Page 4 of Golden Valley
“Alpha Parson was committed to the pack, but he was getting on in years,” Ricky said diplomatically.
“From what I’ve heard, the last couple of decades have been a struggle for Purple Sky. The pack has been losing members for at least that long. I get it. It’s hard to build up infrastructure when people aren’t sure if they’re going to stay or if the pack will survive. But I’m here and I’ll change all that. I’ll make sure our pack prospers.”
“I know you will.” Ricky bobbed his head, relieved that he wasn’t in trouble. “You’re a strong Alpha. People already feel safer. I haven’t heard of any more families planning to leave. Purple Sky will be just as great as Golden Valley in no time.”
“Maybe not in no time.” Alpha Berger grinned, and Ricky’s heart rate slowed, his worry about upsetting his Alpha easing. “Progress doesn’t happen overnight, and Golden Valley has had generations of strength and growth while Purple Sky has been languishing.” He squared his shoulders. “But it’s not a competition. The point is, Purple Sky is a solid pack and we’re getting better. One way to make that happen is meeting with surrounding packs, forming relationships, and seeing how we can help each other.”
“Right,” Ricky agreed. “I’m ready to help with whatever you need on this trip.” In Purple Sky, Ricky spent his time answering Alpha Berger’s questions about pack members and businesses, managing his calendar, and talking to folks who wanted something from the Alpha but were too nervous to talk to him directly. None of those tasks would be needed on this trip, so he wasn’t sure why Alpha Berger brought him along, but he wanted to be useful. He bit his lower lip and glanced at Alpha Berger again. “Is there, uh, anything specific I should be doing while we’re in Golden Valley?”
“Our goal is to make connections with the Golden Valley Alpha and others in leadership positions. We want to learn about them and their pack so we can come up with ways we can help each other. You’re more familiar than me with the skills we have in Purple Sky so keep your ears open about what we can offer them.”
“Do you mean like trading?”
“Sure.” Alpha Berger nodded. “But in a large-scale way. As an example, maybe they have a pack member with a business that needs more skilled employees than they can find in their own pack. Shifters aren’t likely to work with humans, and we’re so focused on our own pack that we don’t often know people in other packs unless we have family members that have mated outside the pack. That can mean we lose opportunities to grow our companies or expand our skills. But if the Golden Valley Alpha and his confidants consider Purple Sky an ally, they may think of our members for jobs that don’t need to be done here directly.”
“Our pack could definitely use more jobs, especially with other shifters.” With the loss of members they’d suffered over the years, they’d also lost businesses, so many pack members were forced to drive to nearby human towns to work. It wasn’t an ideal situation, and it resulted in even more members leaving. Golden Valley was the nearest pack, and while it wasn’t directly adjacent to Purple Sky, it was close enough for a daily commute. “It’s a great idea, Alpha Berger. I’ll pay close attention.” He could do that; he’d make himself useful.
“Good.” Alpha Berger dipped his chin approvingly. “And that’s just one way connecting with Golden Valley can help us. If we keep our ears and our minds open, I’m sure we’ll come up with more ideas. But the first step is learning about them.”
They turned a corner and all the houses and storefronts disappeared in favor of trees, flowers, and bushes along the twisty road. “Where are we going?” Ricky asked, surprised that they’d left the pack lands.
“To the Alpha house. We’re almost there.”
“Oh.” Ricky frowned. “The Alpha lives away from the rest of the pack?”
“Not away exactly. And there’s a story there.” The road curved, and they faced a sprawling, multi-level estate.
“Wow,” Ricky said breathlessly. No building in Purple Sky was as large, as beautiful, or, from the look of the pristine stone and wood, as new. Ricky was equal parts intimidated and entranced. If he had to dream up the perfect house, his imagined version would pale in comparison to this real one.
“Yep.” Alpha Berger pulled his car beside one of the dozens of others in the gravel area beside the house and then he turned to Ricky. “My old pack tends to have at least a small amount of information about other packs, so I called them for intel on Golden Valley. It turns out this particular Alpha is well known. His name is Morgan Peters. His ancestors founded the pack and, like Red River, every Alpha they’ve had has come from the founders’ line. Morgan actually wasn’t slated to lead; it was supposed to be his older brother. But about seven years ago, there was a fire at the Alpha house, and everyone in the family died except Morgan so he stepped in.”
“That’s awful.” Ricky’s parents were overprotective, which had frustrated him to no end as a kid and still irked him, but he couldn’t imagine losing them. “How did it happen?”
“That part isn’t clear.” Alpha Berger furrowed his brow. “It’s possible nobody knows the cause of the fire or else it’s a well-kept pack secret.” He shrugged. “Either way, it’s a testament to the unity of Golden Valley that they didn’t crumble after it happened. Apparently, they wanted a Peters to lead no matter what, and after the Alpha and presumptive Alpha died, Morgan was the only one left. He was teenager at the time, but by all accounts, he kept things together without any trouble and Golden Valley has only gotten stronger.” Alpha Berger tipped his head toward the road they had come down. “The empty land we drove through right before we pulled in here is where the old Alpha house and some other buildings destroyed by the fire used to be. They keep it natural now as a memorial, which is why it seems like the Alpha lives away from the pack, but actually, we’re still well inside Golden Valley’s territory.”
The sound of high-pitched voices and laughter pulled Ricky’s attention away from the conversation and toward the house. Dozens of kids spilled from the doorway, and a few ran in their direction.
“Time to go in,” Alpha Berger said.
Ricky nodded, opened his door, and stepped out of the car.
A black-haired girl skidded toward him, unable to stop herself before bumping into his thighs. Smiling at her energy, Ricky clasped both her shoulders and made sure she was steady on her feet.
“Hello! I’m Patricia Lopez. I’m five years old.”
“Hello, Patricia.” Ricky squatted so he’d be at her level. “My name is Ricky Marx and I’m eighteen years old.”
Deep brown eyes squinted up at him appraisingly. “Are you sure? My cousin’s twelve and he’s bigger than you.”
Swallowing down his laugh, he said, “Pretty sure, yeah.”
“Hm,” she said, the sound indicating her disbelief. “Let’s go.” She took Ricky’s hand and tugged.
Amused, Ricky rose and followed his new guide. While not as rare as male Omegas, female Alphas certainly weren’t common, and yet Ricky had the distinct sense he was in the presence of a pint-sized one. “Where are we going?”
“Into the Alpha house.” Her tone made clear that she considered the question absurd. “That’s where that Alpha and you are staying while you’re here.”
“Right.” Ricky found himself nodding agreeably even as he swung his head around, searching for Alpha Berger. Thankfully, he was close behind them. “I appreciate the help.”
