Alpha Mayhem POV
Fallon is coming along great. Her training is exceeding everyone's expectations, including mine. Ryan knows how to push her just enough for her to complete any mission he sets up for her. She is coming into all her reaper and wolf abilities beautifully.
Ryan, how do I feel about him marking Fallon? At first, I was furious. I want her to be a wolf, not a reaper. This may be the first step toward her finding herself as a wolf. Fallon has her mate and her pack. Why does she need to prove herself as a witch and a reaper?
Honestly, watching Fallon train, I can see why she needs to be the reaper. Yes, the supernatural community needs her, but what about her needs? When does Fallon get to be Fallon?
My thoughts are interrupted by my wolves approaching. "Alpha Mayhem, there is a woman and an older woman at the gate to see you. I believe both are witches. The older one is demanding I let her in or else," Beta Staggs says. He looks shaken. Only one older woman can make a young, strong wolf shake in his boots, Mother Agnes.
"Let them in and lead them to the packhouse. No, take them to my private residence on the north side. I will be there soon, and I need to tell Fallon that she has a visitor," I say. I smile and try not to laugh in Beta Staggs's face. I bet Mother Agnes could make him piss his pants.
"Yes, Alpha," Beta Staggs answers. The look on Beta Staggs's face tells me he was hoping I would not see the two women. I wonder what she did to him when she demanded to see me. Mother Agnes still has it.
I watch Fallon and Charis spar for a moment. Charis shows Fallon no mercy. Ryan comes up to watch. "Where were you?" I ask Ryan. I have been short with Ryan lately. Maybe I shouldn't be, but he is about to marry my daughter. I am not happy he marked her before they were married. I mean, what if she changes her mind, and then Fallon is stuck with his mark forever?
"I have a surprise for Fallon," Ryan says. Maybe he will be okay for her. I hope so. I don't deserver the joys of fatherhood. I am a little late for that, but I want to be there for her now. As I watch Ryan admire her, I know he loves her and only wants the best for her, no matter what.
"Me too. Can you get Fallon and Charis for me? Bring both of them to my private home on the north side in about an hour. Do not tell either of them what is going on?" I growl at Ryan.
Ryan looks at me as if I am stupid. "You didn't tell me what is going on! How am I supposed to tell them anything?" Ryan growls back.
Even though I am Alpha, when it comes to Fallon, Ryan always stands tall. Any other wolf, I would lay flat on their back and beat them for the things Ryan says or growls at me, but I let it slide for Fallon. I want him to stand up for her. I will not always be here, and Fallon will need him. Hell, I might make him Alpha.
I snicker. "You better be glad I almost like you, Ryan," I growl at him. He knows he screwed up with me, but he doesn't back down. He stands for Fallon.
"Mother Agnes and Libby are here. It can't be good if Mother Agnes came here. She said she would never come here again after what happened with Angelina and me. You should be terrified that Mother Agnes set foot on wolf territory," I growl.
I shift into my wolf form, so I can sprint to meet them. I want to know what is going on first, then the three of us can break it to Fallon. I can hear the car the two women are in driving toward the north side. I have to run faster.
I make it to my private house and shift back into my human form. I quickly sit down on the porch and wait for Mother Agnes and Libby to arrive. It only takes about five minutes of waiting before the two pull up, with Beta Staggs leading the way and looking scared enough to wet his pants.
Beta Staggs is approaching me on the porch. "Your guests are here. May I be excused?" Beta Staggs asks me. It would be funny to make him stay, but the poor guy looks like he could use the day off.
"Take the day and spend it with your wife. I will see you tomorrow," I say. Beta Staggs rushes away from the house in the opposite direction of Mother Agnes.
"What did you do to him?" I ask her.
Mother Agnes cackles. "Nothing, I only asked for his help," she says, smiling and squealing.
I step down to greet Mother Agnes and hug her. I take her into my arms and squeeze. "Careful wolf, I am an old woman," Mother Agnes says.
"Yes, you do seem to have aged a lot, old woman," I tease her.
Libby rushes to me, and I hug her. "I am afraid to ask why you are here," I say, looking at Mother Agnes.
"It's Bruce," Libby says.
I kick the ground and begin to walk away. "Bruce doesn't concern me. Do you have any idea what his plan for my Fallon was? He would have used her up and made her suffer. To hell with Bruce!" I growl.
I feel a frail hand touch my face. "Bruce does concern you because Umbra has him, and she is torturing him. Bruce could tell her everything and bring more harm to Fallon," Mother Agnes says.
I watch Mother Agnes as the tears begin to stream down her face. "Every time I come here, it is pain," Mother Agnes cries.
"I loved her. You cannot blame me for her pain or her death," I snap at Mother Agnes.
Fire begins to burn in Mother Agnes's eyes. "She loves you, and that child. You could've saved them both," Mother Agnes says.
I shake my head. "No, I couldn't, and you know it. She loves her community more than me. I offered her a way out and a way to be with me," I say.
I can't fight anymore about the love of my life. I don't even want to hear her name. I look at Fallon and see her, and I see this as another chance. Let me get things right this time. I feel something hit my face.
I grow tall and begin to shift. I growl loudly as I grow. "NO!" Fallon screams. She steps in front of Mother Agnes and me.
"Never bring her up to me again, Mother Agnes," I growl. I slowly go back into my human form. I retreat into the house as Mother Agnes and Libby go into the details of Bruce.
Ryan looks into the house at me. He could be in my shoes soon enough. Will Fallon choose the reaping over Ryan? Ryan has no idea the pain waiting for him as her mate.
"Mother Agnes is asking for you. They want help from the wolf pack to rescue Bruce," Fallon says as she enters the house. She looks around at the tiny home and then back to me to wait for my answer.
I stand and touch her shoulders. "My pack will help you rescue Bruce, but I cannot promise his safety if he tries to harm you. Anyone who tries to harm you will be killed on site," I say.
Fallon nods her head. "Understood," she says.
Fallon touches Ryan as she walks past him to tell Mother Agnes that I have agreed to help. Ryan looks at me. "You did the right thing," Ryan says.
I nod. "I hope you are ready for all the heartache being in this will bring you, Ryan. There will never be peace in your life," I say.