“Make sure your new Beta and Gamma know how to treat their mates. If you guys get it together, we can discuss an alliance with your pack. Only if you start treating your mate, and your pack, the way they deserve. We can get you a mentor because clearly your dad didn’t do a good job before he died. Which isn’t shocking.” Alpha Eason stared at me, surprised.
The new Alpha asked, “You’d have an alliance with me because you ran into Hadley after she cooked me dinner?” I said, “Not exactly. Our alliances form for a smattering of reasons. I’d have an alliance with you because my mate would say people deserve a chance.”
I admitted, “We’ve written people off and shut down negotiations with former and current Alphas based on how they do things. We don’t give future Alphas a chance if their decisions are like their predecessor.”
I shrugged saying, “So, I’m doing something new, in light of things my mate has brought to my attention. I’m giving you advice and a chance. My mate is quite adept at keeping an eye on people. So, shape up and we can discuss an alliance. If you don’t, I’ll have my mate come up with a reason to get yours to our territory.”
Alpha Eason stood, growling, “Hadley is mine!” I somewhat demanded, “Then act like it before you lose her. Before you lose the moments like this where your Luna plans something nice for you and just starts existing.”
I got in his face like an Alpha needed from another at times. Dad had done this for me, but it seemed no one did it for Alpha Eason. I told the man, “Your Luna still has hope for you two, but her eyes are sad. Think long and hard about how you would feel if she stopped trying and doing little things for you.” The man’s entire countenance fell.
EJ told him, “Luna Hadley is in the room by where all your meetings were. Go to her and build from this moment. You can’t change the past, but you can change the future you two have.” The man practically ran out of the room.
I looked around and saw the audience here was mostly younger Alphas. EJ offered, “The same goes for all of you. My brother’s mate is basically Big Brother, so we will watch you. If you want a mentor, we will help you regardless of whether or not we are allies.”
“Everyone deserves the chance to have good advice. Whether you take it or not is up to you, but we are offering a hand. Even if you don’t want an alliance with us, mentors are available and wewill find you a good partner. We don’t merely assign them. We gauge several factors, like personality.”
“A lot of you have older Betas and Gammas. My brother was correct in telling Alpha Eason he has the authority to replace them, but I got the sense not a lot of you knew that. A lot of your fathers passed away and that’s why you hold the positions you do.”
“We can help you, even if that’s from afar. I love my mate and have since before she was born. I’ve protected her my entire life. My dad and his allies met their mates at different phases of life, but they adore them all.”
“Don’t hurt yourself and your mates, because some jackasses who hate change tell you to. I don’t know why you feel as though you are under their thumb, but we will help you out if you ask. The Alpha blood in you wants that acceptance with your mate.”
“You want to love and protect her. We know that better than a Gamma or Beta blood. Don’t go against your blood and yourself. Take the hand offered and get back on solid ground where you don’t live in constant pain.” We walked out of the room.
EJ linked me, “That was a good thing you did for that mated pair, little brother.” I replied, “I did it for her. Luna Hadley looked so sad, but she had hope. I could tell Alpha Eason cares about her. It’s someone’s advice that is having him act like this. Maybe the man will change, maybe he won’t but I’m giving him the option.” EJ nodded.
I walked into our room and heard Melanie in the shower. Oden chuckled, “Don’t mind if we do.” My wolf had a point; I could use some shower sex. We used up all the hot water and some of the cold. Good thing the cold doesn’t bother wolves.
I carried my wife out of the bathroom and laid her in bed. When we woke up, I teased her about staying out of trouble for the duration of my last meeting. I went with my brothers to our meeting. Alpha Eason came up to us before we sat down.
Gage linked, “Uhhh what is he doing?” I answered, “Hopefully telling me he got his head out of his ass without me beating it out.” Gage groaned, “I hate when a Gamma is not informed but Phil said he didn’t know either.”
Alpha Eason said, “I’d like to take you up on that mentor offer, Alpha Alexander. Hadley was surprised I came, and happy I stayed for dinner. We actually talked through a lot of things. Honestly, last night was the best night I’ve had since I found and marked her.”
Alpha Eason looked around and shifted on his toes, but his gaze locked on the older Alpha generation I’d grown up with. Men who ran their packs efficiently with their mates by their side. Alpha Eason admitted, “It was much more enjoyable than keeping my mate at arm’s length so I’m not seen as weak.”
He inclined his head at the Alphas that were my friends and our parents, “You guys have a point. You don’t treat your mates like that, and you are powerful. I always loved Hadley. I just didn’t want to be weak and lose her. Or have her be used against me.”
EJ chimed in, “I’ll have a mentor for you in the next two days. I have one in mind, but if you two don’t click I’ll get you another.” Alpha Eason smiled and walked away. Dad linked, “I think we have some things to discuss boys.” EJ smiled as we took our seats.
Dad shot out of the room after a few minutes. I linked him, “What’s going on?” It took him a few moments, but he answered, “Dylan wants to die is what is going on.” I snorted. Lord. What else could he have done?
Cassie linked me, “So the statue Dylan ordered also came as a bobble head. There is a table here with a sign that says free.” I barely suppressed a laugh. I felt amusement in all my bonds with my siblings. Say what you want, but Dylan Frost was funny. Atleast he did it when everyone was busy today, which would have been intentional.
If only he’d done that with the statue in the first place. I linked EJ, “I’m going to pop Melanie and myself home. I don’t want to drive. I’m moderately worried, with her track record, that someone here we don’t know about likes my wife and would crash into our car to try and kidnap her.”
EJ replied, “I’d like to say you’re being paranoid, but I’m not sure you are. Plus, Ladybug did embarrassed a few people, and you made offers to the younger Alphas that for some reason will upset the older generation.” I nodded to him.
Once home we had more reports validating Melanie’s hybrid roles in packs was a great idea, we decided to roll it out to even more people. Omega’s could have their roles in the kitchens, gardens, and elsewhere as well as be a Warrior if they wanted. They still had to put in the training, but we were making it work.
Omega’s could also split their time elsewhere. If they wanted to do gardening and cooking, we made that happen. We saw a serious uptick in productivity. I was pretty smug about how insightful my Luna was. This was all Melanie.
We might have expanded on it, but my wife started the ball rolling. Our pack was never unhappy, but there was a serious increase in happiness in the pack. A lot of people we had marked as unmotivated were suddenly thriving. It was a nice feeling as an Alpha.
The day of the big group therapy session for Melanie and her family came around. Melanie didn’t sleep at all. I barely slept because her anxiety was through the roof. When I got up for our run EJ linked me, “The pack house is overflowing with food. I sent some Warriors to Blue Moon and Yellow Hills to drop off food.”
I replied, “Melanie is just nervous about today.” EJ snorted “No, I’m nervous about today. Ladybug might be having amental breakdown.” I had to admit I was glad that my big brother was coming today along with Elise.
