Page 3 of A Pack of Honey
Icatchsightofthe email that just dropped into my inbox from Sunny Howard, the owner of Sunshine Apiary. The subject line reads, "Go The Fuck Away." I don't need to open it to know how this will go. My fists clench as I fight not to throw my laptop against the wall. Usually, I'm not one to let anger take control like some alphas, but dealing with thisbeehive farmersends every primal instinct I have into a frenzy.
I call my secretary, Tonya, who assures me she can complete the tasks I've laid out before tomorrow. Then, I have Tonya call in my pack.
They filter into my office one by one.
Luca is first, as always. He's our architect, responsible for design and details. We design our own luxury hotels. We’ve designed six successful and coveted locations which are fully booked year round. They're exclusive to the elite and famous. I, as the head of Night Associates and the dominant alpha of this pack, have ensured our success. His artistic abilities are amazing. We've been friends since college, which feels like alifetime ago—over twenty years. He's lanky, but muscled and as tall with straight black hair swept back from his face and a crooked nose.
Next in is Hunt who’s walking while holding a laptop. He's about ten years younger than Luca and me. We met him when we held a competition within Night Associates. The prize was our lead interior design position. He won by a landslide, consistently elevating our creations above and beyond the competition. According to the numerous awards we've received, his designs are the best in the Midwest. He quickly joined the pack and began investing in Night Associates. He's slightly shorter than Luca and me, with dark brown skin and a slight physique. His honey-colored eyes meet mine before he's back on the laptop he brought.
Last to enter is Jess. He arrived with Hunt five years ago and became a perfect addition. He's our social media manager. Jess has long, dark brown hair that he allows to flow freely, a brown beard, and tattoos along his arms.
We design our own luxury hotels. We’ve designed six successful and coveted locations which are fully booked year round. They're exclusive to the elite and famous. I, as the head of Night Associates and the dominant alpha of this pack, have ensured our success. Ultimately, that's what drives me.
However, what I see before me isn't a strong, united pack. It's fractured. Luca is on his phone, speaking sharply to someone on the other end. Hunt is engrossed in his laptop, navigating new designs and following up with our team. Jess stares out the window, trying to ignore the rest of us.
We've worked together for five years. Initially, our synergy was impressive. I could hardly believe my luck. But over time, tensions have emerged, and I know precisely why. Pack alphas need an omega. We require one even more than food, water, or air. Without that central piece, a pack can sometimes turnon itself in a form of self-cannibalism that's painful to watch. It's inevitable. We need an Omega to unite us and provide a common cause. We need to forge bonds that we cannot create alone. Recognizing this fracture last year, I initiated the search for an omega.
I engaged several of the most exclusive omega matchmaking services in the country. Some scents matched moderately well, and we briefly courted those options. But, ultimately, none proved to be a true fit. One party or the other always vetoed the suggestions. We collectively agreed that a scent-sensitive match wasn't a priority, especially considering how rare they are.
However, we needsomething—something that eludes us, and remains unspoken. We decided to temporarily pause our pursuit of omega matches, which has left a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. As the dominant alpha, I'm responsible for addressing significant issues, and I refuse to fail. If we don't resolve this, there's a real risk of the pack splitting, which is unacceptable.
"We're taking a trip," I declare to the room. Luca ends his phone call immediately, Hunt looks up, and Jess turns from the window to focus on me.
And for a moment, I see the pack we formed years ago.
But then Jess has to go and ruin it by opening his mouth. Because, of course, it's he who argues first. He's always the one with a bad attitude, temper, and a nasty mouth. He's always the first one to pick apart an omega match, and the first one to veto her.
"Why?" he asks.
"Because our investment in the Lakeside Point location is falling apart," I state firmly. "In addition to the beekeeper issue with the last piece of land we want to acquire, we're facing delays with permits, protests over dune damage, and a vineyard that needs inspection. Not to mention that neither of you have beenable to give me satisfactory designs,” I glare at Hunt and Luca, “And your social media strategy hasn’t been hyping up the new hotel. If anything we’ve gotten more blowback than with any other site. If we want this to succeed, we need to be there in person and take a more hands-on approach."
“You haven’t been satisfied with anything we’ve given you. You just reject it and won’t tell us what you need.” Hunt snaps back.
“That’s part of the problem. I don’t think any of us can know what we need for this project without going their ourselves.” I emphasize my commitment to this project. Having grown up in Lakeside Point and not returned since I was fifteen, I feel a strong sense of nostalgia, which is what inspired me to secure a good-sized parcel of land within Lakeside Point for this venture.
This isn't just about nostalgia; it's also a solid investment. The Leelanau Peninsula is a premier tourist attraction for Michigan elites. Although it isn't well-known outside the state. But I intend to change that. With its wine vineyards, cherry picking, stunning sand dunes, and the Great Lakes, it's among the world's most beautiful places. Very few outside Michigan are aware of its potential but if we can put it on the map with our established brand it could rival the likes of Napa Valley or Martha's Vineyard. We could be the first ones in the door at a new hot location.
Jess opens his mouth, but I cut him off. "No."
He plows ahead anyway. "This is ridiculous. We don't need to go down there ourselves. We’ve hired people to handle this shit.”
"We have," I growl out, "but I think it's vital for us to tackle this together. Especially with the current state of things."
Luca nods. He's been by my side, building everything we've had. I know he doesn't want our pack to fall apart either. On the surface we agree, but we've been just as fractured as the rest beneath. We’ve had fights where we’ve both said things we’re not proud of. That I’m starting to fear we can’t come back from.
Hunt looks torn between his loyalty to Jess and the pack.
In the end, he sighs and turns to Jess. "I don't think it could hurt anything to go. Plus, I'd really like to get a feel for the area before designing the interior of the new hotel."
If Jess's glare could maim, Hunt would be one damaged pup.
"So you're all against me? Even you?" he scoffs.
"I'm not against you, Jess. We need to work on this. Some pack time is important." Hunt sounds devastated at Jess's reaction. He’s always been the most level-headed of us all. Jess shrugs and heads for the door.
"You will be ready and in the car by seven tomorrow morning," I growl.
He flips me off over his shoulder on the way out the door.
