Everything stood still

Alpha Zayne Steel

'The f**k,' I cursed on the bedroom floor beside my bed. I woke up with a start at the loud blaring of a horn and some ear-piercing feedback from what sounded like a speaker.

I heard, "we mean you no harm. We have a warrant to search every home in this community, as we have information that one of the wolves here has kidnapped a nurse and a doctor"…

'Zayne!' I heard Mekhi's eager voice poking in. I let him in and answered, 'Yes, Mekhi, tell me what's happening.'

'It's the army, Zayne. The f**king military is here, hundreds of men. I jumped up quickly from the floor and headed straight to my closet, grabbing jeans and a shirt. I then went into the bathroom.

I was going to grab a quick shower. I told Mekhi to give me a minute. 'The f**k you mean?' Mekhi responded. Mekhi must think I was losing my mind to be this calm after they announced they would search the property.

I repeated casually like I had no concern or care in the world, and at the moment, I really didn't, at least not about this, as I relished in my last-minute decision last night.

I told Mekhi to have everyone comply and, please, do not put up any opposition. Let them search, as we have nothing to hide. Realization dawns on Mekhi when he asks, 'Zayne, what the f**k did you do?'

I smirked as I looked at myself in the mirror. 'I will fill you in later. Just get everyone calm and have everyone comply with the military, it's the army, and they will be looking for any reason to shoot, and you heard them? They stated clearly that they were here for the nurse and doctor?'

'Only one entity could have led them here because of this. Remember those bullets from the night before? So let's not provoke them in any way.' I say the last part full of warning bells. We wolves can be very hot-tempered, and our patience will be tested today in more ways than one.

I am sure of it.

'I just hope to Goddess that we survive this. Once the army confirms that those they are looking for are not here and we have not kidnapped anyone, they will soon leave. One more thing, Mekhi,' I reopened the link.

'Everything is to go on as planned for today. I will come down as soon as I finish getting ready.'

'Zayne, are you sure about this?' Mekhi queried.

'Yes, I am.'

We ended the link, and I continued getting ready.

Making my way to the main compound, the air felt stagnant. The branches on the trees were unmoving. Not a leaf blew with the wind. Everything stood still as if waiting to see what would happen next.

Some of my people were already gathered around, waiting patiently for what would happen next. I was relieved to see that they were complying.

But I know this can be very upsetting for many and an inconvenience. I am beginning to feel horrible about the fact that my actions are what led them here this quickly.

I also see men in their army uniforms in teams marching in and readying themselves for the search. I reached the one in charge at the head. There were a bunch of men hanging around him.

"Good morning," I greeted, "welcome to Ragnuff Crescent Moon Community."

He looks me up and down, then spits on the floor beside me. Aragorn roars viciously in my head, wanting to come out badly at the disrespect.

But Goddess, you know, I came prepared expecting nothing less from these f**kers who were beneath us and will always be beneath us, this sick f**k.

Head slanted, he looks up at me, "So you are the one they call Alpha, huh?"

"Yes, sir, I am. My full name is Alpha Zayne Steele."

By this time, Mekhi was next to me. I continued, "and this is my Beta Mekhi Williams, my first in command. How can we be of assistance today?"

"Ooohhhh, did I say something that offended you? Let me know so that I can do it again."

The soldiers close had their attention on Mekhi and me, with a stance as if ready and waiting for us to make one move they deemed free reign to attack.

But I will not give them the satisfaction. The one in charge got angry at the fact that he was not getting a response from me, not even a tick in my jaw.

Was this fool in charge, and would I be dealing with him throughout this dilemma?

He laughs again, "ok, ok, let's hurry and get this done. The rubbish truck will be here soon to pick up the trash, so be ready." He looked me up and down again, and honestly, I wanted to roll my eyes more than anything else. I was not even getting angry at his feeble attempt to piss me off.

Does this fool think we are that shallow? Besides, it was not even funny. Nevertheless, he continued with his tiresome and boring antics. Mekhi and I remained silent. We have all the patience in the world right now.

He erupted in another fit of laughter, looking around at his men, "look at the Alpha here, y'all, nothing but a baby in pampers still." He pointed at my face. "Look at his face."

"He still has his mother's milk on it. Look, look," some of the men close around him laughed along with him, nudging each other.

While I was beginning to wonder if their end game was to bore us to death.

"Alister cut it out. So what if he still has his mother's milk on his face? He is the Alpha, so let's get on with this," a stern voice to the back of me said.

Turning around, I quickly noticed that HE was in charge rather than this clown I first spoke to. Well, now I am an idiot.

Not missing a beat, "Alpha Zayne Steele, I am LIEUTENANT COLONEL De Four, and we are here today to search your community," handing me the warrant, which I took and read over.

From what I see, it looks official. I nod. He continued, "all we ask is your cooperation as we move as quickly as possible to get this over with the soonest."

"Of course, I've already given the order for my people to comply and provide you with room to do the necessary."

"Mekhi, my Beta here, will stay close by in case you need anything, so please do carry on, and if you need me, I will be at our burning grounds assisting some of my men to build some pyres."

He cranes his neck to look at me, eyebrows arching, maybe expecting me to elaborate, which I did not want to but did anyway.

"The night before, we had an attack on our community, and we just wanted to lay our fallen to rest, giving them a proper send-off."

"Any idea who would have orchestrated such an attack?"

"No, not really. No clue. We wolves live in perfect harmony with our kind and humankind that knows us. So I am still trying to put the pieces together."

I lied. I knew exactly who was behind this, well not exactly who, but the entity we have been fighting against was behind this, no doubt, and they were the reason these f**kers are here right now.

He eyed me suspiciously, as if he knew I was hiding something. Nevertheless, looking around, he slips me his card while he shakes my hand and says softly, so soft that only a wolf could hear. "If ever you need any assistance, please give me a call. I can put you on someone who can help."

He looks at me, squeezing my hands tightly at the word help.

I looked at him. Odd, I thought, maybe seeing the suspicion on my face. He leans in ever so slightly and whispers so low that my wolf ear as well almost didn't pick it up. "Not everyone agrees with what is happening here today. That's all I can say."

"Call me…" With that, he walks away, his men trailing behind him as he shouts orders, and each of his men spreads out, beginning their search. I turned to Mekhi, his very own eyebrow arching. I told him to just stay close and watch over them.

Later we will talk. You know where to find me.

With that, I mind-linked Mekhi and told him to ensure two of our men accompanied every group they formed.

No group is to wander off by themselves. I did not trust them.