18: Cruel and Evil

Xavier's POV

Walking to the conference room, I open the door to be greeted by the three visiting Alphas. Alpha Weiss, a middle aged gentleman whose pack was not terribly far from mine, sat with a small smile on his face. Alpha Jackson, the oldest in the room, homes a large pack to the east; his salt and pepper hair tracing down into a large beard. Alpha Leo, a man about my age, sat with a grim smile on his permanently grumpy face. 

"Gentlemen," I greet with a nod, walking to the head of the table to take my seat. 

"Alpha Xavier," Alpha Weiss and Jackson greet me. Alpha Leo gives a nod of acknowledgment. 

"Alpha Weiss, how's the family?" Alpha Weiss and his mate, Joli, take care of their niece. Her parents were both warriors and passed away in a rogue attack years ago. Since then, their mate Mischen has been their pride and joy. I believe she's in her teens now, I can't imagine it's easy. Though, maybe it was just me who was a difficult teenager. . . No, teenagers are nightmares. 

"They're great, Mischen just had her thirteenth birthday."

"How did her first shift go?" The question came from Alpha Jackson, always a caring man.

"It. . didn't," he sighs. "She's worried, and says she doesn't even hear her wolf yet."

"Give it time," I advise. "All in good timing," I promise. 

"Alpha Leo, any luck on the mate hunt?" A small smile graces his lips and my question is answered. 

"I believe so. She's a human in a town near my pack, now I just have to not scare her off." He is a very intimidating man, always gruff in the voice. 

"What's her name?"

"Clever," he says with a smile. "Her name is Clever, an odd little human. She's quite sassy so far but I believe I can woo her my way." 

"Best of luck," I wish and the other two nod in agreement. 

"Thank you." He runs a hand through his red hair as he stares off momentarily. 

"Alpha Jackson, I heard you'll be welcoming a grandpup soon?" He smiles with a nod.

"Yes, my daughter is hoping the pup will come any day soon."

"Best of luck in the delivery," Alpha Weiss wishes. "Alpha Xavier, I heard you found your own mate recently?"

I nod, a smile making its way to my face. "Yes, she's lovely though we've had a bit of a rough start. We're hoping to have her induction into the pack in the months to come."

"Congratulations," he says brightly. 

"Let's get to business then, shall we?" They all hum and nod in agreement.

"The rogues have been walking close to my territory, never crossing but not feeling threatened by the wolves on patrol," I inform on my part of the situation. 

"I've had rogues manage to cross into my territory, unnoticed. We've increased patrols and that seems to stop them from crossing over but they're getting more ballsy," Alpha Weiss inputs. 

"We had two rogues completely cross our territory the other day," Alpha Jackson says with a frustration in his voice. "We managed to chase them out but they got close to our pack square. Gave a few pups quite the scare."

"Alpha Leo?" I turn my attention to the ginger man. "You said you have something to report as well?"

"Yes, I captured a rogue that was teetering the border. Upon asking he said he was sent to find someone but refused to say more. Bastard bit off his own tongue." I grimace. 

"I'd personally like to know how they're going unnoticed." I nod in agreement with Alpha Jackson. "It's like their scents are weaker than usual."

"There was something amiss about the rogue I captured. He didn't smell like a normal wolf." Leo's words make my eyebrows raise. 

"Not the scent of a rogue? What if he belonged to a pack?"

"He was a rogue, that much I know. But he didn't smell like any rogue I've ever come across." A murmur of confusion echoes around the room. 

"Is it possible tha-" a knock sounds at the door. Taking a whiff of the air, Celeste's scent hits my nose. I can't help it, a smile makes it's way to my lips. I get up, walking to the door, opening it gently. Celeste stands, wrapped in a blanket. There's bags under her eyes, the bruise on her cheek a fading yellow-purple. 

"I'm sorry, you must be in a meeting. I'll come back lat-"

"Nonsense," I interrupt. "Come," I hold out my hand and she gently places hers on my own. "Gentlemen, meet Celeste; my mate."

"Hi," she says shyly, her grip on my hand tightening. 

"Alpha Xavier. . . You didn't do that to her did you?" 

I growl at Alpha Leo, "Of course not." I wrap a hand around Celeste's blanket clad form. "The problem has been dealt with," I assure. "Like I said, it's been a rough start for her but things will be okay." I squeeze Celeste's hand. 

Guiding Celeste back to my seat, I pull her into my lap before she can protest. She blushes and I resist the urge to kiss her pink cheeks. "Are you okay?" My words are quiet, although everyone around us can hear us anyways. 

"I didn't sleep. Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." She looks around at the intimidating men in the room, shrinking into my chest. 

"You can interrupt me whenever you'd like," I assure her. Her smile brightens the room. "Sit in with us, you're part of this pack now." Regardless of her not having a welcoming ceremony yet. 

"Sorry everyone, let's continue."

"I was just wondering," Alpha Weiss continues, "if the rogues are maybe working together somehow?" That would be a first, as far as I'm aware. 

"Rogues don't work together, that's the whole reason why there are rogues in the first place." I nod in agreement with Alpha Leo. 

"He's right, Alpha Weiss. In all my years I've never seen anything that can unite the rogues." Celeste stiffins. 

"Perhaps someone has finally been able to unite them?"

"Xavier. . ." I look at Celeste. "Can I, um. ."

"What do you know, little one?"

"There's a man, I think he's the one you're thinking about. He um. . ."

"Where did you get this information?" I glare at Alpha Leo for his harsh tone in his words. 

"I was a rogue," she informs him. "There's a man, he has the rogues united under fear and a similar goal of power." My back goes straight as the others stare inquisitively. "He thinks of himself in a godly manner. Only if he were a god, he's a very bad one. Cruel and evil. He sends rogues out to collect people and information for him."

"Celeste, how do you know of him? Have you ever met him?" She shakes her head. 

"No, but I've met a few of his fetchers."