The Silk Moon Pack mountain stronghold never really was meant to be a place for pack members to live. It was where their sacred walls were and it was a temporary refuge.
Well it had been that way before the Tri-Pack Wars. Now it was a growing thriving city. Where there had just been tunnels leading to deep cave labyrinths there were now halls leading to thriving businesses. The empty cavern just past their sacred walls had once been an empty valley now there was a variety of livestock and fertile fields.
And past all of this a deep valley surrounded by vast mountain ranges dotted with homes, three schools, more businesses, a hospital and three clinics, and more.
The Silk Moon Pack was quietly re-establishing itself in its most secret place. As they rebuilt and grew they also infiltrated their enemies. They planted surveillance devices and spies loyal to Silk Moon in both Star Fire and Dark Howl.
Marco was determined to understand his enemies fully this time. He sat in a deep niche in a high crevice within the main and largest cavern in their stronghold. This was their defensive and intelligence training center. He watched as different types of werewolves practiced defensive and offensive techniques. His eyes narrowed as he watched a group practicing moves he did not know.
This was not unusual anymore, Silk Moon had taken in many rogues and strong mercenary groups. The problem was he felt their intent. He sensed their animosity for each. He didn't care for such things but he needed order. You do not have to love each other but you needed to be able to work effectively together.
He sensed that this group was on the verge of going to blows. He couldn't have infighting on such a level.
He watched them intently, his mind processing who they were. Two were rogues and the other three were from a well organized mercenary group. He raised an eyebrow at the realization.
And he saw it happen. A rogue shoved a mercenary. Marco was up and over the edge of the ledge in an instant. In the air his killing intent flared and when his feet touched the ground he had partially transformed with his head and shoulders covered in dense red fur, his canines extended, and his ears elongated to points at the top of his head.
The crowd of werepeople parted before him as he walked toward the target group. All five trembled because his intent was directed toward them.
"Explain." As he stopped in front of them Tar was by his side. An Alpha's Beta was his or her enforcer. When Marco first moved Tar was unsure what his Alpha was doing. When he touched down and was partially transformed there was no question.
Still Tar berated himself. He felt he was late and that he no longer understood the needs of his Alpha. These feelings made his intent a bit stronger than it needed to be. The added pressure caused the werewolves to waver even more.
Marco smiled at this.
"Alpha. This is a problem of the rogues. We are trying to work with them but they are just not use to working with others."
Marco nodded, looking into the eyes of a fourth mercenary who was still a leader amongst them.
He looked to the five. "So rogue is better than mercenary?" the question actually came out with a bit of a purr and it caused everyone in the vicinity, with the exception of Tar and Jess to pause and steady themselves.
Most were almost driven to the floor while others simply experienced wobbling in their legs.
"I need everyone to understand this." His voice amplified as his intent flowed forth with an even greater intensity.
"You are all welcome to Silk Moon Pack. We need and want you here without a doubt. And I am intent on restoring our pack to what it once was.
"But let me explain to you that if you in anyway jeopardize any of my actions against Star Fire and Dark Howl packs I will kill you and lay your dismembered body out for the carrion to feast on."
He gave a hard look to the two rogues. "Do we have an understanding?"
Before they could think of an answer he had already walked away, leaving Tar there to glare at them. He was truly hoping he could smash someone's face.
Marco didn't know how he ended up in front of Alisa's name. She had been the love of his life and the only one, besides Jess, that could keep him calm. Her name was written on the wall in an ancient font used by Alphas in times gone, and the color was a rich gold and actually looked fluid.
He stood there mesmerized for the longest moment wanting to both think and not think.
"The world sees you as an Omega but they all see you as an Alpha. What will you do to make them mean the same thing when it comes to you?"
"I feel you have a suggestion." He never took his eyes off of Alisa's name and there was a deadly warning lacing his words.
Jess ignored the warning.."You should take a new mate."
"Why do you like to test me sister?!" he had turned to her as soon as he understood her sentiment.
"She is your soulmate. Are you going to ignore that?"
"Alisa was my soulmate." He walked away as if to say the conversation was over.