The Hunting
Chapter 25

"Welcome everyone. You will see I have set up a little obstacle course for you that I'll be testing you on today, I'll also be observing your fighting skills." Tobias spoke as he walked in front of the large group of pack warriors that he had assembled. He turned to the crowd forming behind him.

" If there is anyone that wishes to become a warrior, please step forward. " he said as he folded his arms behind his back and waited.

A few pack members stepped forward and Tobias smiled at them. "Please take a seat over there, I'll evaluate you in a different way given that you haven't had proper training yet."

He turned back to the obstacle course and smiled, remembering the first time he saw Kia doing it. He missed her so much.

"Right, the time you have to beat is 6 minutes and 34 seconds." he said as he readied his stopwatch. "Go."

The warriors went bounding off towards the obstacles, and Tobias immediately noticed that none of them were fit enough. Halfway through some began throwing up, others slowed down to walking pace and others merely quit. He shook his head and scribbled down some notes on the notepad he brought along.

When the warriors were all done and assembled once again he began laughing. "Well that was horrific." he said smiling at them, "but at least now I know what I'm working with."

"Marcus," he said as he called a man forward.

"Yes Alpha?" Marcus said as he stepped closer.

"You seemed to fair the best, so you'll be in charge of fitness training with me." Tobias said. "Now please everyone, find a sparring partner and line up for some combat drills."

The warriors moved, each finding a partner that matched their own strengths.

Tobias led them through various training drills and observed them all closely, all of them were wired to do the most amount of damage that they possibly could, without having any kind of strategy or tactic.

Tobias dismissed them and walked back to his office, he'd have to train them himself for a while until someone showed promise and could take over.

"Lucas?" Tobias called as he walked into the office.

"Yes, Alpha." Lucas sneered as he waltzed in.

"Where are your pack files?" he asked, scanning the room

"We don't have any." Lucas said, picking at his nails.

"Well, then I suggest you get started on making some." Tobias growled, his irritation growing.

Lucas left with a sigh and incoherent mumbling, but Tobias knew he was cursing him to the moon and back.

Deciding that he would have a better chance of getting to know the pack and its people by mingling with them, he set out to explore the town.

On his way, Tobias stopped to talk to almost everyone he could find. He asked them what they would want to change in the pack, who they think would make great leaders and where they thought the pack was lacking. He learned a great deal about the pack, and he also learned that almost everyone was like him, they wanted the abuse and misuse to stop. He learned that only those closest to his father and their cohorts were brainwashed, evil and manipulative.

He spent hours talking to the towns people and playing with the children, enjoying seeing everyone so relaxed and calm.

"Alpha Tobias?" a soft voice said behind him.

He turned to find a small, frail woman standing behind him. She had big brown eyes and heavy brown curls. Her hands were shaking and she seemed to look over her shoulder a lot.

"Is something wrong?" Tobias asked, reaching out to her. She flinched away and her eyes filled with fear. "I'm not going to hurt you, I promise." Tobias said as he slowly moved forward again.

She shifted around nervously, glancing at him and then around her.

"Come with me, I know of a private place we can talk." Tobias said as he lead her away to a closed of clearing in the forest.

"Tell me what's going on?" Tobias said once he was sure they were alone.

"They are going to kill you." the woman whispered urgently.

"Excuse me?" Tobias said, gawking at the woman.

"I heard them talking after the meeting yesterday, they're not happy with the changes you are making." she said, wringing her hands together. "Be careful."

"What's your name?" Tobias asked.

"Melanie." she said looking down at the ground.

"You're Delta Carson's mate?" he asked and she gave him a stiff nod. "Does he hurt you?" he asked.

Panic filled her eyes and she started backing away, "Don't worry, I want to help you." Tobias said softly, trying desperately to get her to calm down.

She looked at him and he could see the doubt in her eyes. She wanted to trust him, but she was also not use to people being kind to those who get abused.

" I am not my father, Melanie. "Tobias said with a sigh," You may go, I'll deal with the death threats and the abuse."

She ran away so fast, he could have sworn she was never even there. He sighed again and rubbed his face, the stress and tiredness sinking down over him, making his shoulders tight.

"I wish you were here." he whispered into the trees, thinking of Kia.

"Be strong Alpha, we'll see mate again." Timber huffed in his mind.

Back at his office, he started mulling over what Melanie had told him, she wasn't spesific about who wanted him dead but he had a hunch it was everyone he had put out of power. His father's friends.

Putting the thought aside for a while he started working through his notes, looking over possible candidates for the new leadership he was forming, he had a pretty good idea of who he wanted, he lived here his whole life. He was an outcast so he mostly observed the people in the pack, never really talking to any of them. He knew first hand which people were kind and which were not. He knew whose hearts were in the right places, who dreamed of change and a better life for their children and mates.

He made a list and decided to devise a test to assess their loyalty and competence.

"Here are the files you asked for." Lucas said as he barged in and dropped the papers on the desk.

He was about to leave again when Tobias stopped him, "Tell me, Lucas. Why do you want me dead?" he asked.

Lucas froze in his tracks for a split second before continuing on as casually as possible. But Tobias caught his hesitation and he knew he guessed right.

"What are you talking about?" Lucas asked, casually leaning against the wall.

Tobias laughed as he got up and walked over to Lucas, he grabbed him by the neck and shoved him up against the wall.

"I am your Alpha, the blatant disrespect you have been throwing my way, ends now!" Tobias growled in his face. Lucas shrank backwards, trying to get away.

"Best leave your little assassination plans out too, you won't like the outcome." Tobias threatened as he let Lucas go. He scrambled out of the office, gasping.

Sitting down at his desk again Tobias raked his hands through his hair and looked around for his phone. He dialed the one number he knew would be able to help him, Clayton.

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