World Of The Wolves

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Tired from his day, Rivian soon fell asleep at his desk doing paperwork. It was hard working being the Alpha. He may as well fall asleep at his desk, it's not like there was anyone to go home to.

"Alpha, Alpha, Alpha." came Gideon's voice. Gideon was Rivian's trusted and long-time first lieutenant. Rivian had no complaints about Gideon except that sometimes Gideon could be to stern, especially to the younger wolves. Gideon always adhered to ancient wolf law. "Alpha, alpha, alpha" came Gideon again. The needy voice drilled into his brain! He'd worked hard all day. He just wanted sleep.

"Ehhh, is dark!" murmured Rivian tiredly, into this thin pillow. He shouldn't complain---he was the Alpha and the pack needed him 24/7. It was the task that had been given to him by the pack's old Alpha, Fenir. Rivian did his best to take care of the Antelope Hill werewolf pack but for now, he just wanted to sleep. Was that so much to ask?

"Alpha, we have a level 10 emergency. The night patrols found it, in the gully down by the highway. You really need to come and see. We may have to go into the mortal world. said Gideon. Rivian was being shaken awake now.

"Fuck!" murmured Rivian into his desk, as he raised his head and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. A level 10 emergency in the middle of the night and the possibility of having to venture into the mortal world. was something he couldn't ignore! He utterly loathed getting up in the middle of the night! The bed was always cold when he came back. Rivian had no one to come home to. Rivian longed to have someone to snuggle with in cold weather. Someone to spoon! Someone who was his!

He got up only in boxer shorts and followed Gideon to the stony gully. It was the middle of the night and cold but neither the dark nor chilly weather bothered Rivian. There was a red Ford Fiesta. It was crashed into an old oak tree. Rivian could tell from her smell that she was mortal. The tiny mortal woman was passed out on the driver's side. Lots of blood was pouring from her head, it caked her long black hair and her leg was crooked. Rivian was no doctor but he could tell it was badly broken.

Rivian heard her sigh and realized she was still alive! His heart jumped! She was still alive! He had a responsibility to her. As Alpha, he had a responsibility to everyone in Antelope Hill no matter if they were supernatural or not. Afraid that the car might start on fire, Rivian quickly slid down the tangled weeds of the gully and pulled the woman from the mangled car. Rivian knew little about mortals but it was clear that she needed medical care.

"Get Dr. Potter, NOW." he yelled to the few members of his pack who'd gathered about, as he carried this woman up the stony gully. There were no street lights in Antelope Hill---everyone knew where they were going and everyone knew everybody. They were a pack and they'd been a pack for many centuries.

Rivian knew his pack would be apprehensive about a mortal woman coming into town. It didn't matter that she was floating in and out of consciousness. She was still a mortal woman. Surely the news would have spread through all of Antelope Hill by now, even though it was the middle of the night. Still, knowing he had an obligation to her, Rivian carried the unknown woman all the way to Dr. Potter's office in his arms.

The woman was as light as a feather. Rivian didn't know if was from blood loss or if it was what she weighed. But, Rivian didn't need to use his supernatural strength. Soon Dr. Potter arrived from his home with his leather medical bag. It was old and worn. Dr. Potter had been caring for the Antelope Hill wolf pack for many years. He'd treated them in wolf and human form. He knew the aliments of everyone in the pack.

"I'll take care of her, Alpha. Set this leg. You can see her in the morning." he said as he ushered his Alpha out. Dr. Potter knew that Rivian was his Alpha but Dr. Potter didn't like having people cluttering up his office.

Outside Dr. Potter's office, it seemed his whole pack was gathered and gossiping despite the fact the sun wouldn't rise for hours. Rivian was bombarded by questions and all Rivian wanted to do was get back to bed. He hated all the responsibility of having to be an Alpha. Why had the old Alpha Fenir picked him? Fuck!

"How did she get here?"

"Do mortals know about us now?"

"Will we have to move?"

It was an endless litany of questions and Rivian had no answers. He was perplexed himself. Rivian was Alpha but he didn't know everything! Why did he always have to know everything? Today was one of the days he hated being Alpha. It was a respectable position but he was growing to like it less and less each year.

"Alright, alright, alright everyone, just calm down. The woman is sleeping for now. Dr. Potter and Elsie are looking after her. We'll know more in the morning." he stated to his worried pack members. Still, he noticed that no one had asked how the woman was. Rivian seemed the only one to worry about her. After all, she was just a mortal.

Rivian returned to his house. He tried to sleep but his dreams were restless. Rivian tossed and turned in his bed. The questions his pack had asked filled his mind. Rivian had no answers and that bothered him. Rivian liked to know what was going on at all times and this black-haired beauty perplexed him. He found himself wanting to protect his pack but mostly her, even though she was a stranger.

Morning came and Rivian made his way down to Dr. Potter's office. He just stopped to put on a pair of pants.

