ZAIA.
I look at the eight men who now crowd my office at the pack house; I don’t know what to say. Five of them are meant to be some of our most trusted, for them to simply allow Annette in like that…
The door shuts after the last one and I place my chin on top of my clasped hands, my elbows resting on the desk. “I don’t know where I should start,” I say quietly.
I’m a little restless as I haven’t been able to contact Dad either. I hope he has been able to take a little time alone to clear his head, but I do need to speak to him. 2
I just hope he got my voicemail since he wasn’t opening any of his messages. “I do apologise, ma’am, for everything. I never should have let the Luna onto the property but…” one of the men trails off.
“But what?” I ask the guard, tilting my head. “I am truly disappointed in the lack of security. This woman was shouting at my mother, and you all stood by.”
“She said there would be consequences if we didn’t let her pass.” Another said, and I sigh in exasperation.
“Consequences? So, if someone is going to blackmail or threaten you, will you simply step aside and allow them to do whatever they wish?” I ask in disbelief. “This is absolutely ridiculous! Why apply to be a guard, then?”
I turn my attention to Annette’s three guards. “You may work for the Luna, but if there is ever an issue where your family is threatened you know you can come to me. Furthermore, please write up a report of Luna threatening your family. This is something that I can assure you my father will not tolerate. Please do so now, outside. Whilst I talk to my own security team.”
I motion with my head for them to leave the room, when the door shuts behind them, I stand up, looking at the five men before me as I begin to pace behind my desk slowly, the sound of my heels loud in the silent room.
“My father hand-selected all of you because he trusted you.” I begin.
Four of them were those replaced after the shooting, and I understand they may not be as seasoned. However, this is a dire situation.
“You are all aware of the threats that we face. No one is a friend, and the enemy can be anyone among us and the pack. No one is to be let onto the premises of that property without my or my father’s permission. That is an absolute rule!”
My anger is rising, but my children are there! Sia can’t handle stressful situations, she needs as much calm as possible. Anything could have gone wrong.
I know I need to tell my men about the Blood Born. We need to be ready for everything and if they aren’t alerted to the actual threats, then what?
“We are sorry Alpha, it will not happen again.”
“It better not. The thing is, if you aren’t willing to do the job properly regardless of the risks that you all knew came with it when you accepted the hefty payments, then tell me now. You can leave. I don’t need a spineless team.” I say, clenching my jaw.
The way they’re acting – aside from Gordon, who was one of the previous ones – are now shuttling or lowering their heads like children being scolded. I don’t trust them… I don’t even want them around us anymore!
Calm down, Zaia….
“I’m sorry, but she said she was only going to have a word,” Gaspard says as he steps forward. “I take full responsibility for this, and you are correct, it was a dangerous mistake, one that never should have been made. Whatever you decide, Alpha Zaia, we will accept it. However, I would like one more chance, if you will. We will work harder on this, Luna’s wording was… innocent, but we have learned that no matter if it is a woman pretending to come with good intent or someone asking for help, we must always follow the rules, Luna and his daughter are included in that. Forgive us.” 2
He places a hand on his chest, lowering his head to me, and I frown. I’m glad he understands… I sigh.
“There are to be no more mistakes. A single mistake can cost a life. From this day forth be alert… as for what the Luna said, I want written statements, rest assured you will be under mine and the Alphas’ protection. If the Luna is threatening her own pack members, that is cause for concern.” I say, running my fingers through my hair.
“Yes Alpha!” they say in unison. I hold out the files for them to write their reports before motioning to them to leave. “May I have an additional word?”
Gaspard asks, glancing at the other men. They look at him curiously, but I nod, dismissing them. Once the door shuts behind them, I look at him.
“What is it?” I ask.
He lowers his head in respect. “I just wanted to say, your display of power… is impressive. My mother’s family is from France, and we often were told the story of Alphas who can summon forth their wolf at any given time, without the need of the strength from the moon.” He takes a pause and looks at me with clear respect as he continues.
“I’ve never witnessed it and I actually came to believe that it was just that, a myth. Until I saw you today, my Alpha. You are a true Alpha…” He smiles and lowers his head. “And I will serve you with everything I have until the very end.”
