New Alpha – New Rules(3)

He pulled his shirt on now that he’d finished his shower. They were putting insulation up in the attic all day but they weren’t finished and it still needed drywall to cover it. That would cut some of the draft at least. They would move his bed up to the attic as soon as the drywall was up, the floors were laid, and the closet built. God they had a lot to do. This whole house needed work. He had some of the pack painting, some patching, some plumbing and Curtis was putting in ductwork under the floors downstairs for the new furnace and air conditioning.

There was a boiler in the basement was installed with the house so that would put it at around ninety. That may not be old for a wolf but definitely old for a boiler and he didn’t trust it. Burning fur was not a nice smell.

Time for that beer. “Curtis, you and the boys mount up, we’re going out. I need a drink and we need to introduce ourselves to the locals.” Ryder said as his feet hit the first floor landing.

“There’s a bar called O’Malley’s, breed friendly and considered neutral ground off Route ten. From what I gathered, there are three other packs in the area. Mountain View, East End, and Hill Top. Hill Tops are cats, so we probably won’t see them in the bar but who knows. The other two are wolves. Mountain View is pretty big and they run the town. They have control of a lot of local businesses but aren’t aggressive from what I hear. East End is much smaller and full of older wolves. They’re dying off I think.”

“Which is why Mountain View is not aggressive, they’ve got nothing to fear. Stay attentive, keep your ears to the ground and nobody starts anything. I don’t want a war. I want to remain peaceful. We can make these wolves our allies and maybe score some employment if they own the businesses. Play nice boys.” He said to the gathering crowd. “Play nice. Move out.”

They loaded into the pickups and Ryder’s SUV with him at the wheel. “What’s up Jack?” Ryder caught his eye in the rearview mirror. Jack was their newest member and still young. His pack had dissolved and he’d wandered alone for a while. Ryder wasn’t sure if that was the whole truth but so far, he had no reason not to believe him. Wolves went strange sometimes when they were alone too long especially if they were young and inexperienced. Jack shrugged and went back to staring out the window. Ryder nodded and watched the road. “When you’re ready, I’m here. Remember that.” Jack’s lip twitched and Ryder knew he’d heard him.

“He’ll be okay Ry, crowds make him nervous, and we’re still getting him used to them and us. Right Jack?” Lee nudged his shoulder and the corner of Jack’s mouth rose. Ryder nodded again and turned the radio on. Classic Rock poured from the speakers. Ryder followed the pickup truck in front of them. Curtis knew where the place was and his truck was the slowest. A good Alpha follows the oldest and slowest so none of his pack is lost. He can survey all members from the rear and ensure that they are all safe and protected. It was nearly dark now as they pulled into the parking lot and found spaces for their vehicles. The bar wasn’t full yet and there were still plenty available. Ryder got out and nodded at Curtis who climbed out of the pickup. It had Ryder’s approval for the time being. Ryder followed them inside.

~*~*~

“You’re wearing it. I brought it for you to wear and you are wearing it.” Sidney stood in the bedroom doorway with her hands on her hips. Sidney was tall like most she-wolves. She had a mop of thick black hair, striking blue eyes, and full red lips. She looked like a super villain in her black leather pants and red sequined tank top. The pants were a second skin. Her spiked black patent leather stilettos had to be six inches putting Sid at nearly six and a half feet.

“No way.” Harper reached for the side zipper.

“Don’t you take that off!” Sidney screamed when Harper started to unzip it. It was a tiny black and white vertical striped mini skirt, micro skirt rather, with black lace trim. “You have got the sexiest legs known to man, show them off.” Harper nibbled her lip and looked down at herself. “And stop chewing off my twelve dollar lipstick.”

“It’s hooker red Sid.” Harper looked up at her.

“Uh yeah?” Sid shook her head. “So? We’re trying to get you laid. It’s called bait.” Harper rolled her eyes. “Now, here is the jacket.”

“Thank God there is one.” Harper took it and slid it on over the black lace tee shirt top. It gave the illusion of being see-through while it wasn’t. She’d checked. “I can’t wear the underwear though, there is too much draft. Really Sid, I’m changing them.” She was petrified that the wind would blow the skirt up and everyone would see her new thong. Sid had a trashy idea of what underwear should look like. This pair was black with only a scrap of satin covering her pink parts in the front and a thin scrap up the back. Nothing covered her bare behind and the idea of perching on a barstool grossed her out. She was shaved top to bottom, covered in stinky lotion, perfumed, and feeling quite slutty. This was just not her. She preferred jeans and sneakers or better yet, flip-flops. She never wore makeup.