Alpha's Energy Crisis

Part 6

Caly’s POV (Blue Moon’s Bite)

“Good morning, Alpha Tucker, Beta Arnold,” I have my no-nonsense business face on. I am determined to start each day as a new start with Arnie.

'Why waste precious energy on a contemptible squirrel? I vote that we keep him at arm's length and slightly unnerved. Really, I could snap at any second…'

‘I think you just want to ‘snap’ for the fun of it, not that you need to.’ I admonish my wolf, I’m sure she just woke up cranky.

“Mornin’, Caly. I see you are all ready for a coffee break.” Alpha Tucker replies while pointing out my box from Leo’s. Beta Arnold barely even acknowledges me before grabbing the coffee pot, he didn’t pour himself a cup, I guess he was just making sure there was some left.

“Yes, I thought I would share with everyone,” I say while giving the side-eye to Arnie. He’s hogging the coffee pot where I can’t reach it.

‘If I wanted that coffee, I would just take it.’ Athena starts bitching.

‘Pfft, no need. We can make ourselves something much better in the kitchen. I just want a few slices of bacon.’  I tell her, I need to save some room for coffee later with more treats from Leo’s.

“Have you set a date for your Summit? We should reserve some vendors and send the invites asap. Is it going to be Alphas plus their entourage, Alphas plus one, or Alphas and Lunas? What’s the security going to be like? After Artemis’s last Summit Blood Pact had to do some extra measures to convince other Packs to attend.” I start rhyming off the list that is growing in my head.

“It’s two weeks from Thursday, whatever that date is. My rough plan is it will be a Thursday morning arrival and a casual day. Get everyone sorted into rooms, we will eat lunch and dinner in the dining hall. Meetings will all be in the conference room, that first day will probably be just a few hours in the afternoon for us to set the tone for the next day. That Friday, we will have a morning workout, all-day meetings, and a formal dinner here in my family's private dining room. Saturday will be an activity, late brunch and ship them home before noon. I want to hear your thoughts and opinions on inviting the Lunas."

“I think getting the Luna’s together for a meeting of our own might be a good idea. I would love to pick their brains, we could have tea on Thursday afternoon I could run a focus group of sorts. Find out if they would be interested in sharing information and resources. Then on Friday, we could discuss the internal workings of Pack life, and the issues that most commonly arise. You’ll be using your conference room, but there are always fewer Lunas that attend these things, so the Library could work out nicely.”

There are many reasons that a Luna may stay home with the Pack. Lunas often came from ‘good stock’ the daughters of high-ranking wolves themselves, they already had the qualities of those ranks. Those Lunas were needed more at home with the Alpha gone, especially if the Beta’s lacked experience. Sometimes they were incredibly sheltered by their Possessive Alphas, and it was seen that they would be better off at home with the protection of the full Pack, especially if there were recent troubles with rogues. The rogues were getting smarter, after all. The third reason is that wolves are highly s****l creatures, and pregnancies and small pups made the logistics of travelling unpleasant, if not damn near impossible until the pups are a bit older.

“Sounds good. I want you to plump up the weekend with some group activities and I would like you to prepare a list of topics for the Lunas. We can talk about the vendors after breakfast because you’ll need your work computer.” Tucker probably already has a few people he would use on a regular basis, as his parents were very social and had events all the time. Wolfgard has very progressive ideas on including more wolf-run businesses, so I won’t need to lecture Tucker as I did with Stab and Colin in that regard. “As for security, I do recall getting an email from Beta Colin about the security of their last event, perhaps I can find it and forward it to you for reference, but they all seemed like good solid ideas.”

"I don’t need any reference material on security, I suggested all those changes because Alpha Darius was reluctant to come without them in place. His voice carried a good deal of weight with our allies.”

“The extra security is a waste of time. Alpha Darius was only upset that one of his Omegas ran off, I highly doubt there was any actual kidnapping.” Beta Arnold says flippantly. After managing to be quiet the entire time, offering nothing to help prepare for the summit, it's now he decides to give his input?!?

“You have no idea what that Omega went through, so I suggest you not speak about subjects you know nothing about, Beta Arnold.” I am barely containing my rage as I talk through my clenched teeth and send a chilling look in Arnie’s direction. He’s too stupid to actually notice me, but I don’t escape the eyes of Alpha Tucker and he gives me a warning look. “Protecting any member of one’s Pack should be of paramount importance to their Ranked members,” I said my piece, and I was going to let it go, but no, Arnie always wants to have the last word.

“Goddess, Caly! Are you going to be all high and mighty again today?” Arnie rolls his eyes and looks to Tucker for support. He gives Arnie the same incredulous look he just gave me.

Athena takes the opportunity to give off a growl, unhappy because Arnie is being Arnie and Tucker isn’t doing enough to shut him up.

‘F*cker-Tucker,’ she snorts out into my head, but all that comes out of my mouth is a loud, breathy huff.

“No, I don’t plan on being high and mighty! I don't plan on listening to any more of your asinine comments, either! I highly doubt you’ve ever been subject to kidnap and torture judging by your ignorant attitude. Did you forget that I was one of those women that came here seeking help only three days ago? I’m not going to just ‘hope’ that all our guests and the members of your Pack remain safe, I plan on actively preventing any problems.”

