Hackles Raised

Alpha Zayne Steele

"I appreciate you, dad," I turned and said to him.

He turns to look at me. "I know, son"….

After a moment of silence and simply sitting in relaxation, he said, "Son, these humans are not joking around, and you had better be prepared because they will return, and this time with more force."

"Last night, they quickly learned that this is not another tiny wolf community, and they will return with the strength to match us. Which, for them, that simply means more men and more of those bullets they made."

"Oh, this I know, dad," I replied. "I actually arranged for a few things," and I relayed my plans to him.

He was in complete agreement and had some significant input, and we further discussed matters.

I got up and grabbed another bottle of water from the cooler that he always has stacked with beers and whatnot. Sitting back on my chair, I said, "so I believe we can hold the line."

Goddess, I hope I am right…..

Leaving my dad's, I made my way home to get some rest. I had not rested since the sun came up, and I was still up getting an account of what had happened.

I also wanted to pay my respects to the families of the fallen warriors, visiting each home and providing what comfort I could.

They were all grief-stricken. The few mated guards were the worst homes to visit. Their mates are all a wreck. I can't begin to imagine what they are going through, so I am always unsure of what to say to them.

I opt to simply hold them as they cry.

Those were really the rough ones. Moving on, I checked in on the progress of the reinforced gate being put up, and now after my dad's, I am beaten, needless to say, but I still had more to do.

I needed to ensure that things were coming along for the burning tomorrow night under the moonlight, and it just so happened to be a full moon.

The burning is a way of cleansing through fire for us wolves as we pass the threshold into the other side. This Thursday is a full moon, and most wolves prefer being sent off on the night the moon is at its fullest.

We wolves strongly believe it ensures direct and safe passage to our ancestors. These fallen guards and my warrior Nathanial will have a send-off tomorrow night when the moon is at its fullest.

I will make sure of it.

Making my way to the pack house, I made my way to my good office, you know, the one that is not trashed, poured myself a drink, and mind-linked my Beta and Delta.

I made myself comfortable on my chair and sipped my scotch. Less than five minutes, and they were both in my office, already filling me in on the preparations made thus far and what needs to be taken care of, which is building the pyres for the burning.

I told them, " Well, in a community of over three thousand people, I am sure we can secure our defenses and build Forty-Three pyres for our fallen to get the cleansing they deserve.

"When will this be done? I would personally like to be there…."

"We want to start in the morning, and we have asked for as many volunteers to show up for this," Mekhi answers.

"Ok, good. I will fall in as soon as I get up. Also, on another note, please get the word out that a meeting will be held in the situation room tomorrow after the building of the pyres before we rest for the evening events."

"Sure, I will get on that," Rafael spoke this time.

I then took stock. The bodies are being prepared as we speak. A Minister was arranged for the send-off, and all the food preparations, drinks, etc, were already planned.

I didn't want the family to be stressed about any of these things. I wanted to take care of it all. All they had to do was show up, pay their last respects, and say their goodbyes.

Send-off starts at ten pm. However, for viewing of the bodies, we make them available from seven pm so the families can have time with them before.

Completely satisfied with everything, I dismissed them both and stood as well to head home, but before doing that, I had one more stop to make.

********************************************

Back in Transcendent Lotharios...

Daniela Grey.

Aubrianne looks at me and says, "lead the way."

We had made our way in. Pushing open the enormous door, we entered through the ostentatious front entrance. Now inside, needless to say, Aubrianne's eyes were saucers again.

She walked further inside and did a complete three-sixty degrees as her eyes darted in every way, greedily soaking up all she could. Even though I have been here countless times before.

I couldn't help but smile and found myself doing the same, joining her and doing a three-sixty of my own, well, more like a one-eighty because Aubrianne was over her spin and took a step forward, unsure where to go next.

"New ride, new swag, new clothes," Daniel spoke up, "so I will roll with you ladies to a point until I get what I need. Then I will chill at the Lounge on the fifth floor and take in the game. Hopefully, I catch the ending, at least."

Aubrianne chuckles, "sweet."

"Well, excuse me," I said, touching my chest as I stepped back, looking at him, slightly shocked. But you can't blame him. Maybe he wants to impress.

"Okayyy, let's start over here at 'Venicci's,' here, we can get amazing footwear of all types, both male and female. Daniel may even get some new swag."

I said the last part, teasing him. At which he just shook his head and did half an eye roll.

Stepping into Venicci's, for the females, they had from High heels to Flats in all different makes and brands. This is why, when on entering, Aubrianne made a noise of excitement, sounding a little squealish.

I anticipated this. Aubrianne eyes roamed the store as she slowly walked in. Daniel left us, going straight to the men's section, while I followed Aubrianne to the women's section, the boots area.

She scans the wall of boots before her, deep in thought. After a few minutes, she picked out three pairs, one of them I myself was eyeing.

A pair of jeans material thigh-high, high-heel boots, with fringes at the top and cut out at the front of the boot, from just below your tibia straight up to your thigh.

The other was red suede material reaching just above the ankle. It laces up to the front with gold rings for the lace to pass through and two gold buckles to the side, more heading towards the back.

The last pair were black suede boots, just above the knee, with lacing to the back top part of the boot just behind the knee moving upwards.

A sales clerk was already hovering close by when she stepped up and asked Aubrianne if she would need assistance. In which Aubrianne gave her all her picks and told her size seven in each pair, and I asked for an eight, picking up a brown to Aubrianne's red.

While the clerk went to the back, Aubrianne and I continued to browse, checking out some decent high heels for work, when Daniel came across two dress shoes for men, a square tip. One brown and the other black asking for our opinion.

Well, more like Aubrianne's opinion, and she loved them both. So, of course, he asks his sales rep to get him his size in both pairs.

The clerk assisting us came back, and after she gently rested our selections down, Aubrianne gave her a pair of black pointy tip high heels with red at the bottom and asked for a size seven in it.

Meanwhile, I tried my pair while Aubrianne tried her first pair, and it was the thigh-high jeans material Boots, and I just loved it on her.

She beams and blushes at how sexy she looks in them and makes another excited noise.

When suddenly, my hackles raised along with the hair on my back. I sniff. However, too many repugnant scents filled the air. Also, the scent I was sniffing out did not seem to be among the masses. However, that eerie feeling was back.