After many hours of digging through dirk I stood up and smiled over my garden. Everything was right and in its place. My tomatoes, carrots and even my lettuce were perfectly situated and will be ready for picking in about a week or two.
Even though my garden was small I loved it because I worked on it myself. As the Alpha's daughter and only child, there were certain privileges that were granted to me. I was highly admired among our wolf pack not only for my status but I've also received compliments on my beauty as well. I had dark green eyes and blonde hair that reached the tip of my butt when it was down, like it is now. But I don't care about looks like other women my age. I prefer getting dirty and being outside.
I had just turned eighteen a few months ago and when my father asked what I wanted for a gift I told him without hesitation. "I want to turn our back yard into a garden."
He had paused. I think he thought I was going to ask to be properly introduced to eligible men in our pack so I could start dating. You know, like any normal pack members who've come of age. But I was anything but normal.
Dad had of course agreed and had arrangements to be made right away. I was excited and humbled.
I crossed my arms and gave off the cheesiest smile. "This is perfect," I said admiring the 6x12 frame my garden was in that was against the fence. It was small but it worked. I felt like a proud mom.
There is one thing to know about the Lakewood Wolf Pack; we are not big at all, only a hundred members, but what we lack in pack members we made up for in heart and spirit.
"Kendra!" a voice called from the back door. It was my friend Mindy, she was short only 5'0 but really adorable with her long black hair, her wolf color is a beautiful black tint.
I turned my smile to her and ran to give her a hug. "Hey, Mins!"
She hugged me back but then quickly pulled away. "Your father wants you...upstairs."
My smile finally faded. By the look in Mindy's eyes I could tell something was up. "Is everything okay?"
"I don't know, girl. He looked freakin' serious when he waved for me to fetch you. You better see what he wants."
I nodded then walked into our house slowly. We didn't own a mansion like other wolf packs. We lived as a small community in the woods with cabins surrounding us that the other pack members stayed in to avoid other humans. When I reached my father's office on the second floor I saw him with his head in his hands leaning over his desks with paper scattered around him. "Daddy?"
"Take a seat."
I sat down in one of the nice chairs and folded my hands in my lap. I didn't move for all the time he took to look up even though I wanted to pull back some of the blonde hair that had fallen in my eye. I didn't move an inch. I have never seen my father so solemn before. I knew whatever that was going on it was not good.
Finally he leaned back and looked up at me. His dark eyes were tired and he looked all of his 45 years of age if not more. "We have problem."
"Yes, father."
He looked in search for words, then said, " there's no way I can put this. There's no other way to say it but as the Alpha's daughter you are one of the first to know. We are close to bankruptcy. We are low on money and we are running out fast."
I sucked in a breath and held it there. My teeth pinched my bottom lip. Broke...but how? We've always lived so modestly. "What do we do?" I asked softly, looking at his desk instead of his face.
I know how hard it must be for my father to be in charge of a pack and have us go through financial hardship. I bet he's putting all the blame on himself. But it's not his fault. Right?
"I've been in talk with our closest neighboring wolf pack, the Altos, to get a loan. I plan on using the loan to pay off debt and investments to make sure we don't have this problem again. But I don't know what they'll ask for in return. It really puts us in a bind, baby girl."
I nod once. "I understand. Is there anything I can do?"
"No, not right now. Maybe later down the road but it all depends on how the meeting tonight goes."
"Meeting?"
Father nods. "Yes, I've invited the two Alpha's from the Alto pack here tonight to discuss a loan but first we need to have an all pack meeting to inform everyone of what's going on. The Alphas will be there at that meeting as well."
I blinked. I got the whole meeting with everyone part but.." two alpha's?"
He chuckled half heartedly. "oh, well, you see his son is preparing to take over for him as Alpha soon so both the father and son are coming. I think his son's name is...," he shuffled through his papers until he found a note, "Ryker."
"Ryker," I whispered.
"Yes, he is coming with his father tonight and we will have to figure something out. I won't ask you to do anything but I'd love your moral support," he said. I nodded right away. Ever since my mother died I had stepped in to be by my Father's side during ceremonies and important events to support him. He was crushed after her death but luckily she wasn't his true mate so he didn't die too of heartbreak. I wouldn't know what to do if I lost my Daddy too.
"Of course. All pack meeting tonight, I'll be there," I said putting on my best smile again to cheer him up. He smiled back sadly and I felt my heart breaking. I went over and gave him a hug. "It'll be alright, father. The pack will understand."
