“I ordered food to be delivered for the next few days,” she tells me. “There are tables and chairs outside. Everything should be set. I told the pack that breakfast is between 8 and 10 AM. “
When did she plan all that? “You are amazing!”
“I had help,” she says quietly. “It’s not all on me. Your mother helped, and some of the pack warriors of Silverlake helped with the tables. Finn… and Celine, and-”
“Stop being so modest,” I chuckle. I love this about her, but credit needs to be given where it’s due.
She chuckles. “I will try to,” she teases. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Having breakfast with the pack is good. We will go from there,” I smile at her.
Alpha, are you awake?Dante links me.
I sit up in surprise.
“What?” Annalise looks at me in worry.
“Dante just linked me.”
She smiles. “He never left,” she chuckles. “Aryanna stayed too.”
I feel instant relief washing over me. Everything will be easier with my two biggest allies and best friends around. I’m still surprised, though, that I can link them. “They are still officially part of Silverlake,” I mutter. “Or are they?”
“I don’t know,” she explains. “I think their pack is wherever you go. Maybe their connection to you is stronger than to their pack. When Elden left, he wished them all the best and asked them to look out for us.”
You are still here,I link Dante back stating the obvious, but I still want him to know that I acknowledge it and am happy about it.Thank you, Dante.
No way I would ever leave you,he says reassuringly.
I’m not going anywhere either,Aryanna interjects. Must have been right next to Dante, knowing that he linked me.
It’s good to know that both of you continue to have my back.I pause.It’s 5 AM. Why are you not asleep?
Not sure. Must be because we were worried about a certain Alpha,Dante says evenly.
Okay, I deserve that dig.I’ll be with you in half an hour.
What’s the plan?Aryanna asks.
Going through Marcus’ office before breakfast starts. I need to make sure I at least know the minimum of the pack. Then we need to discuss the next steps. I will take Annalise with me too so that she is up to date. There is so much work. I can’t do it without her.
I doubt she would let you anyway,Ari says cheerfully.
True.I chuckle inwardly. Not that I would want to hide anything from her.Did everyone leave last night?
Your father had to leave, Jace too. But they have already spread the word about what happened here and that you are the new Alpha of Red Claw. There will probably be a lot of calls and hopeful visitors. The smaller surrounding packs are already hoping for an alliance.Dante explains swiftly. Your mother stayed here too, together with a few warriors.Celine and Harmony had to return to their duties, too, so did Annie’s dad, Brian, but they will send Rosalee and Steve here.
Great! Annalise will feel more at ease with her mother and brother here. And I know she is still learning from my mother too. Her advice is welcome.
Yes, and Annalise’s brother… Steve… The boy’s strong and cheerful. We might need him to connect to the pack,Ari points out.
Good, meet you in thirty minutes at Marcus’ former office.
After I closed the link, I turn to my curious mate, filling her in with everything I heard from my Betas. She is overjoyed that her mother and brother will visit; and that my mother is staying to help.
Soon she is back to her usual energy, pulling me up with her. It’s contagious, because I realize because suddenly I’m brimming with motivation too. Everything happened so fast yesterday. A part of me is sad I won’t take over Silverlake, the pack I grew up in and love so much, but I don’t have any regrets.
It’s like the Moon Goddess led us to Red Claw to save them from their misery and to provide us with the difficult, yet beautiful task of building this pack back up to its former strength. The wolves cheered on us yesterday, I know they are eager to make this work. We are all going to pull together; I have my strongest allies here. I have back-up from my parents and Jace and other big packs; and now thanks to Annalise, I have made my own alliances too. Moon Blood is there and ready to help Annalise. She made it so much easier for me to connect with people.