Alpha's Energy Crisis

Part 4

Caly’s POV (Blue Moon’s Bite)

I feel so productive today!  It’s just like when I started to work for Blood Pact, this is a new canvas waiting for me to pick up the paintbrush and I have all the enthusiasm in the world. This time it feels much different though, truly like a fresh start. I think it’s because I’ve been given the freedom to choose not just what the Alpha likes, or what he will approve of, but whatever I think is best. I have been here so often in the past few years, people are already comfortable with my presence and everyone (with the exception of the Beta) has been very helpful and welcoming. Here I can make a real, lasting impact. I feel it in my bones, and I am invigorated!

Even though I’ve been here dozens of times, there are still discoveries around every corner. Tucker’s family already had a huge library, it may have been the most gorgeous room I’m ever laid eyes on. Floor to ceiling windows evenly spaced with tall mahogany bookshelves, packed to the brim with every genre of book imaginable. Eight buttery-soft black leather chairs, wide enough to curl up in or maybe even sit two people. Two chairs anchored each corner of a massive, deep-blue Persian rug, with an intricate gold and white design woven throughout it. It even had a ladder for short people like me, it was so beautifully carved I had to ask if it was strictly for show. 

The shelves also held interesting knick-knacks and artifacts from different places around the world, including a large globe made entirely of crystal that intrigued me. It had clear crystal where the oceans and water were supposed to be and the land areas were finely-etched to appear opaque. I rested on a base that was shaped in the form of an upturned feminine hand, an homage to the Moon Goddess cradling and caring for all of us. It was beautiful and fascinating at the same time, it had nothing holding the world on its axis but it spun when I lightly flicked my fingers over it.

The only thing that gave me pause was that it was so clean, immaculate even, it didn’t look like it had ever been used. An untouched library? I was going to put a stop to that nonsense immediately. If I had my way, this room would never be locked again. Alpha Tucker promised to consult with his parents, just to double-check if there was anything of personal importance or valuable they wanted to move before it became public. Alpha Tucker gave me his private key. I’m going to have to be very careful coming in here in the evenings, I can’t be up all night reading and still get up early for work the next day.

I was successful in avoiding Beta Arnold all the way until dinner time. Apparently, he always joins the Alpha for meals. Maybe Tuck will let me start eating up in my room. I’m going to try to be pleasant, but if he starts acting up, it is now after working hours, I’ll be saying whatever the hell I like and I will make sure to call him Arnie. I heard from the staff he insists on being called Beta Arnold all the time, he doesn’t allow anyone to shorten his name or use any nicknames. It’s sad really, Athena has come up with at least a dozen good names for him, but none has been funnier to me than the one with the flaccid unicorn. It’s a hilarious visual image. In Athena’s version, she shows me Arnie cross-eyed trying to look at his new, ahem, appendage that is glued between his hairy eyebrows as he bobs his head trying to get it to touch his nose. This will be hilarious to me until the end of time!

We are eating quietly when I see Arnie-boy stop with his fork midway to his mouth, his eyes fogged over in a mind-link. He shoots me a dirty glare before linking the Alpha. How rude. Even when they are finished it is still so damn quiet, it’s eerie.

Doesn't really matter, I want to eat my dinner, grab a coffee to go and sit in the library. I wonder if I have to have a guard?

“Caly, are you finished with dinner? I want to show you something.” Tucker asks casually.  A week ago a statement like that would have made me suspicious. Today, it doesn’t even concern me. 

“I sure am. I was just going to grab a coffee and hang out in the library if I had any free time after dinner. Do I still have time to head to the kitchen?”

“Sure, are you going to fix it yourself?” I get a tiny smirk, but I don’t feel any maliciousness.

“Naturally, I have to work my way up to a cappuccino,” I tell him jokingly, hand over my heart pretending I am in shock.

Apparently, Arnold can’t take a joke. “You’re finally proving useful, Caly. Make me one, too.” He tells me as he shovels another hunk of meat into his fat mouth. 

“I would consider it if you used your manners, Arnie. You didn’t even say please.” 

“It’s BETA ARNOLD!” he shouts at me before he lets out a litany of curses. “You WILL address me with respect!”

“It’s Beta Arnold during the workday. Once we sit down for dinner, I am dropping the titles and I will treat you as kindly as you treat me. I’m not quite sure if you were trying to command me just now, but it won’t work on me Arnie, I am immune to bullshit.” I turn my back and start moving towards the kitchen, I don't care to hear anything else he has to say tonight.  Just as Tucker said last night,  tomorrow can be a brand new day.

I hear him as he swiftly moves in behind me. I can smell his overly-expensive cologne, which he has practically bathed himself in. Athena and I are ready for him. A second before he makes a grab at my arm I spin around and grab his wrist, “Do not EVER touch us!  Do you understand me, Beta Wolf?” Athena growls out, I look up and glare coldly into his eyes, enjoying his confusion. “Answer me!” his wolf lets out a pathetic whine, and he c***s his head to one side, but he doesn’t actually say anything.

