Its been four days since she was discharged, and those days were filled by her mates with all that had happened. Trixie came by to ensure that she and El were okay, and that is when she shared the news that she was expecting. She and Sam wanted to keep it for themselves just for a bit, plus the timing was a bit off with all that they were to deal with. The next person was Alexa and her little boy. Trishanna teased that if it were a girl, she would have been planning the wedding of their two kids right now. Sammy laughed, a glint in his eyes as he said that it was still early enough to make that a reality. Alexa scoffed, asking if he was doing the carrying and the birthing next time. They all laughed, Trishanna looking down at the chubby baby in her arms. They named him Seth, and she liked the name. James came in and shooed them, demanding she take her afternoon nap. Trishanna protested as she usually did, but he stripped off his shirt and got into bed with her, his warmth and comfort making her drift off. Either he or Bradley would do this daily. As she lay sleeping in his arms, he stroked her hair, his mind drifting to all that he had to do to keep her safe. Yet there was a niggle of fear that he refused to even think about.
Three days later, Lorenzo declared her free to go back to her regular duties, news that made her smile. She jumped up, grabbing Chip from off the floor where he was playing on his little mat. He was on his belly, reaching for whatever caught his fancy, his fathers beginning to go overboard again. She would swear that every day there seemed to be some new thing in the nursery. Lorenzo left, his body anxious as Nicole grew closer to her due date. There have been many births so far, and even more on the way. Goldmoon was growing, and that was always a good thing. She returned Chip to his play area, where he rolled to his belly, his little legs pushing him in the direction of the dulled mirror toy he seemed to favour these days. Trishanna walked to the window, her mind drifting to Bloodmoon. She was ready to get back to work and see what was happening over there.
Samuel knocked on the door, checking in on her and his little nephew. He held Seth in his arms, the little one looking around. Chip saw him, and immediately the toy was forgotten as he wiggled and squirmed in their direction. Sammy couldn't stay long as he was watching Seth, as Alexa had a Zoom call with her grandmother and that side of the family. It seemed that there was something going on, but he knew she would tell him before the end of the day. He shared that they had plans to visit her family when Seth was a bit older. Samuel handed over Seth to Trishanna before he scooped up Chip, blowing on his belly, which made him laugh. He left after a short while, and Trishanna decided that her son had enough excitement for now, so she took him back to the nursery. The nanny had recovered well and held no one responsible for her injury. She just shrugged, saying that it shouldn't have been a surprise that an Alpha's child was targeted. No one gave her the real reason, so they let her assume that it was a rival pack. After kissing Chip and urging him to be good, she left, making her way downstairs. She wanted to visit Bloodmoon quickly, as things in Goldmoon had settled back somewhat. She wondered where James was, as she was eager to talk to him about what was going on over there.
At that moment, James was back in his pack. He was sifting through a stack of forms, people who wanted to apply for the Beta position. Usually, it was decided when the intended Alpha is young, teenage years or if there was a family who usually served the Alpha, then that was expected, but with the way his father ruled, that way flew out the window. James had friends, but with his ego and attitude learned and encouraged by his father and his flawed beliefs, he now sees that he never really had a Beta. Being with Bradley and watching how he and Sam interact, how Sam would get in Bradley's face if he sensed that his Alpha was being an A-hole, made James see just what he was missing out on. He didn't need 'yes men' in his life, but someone who would always do right for him and the pack.
