Alpha's Secret

Say your wish

"I can't. It's impossible. Magic!" I say to Tania who looks at me like I'm a five year throwing a tantrum.

"Says the creature who can metamorph from human to wolf whenever he likes."

She rolls her eyes and takes the devil's paper in her tinny hands.

"You almost did it, but assumed you are wrong and stopped in the middle." She says showing me the paper.

I take it and continue like nothing just happened and fortunately for me, Tania has the grace to let me be.

And, after another four hours of this and the conviction that my brain is about to burst into flames, we are done with the pack's finances.

But instead of relief, I am more confused than in the beginning.

"I redid it. Two times. There is no way this matches with the reports." Tania says throwing herself on the couch.

"I don't understand. Beta does them every month and it was never a problem with them. Maybe I just messed up. I will give them to him to redo it." I say, trying to convince myself. But that's hard since Tania is a great teacher and I actually understood the math behind it. I doubt we are wrong.

Tanai says nothing, just looking at me, trying probably to decide if she should do something or not. I know my blind trust in Beta bothers her, but until now she didn't mention it. I want her to say what she thinks and that's why I try to provoke her to.

 "As you think." She finally says and I sigh.

If we are going to be a team as she proposed, she needs to start speaking up.

A knock on the door wakes me up.

"Yes." I say.

"Alpha." Says my Beta as he steps into the room. He is smiling, but after all those years we spend together I know he is actually pissed. Not like he is going to admit it.

"Beta, come in. How is the border?" I ask all smiling.

"The border is quiet, Alpha. No rouges attacks to report today. But I have to say..." He pauses dramatically and I roll my eyes internally.

"Yes?"

"The warriors from the border were worried when they saw me coming instead of you. I am just their Beta, the fact that their Alpha himself visits them almost daily lifts their spirits. I certainly enjoyed going to the border instead of being locked with some papers in my office, but worry about the consequences of this becoming a... routine." He says looking straight at me, ignoring entirely his Luna's presence.

"Is that so?" I ask.

"Yes, Alpha, I'm worried about their efficiency in protecting the territory."

"Well rest assured then, Tom. This is not a new normal for us. Being locked in an office all day is not for me. I missed going out today." I say getting up from my chair so I can face him. He is a little taller than me, so he bows a little.

"Great to hear, Alpha." He says back into his good mood.

"Tomorrow I will go to the borders and you will redo the finances because today they ended up being a mess." I say and look at Tania, who seems ready to comment on that.

"I saw how much work it is and I think it was unfair to leave it all to you." I say before she can intervene.

"It's my pleasure to help you."

"So from tomorrow Luna will help you out."

I swear that by the time I finished the sentence I could hear the sound of his face hitting the floor.

"Alpha, there is no need to bother Luna..." He starts, but Tania interrupts him with the sweetest voice and the sweetest smile she is capable of. In total opposite with the devilish glimmer in her eyes.

"Oh no, it doesn't bother me at all. It will be my pleasure to learn from you, Beta."

"And you will start with figuring up why all those numbers are so messed up." I say with the same sweet smile as Tania.

"As you wish, Alpha." He says not even bothering to hide his annoyance at this point, directly frowning at Tania.

"Is there a problem?" I ask and he hides his expression behind a polite smile again.

"Is there a reason for this sudden change? You usually do things a certain way. Ever since I can remember you find comfort in routine." He asks after he hesitates for a moment. The real question he is trying to ask is if I lost my trust in him and if yes, why?

The truth, I have my problems with Beta and the way he wants things done. Of course, he is older and was in this position since before I was born. The fact that he has to bow to someone half his age is clearly bothering him and he tries from time to time to test the limits of his obedience.

But I do trust him that he cares about me like I would be his own... son and that he loves this pack more than his life.

"There is no problem, I just want to offer you some help when I can." I answer sincerely.

With his arrogance, it wouldn't surprise me that he is not good with the finances either but was too proud to admit. This way I don't hurt his ego, but I keep the situation in control.

"Thank you fr the consideration, Alpha." He says and then excuses himself.

"That was unexpected." Tania says putting her head on my shoulder from behind, her chest touching my back.

I can't help but blush at the sudden touch. She is so warm and I can almost feel her skin through the flowy summer dress she wears.

I shake my head. This madness has to stop.

I turn around and go to sit at my desk. With it between us, it's easier for me to keep my cool.

"Don't you trust him? He seems shady." She says as she plays with a small statue of Zeus that I have on my desk. A gift from a weak Alpha who wanted my help once.

"He is... arrogant. His experience and his power make it hard for him to obey others. Even to my father. They had moments when they fought because my father wouldn't listen to his advice. But he is a good man. And like a second father to me. Please respect him." I say. I know how it looks from the outside. I heard pack members before talking at the corners about how beta is the real leader and how he walks all over me. But I know the truth and that is enough. If I were to listen to every gossip, I wouldn't get anywhere.

"Sorry if I was rude. It wasn't my intention. I am just looking out for you. Like I promised I will." She says putting the statue down and looking at me. But her words have a double sense. She apologized for upsetting me, but not for the accusation. In her eyes, Beta can't be trusted.

"It's fine. You are Luna now. I think am grateful that Tom will have someone to argue with from now on. Maybe he will give me a break." I laugh and she does too.

"What do I get from distracting him. It looks like a tough job." She says with a playful smile in the corner of her lips.

"Say your wish."

She didn't ask for anything until now and I am curious about what she can wish for. This is a good time to know her better. After all, we are linked till death do us apart.

"Hmmm... Anything?" She asks looking like she already knows what she wants.

"Anything you want. Say it and I'll make it happen."

"Bad words, Alex! What if I ask for your head?"

"Will you?" I ask laughing.

"Well no, but what if?"

"Then I guess I will have to give you my head."

"Don't even joke with that." She says pouting.

"So? My head is your wish?"

"No! I want a picnic!" She says looking proud of herself.

"A picnic?"

"Yes. Everyone in the pack keeps talking about this beautiful picnic spot in the forest, near a waterfall. But only lovers go there and I can't just go alone. So I want you to take me out at a picnic there." She says.

"Like a date?" I ask raising an eyebrow.

"Like a date between bestest of friends." She answers with a smile.

Well, it was worth the shot.

"Ok."

"Ok?" She asks surprised.

"Yes. Tomorrow we will go to picnic there at lunch."

"You have time?" She asks looking unconvinced.

"I will make some."

She jumps over the desk and hugs me. I don't have time to get up since I didn't expect that, so we both fall with the chair.

She ends up laying on my chest as we both sit on the floor.

"Ups, sorry!" She says getting up and for a blessed short second I have the impression she blushed too.

It can't be...right?