“I suggest you promise not to touch her again, Arnold. Athena is a real handful, she will try to kill anyone who touches her without permission.” Tucker is standing behind Arnie, I can see him out of the corner of my eye. His eyes are full of mirth, he is enjoying this. I'm beginning to think he likes Arnie even less than I do.

“I will not touch you again,” he barely grits out.

“Good. Do not test me, Beta Wolf.” Athena huffs out at him before we turn our back on Arnie and head into the kitchen. To me, she adds, ‘Learn how to make the cappuccino now, Babe. I am tired of waiting for the good stuff.’ I see her laying down cracking her fluffy tail like a whip. Yes, Ma’am. 

Tucker follows me into the kitchen, doing something on his phone while I practice my barista skills. I even made one for Arnie. He was still filling his face at the dinner table when I deposited the cup that was my first attempt in front of him. “One French vanilla cappuccino, Arnold.”

“Thanks,” he manages to say with only a tiny amount of pouting, so I acknowledge it with a “You’re welcome.”

I start to follow Tucker down the hall towards the stairwell. He asks if I want to stop at the library to pick a book, and I say sure. He slings himself into a chair, and he sinks down a bit as he throws his legs over one of the chair’s arms. He looks super comfy and occupied with his phone, so I take my time making a few selections before we head upstairs.

“What did you want to show me, Tucker?” I ask to get his attention.

“I had someone deliver it to your room.” Remember when I said Tucker’s antics don’t phase me? I lied, that sounds terribly suspicious, I give him the stink eye, and as usual, he doesn’t seem to care.

I open my door and I see a large duffel bag on the dresser, and beside it is a familiar light blue box. “A present from Leo’s!” I admit I may have made the teenage girl ‘squeee’ noise, I can’t help that I get excited over yummy foods. Tucker looks up from his phone to see what I was so excited about. I open up the box and I even offer Tucker the first pick. I start rattling on about Leo’s Bakery and Cafe and how a little blurb on a website turned the business around. Tucker says I should look at his web page tomorrow, it might be time for an upgrade.

I eat two yummies before I remember the bag. Tucker said he phoned Colin and asked him to ship me whatever I had left for clothes. I had more than I thought. I quickly rooted through it, some of it could definitely be worn as business casual, lots of real underwear with proper bras with cups are so much better than sports bras, and it seems like most of them are here. My own shampoo and that frizzy hair stuff, I don't know who pays for it, Colin or Stav, but it comes from Aggie’s salon so I doubt it's cheap. I never asked the price because I am sure I would rationalize that I shouldn't put that kind of money in my hair each morning.

Oh joy, all those damn impractical high heels survived the fire.  Oh well, it might make some of the casual stuff look a bit dressier for work. I’m not giving back the black flats though, I will hide them if I have to. My phone and laptop! I immediately take them out and plug them in to charge. 

There is a nagging worry in the back of my mind. I want to ask how Colin sounded over the phone, if he seemed okay, did he speak to Stavros, but I’m afraid it won’t be good and I will end up feeling terrible. I finally admit to myself that it is better to know than to stay up all night worrying about it. Who am I kidding, I will probably worry either way.

“How was Colin?” I ask tentatively.

“He was better this morning, last night it sounded like there was an office full of drunks were having a misery-fest. I had to explain to him what the word ‘sober’ meant.” He deadpans.

“How come he didn’t bring me these himself? It might help if I explained this to him. I never got to say goodbye.” Stav drinking himself stooopid last night doesn’t surprise me, but Colin? Usually, he would be taking care of Stav. This might be worse than I thought.

“I said you would contact him when you were ready, and I wasn’t planning inviting anyone here from Blood Pact or allowing them on my territory unless you say it’s alright, first. I don't want them to show up unannounced and guilt you into seeing them. I offered you sanctuary, you run your show the way you want." He gave me a very serious Alpha side-eye. "I’m heading out now, you can call if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Tucker. Will you see Arnold again tonight?”

"I hope not," he can barely contain his laugh. "Why?"

"I was going to offer him a treat from Leo's, something sweet to balance out his sour mood."

"F*ck him, you should enjoy those yourself. Have a good night."

I decided to put away my clothes and toiletries, there's no way I should be living out of my suitcase for three weeks. I take the time to really look over the things Colin had sent me. He even sent me Stavs body wash and a few of his shirts. I can't help to wonder if Stav knew he was packing all this?

 I decided it was better to speak with Colin first, test the waters, so to speak.

“Caly?!!” He picked up on the first ring.

“Hi Colin, how are you?” I try to sound as happy and casual as possible, hoping it might keep the conversation calm.

