Chapter Text
“Nicole, we need to think of something, they will soon have us cornered and we cannot bring them all down.” Eliza, 2nd in command stated, anxious about their predicament.
“I know. As soon as we have an opening we make for the forest.” The redhead alpha instructs.
They had been hiding in a canyon for the past hour. Roman scouts were everywhere and they had aggressively been pursuing the small band of female warriors for days.
They had been a problem for the roman legions in what ever area they found themselves in. The small band of 6 women had killed multiple soldiers in the past month. They were silent and deadly. The Romans had named them demons lead by a red devil, believing them almost otherworldly, their small band being a threat to the greatest empire on earth, was unnatural and impossible.
All 6 woman had lost their families and friends when the romans invaded their countries. They had all come together thanks to their brave and determined leader.
Nicole sent Rachel, the smallest and quietest to scout around to see if anyone was near their hiding place. When the little omega was back, she looked towards the alpha and stated grimly “We are surrounded, it appears they are waiting for us.” Nicole nodded and looked around at her found family, her sisters.
Untying her fathers sword from her waist she handed it to Eliza, “keep that safe.” Eliza started shaking her head vehemently but a look from her Alpha leader she stopped and lowered her eyes.
“What is the plan Alpha?” Kate asked.
“The plan, my dear friends, is I will serve as distraction while you all scatter into the forest. Wait 3 days and if its clear, go back to where we camped last night. Travel alone, do not pair up, if safe wait 24 hours until we are all together again. Do not wait any longer. Head East after that. If someone doesn’t show, it doesn’t matter! Depart anyway. We will all be together in this life or the next.”
The 5 women, with tears in there eyes, nodded and made for their horses. Eliza stopped and turned around throwing her arms around her oldest friend. “Be safe or I will find you and kick your ass!” swallowing a lump down, Nicole nodded, she looked up and found the other woman staring at her. Nodding and smiling she said “Don’t worry, they haven’t gotten me yet!” she winked and signalled them into there positions.
“When I am clear of the canyon and they spot me, run the far end, as soon as you exit, split up.” Rosita rides towards Nicole and hands her her own sword.
“You need that more then I do.” Nicole reaches out and squeezes the betas arm in thanks.
Mounting Calamity, she patted her neck, “looks like its the end of our journey together old friend, let’s take out as many of the bastards as we can.” The alpha wasn’t stupid, she knew she would probably be killed, her friends knew it too but she was their leader, their alpha and that meant she would do anything to keep them safe and they could not disobey her orders. Nicole had no second thoughts about sacrificing herself to protect them.
Night was falling rapidly and Nicole was relieved. That would give the others some cover.
Placing Calamity’s reins in her teeth, she pulled out and readied her Bow. Letting out a roar she kicked Calamity into a full gallop towards her fate. As soon as she saw the soldiers she let loose her arrows, she was fast and accurate, grabbing her spears when she was out of arrows, jumping up and crouching on Calamity’s back, she used her impressive strength to throw and impale as many enemies as she could.
By the time she had gotten close to them she had killed 16 soldiers. She raised Rosita’s sword and prepared herself. She leapt from her horse and quickly engaged the nearest soldiers, many backed off quickly as they knew they were no match for her, some of the braver Alphas racing to face her, eager to take down the torn in Rome's side.
No one was a match for her. No matter how many came her way she dispatched them quickly. Suddenly 2 roman soldiers on horse back appeared behind her with a net. As soon as it was thrown over her they took off, Nicole swept off her feet and roughly bounced off the ground. Her head smashed off a rock jutting from the ground and everything went black.
Her last thoughts were off her family.
Nicole was from the most northern part of the Roman empire. Her people were tough, strong, well built and renowned warriors. When the romans had invaded, Nicole had been only 10. Her family was slaughtered in front of her when their little mountain village had been ambushed in the middle of the night. Nicole, being the youngest, had to sleep in the rafters of the hut and that was what saved her life while she watched her family die.
Her 3 older brothers, older sister, parents and grand mother, were all murdered while defenceless. When the romans left the hut she crawled from her hiding place and approached her parents. Her family were all dead except for her father, who was mortally wounded but he smiled at his youngest child, his pride and joy. All his children had been alphas but Nicole he believed was the next leader of their clan. Even at such a young age, her abilities and strength had no equal.
“My little red wolf. I won’t survive this but before I go to take my place among the gods of the forest, I must give you something now you are the head of the clan. “ he groaned and shifted onto his side, pointing to the bed he shared with his wife. “lift the mattress and you will find the soul of our clan. It is yours now and you must remember to always be strong to protect those who can’t protect themselves. Always be brave in the face of danger, kind to those you love and fearless in the face of your enemies. You, child, brought our family so much joy. You made me so proud. Show them what it is to fear the wrath of the Red Mountain Clan. Remember we love you and will watch over you. Pack as much food as you can from the stores, there is some gold and silver in the hole under the loose floor board, take it and Run now before it gets light. Take your horse and get away.” The more her father had spoken the weaker he got. He held out his hand for his crying child and pulled her in for a hug. He was in agony but he knew that would be her last memory with him.
