Alpha's Energy Crisis

Part 3

Caly’s POV (Blue Moon’s Bite)

When I wake up I am disoriented, either because of the early hour or by my new surroundings. It might even be that this is the fourth place I have woken up in the last week.  I was so spent last night, I didn’t take a good look at my new home where I will be living for the next three weeks. Taking it all in, moving up to the Ranked member’s floor is certainly a huge upgrade, almost like a luxury hotel. It had a king-sized bed, dark walnut furniture contrasting against the builder’s beige paint, wall-to-wall carpet and linens. It’s a tasteful look, but still a bit boring.  The only pops of colour are the blue velour loveseat and matching curtains. I make a mental note to be careful with my coffee cups, beige is not a very spill-friendly colour. I should probably ask for a travel cup from now on.

I was already up and ready for work before one of the house staff came to get me for breakfast, so I just followed her back to the dining room. I casually asked about her job, whether she was generally happy, and her thoughts on improvements. She was peppy, and though that sort of thing would usually annoy Athena to no end, I played along. It did have the desired effect, she insisted on bringing me a pot of coffee while I waited for Tucker. I drank it all, and Athena was laughing like an evil villain in the old cartoons the entire time, I’m sure she enjoyed the fact there would be none left for Tucker and Arnold. I just kept my mouth shut, knowing full well one of them would demand another pot.

I was sipping on my fourth cup while researching state festivals and local events. My new boss and his sidekick appeared at the same time.

“Good morning! Working already, Caly? You always were a self-starter. That was always my favourite part of being put in school groups with you.” I chuckled, of course Tucker enjoyed it, I usually ended up doing the whole damn project while he and Jase played beer pong or something equally as loud and distracting to me.

“Good Morning Alpha Tucker, Beta Arnold.” I break out my award-winning smile. I have decided I will at least try to be pleasant with Arnie. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, right? 

“Whatever you said to her last night seems to have worked, Alpha. She seems to have mostly remembered her manners, she’s forgotten how to share though.” Arnie looks right at me and waves the coffee pot around listening for the sloshing sound it should make if there happened to be any liquid left inside.

“That coffee was brought out for me since I arrived over half an hour ago. Yes, Beta Arnold, I plan on being courteous at work, I have worked in professional offices before. Besides, today is a brand new day and a good time for a new start,” I give him a quick nod, before addressing the Alpha, “Are you still doing the keggers every weekend?”  Crap. Perhaps that’s not the most professional question to start off with.

“I admit we do still enjoy a good party. I suppose I’m going to have to cut that out and be an adult, huh?”

“On the contrary, having fun as a group is important, I think you might need to expand people’s options though. To make it more family-friendly we could do a big bonfire for dinner this weekend. Fall is perfect weather to roast sausages and marshmallows, and then we can wait to tap the keg after the little ones go to bed. Speaking of fall fun, they are advertising an apple-fest in the city this weekend. I might like to check that out, to get ideas for a festival in the Market.”

“You want us to go to a stupid human festival? Shouldn’t you be focusing on werewolves?” Arnie seems overly angry about this for some reason. I wonder if it’s me or his complete lack of insight.

“I certainly didn’t mean to offend you Beta. I am curious, do you not enjoy any forms of human entertainment? Do you mean to tell me you never visit human-owned establishments? Movie theatres, restaurants, nightclubs, strip clubs...This list goes on forever. This is a good Autumn activity for families. It’s not a cultural appropriation of humans, which we spend three-quarters or more of our lives as, or stripping us of our identity as werewolves. The humans don’t own all of the apples! You have an orchard right here on the territory. Who cares if families swap pie recipes, brew wolf-grade apple cider or sell a few themed goodies? Candy apples are awesome, you should try one sometime.” I went on my little rant and Athena didn’t even offer to take over, but I certainly felt her making me sit tall and be confident. It’s like we are finally blending into one.

