Alpha Micah Black: Homecoming

Chapter18

March 6th, 1:48 PM, 2526 N. Hampton Street, Blackwater Industries, Inc., penthouse suite

“DYLAN MICHAEL BLACKWATER!” Debbie Ferguson, my cousin’s chosen for him Luna, screeched. “WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?” She continued yelling while tossing her faux fur bolero onto the floor. Her manicured hand tossed her long, bleach-blonde hair behind her, showing off her vintage rock and roll tee shirt. Her pressed dark blue denim jeans complimented her long legs. Cole Grayson followed close behind her, carrying various bags from some of the expensive stores in Wolfdale City. He placed them near the closet, grateful to lessen his load.

Meanwhile

Dylan, Hanna–his fated Luna, Henry, Luna Tiffeny, and I hid in my cousin’s office. Dylan handed me the box holding the requested laptop. I wonder if we keep quiet long enough if she would go away. We can hope, right?

“I suppose I should go out and greet our guests,” Henry reluctantly stated. He readjusted his tie and sleeves, then bravely opened the large oak door.

“Henry! It’s about time you showed up,” Debbie complained loudly. “Where’s Alpha Dylan? I need to speak with him.”

"Well, Miss Ferguson, he is currently detained," Henry quickly fabricated an excuse. “He’s in an important meeting…with someone from the Wolfdale City Police Department.” Great, Henry. Way to bring me into this drama.

At the hearing of my place of employment, Cole and Debbie’s eyes went wide and the color slightly drained from their faces. However, they quickly recovered their composure.

“I don’t care who he’s in a meeting with, Henry. Get him out here… NOW!” she growled. But her command did not affect Henry. He stood unmoved by her demand.

“Henry, your Luna gave you a command. I suggest you heed it,” Cole Grayson scolded him. But Henry bravely stood his ground. This only angered Cole. He stomped over to where Henry stood, gritting his teeth, and getting up in the butler’s face. Cole’s muscles twitched in agitation as he waited for the omega to cower.

As the minutes slowly ticked by, Dylan let out a frustrated sigh. “I guess I ought to go save my butler,” he whispered, mumbling.

But his fated mate grabbed his arm and whispered, “Wait. Give Henry a chance to stand up for himself.”

“Are you sure?” Dylan questioned his Luna.

“Positive. He has gamma material in him,” she answered, smiling.

“Who recommended Henry to be your butler?” I pressed my cousin. My curiosity got the better of me.

“Uncle RJ,” he replied with a smirk.

Uncle RJ, as my cousin calls him, is Alpha Reuben Jonas Blackwater, my father. He’s good at sensing potential in each wolf. He’s never been wrong. Hanna reminds me of him a little. But that could only be because she’s a biologist and knows wolf behavior. Right? Unfortunately, the longer we waited, the thicker the tension grew between Cole and Henry. My “cop mode” is about to kick in.

“Dill, you need to do something, or I will,” I firmly stated. Thankfully, he and Hanna agreed.

“Okay, that’s enough! Gamma Cole, STAND DOWN,” Dylan belted out, using his alpha aura while he emerged from his office. I followed my cousin to give him backup. Lunas Hanna and Tiffeny came up behind me. However, Cole continued to stand nose-to-nose with Henry, twitching, fighting off the alpha command.

“I would advise you to listen to your alpha, Mr. Grayson,” I firmly stated with my alpha aura. “If you cause harm to anyone here, so help me. I will slap you hard with an assault charge and have your ass hauled into police custody.”

“Gamma Cole Grayson, STAND DOWN,” Dylan repeated. “What’s the reason for this aggressive behavior?”

“Luna Debra gave him an order, and he refused to comply,” Cole angrily grumbled.

“All Miss Ferguson had to say was ‘please’ and I would have gladly done as requested,” Henry noted.

That did it. Debbie Ferguson stomped over to Henry, getting in his face, and yelled, “That’s LUNA to you! LOO-NA! It’s not that difficult to say.”

“Loonie,” Hanna whispered her smart-ass remark. Hehe, she said what we were thinking. Dylan struggled to hide his smirk and snicker. I chuckled a little, too.

“What did you say?” Debbie snipped at Hanna, and a subtle growl followed.

Dylan and Tiffeny instinctively placed a comforting hand on Hanna’s shoulders. Now, don’t think Debbie didn’t notice the caring gesture.

“Well… I’m waiting,” Debbie insisted, crossing her arms and leaning on one leg.

“I’m not of the bovine variety,” Hanna bravely and calmly began. “I don’t chew the cud.”

“Cute,” she curtly said. “Now, Dylan. Tell me. Who the hell is she and what is she doing in my home?”

“This isn't home, Debbie! Not for you, me, or any other Blackwater Canyon wolf," he frustratedly barked out. Then, turning his attention to the she-wolf beside him, "This is Luna Hanna Lowell, my fated mate,” he firmly stated, standing proud. “I’ve accepted her as my mate and my Luna.” He gave Hanna a gentle squeeze on her shoulder. Hanna grabbed his hand with hers and held tightly to it.

