The Headmaster Alpha's Mate
The Headmaster Alpha’s Mate Chapter 27

As Zander walked out of Hannah’s cottage, he had a lot to think about. Firstly, he needed to know if it was the truth that the former Alpha of this pack had consorted with rogues in a bid to attack him. Standing on the grass verge across the stream, Harrison McKinley shuffled nervously from foot to foot. He knew only too well that Hannah Boyce would have disclosed secrets best forgotten about his former Alpha’s agreement with rogues. Personally, he had hated working with the lawless, smelly, vile, feral werewolves, but he had followed his Alpha’s orders. All he could do now, was to be honest with his new Alpha and hope he showed him mercy.

Zander held Chloe’s hand, helping her across the stream, and also, to help keep Caesar calm. His wolf wanted b***d, and although Zander did not fully disagree with him, he needed to find out more, and this man before him was the key for him to doing just that. Once he had gleaned every last drop of information from him, only then would he decide on Harrison’s fate.

“I assume the Alpha’s office is soundproofed, even against wolves’ hearing,” Zander growled out.

“Yes Alpha.” Harrison bowed his head.

“Then I believe we have a lot to discuss, take us there, NOW!” Zander bellowed, his body bristling with anger.

As they walked to the pack house, Zander turned to Chloe.

“Take Nicki and Lacey with you, go and talk to the female pack members, especially the omega’s, to find out about their living conditions.” Zander softly ordered.

Chloe nodded, and gave him a soft smile. Her inquisitive nature wanted to know what was going to happen behind the closed door of the office, but she had learnt her lesson in defying her mate.

As the men all entered the pack house, Nicki turned and looked at Chloe.

“So, what do you want us to do, your highness?” She whispered with a small curtsey.

Chloe furrowed her brow, unsure if her best friend was being sarcastic, or just unsure of the protocol. Seeing the glint of humour in Nicki’s eyes, Chloe gave a small grin.

“f**k off.” She laughed out at her friend.

Lacey laughed as she saw the close interaction between the girls. It was good, they were going to need the strong bond they had built up if what Hannah had said was true.

“Come on, Zander wants us to talk to the females, especially the Omega’s, to find out how they live.” Chloe smiled.

“Okay, where do we start?” Nicki asked, looking at the large pack house.

“My suggestion is, from the bottom up, let’s go to the basement, which is where most omegas are housed. However, for all they live in the basement, there should be plenty of light, the rooms should be furnished well and clean. The accommodation should be no worse than any of the dorms at school.” Lacey smiled.

Nodding her head in approval, Chloe entered the pack house, and seeing a young girl around 16 years of age, in what looked like a maid’s uniform, she smiled at her in welcome.

“Hi, I am Chloe, this is Nicki and Lacey. Would you show us the basement rooms please?” Chloe respectfully asked.

“Y..Yes Luna” the girl stammered, then led the way to the back staircase that would lead down to the omega accommodation.

Zander closed the door to the Alpha office, then turned on his heals and pinned Harrison with a look as hard as steal.

“You have three minutes to speak. Make it count.” Zander growled.

“Alpha, it is true Alpha Jack was terrified of the power your pack possesses, against my advice and the advice of our Gamma, he approached some rouges who wander between our pack lands. Those who only wanted to live in peace refused to entertain him. The others, who had been cast out of their packs as punishment for being criminals and were, for all intent and purpose, feral, welcomed the opportunity to attack your pack. Gamma McLeish and I were not happy with him consorting with them, but he was determined to do so, stating that if he made the alliance then our lands would be safe from their attacks. Delta Robinson was in agreement with the Alpha, he also was a coward, despite his position. Personally, I believed he was making a deal with the devil, and they would soon turn on us as well. Gamma McLeish agreed with me. But the order was given, so we had to follow our Alpha.” Harrison gave the edited highlights, hoping it was enough to secure his life. He could give more details later.

Zander let out a low growl, he could sense the truth behind Harrison’s words, and he needed every last drop of information on the rogues so he could combat the threat they now posed.