‘If we lure Squirrelie Arnie out to the edge of the territory, do you think we can find a rogue to kidnap him?’ Athena asks me, and she’s dead serious.

‘I doubt it, he would be a terribly demanding hostage. But I wouldn’t mind seeing him in Blood Pact’s cells, might give him something to think about.’

“That’s enough, you two,”  Alpha Tucker steps in with a command before either of us say something we regret. Since Arnie is paralyzed by Tucker’s command, I take the most childish road and contort my face and stick out my tongue to mock him. I grab the last few slices of bacon for the simple fact that he can't stop me. Tucker looks at me and I shrug it off and start to nibble on the maple-glazed bacon. 

Tucker decides it’s time to discuss something else, “Caly, I need you to accompany me on Friday when I head into the city to Dad’s media businesses. You need to do some shopping, you'll need a nice suit and you have to replace your business wardrobe anyways. Also, get a dress or two for going out or entertaining, nothing too formal.”

“Alpha, I can’t…” I don’t have the money yet for a suit, and I don’t recall Tucker having any clothing stores down in the Market, which means an excursion into the city. Uggh.

He interrupts my train of thought, “You can, I have preloaded your first paycheque onto a credit card.”

“It’s not just the money, I hate shopping and nothing I buy online ever fits properly. Luna helped me last time, and she had a fashion consultant plus a tailor making alterations.”

“Perhaps if you didn’t go thieving all that bacon, maybe your ass wouldn’t be so big,” Arnie viciously comments. All the while he’s pouring the last of the coffee. I’m not entirely sure which one of those pissed my wolf off more. 

Arnie’s just being an A-1 asshole right now, and Athena isn’t going to have it. She pushes herself front and center and I focus on keeping her from picking up the coffee pot and denting his skull with it. My eyes darken as well as my mood. “You want some bacon? Go fetch it Arnie, you Mutt!”  Athena commands as we chucked a piece of bacon just over his shoulder behind him and it lands on the floor.

‘Dear Goddess, do you not have any common sense, Athena!’ I scold her. ‘He’s a Beta for Heaven’s sake and we aren’t all that friendly with the Alpha here. Are you trying to do a whirlwind tour of all the cells in the United States?!’ Looking over at Arnie I can see the animus in his eyes, his own wolf pushing forward as he tries to resist my command. He may not be outwardly moving, but I know this is taxing for him, his heart is racing and I can see the sweat building up on his unibrow.

“Enough! Just shut the f*ck up the two of you! Arnold, stop antagonizing her, I don’t want to have to explain to a bunch of important wolves why Caly has gone into her Beast-mode. Go to your office and get started on the talking points we want to go over for this Summit meeting.” Arnold abruptly stands and leans over the table to snarl his growing canine’s at me before he turns on his heel and heads towards the door. The door is slammed open with a bang and is quickly followed by a second bang just a few feet down the hall. That second bang sounds like a fist shattering a hole in the drywall and chipped pieces falling to the floor. I wince and draw my lips down into a frown, male wolves and their damn anger issues.

‘Pfft, that was a pup having a tantrum. I have real anger issues. I told you I could snap any moment.’ She snickers. Then she adds in a snappish tone, ‘I think my work is done for today. Enjoy your mindless typing and whatever other BS you do at work, and don’t forget my damn Latte!’ 

‘You need a nap, Athena.’

‘Yes, I do. b***h, how do you expect me to lay down without a warm latte in my tummy?’ 

Alpha Tucker turns his attention onto me. I fold my arms over my chest, holding myself together and wait for the tongue-lashing that’s coming my way. Tucker only shakes his head and sighs. 

“Listen to me, I know that Omega was you, and Jase has told me that you spent some time in the Blood Pact cells. I also realize Arnold is cantankerous but right now you are easy pickings for him. With all the heartache you went through during University, one would think you would have grown a thicker skin by now. Caly, you need to stop worrying about anyone’s opinion but your own. For every person who gives you a nasty comment, I’m sure I could find someone who couldn’t disagree with them more.” He raises his eyebrow at me waiting for a response. 

I don’t have anything to say, I am drawing a total blank and I can’t really justify this little stunt I just pulled. I had no business speaking to anyone that way, much less a Beta. He just tapped into one of my many insecurities and it touched a nerve so raw that Athena wanted to make him embarrassed and hurt, too. 

I apologize to Tucker and for a while, we both eat in an uncomfortable silence. 

“I have arranged for someone to guard you tomorrow, they are going to take you out shopping,” Tucker informs me.

I groan out loud. “Please tell me you didn’t ask Jase to take me to a mall! I can’t ask him for help finding something respectable, if you say ‘suit’ it will be such a minuscule scrap of fabric, I doubt I could even wear it as a swimsuit. I want to remind you that it was him who bought me and insisted upon that hideous red lipstick!”