"Coffee?" Dr. Potter questioned as he passed his Alpha a cup. It was already made the way his Alpha liked it. He'd known his Alpha for hundreds of years. They'd been best friends and confidants through thick and thin. The friends had stuck up for one another and helped each other make vital life decisions.

"Elsie, is up at Corner Coffee, getting some doughnuts and listening to the gossip. She's probably going to be bombarded by a million questions since the mortal spent the night here. Elsie is a good wife---she's mine all thanks to you Alpha. Gods, I love her so. Let's sit. I have some granola bars in the cupboard for the meantime. We should probably finish them off, they've been in the pantry for a while." said Dr. Potter.

He and Rivian sat down. Rivian picked up one of the chocolate granola bars and nibbled at it in disgust. It was soon put aside. They'd been in the pantry to long. Rivian and Henry hungrily awaited breakfast.

"So Henry...what do we know?" Rivian questioned Dr. Potter.

"Not much, barely anything and I can't find any trace of basic magic on her. So I'll be dammed if I know how she got in here." Henry said to Rivian. "I did find her wallet. It says her name is Alcana Seeker from Chicago and she's 35. She has $430.15 with her and credit cards. That's all we know." Henry took a sip of his coffee. "Oh, she's type O blood...universal donor like you."

"How is she? You said she wasn't magical in any way. Do we need to get her to a hospital for mortals?" Rivian questioned. He was worried about this mortal. He was also happy they shared the same blood type. It made him feel close to her. It made him feel the more protective of her.

"I said I couldn't find any BASIC trace of magic on her. I only ran a simple scan. Didn't want to take any more blood or bother her more than I should. She's lost a lot of blood. She's barely hanging on. You're lucky you got to her in time...we don't need to take her to a mortal hospital. They'd ask a lot of questions there and we'd come under suspicion. We'd get in more trouble from the mortal authorities than we'd face from her. She'll be fine here. Sure, it'll challenge my medical skills BUT it will be different than my usual boring routine...of patching up pups after they have a tussle. I'm older now but I'm up for a challenge BESIDES I have my Elsie to help me.

Sure Elsie was a mortal once, a lot of the pack still hold that against her but now, after all these years, she's a first-rate nurse. She would have gone to medical school except they didn't let women be doctors back then." said Henry.

He'd thought about sending Elsie off into the mortal world for medical school. They could take it again together, but Elsie didn't want to be away from her wolf pack. Now they were like a second family. Her real family. Elsie felt like she belonged and often looked after young pups since she and Henry couldn't have any of their own.

"Well...if you need more blood for transfusions or whatever...or you know anything...let me know. She's our guest and we'll look after her," said Rivian. Questions existed in his mind. How had this mortal woman broken passed the magical barriers that protected Antelope Hill? The last report on the magic had said it was strong and impenetrable---still, he would send a team to investigate---his best people would get right on it and Rivian cursed himself for not sending scouts out last night.

It was a basic thing to do; mistakes like that are why everyone still considered him a "young Alpha" despite the fact he'd been specifically chosen over much more qualified Antelope Hill. Rivian wondered if he was to much of a young Alpha to do that, perhaps Antelope Hill needed someone stronger.

After all, Rivian really didn't want the job. It had just been thrust upon him by the old Alpha, Fenir, apparently, Rivian had shown "great strength of character" and "moral fiber" so he had given Rivian the job. By the time he'd taken it, he'd already realized he didn't want it no matter what the perks were. It was a very lonely position and Rivian felt cut off from his pack--an island onto himself.

A knock came at the door; startling Rivian who was lost in memories of the past. A young man strode through as if he owned the place. "She up yet, Doc?" he questioned.

"NO, now get out of here, and for the love of all things holy please be quiet. I said I'd call you when she was awake and ready to talk. I'll call you as soon as that happens. The Alpha and I are having a private talk. You're NOT welcome." stated Dr. Potter firmly. It was apparent to Rivian that Henry was annoyed with this man and trying to dismiss him.

"Who's that?" Rivian questioned. He knew all his pack members but couldn't recall seeing this one before. Rivian knew he was a wolf since he smelled like one. Magic barriers were down though and everything was in flux. So Rivian was asking questions

"Ash...he's one of the pups the council has sent here to find a true mate. He seems to think Alcana here is his true mate...won't leave the poor woman alone. She needs her rest. Elsie gave him the business, told him how rare true mate are among mortals, and tossed him out...guess Ash must have seen Elsie up at the Corner Cafe and taken advantage. No matter how hard I try he just doesn't get the message." Dr. Potter shook his head. He couldn't believe how rude some young pups could be.

Alcana moaned and twisted in her sleep but didn't wake. She was still in pain, dreaming restless dreams.