“I think it sounds fun, I’ll call Jase to come Friday night for the Bonfire and the three of us can go on Saturday whenever our hangovers permit.” Tucker smiles widely, he’s got those blindingly white teeth dazzling. I’m beginning to think Tucker enjoys watching me rant and rave at Arnie-boy.

“Has he already called here to check up on me?” I deadpan. I sincerely hope Jase isn’t being a pain in the ass already.

“Only twice. If Jase sees you are surviving here he might relax, besides he will buy you all the candy apples and treats you can stand.” Tucker says cheerfully.

“I don’t want him to…” Tucker waves me off before I finish my sentence.

“I remember everything you said last night, but you should let him do something for you. Don’t forget his family has been making money off the Council because of you for most of your life.” Tucker is looking right at me, daring me to challenge him on this. Maybe I should let go of some of that anger and shame. I hate the thought of using someone financially, but how many people have benefitted off of me or my work? No one in the city will even care about two people enjoying each other's company or a man buying a lady friend a treat. I will have my own money soon, so if I just wipe the slate clean, I can treat my friends, too. We can be even moving forward.

“Alright. Next order of business, where are we going to put the new library?” I ask excitedly. Alpha Tucker raises an eyebrow at me, questioningly. “I just need a space and some bookshelves, I already have a plan for filling the shelves. You were the one who said this Pack was full of very sexy airheads.” I remind him, and it makes that melodious laugh ring around the room.

“The way we encourage learning is having lots of books about and celebrating reading goals and educational milestones like grads. Kindergarten graduations are the cutest little things. They sing a song while their parents watch a picture slideshow, you give them a cute certificate and a cupcake and they feel so proud of themselves. Bigger kids can have a dance or dinner, maybe you could offer a bursary for college…”

“We don’t need to pay for a fancy education for the Omega house staff.” Arnie’s deliberately trying to piss me off now, I’m about to let Athena make him a unicorn after all.

“Not all of your wolves work in the Pack kitchen. University or college could be based on academic merit, you still have needs for teachers, nurses and business people. You could also base it on the needs of the Pack, such as tradespeople. Might be handy to have a plumber on call, since fur and blood clog the pipes so easily. Construction contractors, equipment repairs, hairdressers, do you need more examples, Beta Arnold?”

'You tell him, Babe. He will not silence us!’ I feel her pride shine through. That’s different emotion than what I usually feel from her.

Breakfast and a fresh pot of coffee arrived, so thankfully dear Arnie kept his big mouth shut after that. Afterwards, I settled into the office beside Tuckers, the former Luna’s office. His Mother has impeccable (and expensive) taste.

It gave me another idea, “Tucker are your parents home?”  I know they planned on doing more travelling in their retirement. Luna Anne was always a gracious host, she never treated me differently than Jase.

“They decided they wanted to take numerous smaller trips over the next few years. Dad’s plan for conquering the world in ten months was too much for Mum. They are in Italy until next Wednesday, why?” Tucker seems to be intrigued. 

“Because who better to know the hearts of a Pack than it’s former Luna. I would love to have a visit with your Mother when she gets back. Do you think she would mind being dragged into work so soon?”

“Nah, she would love that. She still calls Luna Kat to discuss ideas and get caught up on all the gossip. I’ll mention your interest the next time she calls.” After that, Tucker left me to do my work until lunch.

*****

Colin’s POV (Blood Pact)

Why the hell is training so damn early! Medieval tortures didn’t even have people getting up at 4:30 in the morning, they always waited until dawn. It’s pitch black outside. Why did I drink so much? Dear Goddess, please kill me now so I don’t have to go downstairs and deal with training, if I have to run I might puke. Wait, one good shot to the face and I can pretend I’m out cold. No, Marc would just slap the s**t out of me until I came to.

I wonder if the Alpha made his way to his room last night? I throw shorts on and go hunt him down. He’s passed out on the couch in his office. Not surprising really, he wouldn’t want to sleep without Caly or see any of her belongings. 

“Stab!” I try hollering. I try giving him a shake. “Stab! Wake up!” Nada. Why am I trying to wake him? Terri said she gave her group the morning off, so technically Stab doesn’t need to go. If he doesn’t have to go, then I shouldn’t have to go. “Sweet dreams Stab, I’m going back to bed.”

