The second I saw my mailbox, I swerved into the driveway.
The house light was on. And everyone was out by the camp fire, roasting marsh mellows, and hot dogs on the open flame.
I was tired, and cranky. And when I saw my mother, at my house, yet again, after already being told to get lost, many times, I was ready to lose my shit.
I could sense Thalia's nervousness. I could see her glance at Donna, who unbuckled her seat belt, and went with Dallas into the house.
It was hard enough hearing about her constant attempts to be back in my life, before I was ready to even look at her. But to use my absence as her ticket into my home, was just insulting, and rude. Just because I am not here, doesn't mean my threat was any less real. I swung open the door, as Scott tried to catch me.
The pack hearing the door slam shut, backed away from my mother, and grandmother. Leaving them defenceless, to my back lash of words, that were about to spill out of my mouth.
Ren hid behind Brian and Drew, as the Coyotes hid behind her. The Foxes, that were now very clean and dressed backed away. Scott's pack members seen the look on his face, and decided to do the same.
The queen was sitting next to the fire. Her eyes wide with anticipation. Her guards not feeling threatened, stood straight and still, glancing at the queen every once in a while.
"Ah, my daughter, finally back from battle." My mother said, her arms open wide as if I would hug her.
I gave a low, menacing growl from my chest, as I got within a few feet of her. As if it had a mind of it's own, my arms flew up, as I my hand smacked my mother, hard, across the face.
So hard that the crack of skin meeting skin echoed through the forest surrounding us. A huge red mark stained her face, from where my hand had made contact.
My mother stumbled backwards, as my grandmother looked at me with disgrace. My eyes stung as my wolf attempted to take over, no doubt making her presence known, by changing my eyes to purple.
"What the hell was that for?" my mother asked, holding her cheek. "You cannot hit me, I am your mother!"
"Biologically, bitch, yes. In every other mother fucking sense of that word, NO!" I said, using my wolf's alpha voice, to get the point across. "I told you, you weren't welcome here. And the fact that you came back leaves me no choice!"
I could feel the fury rising up in my chest, as if it wanted to explode. My body shook with rage, as every fear in my body came back full force.
She could have killed them. She could have taken over my home. She could have burned the place to the ground. There were so many things she could have done, and it scared me to death.
"No, you wouldn't do that. Not to your own mother?" my grandmother said.
"Oh, with the last two weeks I've had, I doubt you know the person in front of you right now. There isn't anything I wouldn't do to keep my family my pack safe, from anyone. And you have just crossed my last nerve. My last bit of patience for you is gone. You couldn't accept that I wasn't ready to be your daughter again, could you? So instead you push yourself on me, because you think I'll take your pack on? Well, I'm sorry, but that ain't ever gonna happen! You could have had an alpha years ago, if you hadn't pushed me out the door!" I said, power surging through my body. "I'm done answering to you. I answer to no one. And I think it's about fucking time you learned that. I think it's about time you learned just how alpha I can be, when you push me too far!"
"Alena, don't." Scott warned.
"Why?" Thalia said. "They'd deserve it."
"Because, you can't take it back," Scott said. "You're angry right now. But if you banish them, they'll go rogue. And you'll be forced to kill them later."
I stopped dead in my tracks. I had killed many wolves the last few days. So much death, and blood had been spilled. Nearly rabid wolves killed weaker beings to gain control of Canada. That could be my mother.
I turned away from her for a few seconds, to process the pros and cons of the situation. I can't have her coming into this town any time she wanted. I wasn't wired that way. It wasn't in my blood to let something that out of control live, let alone come into my life again. Not like this.
"Fine," I spoke, quietly. "I won't banish you. But…if you ever come back into this town, again, without my permission, I will let them kill you."
My voice was eerily, dangerously, calm. My mother looked at me, for the first time, with fear in her eyes. Almost as if the realization that I wasn't kidding set in.
"Don't ever come to me looking for shelter again. I don't care what type of mess you get into. If you want my trust, if you want me back, than bloody earn me. Don't go expecting that because my father is dead that you have a daughter again." I said, attempting to sound nicer. "Now, fucking leave, before I change my mind!"
My mother and grandmother left in a hurry. I watched as they left my property and hadn't even turned around. I slowly turned back around to face my pack. I had feared that this would make some of them scared of me, or leave out of fear. But each one bowed their head. The queen looked impressed, before standing up, and walking towards me.
