Derick's POV
I waited at the school gate and looked around as the other pack members collected their kids. Correction, as the mums collected their kids. I was the only male that came today to get his kids. Kaden and Aden ran like little bundles of energy out of the school and into my arms. I knelt down and hugged them close taking in their scents.
Aden hugged my back his little body beginning to tremble. Kaden just seemed to be rather annoyed with my affection and squirmed to get away. I stood up and looked back towards the gate as their teacher Miss Rosa watched a kind smile on her lips. She walked over and offered me her hand, which I shook and she pointed.
"Both are doing really well in class, but Aden seems to be upset about something and won't talk to me." I nodded and saw the looks that the other kids gave us as they ran to their mothers. Many of them were the kids of the warriors.
"I'll look into it." She smiled.
"But Kaden here is the first-place winner in gym today." I grinned and ushered them to the car.
"Thank for keeping an eye on them." She nodded and stood watching as I drove back to the pack house.
I was still in a bad mood with Lisa and didn't return to my apartment. Instead, I had fed the kids in the main dinning area with the help of my Grandmother and her trusted Omega's. She had offered to babysit and sent me off to cool my temper. Since the girls were still doing well and it had been a while since either had been sick I hand agreed.
I wondered aimlessly then went to the garage then froze as I heard some of the warriors laughing and gossiping outside accompanied by the strong smell of cigarettes in the air.
"I know right. I mean how pathetic must he be?"
"Yeah, running out on a match like that for that useless bitch, she must keep his balls in her purse." My ears twitched.
'Who are they talking about?' I listened some more.
"He's a good alpha…" Someone spoke but a round of laughs burst into life.
"He ran out on a match with a high Beta. He doesn't participate in training and has let himself become weak. The only thing he's interested in sticking his dick in a bitch that doesn't even belong to the pack. How much more of this will you stand before you see we're better off with a different alpha?" I felt my face go pale.
'I didn't run off on a match… did I?' I heard Murphy whine, and I realized I hadn't finished fighting Oscar.
"Oh, do you think Mathew will take that Oscar fellow as his Beta. I hope so he's so strong he can take out an Alpha by himself."
"Is that why he was introducing us to him today."
"Oh god I hope so. We need an Alpha that means business and having Oscar as our Beta would just make up for the years of letdown."
"Stop your gossiping! And listen!" It was an older werewolf who had served my father. "I heard what you just said and I should skin you alive for your treason against the Alpha."
"Morgan you're just sucking up to him because of sentimental bullshit."
"That's not it at all. We're the Swift Runners and our Alpha is Derick. We swore loyalty to him. Does that mean nothing to you?" there was a snort.
"He has no loyalty to us. Ok, he was a good alpha but even you have to admit the fight has left him. It would have been better for all of us if he died when he lost his mate instead of dragging us down with him." There was the sound of ripping clothes and a squeal. The smell of blood filled the air over the cigarettes.
"Take that as a lesson! And don't let me hear you talk about this again! What happens will happen in the fullness of time! Remember the moon goddess is always watching." I heard the sound of running paws and seven wolves ran past the garage door and away to the safety of the trees.
Morgan was one of the senior warriors in the pack, like Jeff, and had a lot of power behind his attacks and words. He was also known to dish out discipline to the younger wolves when they crossed a line. My father had never stopped him and had given him free rein to do so. I had followed suit. It seems that my decision was right.
I looked up as Morgan's muttering drew closer and he rounded the corner into the garage totally naked and holding a bundle of ripped clothes.
"Stupid little fuckers I'll bite them harder next time. ALPHA!" He squeaked when his looked up and saw me. "It was good to see you in training today…" I waved him silent.
"Is that how the pack see me?" He froze and put the ripped clothes into the recycling bin.
"No…" He began and I shot him a glance. He sighed. "Not all." He said quietly. "But a growing number… are beginning to talk like that." I nodded and went to the door. "But if you came to training regularly and took part in runs I'm sure they'll change their minds." I tossed my clothes to the side then transormed and darted off leaving him alone in the garage.
Out in the woods I ran freely letting Murphy blow off steam. It had been too long since I just ran like this. The feeling of the soil and moss between my toes, the smell as the forest began to change to autumn and even the wind blowing through my hair was making me feel like new.
I ran through the trees then stopped by a stream and took a drink the cool water passing over my lip. There was also the problem of the Alpha Zack had smelt. Although Mathew was unable to find him or even pick up his scent the way the pack was acting now could mean that he would be able to take over. Had I really gotten so out of touch with my pack?
With a shake I looked down the little valley into red springs lake. I huffed and made my way towards the cabins. There was some unfinished business I had with a certain Beta I was not going to overlook again.