She hugged her father until he passed and quickly did as instructed, she took her fathers saddle bags and filled them with all the coins, as much food as possible and a change of clothes. She pulled up the mattress to reveal a beautifully crafted Broadsword, with bright red rubies in the hilt and on the scabbard. It was almost too heavy for her to carry but she refused to leave it behind. She also took her mother’s bow and arrows, 2 of her brothers daggers and her other brothers staff. From her sister she took Sigrid’s green ring.
She carefully listened to hear if there were any more of the romans around. The settlement was too quiet. She knew anyone who had managed to survive would have been carted off to be sold at auction. She quickly headed to the large communal barn where everyone kept their horses and large live stock in bad weather. Her own horse was a beautiful large chestnut mare her father had helped her break the previous spring. All the horses was anxiously pacing in their stalls, having heard all the screams and smelling the blood spilled outside.
Nicole untethered all the horses except her own and open the barn door wide so the animals would be able to leave and fend for themselves in the wild rather than starve in the barn. She saddled up Calamity filling a bag with some oats for her and mounted. Tapping her heels to her Steed, she clicked her tongue and Calamity took off at a fast trot out of the barn. As soon as they cleared the settlement the trot turned into a fast canter across the mountain side. Nicole keeping a careful eye out for Roman infantry.
Nicole was very tall for her age, if anyone didn’t know her she could easily pass for 14 years old. She was a mature and sensible child, intelligent beyond her years which helped sell the illusion. She was strong and an accomplished horse woman as her father believed in having children on horse back with their parents from infancy.
After 5 years alone, wandering throughout the countryside and through different roman territories, hunting with her mothers bow and setting traps to eat, Nicole had grown taller than most men. Anyone who came in contact with her could sense her powerful aura. She was muscular and very beautiful. Her long red hair was in an intricate braid that flowed down the centre of her back. Her clothing was made from the animals she hunted. She only ever entered towns to buy supplies she couldn’t find in nature or make herself.
She never forgot what the romans did to her people and the anger at the empire consumed her. She occasionally took out a lone roman when she spotted one and more than once had take out a pair if she saw them transporting a prisoner which she then freed.
One day, she found Eliza. The blonde woman was tied to a post and a roman man was whipping her, she fought against her bindings and cried out with every lash of the whip. Nicole saw it all from atop the hill she had been passing over. Looking around she saw no sentries or anyone else. She turned Calamity's head and took off toward the pair pulling her fathers sword from her side, slicing the man’s head clean off.
As it fell at Calamity's hooves she swung herself off the saddle and placed the sword back in its scabbard. She then pulled out one of her daggers and sliced the girls bindings.
“You’re free now. Go back to your family.”
Eliza looked at her saviour. The beta girl was very intrigued by the Alpha before her, wanting to know how a girl, obviously as young as her had become so powerful. She walked towards the body of the man who owned her and spat on his headless remains.
“My family is all dead, this prick had his soldiers kill them all. Now I have no where to go.” Nicole knew the pain the girl felt.
“If you can keep up you can come with me, there is no destination, I merely wish to strike a blow to the invaders where I can.”
The blonde woman looked at the redhead mounting her horse and nodded. She spotted her old masters horse and got on him. She was not a confident rider but she would learn. There was a dagger tied to the saddle and she smiled.
“Let’s go kill some Roman scum!” the 2 woman smiled at each other and moved off.
A few months later, after Nicole had taught Eliza to fight and shoot an arrow she had made her a set of arrows and a bow of her own. Soon they were taking down groups of 5 or 6 romans together when they spotted them.
One day, the pair spied a convoy of prisoners tied together being led by a small group of roman slave traders. The prisoners were all weak and emaciated. Using the hand signs they had developed between them to communicate a plan. Silently the 2 young warriors notched their arrows and fired, using the cover of the woods to remain unseen. After a quick volley of arrows they had killed 3 of the slavers.
The scene was becoming chaotic so they stopped shooting for fear of hitting one of the prisoners. The 2 of them emerged on foot from their hiding place and the remaining 5 slavers turned to face them, pulling out their weapons. These men, mainly alphas, were strong but not warriors. In a matter of minutes they were dispatched.
Eliza took their weapons while Nicole made for the very frightened prisoners. She was covered in splatters of blood from the brief battle and cut an impressive and intimating figure even when clean and was not surprised by the prisoners reaction too her.