A knock on the door made him look up. Richard stuck his head in, a smile on his lips, but his eyes held cunning calculation. Was that always there? James looked at the person he called his friend, but with a clearer perspective, he knew that title was never returned. "Rich, come in and take a seat." Richard came in and sat down, leaning back with projected confidence, but underneath it, James could see the way the jaw clenched on one side. He had learnt so much from watching Bradley when they interacted with other packs, and he was kind enough to share the tells people give off, something his father taught him, and he was rarely ever wrong. James brought his mind back to the present. "Richard, I wanted to know about a few of these men in our packs." James spread out a few of the key wolves he was considering for the position. Richard sat up, his eyes scanning the pages, his mind churning. Most of them were pilable, but there was one person who always questioned Richard every time he gave instructions. He may not have been the official Beta, but most of the pack considered his closeness with James just as the same. He loved having the authority without the responsibility, and he was not ready to lose out on his sweet life. He pointed out the one with the most resistance. "Alpha James, these are all good men, except for this guy." Richard held up the form. Michael Waters, thirty-five. Single, no kids, never married or mated. "This guy has always had a problem with instructions. Many times, he outrightly questioned orders and always had something to say. He's opinionated but bows his head when confronted. He badmouths authority and always pushes back. He's trouble." James nodded, his mind racing. He thought back to when they were pups, how Michael never wanted to join in their games or sneak out. Although when you think about it, James and his crew were never up to anything good. He leaned back in his chair, hand on his chin as he thought. "I see... Thanks for the info. I'll look into it." And with that, Richard was dismissed. He stood up, stretching out his hand for James to shake. "Hey man, happy I could help. If you need anything else, call me. Maybe we should grab a drink like old times. I know those girls at the bar miss you." James's hands stilled on the papers he was organising. He glared up at Richard, his wolf ready to rip him to shreds for even thinking of disrespecting his Luna like that. "Richard, I will say this once. That James is dead, and I would appreciate it if you don't try to resurrect him like this ever again. If you do, I will see it as treason to my mate and YOUR Luna and have you thrown in the dungeon you were so happy to send Candice in. The same Candice you slept with behind my back at every opportunity you got." Richard's face went pale. He had no idea that James was aware of his relationship with Candice, and he wondered how much James knew. His face probably revealed his thoughts, as James added. "I know more than you think, so if I were you, I would tread carefully." And just like that, the manipulative friendship Richard had spent years cultivating, withered in a few seconds. He turned and left, his mind racing on what he could do to stop the change that was clearly on the horizon and moving fast.
James took a moment to calm his wolf before resuming duties. He felt a familiar push in his mind, Trishanna's sweet voice filling him. She wanted to check in on him and their pack, those words of acceptance and forgiveness still making his heart jump in pleasure. He shared with her a bit of what was going on, happy to discuss when she would return. He promised to see her tomorrow before he cut the link, his wolf whining in the background, tempting him to ditch his duties for some time with their mate. He just shook his head, telling his wolf that he was whipped, which he happily agreed with. Clearing his throat, he opened the link again, asking Michael to visit him in his office. James reviewed his file again, but wanted to talk to the man in person. He needed to be sure that the person he picked would truly have his back, and not for their selfish reason. He reached out to Bradley, hoping that his team could do a little digging on Michael before he made any final decisions.
There was a knock, and James bid him to enter. Michael stepped in, not sure what demeaning task would be giving, as those were the kind Richard always pawed off on him, but if it helped keep the pack going, then he didn't mind as much, but this was the first time he actually stepped foot in the Alpha's office, at least when James was there. Richard liked to flaunt his close relationship with authority, and many times, especially over the past few months, he would conduct his business from James's chair, acting as if he were in charge, but with no clear chain of command, everyone just went along with it.
"Michael, please come in and have a seat." Michael took two steps in the room, but chose to stand. James wondered if this was disrespect or the opposite. Running a proper pack was going to take getting some use to, for all of them. "Michael, I've reviewed your file and wondered why you applied for the position of Beta." Michael blinked. This was not what he expected, but he knew he needed to gather his wits if he wanted to have a shot. He cleared his throat. "Alpha James, I will be honest. I, well, most of the pack knew that there was never a real, clear declaration of who your Beta was, but I have seen the changes you are making in the pack. I have noticed how much you have changed, and I even admire this new way of doing things. I always believed that we have potential, and if I could, I wanted to be a part of bringing it to the light. I see that you want to change the narrative, the legacy your father left, and I am on board with that decision."
James leaned back in his chair. He had met with a few of the other candidates, but they all spouted nonsense about wanting to serve him. Ha, more like serve themselves. This was a truly great answer, one that showed depth and a genuine desire for growth, not just for himself but for his pack, the way a true leader should. He rubbed his chin. "Thank you for your answer, Michael. If I have any more questions, I'll let you know." Michael nodded, and with military precision, he turned and left, shutting the door behind him. James shuffled through the forms again, reaching out to a few more. His wolf wanted to go, but he shushed him, reminding him that they needed to get the pack organised so it would be easier for Trishanna when she returned.