I head back to my room and flop onto the bed. A few minutes later, my phone rings. “Hello?”

“Good morning Beta Colin. It’s Alpha Tucker.” I feel like singing. Why on earth would I feel like singing?

“Good Morning, Alpha. Is it not a bit early to be making business calls?” I just want to fall back asleep.

“It’s 9 am Beta. I know you train crazily early and are normally at work by 8 am. Perhaps you did too much celebrating last night? You were quite drunk when I phoned.” I must have slept longer than I thought, unfortunately, I don’t feel any better.

“We weren’t celebrating, we were distraught! Why did you phone last night? Is everything alright with Caly? Does she need anything? Did she want to come home?”

“Yes, I phoned, I was told you were the best person to talk to regarding Caly. I was surprised by all the singing and drinking going on in the background. It certainly didn’t sound like anyone was overly concerned by Caly’s absence.” Alpha Tucker seems rather agitated this morning.

“We may have been drinking but it was because we all missed her,” I say truthfully.

“Forgive me if I don’t believe you. Now let me get to the point, Caly was a bit upset last night, she said her belongings were destroyed. Is that true?”

“Most of her things disappeared when she did. There are only some casual clothes and her personal laptop. Oh, her phone is in her desk, we heard it ringing a few days after she was gone. All the nice work apparel Luna Katherine chose for her is gone.” 

“I see. Care to explain why a she-wolf who the Council insists on a fifty-thousand dollar finder’s fee for placement doesn’t have enough cash in her bank account to buy a f*cking skirt for work? Did you pay that fee and think you owned her outright?” He huffs angrily into the phone at me. 

“We did not! Who do you think you are making accusations like that? We absolutely did not pay a finder’s fee. I didn’t even know the council was asking for such a thing!” I need Theressa to look into this, as I doubt it’s the Council’s doing, but one councillor in particular, Elder Giles. 

“Someone who knows your Pack’s track record, that's who. There had to be a reason Alpha Darius wanted the Council to investigate you and I know that reason had something to do with Caly, and how you ‘acquired’ her. So, if you don’t want another visit from Elder Mackelroy, I suggest you pack all her belongings and have them sent here within 24 hours. She’s crushed to have to start over yet again, so having something of her own might make her feel a tad bit better.”

“If Caly needs anything at all, please call me. Could I come to your Pack to visit her?" Convincing her to come home might be easier in person.

“Let’s see if you can prove useful and send Caly her belongings. If she wants to speak to you, she will call, she said that herself last night. Goodbye, Beta Colin.” Alpha Tucker hangs up on me. How is poor Caly going to deal with an arrogant asshole like him for three whole weeks? This could end up being a blessing in disguise, perhaps he’ll drive her right back into our arms. Wait, this is Caly. She has been working with Tucker at school, and no doubt she will rise to the challenge. He’s no worse than Stab, really. 

I need to check on Stab. Make sure he didn’t die from alcohol poisoning or aspirating on his own vomit. I’m already in shorts, I’ll throw on a shirt, and if by some miracle he’s ready to work, I can always come back and get changed. 

He’s still sleeping on the couch in his office, I can hear him snoring. “Stab. Wake up.”

“Go the f*ck away. Can’t you see I’m dying over here?” He didn't even open his eyes.

“Perhaps you should be sleeping off your hangover in your own room, in case someone comes up here and finds you in this unprofessional state.” 

He opens one bleary swollen eye and takes a look at me. “I’m not going to training, it’s way too early.”

“Yes, training is scheduled way too early in the morning, but you already missed it, it’s 9 am. I’m only awake because Alpha Tucker phoned me.”

“Is she alright?” That certainly did the trick, Stab bolts up into a sitting position, but he moved too fast and now his head is probably spinning. He’s holding his head up by the sides, his fingers lost in his dark hair.

