He lay in his bed and wondered what was going to happen inside that pack without him. That boy’s week of training was up now. That’s why his father had called him. And that late at night they were not risking Ori overhearing this conversation.
Private late-night chats usually meant everything was on the hush-hush side and only those that needed to know were in the know. Hayden had not been in the room and neither had Ori. The girl would blow a gasket and lose her s**t, yell and argue for her position, would be all fired up about it, and well before that conversation even really got started.
If she was in the room, the minute she knew what it was all about, she would be on the defensive, about it just being that she was a girl. She was strong and dependable, fit for the job, trained for the job, and though she was only 18, they still had years of training to come. She would be adamant she could stand her ground and hold her own.
He also knew she could, and his and her Alpha Beta bond was strong, as was her Alpha unit bond to Palmer and Yuri. There was no actual need to change the leadership of the future of the pack, not that he saw.
He could see their point of view, but also saw how damn hard she fought to keep her position. He saw Alpha females here at Alpha College struggling as well. Their world was male-dominated, and most were of the opinion, females would mate off out of the pack and, unfortunately, that was also the truth of the matter.
He had two weeks to think about it was all, at least here at Alpha College, he had guidance, and could talk to the Alpha Council members in private, ask for guidance on the situation. What they thought, they were not sided with him or Ori, they wouldn’t be sided with his father or his unit either.
They could provide him with an unbiased opinion of the situation, and they did actively encourage everyone here, to go and talk to them about important pack related issues that they might have to deal with.
This was something he wanted to have; an unbiased opinion on. He needed a sounding board or two, and he knew it, he couldn’t talk to Palmer or Yuri. If his father had wanted them in the know, they’d have been in that office when the call was made.
His life was about to become complicated, more so than he liked. He could well lose not only his Beta, but one of his closest friends as well, if he opted for Hayden to take over Ori’s position. Hell, he knew he would lose her, there would be a screaming match and the bond of trust they had for the past 18 years would be broken, and she’d never likely believe a word he said ever again.
Most thought the life of an Alpha was all hunky-dory, and they lived a carefree, happy existence, but most didn’t get to see the hard decisions they had to make. All the choices made for them, behind closed doors, choices they themselves had no say in.
This was technically his choice, who his unit was, but he also knew his father was the actual Alpha, and could overrule his decision if he didn’t think it was the best for the pack. He was going to have to plead a solid case in Ori’s favour, to sway his father and his unit, if he decided on keeping her.
He also understood the importance of a decision like this, it wasn’t to be taken lightly at all. They were right about everything they’d said, she was a she-wolf, a girl, and she would go into heat, once mated. Could be mated off at any time now, leave the pack as well. Leaving him with no Beta at all, until Hayden, the pack Beta’s second heir, was trained up and ready. So, yes, he saw the logic of it; Just didn’t like it.
Didn’t even like the idea of her leaving the pack, he sighed again, only much more heavily this time. He saw the way the male wolves of the pack looked at his Beta, and he was willing to bet with her all dressed up as she had been, on the full moon. More eyes were on her now than before.
Hell, he didn’t even need to be home in that pack, to know that the male population had all been standing around looking at her, hoping those eyes of hers would find them, and the word mate would be growled out of them. He’d likely have been one himself, if he’d been standing right there alongside of her; if he was completely honest with himself.
Seeing her dressed up like that, even in a photo, all smiling and happy, he’d really liked it. He’d saved that photo his father had sent him, on his own phone. It was also printed out and in a frame on his desk right now. Everyone that came here saw it.
He stated it was his unit, and it was the truth, he’d also seen some of the other Alphas here give a low whistle at the sight of her ‘that’s your Beta?’ he’d gotten many times. There were a few ‘have you and she done it?’ and several ‘how old is she?’
They all looked to see if she was claimed, and he knew it, had seen them all really look at her. They liked what they saw, he’d snarled at a few of their lewd comments. One Alpha had raised both his hands and backed away ‘sorry man’ he’d murmured.
It was a good photo of the three of them, his unit all smiling and happy, he wasn’t there, and they were all still closely bonded and able to hang out and have fun. But for how much longer? He honestly didn’t know. He slept little that night, tossed and turned, and after class the next day, made an appointment with alpha Gretta to discuss the issue.
She heard the topic and stated “tomorrow at 3pm, I’ll pull all of us into that, important it is. Lots of thoughts will be had.”
He nodded and put a reminder onto his phone for the meeting. The meeting came, and he found himself in the office with four council members; Alpha Gretta, Alpha Hailey, Alpha Tyler and Alpha Patrick. He stated his issue and was asked many questions, though not about him or his opinion, but about Ori herself, the first being “her bloodline?” Alpha Gretta had asked him right away.
“Pure-blooded Beta, both her parents are Betas,” he told them.
“Age?” Alpha Patrick asked.
“She just turned 18.” He’d answered.
“She’s been training as your Beta how long now?” it was Alpha Hailey,
“All her life,” he answered.
“The second Beta how old?” Gretta asked him.
“17 and a half, her parents had another pup quickly, trying to get a boy,” he admitted.
“What does she look like?” had been asked by Alpha Tyler, and he’d frowned instantly at the man.
“Does that matter?” he’d asked, a little annoyed.
“Likely so.” Alpha Patrick had nodded “have you got a picture of her?”
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