"I just wish my Beta would have done his job and watched the treasure a lot better. I know he couldn't help bad investments but he kept most of the bad parts from me too long and now it's too late."
I pulled away from him after a moment and nodded. There wasn't much I could say then so I left quietly.
Mindy was waiting for me the second I got downstairs. "What happened? What did he say?" she asked, her black eyes large and curious. I pressed my lips into a thin line and hugged her close, patting her back all the while. "Okay, you're freaking me out? What'd he say?"
"There's an all pack meeting tonight...he'll explain everything there."
She narrowed her eyes then she pulled me by the hand until we were once again outside by my garden. "You can tell me now. I'm your best friend. I won't tell anyone."
"You are my best friend and I love you. But this is important pack information and this information needs to come from the Alpha himself," I said firmly. She looked hurt that I wouldn't tell my secret so I added with a smile, "Hey, if it was about anything less important I would tell you. Besides you'll know soon enough; everyone will know."
#
The Lakewood Pack meetinghouse took place in our biggest cabin, which closely resembled a long hall. The place was made entirely out of wood; which included the wall, ceiling and dirt as the floor. There were rows of logs for everyone to sit on that stretched the majority of the hall. It was like a college lecture hall but with logs instead of chairs. No one hardly ever wore shoes when we'd meet here except for my dad because he was the Alpha and he tried to look professional even though know one really cared. All the pack members that were coming in were bare foot and shirtless expect the women who wore a top and shorts. Our lack of clothes weren't considered skimpy because everyone is comfortable with nudity here. Hell, I think all packs in all the world is comfortable with nudity since we have to be naked to transform into our wolf form.
Mindy and I were the last few to enter through the doors but the second I did something powerful hit me. It smelt of masculinity and power yet sweet at the same time; it was the most delicious mouthwatering thing I've ever smelt. I've never known something like that could exist. I felt my eyes glaze over and a smile spread across my face as I masked in the aroma.
Then I froze. That scent; it could only mean one thing. Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no. I can't go in. I have to get out of here. But before I could even turn Mindy grabbed my hand and ushered me to the closest seat in the back. She hasn't even noticed my distress.
Other pack members rushed in behind us trying not to be late, and before I could protest I was already seated and the doors to the cabin was closed shut.
Oh, my god. What the hell is about to happen?
"Are you okay?" Mindy finally asked looking at me while trying to pay attention to the front. It was considered highly disrespectful for anyone to speak while being addressed by the Alpha but my dad hasn't stood up yet. He was still sitting down at the table placed at the front of the hall.
"No, I don't think I am," I whispered back. She didn't say anything more because my dad had just stood up and cleared his throat. He was about to speak and any small conversation that members may had tried to sneak in was now absolutely forbidden.
However, I did see her face pinched up in concern from the corner of my eye.
I focused on breathing. I had to think. Okay, okay. I've never ever smelt this scent before. Neither have I've felt my heart beat so fast. All my scenes are on fire and I can feel my wolf's excitement. It was scarey, peaceful, and exciting at the same time. But mostly scarey.
I groaned. This can't be happening to me. This can't be. Not me. Not now.
My father had already begun addressing everyone in the room and began his spill on why we were here. His voice was very serious and solemn and I could tell he didn't want to do this but he had to.
I, in the mean time, knew what he was about to say so I tuned him out for a moment so I can concentrate on my heart attack in peace. I wanted to cry. I needed to get out of here but I couldn't. I knew I couldn't.
But how? How the hell could my mate be here when I'm surrounded by all my pack members. PACK members for goodness's sake! I've been around everyone since I was born.
Franklin over the on the corner with the red hair, I've known him since I was five and never had this reaction so I know it's not him. Tony over there in that weird blue shirt near the front I've known too and we are friends so I know it's not him. No, it's not him. It's not any of my pack members.
Something in the back of my mind knew the answer. Something I didn't want to bring up. But I knew it was the truth. I kept my eyes fixed on my dad but I knew there were two other men sitting at the table beside him. Two outsiders I've never seen or been around before. One of them was my mate.
Just like a magnet, a pull I couldn't control no matter how hard I fought or wanted to pulled my eyes towards the two men. One was very old, clearly in his 80 or higher. He must be the Alpha that's retiring. I grit my teeth. Unless my mate was an old man and Lunar was playing the world's biggest prank on me, he wasn't my mate. No not him.