His words fill me with warmth. In a world where there is no care for our wolves, there are those who genuinely want to cherish the blessing it is to have a wolf. I tilt my head, a thought coming to my head.
“Gaspard, we have issues with rogues…those who they say are men who have lost themselves to their wolves… has anyone ever tried to talk to rogues?” It’s an odd question… but I’m genuinely curious.
“Rogues are lost, Alpha. I’ve battled a few and they don’t seem to hold the ability to interact with people.”
“Perhaps because they go into survival mode, wasn’t there a report from several months back about rogues in a pack? That’s new, they don’t really reside in packs usually. Can you have some of their locations tracked? I want to see something.” a He looks surprised but nods. “Yes Alpha, of course.”
I give a nod. “Excellent, gather the reports from the others and call a pack meeting for tomorrow. There is something I need to share with everyone. You may leave, thank you.” I say dismissing him.
“Yes, Alpha.” He says before he takes his leave and I sit down in my seat, closing my eyes.
The Blood Born… Atticus and Sebastian need to talk. I don’t know how that will go but it’s needed.
My phone begins to ring, and I open my eyes, picking it up. “Hello,” I say, it’s the man I had sent to locate Dad.
“Hello, Ma’am.”
“Have you found him?”
“Yes, he’s down at the Atomic bar,” he says hesitantly.
That isn’t like Dad…
Things have gotten rough for him to go to that extent. “Very well, thank you. I will go to him.” I say, ending the call. I stand up, walking over to the window before I ring Sebastian.
“Missing me already?” he asks, and I can just picture him. I can hear the children laughing and talking in the background, it seems they’ve kept him company for the day.
“You wish, actually I need to go get Dad. He’s down at the local bar here. It’s at the edge of town.”
“Don’t go alone, especially since you’ve just called me. I don’t trust anything, Zaia. Send someone to bring him back. I would come with was upto it.” you, if I I sigh. “You have a point, fine. I’ll have someone get him.”
“Good girl.” He says, his deep sexy voice making my stomach flip and I bite my lip.
Why did that sound so sexy?
“Behave, I’ll see you tonight, seems the children are keeping you occupied.”
“I’m behaving, trust me, Little Fox I’m behaving… and yes, they are. Never a dull moment.”
“Great, well I better get someone to get Dad then.”
“Alright.”
I hang up and sit down again, contacting Dad’s personal guard via text.
ZAIA: Let my father know if he doesn’t come to the pack house now I will be forced to come out to Atomic myself, and I know he wouldn’t want that. I’ll await his reply. If I don’t get one in the next five minutes, I will make my way there.
I place my phone on my desk, perching on it as I cross my legs and stare out of the window, waiting. A minute passes before the screen lights up and I pick up my phone, unlocking it.
GORDON: We are on our way.
Finally! It’s about half an hour before Dad finally shows up, there’s a hard knock on the door before I say enter and Gordon opens it, stepping aside and allowing Dad to step inside.
The strong smell of alcohol surprises me, and I clear my throat, trying not to inhale it. I’ve never seen Dad like this.
His hair is messy, and his eyes are shadowed. For the first time in my life, he looks like a man burdened with the weight of the world.
“Dad…” I stand up and walk over to him, motioning for Gordon to leave us. I help him to a seat and walk over to the small fridge to the side and take out a water bottle. Unscrewing it I pass it to Dad and sit on the chair beside him.
“What happened?” I ask softly.
“Nothing just needed a break.” I sigh, running my fingers through my hair. “Please, now is not the time for secrets. My entire life, you and Mom have done nothing but keep secrets from me. When will it stop? A problem shared is a problem solved, Father.”
He looks down at his hand that holds the water bottle limply. Not even having taken a sip. “Where do I begin? With that dastardly woman?” He looks at me, and I can see the anger and pain in his eyes.
“Start at the beginning…” I say gently, reaching for the bottle. I take it from him and place it on the desk, taking his I won’t show it. I won’t let him see that seeing him like this has shaken me… I’ve always seen him as untouchable… but even the strongest of men can be brought to their knees…
By a woman..