"Shall we talk in the house?" she asked, before walking off.
I only nodded, before hugging Ren, and Brian, and the coyotes. I walked into the house, finding the queen at the table. Her hands folding neatly on the table, as she sat up straight.
"So, what may I ask, brings you to my little town?" I asked, as a body guard pushed in my chair for me.
"A thank you," the queen said. "You could have easily let those creatures die. And the fact that you had the heart to protect them, even at the risk of losing your own pack, makes my heart swell."
"It wasn't a problem. It wasn't right. This wasn't their land to take." I said.
"Yes, well, that's not the only reason I'm here." the queen said. "You see, I'm not as young as I used to be, and I am now without a king. I can not rule over all anymore. I need help."
"I'm not sure I'm following." I said.
"I would like to make you, not just the Protector of Ontario, but Ontario's Queen." The queen said.
My jaw dropped at her words. What had I done to deserve two titles from the queen? Especially when I didn't deserve them.
"Me? You want me to be the queen of Ontario?" I asked. "And it's Protector?"
"Well, yes. I know you don't follow my ways. You live off our grid, doing what you want. So, why not be your own queen? Shape this province the way you'd like it to run, and then, when I die, you can take over the entire country."
"Why?" I asked, stunned. "I mean, I thought there were rules to this sort of thing." I looked from the queen, to the queens guard.
"Because. You did what I couldn't do. You saved Canada from a hostile take over, from a rabid mutt. And you did so with grace. You saved this country by sucking up your pride, and asking for help, from a stronger species. One that wolves don't generally get along with. And for that, Canada owes you a big thanks." The queen said. "Besides, women rulers need to stick together."
"Thank you. I will try not to let you down." I said.
"Don't worry if you do. All queens trying to figure out a world order mess up sometimes. But the important part is that you keep trying. And trying to do what is right, is not always the most popular opinion. Believe me." The queen said. "I trust you with my life, Alena Bloodwood. And I trust you with my country's life. And I will trust you, if you ever got in trouble."
"Thank you, for that. And I'm sorry you had to see that little 'argument' with my mother and I. It wasn't a reflection of who I generally am. I generally like to think things through, but lately I can't seem to think before I act." I said, apologetically.
"It's quite alright. I remember a time when my mother and I didn't get along. I threatened to feed her to the bears." The queen said in a hush tone.
We both laughed, and told jokes for a little while longer. But eventually, we all got tired.
I had given the queen my room to stay in, for the night, as I slept on the couch. Ladonna used the spare room upstairs, which would become her room, from now on.
Ren and Thalia had been filled in on the many things that the queen and I had talked about, as were the boys, and Donna. I still couldn't believe that in a couple of days I would be the queen of an entire province.
Wolves that didn't agree with a female alpha would have to leave the province, while those who did would be allowed to stay.
While that would be going on, the initiations for those who wanted to be in my pack would be happening. And then, the initiations to become apart of my province would start shortly after. After I received all the invitations.
To be honest, it all scared me a lot. I was a simple alpha, trying to keep my pack alive. And all in the span of three ish weeks, I was betrayed, found my mate, stopped an evil prick, and would become a queen, all while losing a pack member, to add new ones, and eventually rule. It was all a lot to take in for only three weeks.
My head was spinning in a thousand different directions at once.
I tossed and turned all night, hoping that the small voices in my head would go away. The small voices that told me I wasn't ready, or that I would fail. And even if I wasn't, or even if I do, who cares? The queen expected me to do my best. And she said she would fill me in on some very helpful tips.
******
As the weeks went by, I became a queen, and an alpha of a bigger pack.
Scott and I would share the load of responsibility. Not that we wouldn't have anyway, but it was nice to know that I wasn't in this alone, anymore. It was nice to know that I would have help in protecting the small pack I had created a few years ago. Yes, two of the original pack members are no longer here, but we've gained so many new members. So many new faces, that shine bright.
As my queen duties go, about twenty seven packs left Ontario, and about forty came. Fourteen of which came from the States, after showing the bears my invitation to be apart of my small kingdom. Even a small Mountain Lion Pride had come seeking shelter from it's home that was constantly under attack.
