11

Dieter's POV

I pride myself on having one of the strongest packs there is. But today, while I'm watching these sparing matches, it is not showing.

It seems as though some of my members are not taking training as seriously as they should. Or at least that was what was reported to me. I don't usually observe training, trusting that the men I have put in charge have it under control. But seeing as enrollment for Sparing training dropped another two percent I needed to see for myself what could be going wrong.

I walked around the sparing courts outside and I watched. I could feel the nerves of the wolves through the pack link, but I didn't care. I needed to see why there was such low morale.

Viktor and Tristan walked beside me as I watched. One fight in particular caught my attention. It was a younger guy. Looked to be about 21 years old. Fighting against a younger boy, who looked like he was 15. Which I found strange seeing that there are rules in place.

One of them is, that kids fight kids, and adults fight adults.

"Stop." I used my alpha voice and it carried to their ears. They immediately pulled away from each other and turned my way. The kid looked unphased, but the older one, his face went pale. Which only meant one thing.

"Names."

"Johnny." The younger kid spoke with a smile on his face.

"Turner." His eyes tried to look everywhere, but my dominance was rolling off of me, to where he couldn't.

"Who's idea was it to spar?" I kept my voice steady, even though I was searing with anger. I was very strict with how I ran my pack and with the rules we held. It sets a standard, breaks those rules, and the standard breaks as well. And I can't have that.

"Oh, it was Turner's. He said I was doing good with my age group and wanted to see if I could beat him." The poor kid had no idea just how wrong it was. And he wouldn't. Most rules you find out once they turn 18. They are mature enough to understand and follow them fully.

"How old are you?"

"Oh, I'm fourteen, Alpha." His smile never faltered, he stood with confidence. He was younger than I suspected, but he was strong. I would have to keep an eye on him as he got older.

"Thank you, Johnny. Please go back to your age group."

"Of course, Alpha." He gave me one last look and he was headed down the sparing courts to where the children congregate.

Turner's nerves were hitting me left and right. His skin was void of any color, and his breathing was heavy with anticipation.

"You broke my rule." My voice was stern and authoritative. Silence fell around us as other pack members watched the exchange.

"Alpha--"

"I did not say you may speak." I boomed toward him. Turner quieted himself immediately and barred his neck to me in submission. I took a deep breath and I rolled my neck to crack it. Viktor and Tristan knew what that meant. "You know your punishment for rule-breaking. Two nights in the cells." I sighed and looked longer at the kid.

"Put your shirt on. There is no explanation you could give to me that would excuse your behavior. Two nights, plus extra patrol shifts once you are out. Understood?"

"Yes, Alpha." He turned and put his shirt on swiftly as Viktor walked forward and grabbed his arm.

"Do you have a mate I should inform?"

"No, no mate." He stuttered out, sadness in his words. I nodded and motioned for Viktor to take him away.

I turned my gaze to those who stopped training and had decided to watch. "I suggest minding your business before I pick which one of you is next."

They moved quickly and went back to their places and I was able to relax slightly. Now that there weren't any eyes on me.

"Poor, Turner," Danielle said as she approached, in shorts and a sports bra. She was sweating heavily, she must have gotten done with her sparing match. I just shrugged at her words and continued walking.

"He knew the rules."

"Yes, the ominous 'rules' that were created by our grandfather, that you still keep." Danielle was not the biggest fan of the rules. She is grateful she is my sister, she was an avid rule breaker. And somehow found a way out of every punishment.

"We have the rules to--"

"To keep a standard. I know. You're a fucking broken record when it comes to them." She groaned and rolled her eyes. We walked further but she kept her eyes on me and looked me up and down. "You seem...different today."

"I don't know what you mean."

"You seem less tense."

Here we go.

Danielle stopped in her tracks and she turned to look at me with mischief in her eyes. And a blinding smile on her face.

"You talked to Crispin last night?" I nodded.

"On Facetime?" I nodded.

"Fucking hell. You took my advice!" She yelled and laughed out loud. I had to resist the urge to lean forward and clamp her mouth shut, but that would draw more attention towards us. "How was it? Never mind, I already know it was good. Look at you all lose and shit. Your face even looks kind of happy."

I rolled my eyes at her and began walking away from her. No longer interested in the conversation. But of course, she tailed after me not letting up. Though she wasn't wrong. These past few nights Crispin and I have done nothing but indulge in our instincts since that first night. I was addicted to him already and I hadn't even touched or seen him fully yet.

I just hope that the chemistry is just as potent when I visit him this weekend.

I find myself counting down the minutes and days to when I get on the plane and head his way. We had already discussed that I'd be staying at his home, and we would spend the first night with Carter, and some days with him. But Rena had offered to watch him at night to give us alone time...

I plan on not wasting a minute of it.

"Oh come on. Talk to me. You know you want to."

"Not here." I gritted out, as we walked past pack members. They all took a moment to give me a smile, which I, of course, didn't return,

"Fine. Then you must be excited about this weekend...and all of next week. Also, there is already a room in the Alpha wing prepared for Carter." Her eyes held mischief and as badly as I wanted to disagree with her. I couldn't. I knew the timeline of mating, and it was expected. For me to return with Crispin and Carter, I knew that. But did Crispin?