“Many in this pack are happy that Jack has been deposed, along with the death of his daughter Louise. They did not treat people with respect, they were of the opinion everyone should bow down to them. They feared a revolt in the pack and began to mistreat those they believed could rise up against them. Only our Luna was kind and courteous, she was a true leader, but her love for the Alpha is strong, even though she was a chosen mate, and she turned a blind eye to his misgivings. She was the youngest daughter of beta Brown of the Ullswater Pack in the English Lake district. She had not found a mate for 30 years when Alpha Aitchison approached them for an alliance, to strengthen his position. Our Luna agreed instantly. She was fearful her own Alpha would cast her out as a mateless and useless wolf. The alliance came to naught. The Alpha only wanted to rid himself of ranking females that had no position within his pack. Those born from a large family. He soon turned his back on our small pack.” Harrison shook his head in disgust.

“As you know, Alpha Graham was part of the packs that fought against the royal pack. It became clear over time that Jack wanted to move in the same direction. However, everything he did came from fear, rather than a need for power.” Harrison continued.

Zander let out a low growl, change needed to happen. Too long had ruthless and cowardly Alpha’s been left to rule in fear or do whatever they wanted to their members. The council was set up to form some order, but it was clear to him, it did not work.

Chloe felt a rage boiling from inside her, she now recognised that her wolf was angry.

Sheba, try and calm down, just so I can think.

She spoke to her wolf, hoping she could hear her, even if Chloe did not fully hear Sheba.

There were zero windows in the basement, it was made entirely of concrete. The smell of damp filled her nostrils, doors sat along both sides of the stark grey corridor, each of them led to small rooms. As Chloe entered she saw that each had around five cot beds in them, they were totally overcrowded. Although each wolf had a sheet and blanket, it would do little to keep them warm when the cold winter months arrived.

“Where are the bathrooms?” Lacey asked, her eyes filled the anger Chloe felt at seeing the degrading living conditions of the omega’s

“We have one toilet, and one shower between all of us Luna.” The young girl informed them.

“Who lives in these rooms?” Chloe asked, pointing to the doors at the opposite side of the corridor.

“These are the rooms for the Omega family’s. The other side, is for omega’s of mating age, who are yet to find their mate.” The girl replied.

“Show us.” Chloe growled out.

Opening the door, there were four bunk beds in each room, with barely enough room to walk around.

“Why?” Nicki whispered out in shock at the living conditions of these poor people.

“It wasn’t always like this.” The girl sighed.

“Do you go to school?” Lacey smiled at the young girl. She knew she was not a member of the academy.

“No, I used to go to the pack school, but the Alpha decreed eight years ago it was only for the pups of ranking wolves. That he could no longer afford to give omegas and education, as they only clean and serve. But our Luna, she would come down once a month to teach reading and writing.” She answered.

“What is your name?” Chloe asked the girl.

“Amy, Luna” she answered, bowing her head.

“Amy, let me tell you, no matter what rank you were born with, you can be anything you want to be, in the pack, or outside it. You have a right to an education, even if I do complain about going to lessons myself, I would never change it. You are not beneath anyone here, every person is equal, irrespective of position.” Chloe growled out, angry at the injustice she was seeing all around her.

“Luna, the Alpha wants to see us.” Lacey smiled to Chloe, proud to call her student the name.

Chloe nodded her head, and then smiled at Amy.

“Can you do something for me please Amy?” Chloe asked.

“Y..yes Luna” Amy answered.

“Can you find out from all of the pups aged between 4 and 18 which of them would like to go to school, and get me a list together please?”

“Yes” she whispered.

Chloe looked at Lacey, she was the Academy PA, and she raised her eyebrows. Lacey smiled and nodded, understanding the unspoken question. She would make sure there was room in the school for everyone who wanted to learn.

Chloe, Nicki and Lacey walked back up to the pack house, each of them going to their respective mates.

“Well?” Zander asked

“It is disgusting” Chloe sighed out.

“We have a lot of work to do” Robin stated to Lacey, who nodded her head in agreement.

“They only train once a week” Josh shook his head, no wonder the pack was so weak.

“We have to help the omegas, Josh, it is so unfair how they live.” Nicki sighed out, as her mate wrapped her up in his strong arms.

Turning to Harrison, Zander looked at the former Beta. He would leave it up to Robin if he wanted to keep him in that position, until Josh and Nicki took over the pack.

“Have every single pack member gather on the lawn, all ranks” Zander growled out.

Taking hold of Chloe’s hand, he made his way onto the large field, waiting for the pack members to arrive. Josh and Nicki stood to his right, Robin and Lacey to his left.

A low murmur echoed around the field as more and more pack members flooded the area.

“Alpha, Hannah is refusing to come”, Harrison informed him.

“Not a problem, she already knows what we will do.” Zander growled.