However, Cole Grayson and Debbie Ferguson roared in laughter. Their laughing fit had them doubled over and brought tears to their eyes.

“That’s funny, Dylan,” Cole coughed out, still laughing. “Really funny. But, seriously…”

“She is my fated Luna, and you will respect her as such,” Dylan commanded.

“Ha, the hell I will,” Debbie retorted. A growl rumbled from Dylan and Henry. “She’s NOT Luna material, Dylan. She’s a freaking invalid! It’s clear she’s a worthless piece of s**t!”

“I may not be Luna material in your eyes, Miss Ferguson, but I am a biologist. And as a biologist, I know that scat has its worth and purpose,” Luna Hanna defended herself. “Unlike you…whose personality should meet up with a pooper scooper!”

Hanna rolled her chair–accidentally on purpose–over Debbie’s feet. Oops! Sorry, not sorry. She headed toward her bedroom. Luna Tiffeny followed after her.

“Get that b***h out of my home NOW, or I’ll contact the council,” Debbie threatened.

“Henry, keep an eye on Luna Tiffeny,” I whispered. “I don’t know what happened to her alpha, but I’m sure he’d appreciate you keeping her safe.” Hey, unhinged Debbie isn’t someone to be trifled with.

“Glad to do so, Sergeant,” Henry replied, then politely excused himself to watch over the Lowell cousins again.

“Dill, don’t be afraid to call Wolfdale City PD if you need to,” I reminded him, excusing myself from the room. “I have to go pick up my daughter from school. I’ll catch ya guys later.”

With all the training alphas go through, Dylan did an impeccable job holding his composure. My father would be proud of him. I know I am. Alpha Dylan acknowledged my quick departure with a subtle nod.

“You need to reject her, Dylan,” Debbie harped on. “The council would never approve. She’s a cripple for g-ddess’ sake!”

“Yeah, and pack rules state: Alphas and Lunas must either descend from the original couple or take a chosen mate from the pack to carry on the Blackwater line,” Cole rattled off the pack’s charter.

March 6th, 2:38 PM, Edward Vanguard Elementary School pickup line

I made it…somewhat on time. At least ten vehicles are waiting in the line in front of me. I dialed the Wolfdale City Public Library, where Jewel has her community service arranged. Slowly, the line moved forward, and I saw Jewel waiting for me at the entrance. Her hair, as usual, was messy. She kept her head down, not looking anyone in the eyes. Something must have happened again… Great. She didn’t give me the chance to get out of the Rogue. She got in and slammed the sliding door shut. My poor Nissan silently groaned.

“How was—”

“I want to go home,” Jewel cried, interrupting me. “Please, Sergeant.” Her sad, empty eyes let loose the tears she fought hard to hold back. She looked out the window, refusing to look at me.

“As much as I would like to, I can’t,” I replied, maneuvering the Rogue from the school’s grounds. “Your community service starts today. You agreed to do it, remember?”

“I don’t want to, Sergeant,” she cried harder, trembling in the back seat. “I-I’m scared.” Jewel wiped her tears and snot with the back of her hand. Thank the Moon, the public library parking lot was in view. I quickly pulled into a spot and placed my compact SUV in park. Jewel only cried harder, nearing hysterics. I rushed out of the driver’s seat and opened the hatch. I grabbed the tissues and the hand wipes and gently opened the side door. Sitting on the edge of the floor, I motioned to Jewel to sit beside me. It was a tight squeeze, but we managed.

“Clean yourself up and calmly tell me what’s wrong,” I gently instructed my daughter.

She nodded and did as I instructed. Her hysterics slowed down to sniffles and subtle hiccups.

“I-I…sob…,” she sniffled, but broke down in tears again.

Holding her tight, I gently rocked her as best I could in the cramped space and pecked her head. “Wanna try again?” I whispered. She nodded her head in my chest.

“Sar…Sergeant,” I began again, this time a little braver. “I can’t read good.”

“Ahh…”

She pointed to her backpack. I nabbed it easily and brought it near.

“What am I looking for?” I playfully teased. “Your hairbrush?”

She shook her head no. “A letter,” she squeezed out a whisper. Jewel’s breaths were hard and deliberate as she struggled to calm herself.

Having a hunch on what that letter entails, I’ll deal with that later. Instead, I grabbed her hairbrush and re-fixed her ponytail.

“Let’s get your hair looking better,” I said. “We need to head in.”

“But I still can’t read good,” she complained, threatening to cry again.

“Hey, there’s no better place to learn how to read than at the library,” I assured her. “Do you promise to work hard at it if I get you some help?”

She nodded her head yes. We made a pinky-finger pact and then quickly entered the library. And…I forgot her backpack and the laptop in the Rogue. Dammit! I quickly explained to the head librarian Jewel’s dilemma and how I became a new father–suddenly. Thank the Moon. She was sympathetic toward us and led us to where the juvenile parole officer was waiting. He explained to Jewel what her community service involved and what would be expected of her.