The Characters of Clayton, Rya, Kennedy, Dallas, and the Valentines belong to Rachelle. The character of Cora is expanded on with Permission from Rachelle, and is written for the pleasure of the International Wildflower Pack, the WhiskeyQueenn fandom. #WildflowersUnited #iwp

::  Wattys 2016 ::: CLAYTON WON!::

Being Alphas and Betas

Matthew's POV

At dawn on Friday, I walk with Cora and Miles to meet the Alpha of Adams pack. She is going to have the Alpha Command that has tormented her for almost 7 years removed. Mark is at home with Blessing and baby Corina, just in case. I can't have his wolf attacking Alpha Adams again, they have no idea how luck they were Dr Valentine was there to intervene. Mark's wolf is nearly feral and almost never fails to kill whatever angers him. He is so afraid for his mate, he isn't thinking straight. All he can see is Mama dying that day and how much it hurt. 

Cora doesn't believe she will die and neither do I. My brother's mate is the most powerful female I have ever encountered and she doesn't even realize it. She will change any pack she lives in. Some day I will step aside and let Mark become Alpha just so Cora can be Luna.  Hell, I'll let her be Luna even if Mark refuses to be Alpha. All we have to do is find Rya a new mate. I still can't believe that sweet she-wolf with the moon blessed eyes was rejected by her true mate. 

And as my grandma says, speak of the devil and he shall appear, and with his father, the Alpha, and their no good Beta. I stand on Cora's left, Miles on her right. Miles and I both tip our cowboy hats respectfully. Grandma taught us manners and Dad expects us to keep the peace, it is why we are here and not Mark. He and his wolf would just as soon send for the warriors and wipe this pack out.

"Alpha Adams, Alpha Clayton, Beta Killian," I greet them in a low tone. I am an Alpha stronger that any of them, I will not bow or bend my neck to wolves who would defy the Moon Goddess' choice and even flaunt their defiance. "This is my brother and Beta, Miles."

"Alpha Kincaid. We were not expecting you to be with Cora today. Where's your brother, her mate?" Alpha Adams asks warily.

"He's at home with our sister and his child, his wolf is nearly feral since Mama's death, and Dad didn't want him to start a war if Cora is overly hurt by your mistake," Miles growls. He and Killian are giving each other the stink eye, but I know my just-younger brother could take him in a fair fight but according to Cora ain't nothing he does is fair. So if it comes down to a fight, I'll kill him while Miles deals with the Alphas... 'If our Luna leaves  any of them for us...'  My wolf points out, he loves to point out how strong our Luna is. She isn't even his mate, but I have no doubt he would die for her, I would too. 

"Cora will be fine, she's strong-willed," Clayton says. "We didn't know it couldn't just be removed."

"Every Alpha should know the benefit and burden of the command," Miles snarls, showing his teeth. "Now take it off. If it isn't removed or if she dies, Big Sky warriors will paint the grass of Adams territory red."

"Miles! Enough!" Cora snaps, showing her power, "There will be no war. If I die, you will take Corina and R... Rya and g... go."

Clayton growls and Cora levels him with a look, "I will not leave her unprotected so Princess Kennedy can continue to play at Luna. I promised Luna Catherine I would stay and do my duty, and I will. But I will also protect HER. She is Moon Blessed."

"No one will touch her," he growled.

"You're not her mate anymore, Clayton. And Killian has been telling me since I was 17, he would have her killed if I didn't play by the rules. I will keep my promise to protect her, to protect all the lesser she-wolves from his 'attentions'." Her eyes shifted to the wolf who has caused her so much pain. "Alpha Adams, I have obeyed, now take off the command, or shall I tell Luna Catherine you refused again." Cora's voice is burning cold like silver and ice. She makes me proud.

"Rya will remain unharmed, you have my word," Alpha Adams growled and his power vibrated the air, but it had no effect on us or Cora.

She snorted derisively, "I am sorry Alpha Adams, not to be rude, but I don't believe you can protect her from your mate's distant cousin forever. I have suffered for years to protect your son's true mate and the secrets of this pack that aren't really secrets."

She could hold his eyes, it seemed to surprised and anger him. She was not as weak as he believed. I almost smiled as they shifted uncomfortably. Martin had learned something very interesting in his research, Alpha Adams had taken his Luna's name when they mated, not the other way around. She was the true heir of this pack and it's true power, and she was the only direct surviving offspring from the Beta mate and the Alpha's sister, who had taken over the pack. Beta Killian was her distant cousin, twice removed. Adams didn't know the limits and responsibilities of being an Alpha and its power because he had been born a Gamma. Everything he was came from his Luna. And every time we learned more, the reality of this pack became more twisted.