An hour later, there was a knock on the door, and one of Bradley's men showed up. He bowed to James and shared that Bradley sent him to do reconnaissance on the men. James nodded, handing him the stack. With a quick glance, he already remembered the names and basic details before handing them back. James asked if he didn't need to keep it, but he shook his head. He had an excellent memory and would have a report within the week. James watched him walk out, wondering just how good he would be. With that taken care of, he reached for another form, this one concerning Candice. Since it was clear that she had nothing to do with the attack, she would be declared not guilty of association, and these forms would allow her to reclaim her life, although from what he heard and saw, it would be different. He needed to work on changing the perspective of his pack, knowing that would be an uphill climb, especially for those who had gotten the better end of the stick. He reached out to her through his link, asking her to come to his office. A few minutes later, she knocked softly on his open door, and he asked her to come in and have a seat. A movement outside caught his attention, James seeing the edge of Bruno's shoulder just outside the door frame. He hid a smile, wondering if the large man was taken by the girl before him. James brought his mind back to his task. He looked at Candice and wondered if this was how she really looked without all the makeup and fancy clothes.
She wore a plain shirt with some jeans, a little bigger than what she used to. Her hair was clean, but pulled off her face into a ponytail. No, blush or dewy lips covered with lip gloss, no earrings or bracelets, just a normal girl, doing her chores. Now he knew for a fact that she never really did anything, using the fact that she was a regular in his bed as a way to escape from her duties, pushing the worst of them on Trishanna. James closed his eyes, inhaling through the pain that still poked at his chest every time he thought of those days and his part in it, but Trishanna's words of forgiveness eased it. He reopened his eyes. If someone like him could have earned forgiveness, then he should share some of it. He cleared his throat. "Candice, it has been proven that you had nothing to do with the attack on the pack and on the Luna. Due to this, I am revoking all punishments, and you are now declared free from any involvement in that attack." Candice's eyes went wide, quickly filling with tears. She bowed her head, but James saw the drops fall onto her lap. "Thank you, Alpha James", was all she said. With nothing else to discuss, he dismissed her.
Candice stood and walked out the door, wiping her eyes. Two steps away from James's office, she was swept up into arms that had grown familiar over the past weeks. Bruno whispered in her ear how happy he was for her, and she just nodded, holding onto him. Over the last few weeks, his presence has been a balm on her soul. All of her friends had abandoned her without a backwards glance. The guys were not as cold, but not warm either. They always shuffled awkwardly and avoided her eyes. A few brave enough might offer help if she were struggling, but it was not the same. She knew now how she made Trishanna feel, and it was not good. Candice vowed that if she ever got the chance, she would truly apologise to Trishanna and see her as the rightful Luna to the pack, for she knew that Trishanna could have used this new position to seek revenge, but she didn't. Bruno released her, his eyes shining with joy for her. He always looked at her as if she were the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. It's still taking her a while to get used to it, but his gentle way of dealing with her has been soothing to her soul.
James went back to work, his mind hoping that with the information Bradley's men found, it would help him make the best decision. His heart ached a bit for the friendship he lost, even though it was never real. He and Richard had many memories, yet if he wanted a new pack, the old ways that did not work or were not beneficial had to go. Hours passed before he glanced outside to see that it was sunset. He stood and stretched, ready to call it a day. He straightened his desk and headed out, wanting to take a walk around the grounds. He had no particular destination in mind, just going with the flow. His steps took him to the lake, the exact spot where he stood as he ogled Trishanna that first night all those months ago. He smiled to himself, marvelling at how his life had turned out. He left there, just walking, and soon ended up at the rose bush nestled in the woods. It would have looked out of place to anyone else, but to James, it was a part of his territory. He stared at the plant, the buds already closed in the cool of the day. He found the rock Trishanna talked about, and he sat, allowing his mind to clear. He wished that he was more kind to Rosie, wished he had more memories of her. He sighed out loud, and with that rush of breath, words began to seep out of him. Words of apologies for the way his father treated her, words seeking forgiveness for his sins towards the girl that this woman called her own. Words of doubt and fear of being an Alpha like his father. Words of hope for a better future.
He knew if anyone saw him talking to a flowering shrub that they would call him crazy, but for James, it was a cleansing experience. He felt no judgment, not even from himself. He spent almost an hour, just being... himself. He was not a leader, just a man trying to make it in this world with the hand that he was dealt. When there was nothing left to say, he stood there, allowing the peace to wash over him. He stood when it was dark and, brushing the bits of dirt and leaves that clung to his pants, he turned, casting one last look at the beautiful monument of a woman more remarkable than he would ever know, before heading back home.
When he arrived, he asked for a simple dinner and then got ready for bed. As he was settling in, he felt Trishanna in his mind, so he opened the link. She felt the shift in his aura and wondered what had happened. He just smiled and promised her that he would tell her when they met. Her whispered words of love encouraged him, and soon he drifted off into a peaceful sleep.