“I would be better if my bestie wasn’t 200 miles away. I am so sorry you felt you couldn’t come home. We miss you, and I promise Stab and I will do whatever it takes to get you to come home to us.  We are going to be the ones you choose in three weeks Caly, I swear.”  If he keeps talking like this I’m going to choke up with tears. I can already feel myself slipping.

Distraction time, “Thank you for the treats from Leo’s. I had a great first day at work, that just made it better.”  I should try and be positive, right? 

“That was Stab’s idea, he called Leo himself. Is there anything you are missing? I would be willing to drive it up myself.” 

“Colin, I appreciate it, but I’ve only been here two days. You guys have sent more than I expected anyway.”

“I haven’t seen you in almost a week. I should get to visit you first.” I can hear him pouting on the other end of the line.

“Mmm-hmm. How do you expect to get past the Alpha? Do you really think he's going to let you off the territory if he thinks you are going to come to see me? He'll be pissed you are betraying him, I have already told you a hundred times I don't want to be the reason you two fight."

"Of course he will let me come see you. Caly, I swear he's not mad at you. He's trying to think about how to get you to come home. He wanted to pack you some of his things so you would have a scent to calm you. He said everything here reminds him of you, but you wouldn't have anything there to remind you of him. He's trying Caly."

How do I even respond to that? Do I get my hopes up? Should I be completely guarded? I think I stayed quiet too long because Colin started to apologize profusely, worrying that he upset me.

"I assure you I am alright. Listen, I have Sundays off. If you can come for a visit without upsetting your Alpha, then I can tell Tucker to allow you in."

"Our Alpha, Caly. Please say he's still your Alpha, that you haven't given up all hope with him," I hear a quiet sniffle, Dear Goddess, I think I made Colin cry. We both can't be emotional hot messes!

Had I given up hope on my Alpha?

'He is the only Mate we will ever accept, Babe. I hope friend Beta is right, that he is taking this time to sort himself out for us. We will try to do the same.'

'You miss Zeus, don't you?

'More than just Zeus, I miss what we had, stooopid humans and all.' I hear her heavy panting like a wolfy-chuckle. She's right, it's our human sides that can't seem to get it together.

"Caly?" I can hear Colin's confidence shattering as his voice cracks.

"I haven't given up. I'll call you in a few days to see how it's going on your end. You make sure you take care of him for me, and please try not to drink away all your brain cells in the meantime. This is only for three weeks, not three years. I miss you guys, but I also want my guys to behave and tone down the drinking, and don't let him take out his frustration on the pack. Got it?"

"Yes, Luna, I promise. We miss you, too."

"I'm not Luna, not yet. Good night, Colin."

"Goodnight, Caly." I let him hang up first. I sit on my bed and let out a big whoosh of air.  That had been harder than I thought, and I had only spoken to Colin.  How the hell was I going to be able to speak with Stav?

I tried reading, I tried watching TV, I even tried boiling myself in the shower until all the hot water was gone, but an hour later the water was still hot and my skin was itchy so I gave up. I got out of the shower and I looked like I was sunburned. Some of my skin even peeled while I was towelling off.

It's already after 10 pm, but I still want to pick up my phone to call Stavros, and I have no energy left to do it. I decided to grab a tart from the box, but I know I have to limit myself.  My willpower is practically non-existent right now but my head is still winning, telling myself I can't eat my feelings.

At some point, I had picked up my phone again. Was I even ready to do this? No, but there's no such thing as a perfect time for anything, sometimes you just need to go ahead and do it.

I stare down at the phone, my thumb gliding over the smooth display. Maybe a text would be a good start. I pick ‘start a conversation’. There’s no history, I have never even texted my Mate. How sad is that? Maybe it’s not that bad, I didn’t really ever have the need to text, since I usually was always close by, except if I was with Colin. I shouldn’t be this nervous. Just one text, and if he doesn’t answer it’s because he’s likely in bed. 

Me: 'Thank you for the treats, it was the perfect end to a busy day.' 

I press send while my stomach does little flips.  I don’t even know how quickly he should respond. Jase has spoilt me, he always replied immediately. Stav isn’t glued to his phone the same way that Colin is. Maybe he’s the type that only checks it a couple of times a day. I should just crawl into bed. Read or do something to distract myself.  I turn up the volume all the way up and set an alarm for tomorrow morning. I set it on the bedside stand and pick up the book I tried to start earlier. I read that opening paragraph twice when my phone chimed.

Stav: 'Anything for you. I miss you, my Little Mate.'

Me: 'I miss you, too. Sweet dreams.'

Stav: 'I am sure I'll be dreaming of you. Goodnight.'

Me: ‘You are still My One and Only. XOX’.  I wrote and deleted that last text three times. In the end, it stayed deleted. Not yet. We aren’t ready yet.

I hope we are soon...