We still have yet to discuss what would happen to his pack. It would make the most sense for him to come to mine. I wonder if for the time being we let him and his members stay here, or even send some of my members there.

There was a lot that needed to be discussed next week. Even though I had hopes of a romantic getaway, and it would be. But also we have to face our very present reality.

"You're talking too much." I huffed at Danielle, already feeling overwhelmed with thoughts and feelings. Things I never thought I'd find myself experiencing. It made me sick.

"Don't be rude, after all, I will be interim Alpha while you're gone."

"Don't remind me." I teased, but I trusted Danielle with all my heart. There was a time when I thought she would be appointed the alpha instead of me, but I being the eldest was given the position. Though I wish for her to one day have a pack of her own, and her mate by her side.

"Are you nervous?"

"What would I have to be nervous about?"

"Mating, marking. Forever being tied to one another. It's all very intense and serious if you ask me."

"Well, I didn't ask you." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms at me.

"I'm just saying, you went from being completely mateless. Living life on your terms, and being relatively at peace with the fact you wouldn't have one. To now, almost all your dreams are coming true. And you're going to tell me you're not nervous?"

I took a moment to think over her words. All that she said was true and then some.

"When you put it that way..." She was right. I was nervous. But not for the reasons she thinks. More for the fact that all I had ever wanted was right in front of me and I wanted to do this right.

"I know how hard it must be to admit how right I am. So you don't have to. Just know, that I know." I scoffed and rolled my eyes at her and her antics.

Viktor and Tristan found us and joined us as I finished my walk-through. I didn't find any reason for why sparing is not being filled. From what I saw, everyone was following the rules of combat. Viktor mentioned many of the men that have mates are more reluctant because they are 'family men'. But you can be a family man and still fight for your pack.

"Viktor, take me to one of the men that dropped sparing. I would like to speak with them." Viktor nodded, he knew everything about everyone in this pack so he motioned for me to follow him.

"And that is my cue to go mind my business. See ya later alligator." Danielle squeezed my arm before walking away.

I followed Viktor to the weapons tent and as we approached there were two men in there. One was cleaning them, another was standing behind the desk. As I moved further, I gained their attention and they turned to me and immediately gave their full attention.

"Alpha." They said in unison.

Both were strong and big in stature, of course not as big as me. But I could tell they could hold their own if need be.

"Which one?" I asked Viktor and he pointed to the one behind the desk. He looked somewhat older. Perhaps early 30s. His hair sat sloppily on his head. Worry filled him as he saw my gaze was only fixed on him.

"Name?"

"Thomas." His voice was strong and he tried to keep his face impassive. But that didn't work for me. I saw through it all always.

"Thomas. I was informed that you dropped from sparing and I would like to know the reason." I walked around the tent, both men stayed still as I eyed every weapon. Was I planning on using it on them? Not unless it called for it, but they didn't know that. "And do not lie."

"I felt as though it would be best for me and my family." I hummed in response and kept on with my slow pace.

"Why is that?"

"I'm sorry, Alpha I am confused by the question."

"Why did you 'feel' like YOU knew what was best for your family?" I could sense his body went stiff at the question, though he stayed silent. Which was good, because it was rhetorical anyways.

"I know my pack. I know what they can, and cannot take. I know what is best. As I have been the alpha for almost ten years, you would think I knew what I was doing, correct?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"If the rules are, all men must sign for sparing and can only opt-out for specified circumstances. What makes you think you are special?" I had finally stopped moving and I stood before him. He kept his back straight, but I could see his wolf was fighting him to give me his submission. He would though. They always do.

"I'm sorry, that was never meant--"

"Meant to what be seen that way? No, I understand. Your wife, or mate, whichever one. Begged and pleaded for you to stay home. Unable to see you beaten and bruised. But if she cannot handle seeing you when you practice, then goddess forbid we have to fight against a foe." I took a deep breath and held one of the knives tightly in my hand.

"What this tells me is you think your wife's words are greater than mine." His eyes went wide and he looked between Viktor and me in shock.

"No, Alpha, of course not."

"I am just watching your actions, Thomas. And your actions are saying you don't trust my leadership."

His wolf finally won as he began to bare his neck for me. I lifted the knife and I set it gently against it. Not too much to cut, but just enough to put some pressure.

"If I were you, Thomas. I'd pay close attention to the next words that come out of my mouth. So I ask you again, why did drop from sparing?" I applied just a bit more pressure on the knife, and I waited for his answer.

I don't always like what I have to do, but it's necessary to keep the pack in line. It's how it's always been, and it must be to maintain the strength given by the goddess.

"I'm sorry, Alpha it was a misunderstanding. I will rejoin immediately." His gaze was down and he sounded defeated, and terrified. Just how I like it.

"Wonderful." I pulled the knife away and set it back down on the counter. "I look forward to having you back. Let this be a warning to you, and anyone else. Sparring is not an option." He nodded tightly at me, his gaze still not meeting mine.

I took a deep breath as I stepped away and turned to leave the tent.

"Make sure to clean that before putting it back." It was the last thing I said as I was excited, with Viktor and Tristan behind me.

"Do a new report before I leave by the end of the week. If enrollment is not back to normal, then I will have to visit Thomas again, and next time I won't be so nice."

"Of course."