And due to the latest attack on Canada, everyone at the age of thirteen, would learn how to fight, and defend their homes. I had made it law to help insure the survival of the packs, and prides.
It wasn't something I felt right doing, seeing as they are only kids, but Scott and I talk it over, and it made sense, too. If a thirteen-year-old could fend off intruders, than they'd be that much better of a fighter in the future. A better warrior.
The Foxes and Coyotes were taught tricks on how to use their size to their advantage. To use their speed as their defense.
Lena and Carrie had become quite good at being fast, and picking up on the little things. Miranda and Justin had also picked up on a few of the training techniques.
In the last few weeks, Canada had become a fortress. No one from the States that didn't have permission, was turned down, and or killed from trying. Even the water ways were blocked off. No one from the other side of the world, by boat, or plane, got into Canada. The hawks, and eagles would sense them, and force the plane to turn around.
Many places are actually saying that Canada's new defense system is better than any army they've ever seen in the world. It even succeeded the levels of the U.S's defensive systems.
I had even gotten a letter from the U.S's queen, asking why so many were being turned down, now? Why now, when there have been bigger wars in the past that took place in Canada? Or why now when you've always let other wolves enter Canada before, with no issues at all?
I had written her back stating that: those were the conditions of men thinking they were invincible. The queen of Canada, and I the queen of Ontario, have come to an agreement. The barricades will never come down. Not when so many people have thought they could get into our home and destroy it.
And that this is what a pissed off Canada, run by women, looks like.
What I wasn't expecting was for the queen of the U.S to have taken my side, and simply told her country to stay away, and back down. And that anyone caught trying to enter Canada, with out an invitation would be killed.
She had sent her army to guard the major ways into Canada, at all costs. And if they didn't receive a invitation than they weren't to cross the boarder.
I had only thanked her, in hopes that she wouldn't see our barricades as a sign of disrespect. And thankfully, she didn't.
"Alena!" Ren called from the bottom of the stairs.
"Coming!" I called back, from my office.
I jogged down the stairs, to find Ren with a letter in her hand. I grabbed the letter she held out, and ripped it open, gently.
"Miss Alena Bloodwood," I started. "I'm Gena May from Kansas, and I wanted to know if we could take refuge in your Province. A man has been threatening me and the rest of the pack. It's only me, and my three sons, and my daughter on the way, that would be coming. I don't want to be another casualty. Please send us an invitation! Love, Gena May."
I pinched the bridge of my nose, with my finger and my thumb. I took an inhale in, and exhale out, before looking up at Ren.
"Are there any more like this?" I asked.
"No. The letters have slowed down a lot, since the beginning of the month. This is the first one since then that says they're life depends on it." Ren said. Her eyes wide, and fear of me saying no, evident.
"Okay, since their lives are in danger, I'd like to get the queen of the U.S on the phone." I said. "I would like that woman and her children guarded all the way to the boarder. Tell them it's an emergency, and they have my clearance."
"Yes ma'am, which boarder?" Ren asked.
"The one through the city. Tell them I'm sending two pack members in a dark blue SUV to pick them up." I said, rushing out the front door to find Levy and Bronson. Bronson was another of Scott's pack members. He was very strong, and had been on these types of missions already.
"Ali!" Dallas called, from the driveway. He and Jaxon had been close these last few weeks. Neither one going anywhere without the other. Everyone knew everyone by now, and had started making friendships, and bonds. But Jaxon and Dallas stayed quite close to each other. Only be separated when it was time to train the others, for the day.
"Yes?" I called back.
"Did Ren find you?"
"Yes she did. That's why I'm looking for Levy and Bronson." I said. "They've got a mission to do."
I continued to run around the grounds of partially built houses, and a tangle of tents. I looked everywhere until I found them talking to Scott.
"Hey, I need you two to pick up a girl and her family from the boarder today." I said. "They're coming in from Kansas. I want to set them up in the town until they feel safe."
"Yes ma'am." Levy said, nudging Bronson with his shoulder. The two males practically ran to their tent, grabbing everything.
"And use the dark blue SUV!" I called after them, earning an "okay" from Bronson, as he grabbed the keys off the porch.
"You're getting good at this." Scott said, rubbing my back, as he walked up beside me.