“As a man, all I can say is that there is something sexy and classic about red lipstick, but you’re right, that one didn’t suit you. There are thousands of shades of red though, so you have some work to do. You can calm down though, I wouldn’t dream of sending Jase with you to try on clothes. Luna Kat gossiped to my Mom about the last fitting you went to. I heard all about how a naked angel Caly fell out of the sky and landed right into Jase’s arms. It sounded a lot like you aren’t the only one who can ignore an Alpha command. I heard Jase got put on double duty, and they locked you in the Alpha’s office for the rest of the week...” That menacing smirk he gives me is the one I got all the time at University, and it still has the shame-inducing effect. He just lectured me about letting other wolves' opinions affect me, then he does this to me!

“I wasn’t naked, I had underwear on!  I fell off a two-foot platform and it was mostly Jase’s fault for barging in from behind and scaring the s**t out of me.” I can’t believe he knows about that. He didn’t even hear it from Jase, he heard it from his Mom! I’m sure I am blushing red all the way to the top of my head. 

“I have Theressa and her friend Aggy, who is a stylist, coming along to give you a few pointers.”

“I don’t think I’ll fare any better with those two,” I grumble.

“Why not?” The teasing look on his face tells me he isn't quite done making me squirm just yet, he always enjoyed making my prudish ways a source of embarrassment.

“Theressa dresses too sexy, I’ll probably end up with a full dominatrix outfit. As for Aggy, she already tried to give me a plastic doll makeover, I had long and fake everything except the damn skirt. That was so short it would have been considered lingerie.” In Aggie's defence, I did ask her to turn me into a bleached blonde bimbo to prove a point to Stavros, that even if I looked the way his ex-girlfriend did, it wouldn't be enough to entice him. I didn't have the confidence to pull it off, and I was glad that it was only temporary.

“I’m sure it will be fine. You can always ask the salesperson for a second opinion or take a selfie, and send it to someone you trust for an opinion.”

I don't think I have anyone I can call who I would trust to pick out clothes. I'm sure I could text Luna Kat, it would be like a virtual dressing room, but she would drag it out all damn day. Colin, maybe, since he can be concise, but I'm sure he has better things to do. 

“I suppose.” I’m not happy about shopping, but it needs to get done. I eat the last strip of my ill-gotten bacon before getting back to the subject of work. “Is there anything else you need me to do today to prepare for the Summit?”

“I want you to prepare a list of topics you feel we should discuss with the Alphas as well.”

“Didn’t you just send Arnie to do the same thing?” I look at Tucker thoughtfully, trying to figure out where his head is at. Does he not trust his Beta to do a good job, or is he just trying to maximize the list?

“I can see your brain turning, Caly. Arnold was raised old-school and has no education past high school. He has a tendency to be a ‘Put forth the minimum effort to pass’ kinda guy. I doubt his list will be even a quarter as long as yours will be.”

“Perhaps that should change. He has a high profile ‘Maximum effort’ kinda’ job. You should demand more effort from him at work. If his education is lacking, there is such a thing as correspondence classes.”

“I might suggest it to him. He feels very threatened by you, a perfect trifecta, you are female, educated and an Omega. He can’t stand that you are better than he is.” He’s deeply focusing on my eyes, studying me for a long pause.

Finally, I can’t stand it anymore, “Sounds like all the same reasons you and all our other classmates had for not liking me.”

“Indeed, it was wrong then and it’s wrong now.” He finally dropped his eyes and twisted and tilted his neck side to side to release the tension. “Let’s talk about something else.”

I remember I wanted to ask if Colin could come for a visit, ”Tucker, are we on friendly enough terms that I can ask a favour from you?”

“Let's hear the favour first. You are too full of surprises for me to accept without knowing why.”

“Fair enough, if I wanted to leave the territory to hang out with a friend, would you snitch on me?” Let's see if he was serious about not ratting me out to the Council.

"Caly you're allowed to go wherever you want. The issue is your safety, you're supposed to have a guard with you."

"I don't need a guard, he's always protected me, he’s quite capable."

"Is it Jase?"

"No, I want to see Colin. He's a Beta, and he always looked out for me at Blood Pact, so he should be considered good enough to babysit me. I don't want to ask Jase to come because he won't take it well that I have two best friends now and I don't need any weird pissing contests going on. I don't want to ask Theressa because if she and Colin both come to visit me Alpha Stavros might lose his damn mind. I just don't want you to call the Elders Council."

"Why does Alpha Stab want you back so bad anyway?" Tucker c*cks his head to one side, curious to find out if I will spill some dirty little secret. I haven’t changed so much that I have forgotten how to be careful with my words.

"There are a number of reasons, but he's in desperate need of a Luna figure. He promised his Pack to have one in place by the time he was twenty-five. Things have hit a snag, he broke up with Miss Angel, and Theressa has decided she's too bad-ass to be a Luna." 

Tucker is still looking at me with bewilderment, his face telling me he knows it is more than just Blood Pact needing a Luna. My pulse races, and I constantly have to repeat to myself that this answer is not a lie. That Pack does need its All-Mother, and soon. But I can’t go back to Blood Pact just to be some office assistant that takes care of them. I want Stavros to want me back, and I hope his reason is that he wants to be with me.