This morning, ensuring the warriors were familiar with their assignments proved to be quite intriguing. When Abbs began announcing the new training routine, the collective response was a chorus of lengthy sighs and complaints. Little did the warriors know, I was standing off to the side, observing their reactions. It's rather absurd, considering Dad never encountered such issues with the warriors. Of course, that was a different era, and those who remain in the warrior ranks from my generation are some of my best warriors.

So, after subjecting them to even more training on the morning following their initial grumbles, they've finally wrapped up. We haven't informed them yet whether there might be a forthcoming battle. They simply need to be prepared. Abbs has been as irritated as I am about the situation, so I let her take charge by subjecting a few warriors to a more strenuous workout session when she caught them complaining. Zeke didn't intervene to calm his mate down.

Uncle Nathan and Alastair made an appearance on the training field this morning to observe the warriors' progress. They both expressed their admiration for our training methods, particularly since most of them mirror what Dad and Mom used in their training. I've simply added a few additional moves and group dynamics.

Currently, I've increased border patrol; we can't afford to leave anything to chance with the group of newcomers arriving today. All the necessary paperwork has been completed for the day, thanks to my decision not to sleep the previous night.

I enter the kitchen and find Melissa bustling about.

"Good evening, dear. Would you like some lunch?" Melissa greets me with a smile.

"No, thanks. I'm good. I just came by to see if I could get one of your fantastic cups of coffee with the cream stuff," I request, even attempting a puppy-eyed expression.

"Of course, you can!" Melissa chuckles. "I noticed Abigail passing through a few minutes ago."

"She's a bit livid about how the warriors reacted to the new training regimen," I explain with a shrug, focusing on the coffee Melissa is preparing.

One indulgence I allow myself is her flavored coffees, though I have no idea if they contain any actual coffee. All I know is that they explode with a sweet, airy lightness on my taste buds and somehow help calm my nerves. We've all tried to get Melissa to divulge her secret, but that's proven fruitless.

Melissa slides the coffee cup over to me, and I blow on it before taking a quick sip. Melissa laughs at the sounds I make, but this coffee is too good not to enjoy vocally. I watch as Melissa prepares another cup and places it on the counter beside me.

Abbs pops up and sits down, eagerly taking her cup of heaven.

"You two are never far apart. You've been attached since birth, Adika," Melissa observes with a smile, referring to Abbs and me.

"I just had to change," Abbs shrugs.

"Alpha, the group is here," a warrior informs us through the mind link.

I quickly send a response, letting him know we're on our way, before standing up.

"Thanks for the coffee, Melissa," I say, smiling at her, but I focus on finishing the cup first.

"The group is here, Abbs," I inform her.

Abbs gulps down her coffee, and we make our way to the border, deciding to run there in our human forms, as it's just as swift. I can already detect the scent of the newcomers who haven't yet become pack members. However, there's something else—can you feel it? Storm questions me.

I do sense something different. It's as if I can't get there fast enough. My heart rate has even quickened a bit, and it's not just from the run.

Reaching the border, I spot the group of people and welcome them with a commanding tone. I then scrutinize my surroundings, allowing Storm to focus on them. All of these individuals appear clean so far.

"Stop where you stand!" I order the man who seems to be leading the group, snapping out of whatever strange state had come over me.

I observe as he immediately halts in his tracks, having heeded my command. He exudes the unmistakable scent of a rogue, and my wolf, Storm, is behaving oddly, which has me perplexed. I can't even gauge the stranger's intentions while my wolf is acting this way.

"State your purpose here," I declare firmly.

The man responds with a toothy grin, revealing his pearly whites. "I'm just passing through, looking for a pack. I'm tired of being a rogue," he says nonchalantly.

"Which pack did you originally come from?" I inquire, not willing to let anyone enter my pack without thoroughly vetting them.

"I wasn't born in a pack," he answers, and his heart rate remains steady, indicating he's not lying.

"What's your name?" I continue my questioning.

"Fred," he replies.

"Abbs?" I call out to my Beta.

"Get an application for Fred to fill out," I instruct her. "We'll closely monitor him and assign several warriors to keep an eye on him. What do you think?" I link Abbs.

"It's your decision as Alpha, Adika. So far, he's answered all our questions. We'll just have to be cautious, given that he's a rogue, and we know nothing about him. I can run a check to see if he's ever attempted to join other packs. He's likely undocumented, being a rogue, unless he's tried elsewhere," Abbs responds.

"You can remain here for now, but on a trial basis only in my pack," I tell Fred, emphasizing the authority in my voice. I want to understand why Storm is acting up and why I'm drawn to him as if he could be my mate, although not all the signs are there. I'm utterly baffled by this situation and am going to consult Alastair and my brothers for guidance.