“Go stand with your pack members”, Robin stated. He did not want this man to be part of his team to rejuvenate the pack and make it ready for Joshua.

Once all the pack were gathered together, Zander took a step forward, still holding Chloe’s hand.

“Silverback Pack. As you are aware, I am your new Alpha. My name is Alpha Zander Colton. Some of you may be concerned that you will be taken from your homes and removed from this land. Let me reassure you, that will not be the case. The pack will remain, but under new leadership. As of right now, all of you are of equal rank. A new leadership team will be put in place by my beta, Robin Black and his mate Lacey Black. They will run this pack as interim Alpha and Luna, under my leadership, until your new Alpha and Luna, Joshua and Nicola have finished their training,” Zander announced.

“There will be many changes happening. Firstly, every pack member will train, every day, to strengthen you. Roles and duties for the running of the packhouse will come direct from Mrs Black. You all have three options to consider. Those who wish to remain as part of the Silverback pack stay in the centre of the field. Those who wish to leave and cut all ties go to the left of the field. You may leave in peace. Those of you who want to join the Crescent Moon pack go to the right of the field,” Zander ordered.

Chloe gave his hand a squeeze and whispered softly to him.

“Can I say something please?”

Zander looked down at his mate and nodded. Chloe stepped forward, and took a breath, not sure what to say, the soft sing song voice of her wolf spoke.

I will help you, Chloe.

Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Chloe began.

“I am Chloe Handcock, Alpha Zander’s fated mate. I am the future Luna of the Crescent Moon. Every member of this pack is to be valued. Although I am new to the werewolf world, from what I can see, the pack is like a body. No one part can work effectively without the other. Therefore, no one rank is better than another. Omegas are the back bone of any pack. If they were not here to cook, serve and clean, then your Warriors could not train as hard as they should to protect you. A lot of their time would be taken up by cooking for themselves, or cleaning their room, or doing their own laundry. Your Alpha and his leadership team would have less time to work to better the pack and its members, to strengthen and protect you all. Each pack member and rank have a purpose, all equally important to the others. Every pack member has a right to an education, to be whatever they want to be, irrespective of the rank of their family. There are many leaders who do not have the correct aptitude to lead, and many servants who know the importance of good leadership. Each of you will be judged on merit, then your rank, and I know my mate will strive to ensure each of you are given a fair and equal opportunity to thrive.” Chloe’s voice rang out across the field. She was amazed at how confident she sounded even to her own ears.

Zander’s chest puffed with pride as he heard his mate speak. She was perfect, she would make a strong Luna, and a brilliant queen. He smiled lovingly down at her and gave her a small wink of approval.

“So, please make your choice now.” Zander shouted out.

Around an eighth of the pack moved to the left, mostly the current ranked wolves, a hand full of members moved to the right, the rest remained in the centre.

“Those of you who want to come to Crescent moon, please have your belongings ready by tomorrow evening at 6, and we will come to take you and integrate you with our pack. Those of you who remain, you do so under the leadership of my Beta, you will refer to him as Beta, until Alpha Joshua and Luna Nicola take over in six months. Those of you who wish to leave, please gather your belongings and leave the pack grounds by midnight tonight.” Zander stated.

Robin stepped forward, then with a smile he addressed the remaining members.

“Thank you, we have a lot of work to do. Firstly, we must strengthen the pack, and training for all ranks will be mandatory, and done daily, twice per day for those who are warriors. There will be two training sessions, first at 5 am every morning, the second at 7pm every night. I believe Luna Chloe has requested a list of the pups who wish to go to school. Please have all the pups and parents report to my mate, Beta Lacey, who will facilitate their enrolment into the Crescent Moon Academy. Also, all omegas who are living in the basement, please report to me this afternoon, so that we can find you more suitable accommodation. Thank you.”

Zander walked off the field, hand in hand with his mate, he smiled down at her.

“I am so proud of you, Chloe, your speech was perfect.” He grinned at her.

“It was Sheba who helped”. Chloe grinned back up at him, happy she had fully communicated with her wolf.

Zander chuckled and placed a k**s on her head.

“Now, we can go on the date I planned.” Zander grinned down at her.

“Actually. As much as I want to go on a date just the two of us, can we do it tonight? I think we all need to stay here and help, plus we need to find places for our new members back at our pack.” Chloe smiled up at Zander.

“Spoken like a true Luna. Yes, we can.”