I looked up at him and smiled. "I don't know. I just hate feeling like it's my duty to save everyone all the time. And I have a mate that I have yet to go on a date with, or sit down with and have a normal conversation."
"It's alright. I get it. I'm a patient man. Besides I've been busy too. Building houses, and trying to find jobs for everyone. Some have to go into the city most days." Scott said.
"You're not implying that we move? Because there has been way too much change in the last few weeks. I don't think I can handle anything else changing on me right now." I said, poking him in the side.
"Aye, woman." Scott said. "Poking someone tickles you know."
"Only when I poke you in the side." I replied. "Besides, you do it to me all the freaking time. Or at least you did when we were kids. All's fair in love and war, babe."
"Oh-ho, is that so?" Scott said, laughing. "I'll remember that for the next time."
I chuckled before poking him again, and running away, before he could catch me. I could hear him running after me, as I swung the door open and ran upstairs to my bedroom.
"I win," I said, as Scott entered shortly after I did. "What's my prize?"
"Prize? Girl you just made me chase you." Scott said, devilishly. A smirk loomed on his face dangerously.
"I know. But chasing is the fun part." I said, mirroring his smirk. "And two can play at that game. But I can do it better. 'Cause I got something that you want, but something you ain't gonna get, yet."
"Damn, you're good." Scott said, lowering his eyes. I looked down to see that like an idiot, I had forgotten to put a bra on this morning. And my tank top was low. Extremely low.
Instead of covering up, I looked into his eyes, and said, "uh, uh, uh. Not yet. You'll just have to wait."
"Tease," Scott said, pinning me to the wall across my room. "It's not nice to be a tease."
"For you, maybe. It's really fun to be the teaser." I said, slowly.
Scott didn't say anything. He just stood there. His eyes half lidded, and staring at my lips. Almost as if he were scared to kiss me. I slowly trailed my hands up his chest, up his neck, and to the side of his face, before sliding them behind his head to pull him in.
His lips met mine, as we both closed our eyes. His lips hungrily attacked mine, in an effort to get closer. Backing us up, and throwing me on the bed, he continued to kiss me, with extreme passion. I wrapped my hands around to the back of his head, playing with his hair. Generally his hair was kept in an uncontrollable mess on the top of his head. But this time he had brushed it. Now all that remained of his wild hair was the spiked up part on the top of his head.
I wrapped my legs around his waist in an effort to get closer.
Scott slowly, and very reluctantly, pulled back slightly, as we took huge intakes of breath.
Our chests heaving up and down, from the lack of air, I could feel his breath fanning my chest. I could feel a rumbling growl, in his chest.
"Alena," Scott said, in warning. "Please don't. Not unless you don't want to leave this room."
*****
"Alena, they're here!" Thalia called. Her dark, native black hair, and tan skin, made her look like younger than she was, in the moon light, as I walked out the front door to meet her.
"Whoa," I said, as I saw three boys, all under the age of fourteen. And Gena looked about six or seven months along. "But why are they here? I thought they were bringing them to a motel?"
"They are. They wanted to say hi to you." Levy said, coming up the stairs. "They wanted to say thank you for the extraction, and safe delivery into Canada."
"Oh. Okay." I said, walking down the stairs.
Thalia was right behind me, with Ren coming up behind her.
"Ms. May," I said. "Thank you for the letter. I trust you'll feel safer knowing there is a very little chance of enemy's getting through our front lines."
"Yes, I have heard. It appears you've helped turn Ontario into an army?" Gena said. "And thank you for the opportunity, to come into Canada."
"Are any of your children thirteen?" I asked. It was law in Ontario, and I wasn't willing to make an exceptions.
"Yes," Gena said, pulling a blonde haired boy to her side. "Julian here is thirteen. And he already knows that he has to start training. Next year Miles and Max will follow."
"He is more than welcome to train with Brian. He's the youngest male in the pack. Well, that knows all the moves." I said, a smile on my face.
"Sure," Julian said. "Sounds great to me."
"Good," I said. "What do you guys say we have lunch tomorrow, and Thalia, Ren and I show you the town?"
"That would be lovely," Gena said. "Don't take this the wrong way, because it's a compliment. And has nothing to do with how ruthless you can be. You're nicer than the stories say you are."
"Thanks, I think." I replied, giving Levy and Bronson the okay to take her to the motel in town.