Friction

Desmond paced the court room where many of his men sat, watching him...waiting for him to explode. He was on the verge of shifting and going on a rampage. He was so angry that for a moment he forgot to breathe.

"It would be best to just wage war on them! It would be an easy win! Humans are nothing compared to us!" General Horne shouted.

Desmond stopped pacing and growled. His teeth shifting into fine points. "Humans are nothing compared to us?" He growled. "Do you forget that half of our women, many of your wives, your mates are in fact human? Do you forget that they do not fight fair? That they wage war with bombs and genocide? Sit down General Horne and bite your tongue."

General Horne sent Desmond an angry look before sitting.

Desmond stopped his pacing and took a deep breath. War was the last thing he wanted. All years of constant battles and agreements of acceptance and truces being signed he refused to have to turn to war. Blood shed was not something he condoned. He was a peaceful man by nature and had found that fighting was only to be used as a last resort. He closed his eyes for a moment, zoning in on the many thoughts that danced through his head.

After a long while of silence he turned toward his court and raised his chin. His dark brown eyes began to glow and he bared his teeth. He was the alpha now. His word was law.

The men all gave him their undivided attention. Showing him respect by bowing their heads slightly.

"We will not resort to war as our first move. Despite what we are, we are not animals. We have minds to use as a weapon. And we shall."

General Horne snarled before standing, this time knocking his chair back as he did so. "Talking is not going to protect us! As Alpha you should-, " Desmond moved toward the general.

"As alpha I am to protect my pack. As alpha my word is absolute. As general you are to listen to my orders."

The general growled but relented. The authority in Desmond's voice was enough to have him backing down but not without him adding, "The old alpha would have stormed the human's command. He would not have waited."

Desmond narrowed his eyes. The old alpha had been his mentor. The old alpha had been a kind, patient ruler. A ruler who Desmond hoped to mirror in leading his pack to prosperity and peace.

"You know nothing of what he would have done. In fact I've had enough of your mouth General."

Desmond's eyes changed to a gold fluorescent color and he growled. The general stepped back, fear flashing across his face.

"It's not me you should be fighting with! It's the humans who you should be after!"

"Are the humans questioning my authority?"

General Horne snapped his mouth shut. Malice written all across his face.

Desmond had had enough, he whipped his wrist and snarled, "Get out!" General Horne was one of the first to run from the room.

Desmond bit back a growl of utter frustration before pacing once again.

"You shouldn't let him rile you up this way."

"I thought I told everyone to get out?"

Nathan laughed. Nathan was Desmond's beta and also his best friend. They had trained together. They had hunted together and even now, they ruled the pack together.

"You meant everyone but me."

Desmond answered that with a growl. "I'm not in the mood Nathan."

"You know general Horne can't be trusted. It would only take a nod from you for me to get rid of him you know." Nathan's eyes gleamed, his teeth shifting.

"Enough, Nathan. I know of general Horne's transgressions. But I also know that he is one of the best generals ever trained of our pack."

"I don't care about all that. My loyalty is to you and I've heard of the plans he has to overthrow you. You and I both know that he was furious when he was not deemed alpha. He wants power. He wants your power. And if he gets it, this pack will never have another peaceful day. Just let me snap his neck, already!"

"Our battle should never be with our own. Besides we have other, more pressing matters to tend to."

Nathan sighed. "You're right. But once we have matters with the humans sorted. I wanted to have at him first."

Desmond couldn't help the smile that crossed his lips.

"Of course. He's all yours...but after."

Nathan smiled lazily and turned, heading for the door. "Don't stress over your decision. It will scare the women away."

"Women aren't on my mind right now. I have-, " Nathan repeated his words, "Other more pressing matters to dwell on, I know. But a woman to hold at night would surely calm down your frazzled nerves my friend."

"Nathan."

"Yes, yes I know. You're much to serious to care about all the women who throw themselves at you. Being Alpha has its perks, Desmond."

"Nathan. Get out."

Nathan laughed as he strolled from the room. Leaving Desmond standing in the middle of the room, a sigh escaping his lips.