to be a problem?" Grey asked narrowing his eyes.

'I'm not sure. She's the one that took care of the pack in my absence but she's Amelia's mother."

'Woah…that means she was a thing with Antonio."

'I'll try to assess her character and decide whether she's a friend or foe" Hera said.

'Thank you. We have a few hours before we leave. What do you all think? Should we merge the packs here or in the village?" I asked looking at their faces. Damien had been quiet for a while.

'Merging in the village will be better Alpha. Here has a lot of bad memories for most of the people" Liam said.

'I agree with him. The ward in the village also adds a sense of security that they need" Grey added. Hera nodded in agreement.

'Damien?"

'I support their decision Alpha. They may have good memories about this place but a new place would be good for everyone."

He also lost his best friend in this war.

'He's right. Healing will be easier if they don't have a constant reminder of what happened around them" Leila said.

'Alright. Liam don't create a farming group. They should focus on foraging and hunting. We won't be staying that long."

'Yes Alpha."

'All the soldiers are rested and ready right?"

'Yes Alpha" Liam replied.

I nodded, 'Grey, I need something from you."

He rose, 'anything Alpha."

'Would you do me the honor of being my Beta?"

'Huh?" His confusion face made me smile. Damien smirked at his friends confused face.

'You don't want to be my Beta?" I asked, teasing him a little.

'Yes!...No!! I mean I do!"

His outburst made them laugh and my smile to grow.

'I don't just understand. Why me? Liam is really capable Alpha."

'He is, but he doesn't want it. He prefers to be my general. You're a natural leader and you draw people to yourself easily. You're observant, strong, protective and caring, there is no single bias bone in your body. Your ready smile and easy nature gains the trust of people easily."

His face was red by now.

I smirked, 'should I go on?"

'No. Thank you Alpha. It is an honor to serve you. I will not disappoint you" he said with a bow.

'I know."

They cheered as he sat, happy with my decision.

'Regan will also be my Beta. This pack know and trust him. With the move, it will be better if they are surrounded by some familiar faces."

'Of course Alpha. I'm happy to learn from him."

'Have you told him?" Leila asked.

'Not yet, when we return I will do so."

'I will like Damien to work with me. His fighting skills are wonderful" Liam said looking at Damien.

'Of course. I was about to say so but you beat me to it."

Liam blushed, 'sorry Alpha."

'No problem. Is there any other issue we haven't addressed?"

'Are we taking prisoners or killing everyone?* Leila asked.

'Hera?" I asked. She and Grey were the ones with the most information about Antonio's pack.

'It's hard to say because I don't know how deep his control is on the people. There were maids that lounged in his room, they didn't seem to be suffering. Meanwhile, there are some innocent people in the pack that are just in the wrong place."

'So a total sweep of everyone directly serving him?" Damien suggested.

'Yes. Grey knows the identity of all the sorcerers, they can't hide among the people" Hera replied.

'Good."