"Do I have your word that you will to continue to do your duty to this pack?" He questioned her, I can sense his hidden intent under his intensity, but I said nothing.

"I will," Cora answered, with her head held high.

"And you will serve loyally under my son when he is Alpha until he releases you?" Adams voice was firm, demanding. The Beta growled, but from Clayton was a sharp intake of breath, he was not expecting his father to demand this. Her azure eyes shift to his green ones, assessing him. He gives her a slight nod.

Her gaze never wavered from his, as she does not hesitate to answer, "I will."

"Cora Shill, Daughter of Gamma Carl Shill, I release you from the command given you. You are free to continue your duties according to your word."

For a moment, nothing happened. Then Cora gasped in pain, her whole body convulsed and she dropped to her knees, clawing at the grass. Blood dripped from her nose as freely as her tears fall from her eyes. She screamed with a keening cry as the command ripped itself from her soul. Dad had warned me what it would do to her. She shook like she was trying to shift, her claws dug into her shoulders as she held herself together. It was terrible to watch. Miles and Clayton both bend to aid her.

"Don't touch her, she has to get through it herself," I admonished them roughly. Kneeling next to her, I murmured softly, "You can do it, Cora. Keep holding on. Fight through it."

She nodded as best she can, it hurt to see someone in so much pain, especially someone who's so strong normally. Gently, I lifted her hands from her wounding self-embrace and placed them back on the earth. She gouged furrows in the soil as though she was trying to plant her pain. They all look horrified, except the Beta. He looked like he was enjoying her suffering, and at that moment, I have to remind my wolf that killing him means war. Finally her sobs turned to a demented laugh and I breathed a sigh of relief. She's okay, she going to be okay. Miles held out a bandanna and she wiped her face with a trembling hand.

Her voice a breathy, sultry whisper, "Thank you, Miles, I'm fine." It's a beautiful sound.

Clayton placed a trembling hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry," he whispered.

The Beta looked amazed and angry, as he snapped, "How did she do that? She should have died." Both Clayton and his father stared at him, finally seeing the snake for what he is.

I smirked, I knew she wouldn't die. "Our darlin' Cora may be from the Shill Gamma line, but she is also from a mixed Alpha-Beta line. She had almost broken through the command already, Beta. That's why she didn't die when Rya delivered her pup or this mornin'. She would have broken it eventually. Dad and I both believe she would have done it on her own in another year or two. But I suspect ya'll already knew that." I let my voice drop in contempt for this wolf who enjoys the suffering of others. He tried to hold my eyes and couldn't. "Alpha Adams, Cora has proved her loyalty, and given you her word as witnessed by another Alpha. It's done. Don't y'all agree?"

Alpha Adams grimaced at me but gave me a curt nod. Cora was now bound to this pack until Clayton died or released her. Cora struggled to stand, shaking furiously, and swayed on her feet for only a few moments before Miles scooped her up into his arms, hugging her against him. He gives one last growling sneer at them before turning to walk away, carrying our future Luna. These wolves were not threat to us.

I tipped my hat. "Alpha, Beta." I eye the young Alpha, maybe eight years younger me. "Alpha Clayton, I don't envy the job ya got ahead of you with this pack. Cora will help you, but Big Sky will be watchin' and waitin' for her. We're leavin' today, but know this, my brother's mate or child gets harmed or goes missin' while she's doin' her promised duty to this pack and The Sky will fall on y'all." My tone left no doubt that I would wipe this pack from the face of the earth. I turn and walk firmly after my brother, letting my boots pound into the sod and leaving no doubt who held the power on this land at this moment. Sometimes it's good to be the Alpha.

~

Half away back to the house, I take Cora from Miles. She smelled of pain and spiced peach pie. Strangely, she smelled the same to all of us, like our mama's award winning recipe and home. Her forehead rest against my neck and once again I wish I was the lucky one, I couldn't help the twinge of jealousy I feel for my middle brother. He is such a fool to keep walking away from this.

"How you doin', darlin'?" I asked softly.

She sighed and her breath tickled my skin. "Better, should I feel this tired?"

"I don't know. Dad said it could take up to a month to get your strength back. Martin went through the archives of every pack he could find, here and overseas. He never found a record of another wolf holding out against the Alpha Command as long as you have, after 5 years they all had died or gone crazy. Doc Mac says you're special, but we already knew that." I answered.