“Do you need a garbage pail or a bottle of water?” The pungent smell of vomit isn’t very pleasant with a wolf’s heightened sense of smell.

“I’m fine. I asked, is she alright?” He doesn’t need to take that angry, commanding tone with me, I was trying to help.

“Yes, yes. Calm down. He wants us to send someone with Caly’s things. She’s trying to assess her situation and was a bit down about being left with nothing. I can pack it all up for you.” I know it might be too hard for him right now.

“I guess. I just wish we could still convince her to come back.”

“Stab, I doubt he would let her out of the contract, he wasn’t very happy with us when he called.”

“Why?” Stab narrows his eyes at me, and I can tell he would love nothing more than to shift and run straight to Blue Moon’s Bite to get into it with Alpha Tucker.

“He was wondering how someone who was always so prudent with cash wouldn’t have enough money in her account to buy a new wardrobe for work. He did say one interesting thing that I want Terri to look into. Someone on the Council asked him for a finder’s fee for Caly. Fifty thousand dollars, if you can believe it. That’s probably why he was willing to shell out so much for her contract, he was still saving his Pack twenty grand, plus her salary.”

“We need to send her my credit card. She’ll feel more confident if she can get dressed up for work. She…”

“Caly won’t take it, and you know it. She once told me your money made her feel inferior. By the end of this week, she’ll have her first paycheque since before she left University. That will make her feel confident. Now, get up. You can lay in your own bed while I gather up her things.” Stab begrudgingly followed me back to his own room. I started packing while he heads into the bathroom.

“You’re packing everything? She’ll have no reason to come back here! What am I going to do without her scent? What am I…” He starts in on me the second he’s out of the shower.

“Stab, stop panicking and stop thinking of yourself! We need to focus on her right now. Caly is trying to take stock, she needs to see what she has left, and it doesn’t do her any good here. Do you really think she would come back just because we held her sweaters hostage? No, she needs to want to see us. She had some things stashed in her room that were yours, I piled them over on her bed. They mostly smell like her, so you can keep those.” I watch him plop himself on her bed, looking at a few t-shirts and ties. He gathers them up in his arms then he lays down looking at the ceiling while I finish. 

I’m about to zip up the duffel bag when he sticks out his hand with all his t-shirts in it, “Take it, she needs these more than I do. She has nothing over there to remind her of me. I am surrounded by her presence here. Did you pack my blue sweater? The one she wears as a dress?”

“No, I didn’t see it in here.”

“I have no idea if it was destroyed or not, but I’m going to go look in my closet. Did you bring her phone from the office? What about her laptop?” I head back to the office, proud of him for finally putting her first. Baby steps.

Stab’s rummaging in his bathroom when I return. I can see has prepared two piles of shampoos and body washes, things like that. “That pile is ready, I have seen her use those. I’m not sure about the rest of it.” He’s right, most of the second pile doesn’t even look opened. I grabbed a bottle of body wash because it seemed practical and Stab takes it from me. He reaches into his shower and pulls out his bottle, drying it with a towel before handing it over to me. “She usually used my stuff, unless it went in her hair.” From the collections on the counter, I can see he’s absolutely right. Maybe he paid more attention to her idiosyncrasies than I thought. Good, another baby step, we are making progress. “I found the sweater, it’s in the bag. Are we taking this to her today?” I can hear his hopeful tone.

“No. Alpha Tucker said we should wait until we have been invited by Caly. I was going to send it with whoever Rosemarie has available.”

“Okay. Once she gets her phone we can call, right?” Stab grabs his phone off the dresser, I see him trying to look up something before hitting the call button.  “Leo? It’s Alpha Stab. I need a large box of assorted treats sent to the packhouse immediately,”....”Yes, it’s for Caly.”... “I hope she comes home soon, too. Thanks.” 

He looks sadly down at his phone. “I want to send her some goodies with her luggage. It sounds like the word is already out about Caly. Goddess, is everyone going to tell me how much they miss her? I don’t think I can take it.”

“It just means we need to get her back here as soon as possible. That is our new mission.”