Pulling her dagger out she cut the ropes around everyone’s wrists and ankles and nodded to them before turning away. Whistling to call Calamity and Eliza’s horse, now named Moody because of his temperament, she helped Eliza pick the bodies clean of any coin as the horses appeared and trotted towards them.
As they mounted and turned, they saw the men and women they had just freed staring at them. “Go!” Nicole called out, “You are all free, go back you your families!” all ran except for 2 sisters, betas and twins, who walked towards them.
The slightly taller one spoke up, a strong North African accent carrying over to the 2 warriors. “Take us with you!” she demanded. “We have no family and we want our revenge on those who took them from us.” Nicole smiled and turned to Eliza, raising an eyebrow to her to get her opinion. Eliza shrugged and they both turned back to the 2 darker women.
“Can you fight and ride?”
“No but we are quick learners.”
“OK, take 2 of the horses belonging to the slavers, get on them and follow us. Eliza grab the other 2 we will sell them in a week or 2 for coin to get them weapons. What are you names.”
“I am Kate and this is my sister Shae.” Nicole looked at the girl who had yet to speak, she was beautiful and smiled shyly up at the alpha. Nicole gave her a small smile back and nodded. Eliza helped them pull themselves on to the dead men’s horses and they all followed Nicole back into the forest.
A Year or so after the sisters had joined the warriors they came across a decimated village, one that had reminded Nicole if the day she had left her own settlement. There was bodies everywhere, homes burning and the smell of death heavy in the air.
A child appeared, a small omega about 10 or 11, glaring at the newcomers. She picks up a large stone and hurls it at them. Dodging it easily but surprised, the Alpha looks at the child and speaks. “What happened here?” the child responds by throwing another stone. Suddenly out if the nearest hut an older girl, a beta, runs out and grabs the child.
“Please, please don’t hurt us!” the older girl pleads while pulling the child into her, wrapping her arms protectively around her.
“We have no intention of causing you or your people any harm, we saw the smoke and came to see what the problem was. If there is anyone injured our healer Shae can assist them.”
“No everyone is dead or taken, the Romans attacked before first light, we are the only ones left, our grandmother helped us escape before we got caught. My name is Rosita and this is my cousin Rachel.” The alpha felt her heart clench, their story so similar to her own. She smiled at the Pup.
“you’re certainly brave little one!” the child glared at her causing her to chuckle. She liked Rachel from the second she tried to hit her with the stone.
“Have you any family left?”
“No, my parents died long ago and Rachel’s mother died in childbirth, we have no family left.” The alpha nodded.
“If you want too you can join us. We try to kill as many romans as we can and free any of the prisoners they have. You wouldn’t have to fight but we can keep you safe if you mind the camp of us.” Rosita considered the offer. She looked at the 3 women beside the Alpha, none showed any signs of malicious intent.
Suddenly a voice pops up, “I want to kill Romans!” Rachel looks Nicole squarely in the eye. Nicole smiles.
“You would have to train firs Pup. Build up your skills and muscles and work hard. Can you do that?” the child nods quickly. Rosita nods too, “I wont be much of a fighter but teach me and I’ll do my best.” Eliza dismounts Moody and goes the horse they have been using as a pack horse since they took it from a roman man who was whipping one of his farm slaves.
Distributing their things among all the riders, Eliza helps Rosita’s up onto the animals back. When she goes to lift Rachel onto the saddle, the child side steps and approaches Calamity. “I want to ride with you!”
Nicole reaches her hand down to the girl and when she grasps it Nicole pulls the child up and places her in the front of the saddle. The little girl looks up at her and beams before they click the horses into moving.
For the next few years the 6 women grew closer than sisters. Nicole and Shae had a brief romantic relationship but ultimately decided not to continue it as they weren’t compatible enough to be more than friends.
They had become bolder as time went on, attacking larger and larger groups of romans, freeing slaves and helping any villages they could to ward off roman attacks. The locals always fed them, put them up and assisted in mending anything the women couldn’t in the woods as a way of thanking them. More than one woman happily thanked the Mesmerising Female alpha personally by offering to warm her bed for a night. She never took them up on it though unless she was in rut.
No more people joined their little band but they were happy with the number they had, it made it easy to move and the moved together as though they were born to do it. They had learned early that what the romans made up for in large numbers they lacked in any fighting skill. They quickly folded under the superior skills of the women warriors.
But that was before the women found themselves being chased down by the Roman army. They had attracted their attention due to the rising frequency and the sheer boldness of the women’s attacks. Slaves were being freed against their owners wishes.
The romans had sent a dozen scouts out into the forest they believed the women were camped in to increase their chances of spotting them. They had been successful and the army began to pursue the women until they had cornered the 23 year old alpha and her friends in that canyon.