"Special in the head, she's stuck with Mark," Miles teased.

Cora laughed tiredly. "You're such a meanie, Miles. Poor Matthew, I'm so sorry..."

"Why are you sorry?" Miles asked suspiciously. I look down at her.

She peeked at him, smiling slightly, "Well, I feel bad for him, I only grew up with one 'special' brother, he grew up with two." She patted my cheek. "Poor Matt." 

Miles put his hand on his heart and pretended to be offended. I can't help but chuckle at their banter, they were always taunting each other. I can't help the relief flooding me as our darlin' Luna poked fun at my brother.

"Why, thank you, darlin', it's nice to have someone else who understands my pain and sufferin'."

Cora giggled as she snuggled into my neck. I feel like I could carry her to the ends of the earth if she needed.

~

Blessing is asleep in the backseat as the moon rises, Miles shifts around trying to get comfortable. We always buy trucks with the biggest passenger cab available, but they aren't made for long wolf legs.

"Stop fidgeting, yur annoyin' me," I growl.

"I cain't help it. I cain't git comfortable," Miles growls back. We still have through the night to drive. He starts messing with the satellite radio.

"Don't, you'll wake sissy up." I say as I pull his hand off the console.

Miles stares out the window for a few minutes before he starts squirming again then sighs.

"Spit it out, lil' brother."

"Do you think it's safe to leave her there? I mean he wants to kill her. Heck, he wants both of them dead." Miles sounds worried. In spite of his care-free bravado and she-wolf chasin' ways, Miles is the biggest worrier in the family. 

I snort, "Cora can protect herself, Corina, and Mark from that Beta. You've seen her fight and Charlie said she was letting Mark have his."

"Psh, not Mark I was talkin' about. He can protect himself and Corina. I mean that Rya she-wolf. She's so fragile and beautiful, like some kinda exotic flower... and her eyes..." he sighs, If I didn't know better I would think my brother is a tad bit smitten. He shakes his head then adds seriously, "That Beta is crazy, he'll do anything to make sure his daughter is Luna, even if it is in name only and our Cora's doing all the work." Miles has that tone he gets when he sees injustice and cain't do anything about it.

I agree but I understand why she did it. If I had been born there, I couldn't walk away from that pack without trying to fix it either. "She doing what needs be done, you should respect that."

"I do but Mark says that pack ain't worth savin', and Charlie agrees with him," I can hear the frown in his voice.

"Yeah well, Charlie wants to go live with his mate and Mark would go live on his mountain and spend the rest of his days chasin' strays and training horses. What would Grandma Hannah say?" I ask. He groans and I give him a minute to answer.

"Grandma Hannah would say 'Don't cut the tree down on account of a few bad apples.'" He doesn't sound happy as he repeats the old she-wolf's words. Our grandmother is the wisest wolf we know. 

"That's right, we just need to stay ready to make this drive, if Mark and Cora need us."

He growls at my answer and stares out the window for another 50 miles. We had driven this time to deliver the baby gifts from our pack's females to their Luna. When Dad had explained about Cora and what happened to Rya and how Cora was trying to make things right for her, the females of our pack had rallied behind the Luna they had never met and vowed to help that rejected she-wolf in anyway they could. I wait for it. 

 "I think I need to get my pilot's license and we need to keep a plane at the ranch. It's faster to fly and Malcolm's not always available." Miles sounds so serious.   

I almost smile, Miles has been scared of heights since he fell off the wind charger tower and broke his arm, but I knew he would do it for our family, for her. "Martin is already working on it. Your lessons start next week, Beta. You and Merle." I feel his gaze on me, so I give him the smug side eye.

"I think I hate you, Alpha."

"Of course ya do, Beta," I chuckle and he joins me. It's good to be the Alpha.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

9.2018 - CLAYTON is published!!!

Clayton (The Wildflower Series) by Rachelle Mills https://www.amazon.com/dp/164034487X/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_S8sbDbB084P46 via @amazon

2.2019- DALLAS is published!!!

Dallas (The Wildflower Series Book 2) by Rachelle Mills https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MXRVB7M/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_o9sbDbPFY61NH via @amazon
Find them on Amazon

::Thank you to Rachelle for allowing this CLAYTON Fanfiction to be published.:: 

If you are reading this on a site that is not Wattpad, it has been taken

and published without my permission.