We kept walking through the forest for the rest of the day.

I stayed at the back with Lou whilst Alpha Rivers lead and the rest of the men followed silently in the middle.

"Does he have any friends?" I asked Lou.

Lou smiled, "Careful, Esme."

"Serious question," I probed, "Does he?"

"He keeps himself to himself," Lou said, "I've been his Beta for eight years and I can't tell you much about him."

"...Why?" I asked, "He's not exactly shy."

Lou gave me another smile but this time his eyes darted from mine, "It's just who he is."

"What about family?" I asked, "I know his mother died but he must have other relatives that he's close to?"

Lou swallowed, "He hasn't got any siblings."

"His father?"

"They never got on well," he replied shortly, "But that is not my business to discuss with you. I'm sorry."

I groaned, "Why does he have so many secrets?"

"Esme," Lou said quietly, "Some things are best left secrets. Believe me. Stop trying to get to know him."

Before I could question further, Alpha Rivers spoke up from the front.

"We are a mile from the road. Keep your wits about you, soldiers," he said, "Esme, get here."

"Sorry but you seem to have mistaken me for a dog," I said, raising an eyebrow.

With that, he halted and turned around. His men stopped too and their eyes all fell to me.

"We are fighting a war," he said, his voice deep, "Why are you making everything so difficult?"

"Fighting a war is no reason to direspect me," I replied.

"And what exactly am I disrespecting?" he asked.

I glared at him, "A leader of the Nightingale pack."

"Leader?" he asked with a laugh, "Who is in charge here, darling?"

I only continued to glare at him.

"You are only a leader when someone gives you the opportunity and I am certainly not going to give you the opportunity. So get here now," he continued.

"Weren't you given your opportunity to lead too?" I asked, "You were born an Alpha. Your father handed you your leadership on your 17th birthday."

He clenched his jaw and I noticed his finger nails dig into his palms. His men were deadly silent, Lou was looking at me with wide eyes and Alpha Rivers just stared deep into my soul.

His eyes had darkened and for once he was quiet. I tried to stand strong but I couldn't help but feel an incredible amount of discomfort as everybody watched me. And confusion too. I had no idea what I had done to elicit this response and it didn't look like anyone was going to explain.

"Don't you dare speak to me like that," he growled.

"Did I tread on a nerve?" I asked, "I didn't realise you were so sensitive."

I smiled to myself as I noticed him tense up.

"And have you ever thought that maybe if you want respect you should give it?" I continued, "I will never accept you as my mate but we could at least maintain a civil relationship through this war if you didn't treat me like dirt. But that will never be possible because you are just an entitled Alpha with anger issues."

"At least I have sufficient grounds to be entitled," he said with a scoff, "You demand respect on the basis that your big brother is an Alpha and every now and then you get a say in what happens in his pack."

With that I folded my arms, still refusing to move.

He cursed under his breath before handing me a stern, bored expression. 

"Walk," he ordered.

I exchanged looks with Lou who gestured for me to move on but I refused.

"If I have to drag you, I will drag you straight to the caves," he warned, "Alpha Brynn isn't around. I am free to do whatever I like with you."

"Last time you had me dragged, April ended up with a nasty black eye," I said, glancing at the soldier I'd punched only a day ago.

April gave me a dark stare. His left eye was still swollen and bruised and he was obviously still holding the grudge.

"I'd like to see you try that on me," Alpha Rivers said marching towards me, "Go on, I dare you."

As he got close, I had to crane my neck to maintain our eye contact. He towered over me by more than a foot and as he blocked the sun with his body, leaving me in his shadow, I couldn't bring myself to raise my fist.

"Walk," he ordered in a deep, shaking tone.

I had to glance away from his eyes as he leant closer and everyone remained deadly silent for what felt like an age.

"Just do as I said," Alpha Rivers said eventually, "Before I lose my shit."

He then snapped his fingers to the ground beside him.

I paused for a second before I caved to the pressure and sluggishly dragged myself to walk beside him.