The Alpha's Guardian

*Wade POV*

Simon sits across from outside the door that keeps Ali separate from me. It took countless days to figure out Simon's name and not a single person has been willing to divulge if they even know the Rogue King's real identity. All that surrounds him is shrouds of mystery and fierce stories about what made him a rogue. What I learned from my sources about Simon is that he is loyal, angry, and always willing to fight for his king.

I tilt my head, looking him over. His salt and peppered black hair makes him appear older and his scars paint the picture of a seasoned warrior. I expected him to fit the description Trudy gave of the man that provided her with the pansy that poisoned my pack. He smirks at me when he sees me sizing him up.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Sorry boy, I'm not into men,"

I chuckle at him. He is trying to piss me off, but not just for his pure enjoyment. No, he is trying to get me emotionally compromised so he can get answers from me. Unfortunately for him, if he is searching for answers about the committee giving me a guardian, he will be sorely disappointed, because I have none.

"Just ask your questions, there is no need to insult me," I say stoically.

Simon looks at me strangely, then leans in.

"Why are you so important to the committee?"

"Got to admit, Simon, I was hoping you had that answer for me. I have no idea why they think I'm so important,"

"Your little girlfriend didn't tell you?" he sneers. I don't like his tone but I have to admit I like the idea of Ali being my girlfriend.

"You mean my guardian? No, Ali didn't tell me. She also doesn't know."

"You're full of sh!t." He says, doubtfully.

I shrug my shoulders.

"I just assumed someone was trying to kill me."

"Kill you?" he laughs menacingly. "In order for someone to want to kill you, you would need to be significant."

"Significant enough for your Rogue King to continually attack my pack." I retort.

Simon rolls his eyes and huffs back into his seat.

"He heard a whisper, and he followed it on the wind," he says begrudgingly.

"Oh, and what whisper would that be?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"I mean since we are bonding and all that," I say, smiling sweetly at him.

Simon looks me over again and stands up.

"Stand up, Alpha," he demands.

I sigh in annoyance, but I comply and stand. He is almost 2 inches shorter than me and much lankier. He squares his shoulder and glares at me.

"You're big. I'll grant you that, but I know your weakness, Wade."

He smirks at me sickly and takes a step back.

"Which one? I have many," I say nonchalantly.

"Oh, I know full well how many weaknesses you have. We have been scouting you for years. I've watched you train yourself and not your pack. I've lurked in the shadows when you thought no one was around to hear you scream in agony."

I grow still watching him, trying my best to keep my resolve. One day, two years ago, I had trained and trained and trained. I wasn't able to get the move I was working on down. After 12 hours of trying and failing because of my leg, I ran to the woods and sobbed in pain. I waded into the cold creek waters and released into the babbling brook my anguish, frustrations as I cursed the heavens for my plight.

Pain is a funny thing. It can warp a mind. For so long I looked at myself as someone who was getting stronger, the pain became more bearable. But there are days when I'm limited because my muscles are still tattered in my thigh. Those are the days I try to push through, make my body do what I know it can't to prove that I'm not weak.?I always fail.

Those are always the days I break. He had watched me break under the cover of the shadows. Now it's a question of whether he knows the real reason. If word gets out that I'm not up to standards, many alphas will come to try taking over my pack. I'm already fighting rogues. Adding packs to the mix would be our downfall.

"Ah. See, now I see an emotion I can work with. I can destroy you with just a few simple whispers." He smiles happily.

"You think I care about you destroying me? My only concern is for my pack. My downfall is something I don't fear."

"Haha! You only care because an Alpha needs his pack to be an alpha."

"I would step down in a heartbeat if I felt someone else could take care of my pack the way I feel they deserve. But I have yet to find an alpha who treasures all his pack members, not just the ones graced with a wolf."

Simon takes a step back, looking me over. He tilts his head, looking for any truth in my words. I'm not sure if he finds what he is looking for, but he clicks his teeth and walks back around, and takes his seat.

"Alpha Wade, have a seat. I would hate for your leg to act up," he says, looking smug.

My muscles tense and I sit down. So he knows about my injury.

After what feels like forever Ali, steps out of the office and Simon stands.

"Alpha, he wants to see you," Ali says, not looking at me. I eye her suspiciously and try to mind link her, but she ignores my attempts. I Stand and square my shoulders as I walk into the office, reaching out and squeezing her hand as I walk by hoping my touch will help her the way her touch always helps me.

The metal door clanks shut behind me as make my way towards him at a steady pace. He stands up and reaches out to shake my hand. I weigh not shaking it vs shaking it and decide that offending the guy who has been killing my pack members might be a bad political move.

"Alpha Wade. thank you for coming."

He says, sitting back down at his desk. I quirk a brow at him in mild amusement.

"Like I had a choice?" I ask.

"Well, it was very nice of us to give you a ride after your tragic accident." He smiles.

I already know I don't like this guy, but the way he went about getting a meeting by destroying something I love and injuring someone I care about makes me hate him even more.

"What do you want, Rogue? King? Rogue King? What do you prefer? I'm not sure how to address the king of outcasts."

"Corbin will do just fine." he smiles again.

"Fine. Corbin, why am I here?"

"Because I want your help," he says.

"Help with what?"

"To bring down the Committee." He says with a satisfied smile.