"She needs rest. There's nothing else we can do. Rome wasn't built in a day...she'll get better." said Dr. Potter. Rivian nodded. Both mortals and wolves, needed rest to get better. No matter how skilled the doctor. Dr. Potter was skilled in treating wolves; lord knows he'd been treating them for hundreds of years since the pack had first reached the American prairies BUT his care for mortals needed work. Still, he had determination and tenacity.

The door to the office opened. A middle-aged woman stood there and brushed snow off her shoulders. She had long black hair mingled with silver."MY that was a long wait and it seemed like everyone wanted to ask me the same questions, stupid questions. No one in this town wants to mind their own business and leave this poor woman alone. The doughnuts are here." said the woman as she placed them on the table.

Henry took a crueller doughnut and Rivian ate one with orange and black sprinkles. He was the Alpha but still ate like a child. Rivian always gobbled down sugar. He'd put four packs of sugar in his coffee much to Dr. Potter's discontent. Rivian had no one to look after him. Rivian needed someone to look after him. He should have someone to look after him.

"These are delicious as always. You're the best wife a man could ask for, Elsie," said Henry, as he kissed Elsie on the cheek. She laughed and kissed him back. The true mates had met years ago when Henry was interning at Wyoming General Hospital. He loved her SO.

Elsie was once a mere mortal and their marriage had caused contention amongst the pack. Fenir had nearly kicked Henry out for it BUT the lovers had held firm in their love for one another. Ultimately, it had been Rivian who had seen the snow-white purity of their love and stood up for them. Thanks to Rivian's persistence and strong arguments to Fenir. In the end, both Elsie and Henry had Fenier's blessing and permission.

Now nearly a hundred years later, they were still together. True mates! Rivian couldn't imagine them apart. Elsie was now accepted by the pack and many young wolf couples aspired to have the purity of love that Henry and Elsie had! She was a beautiful silver wolf when she morphed. Henry said her fur was made of moonlight!

"Elsie, thanks for the doughnuts you really are great. So tell me the 411. What's the gossip up at the Corner Coffee" asked Rivian. Rivian didn't want to go to the Corner Coffee. He'd only be asked questions he didn't know the answer to. No one shared gossip with him since he was the Alpha.

Rivian was the Alpha and had been the Alpha for years now BUT he only got the job because Fenir had appointed him. Fenir had no offspring. It was customary for the Alpha to give the job to their offspring out of all the eligible wolves, Rivian had been chosen and he never knew why. It was a question he always asked himself.

Rivian didn't like enforcing the traditional rules. According to them, he was supposed to have banished Elsie and Henry; still, he'd seen their true love and let them be true mates, instead of casting them aside. Ancient laws be dammed! The former Alpha, Fenir, had seen it disagreed but ultimately came to admire Rivian's bold choice of modernization. It was one of the reasons he'd named Rivian, Rivian thought he wasn't worthy to be an Alpha. But, he tried to live up to the expectations of the pack,

He remembered how Henry had talked to him the day, he'd been promoted to Alpha. Rivian had been so uncertain on that day and full of questions. He'd had no clue why Fenir was appointing him, after all, Alpha's usually appointed their sons BUT Fenir had no sons. He'd never been married.

Rivian confessed his fears to Henry. He knew Henry had wisdom and was a person to go to for sage advice.

"You're an honorable man with lots of progressive ideas. Lots of wolves don't like that. You're going to make lots of enemies but gain a lot of friends among the young wolves. You're a strong warrior. You're different Rivian, and that's a good thing, you have a kind heart as Alpha, and you'll advance our pack into the 21st century. These are the reasons that Fenir has picked you. Also, I'd like you to be a progressive Alpha and lead--know that no matter what, Elsie and I will be behind you. We owe so much to you." said Henry.

"Henry, I don't know if I can be an Alpha. I'm a lone wolf. I can't govern or lead, I can barely take care of myself. I'm not Alpha material. I honestly can't think of a good reason why Fenir promoted me to Alpha. I'll need a lot...I mean a LOT of help. I'd like it if I could come to you for honest advice when I need it." said Rivian, hoping his friend would help him.

"Don't doubt yourself so much Rivian. That's exactly why you're going to make a great Alpha. You know when to ask for help. You want the community to get along. You may think you're a lone wolf. But, bit by bit you'll gain the trust of the pack because of your modern ideas." stated Henry.

"Another doughnut or some more coffee?" questioned Elsie. She could tell that Rivian was lost in his memories.

"Tell me more about what was going on up at Corner Coffee, when I ask questions everyone gets silent and no one tells me the truth. So what's up?" questioned Rivian.

"Oh you know how everyone gossips. The main question is how did she get here, through all our protective spells and what are we going to do? They're VERY worried, Rivian...everyone likes it here. We've gotten into a nice routine and don't want to leave." said Elsie, as she poured herself a cup of coffee and added milk. She grabbed herself a doughnut too.

A knock came at the door and Alcana stirred restlessly in her troubled dreams.