Something feels off. Like the calm before a storm. It is because of this feeling that I find myself unable to focus while staring blankly at my computer screen wondering just what the hell is happening in my Pack to make me feel so uneasy right now.
Rune had been stopped by Gale this morning while the alluring scent of apple strudels took all of my attention. I could tell the two were having a serious conversation and before I could walk over and join them, Rune took off. Worried, I had dropped my apple strudel onto a plate and left it on an empty table before rushing towards the Pack House exit when Gale stopped me.
“Rune has something he needs to do.” Gale had said just as I managed to catch sight of Rune shifting into his wolf mid-step and racing off towards the border. Gale kept me from following after him, telling me that as his Beta, Rune had a duty to perform for him and that I needed to go perform mine as Asteria’s Beta. He was adamant that I stayed in the Pack House.
Reluctantly, I went back into the Dining Hall and retrieved my apple strudel before grabbing a few more easy-to-eat foods. Gale watched me, not allowing me any chance of taking off and so I trekked up to my office knowing that I would be stopped if I tried to chase after Rune.
Now here I am, sitting in my office worrying about my Mate and whatever was so urgent that he had to run off without saying a word to me. Deep down I know this situation involves that wolf Devlyn. Since being told about him yesterday and the risk he poses, anything that involves him would cause Rune to become the overprotective Mate he has been slowly turning into.
“Brynlee.” The door to my office opens and Ashton walks in, a look of discomfort on his face.
“We have a situation in the Pack and we need your input.” He adds, giving me an apologetic smile. Standing from my desk, I make my way towards the door and ask Ashton to lead the way. With a nod, my friend informs me that there is a fight by the greenhouses. Asteria and Gale are busy with a Rogue situation in the dungeons and Jett has been trying to help settle the situation but the wolves causing the problems don’t think of him as part of the Pack yet as he has not been initiated.
Feeling a bit of a headache coming on before I even arrive at the situation, Ashton and I take my truck to the greenhouses. Within a few minutes, I find myself standing between a group of Crescent Phoenix wolves and a group of Rogues waiting to be initiated into the Pack. Jett stands beside me, a look of annoyance and anger on his face as he informs me of the problem – the Rogues wanted to change the planting schedule now that the summer harvest of the vegetable garden beds outside is over and we are ready to plant new crops that will be used during the winter.
“They aren’t even part of the Pack yet so why should we change the plans?” Jupiter, an Omega in charge of the harvest shouts, visibly frustrated by both Jett trying to interfere and de-escalate the situation as well as hostile towards the she-wolf named Carolyn that I met yesterday afternoon. The auburn-haired she-wolf glares at Jupiter, the annoyance clear as day on her face as well as she stands in front of one of the vegetable garden beds refusing to let Jupiter and his team have access to it.
“You’re one of the wolves Milan showed around yesterday. An Omega right.” I state, looking at Carolyn who nods while ignoring Jupiter’s remarks. The Rogue may not be part of the Pack yet, but they will be soon and I will deal with her disrespect later.
“Yes, Beta Brynlee. I chose to be an Omega and asked specifically to be part of the farming group since I grew farming in my last Pack before I left.” Carolyn answers, nodding respectfully to me.
“I see. So what is the problem with her suggestion?” I ask, turning to Jupiter and holding my hand out so that Carolyn stays silent.
“This she-wolf – ” Jupiter begins with malice in his voice. I growl, cutting Jupiter off in warning.
“Sorry, Beta. Carolyn suggested we turn one of the beds into a carrot bed to have more root vegetables for winter. But we already planned to plant more lettuce, spinach, and broccoli for the Pack as we only have three beds right now and we can easily freeze the spinach and broccoli.” He continues, head bowed. I look at the vegetable beds and think. Currently, we have three greenhouses. One is filled with berry bushes to provide berries for the Pack. The second houses a few fruit trees.
“What are we doing with the third greenhouse?” I ask, turning to face Jupiter.
“Nothing yet. We just finished harvesting a few crops planted inside there as we usually use it for overflow crops.” Jupiter answers, his voice sounding calmer.
“Well then here is the new plan. Plant the lettuces in the third greenhouse. This frees up a vegetable bed to plant root vegetables.” I begin to voice, a small smile forming on my lips as I think about how we best can get the two groups working together.
“Carolyn and her team can be in charge of the root vegetables while learning how we harvest the fruit and berries with your team Jupiter.” I finish. Jupiter scowls at this, turning to glare at the four Rogues who happily cheer at this decision. In the end, he agrees to train Carolyn and her three friends properly before turning on his heels and stomping toward the third greenhouse.
I make a mental note to talk with this team separately about their disrespect to Jett and Carolyn. I know that they were born and raised in this Pack when it was known as Golden Fang but that Pack no longer exists. They either need to accept things are done differently now or they can find a new Pack.
“Thank you, Beta Brynlee.” Carolyn says bringing me from my thoughts. Her eyes are half closed as she grins and for a moment I feel a sense of relief wash off of her.
“Don’t thank me. Your idea is a good one as we could use more root vegetables before winter sets in.” I shrug with a smile. After reminding Carolyn where to get the seeds for the vegetables she plans to grow, I turn to look at Ashton who throughout this ordeal had watched on in awe.
“What?” I ask my friend, Ashton just shaking his head.
“Nothing, just amazed that someone managed to put Jupiter in his place.” He chuckles out. I scoff at this, reminding Ashton that I am the Beta and don’t care who I have to put in their place when they refuse ideas from their peers. Jett states that he plans to head back to the Pack House and I offer him a ride, the three of us making our way towards my truck when I spy a black wolf walking towards the open entrance of our Pack Dungeons.
“Is that Rune?” Ashton asks, brows furrowed.
“Looks like him. Who is he following?” Jett asks, pausing from opening the passenger seat as we all stare in the same direction.
“It is him.” I answer, feeling the Mate Bond hum with my Mate being in eyesight.
“I am going to see what the hell is going on.” I add deciding that my work at the Pack House could wait. Rune left in a hurry earlier and I want to know why. Marching towards the Pack Dungeon, a three-story basement with the entrance being a stone cottage just on the edge of the forest line, I call out to Rune who pauses mid-step before the open door. Through the bond, I can feel his worry for me and my frown deepens.
[Brynlee, go back to the Pack House.] He says calmly through our link as I reach his side. His scent of vanilla and mint wraps around me and for a moment I wonder if confronting him about why he is here is a good idea.
“No.” I say, deciding that as the Beta, I need to know what is happening inside my Pack.
“You ran off without talking to me and I want to know what was so important.” I add, marching past him and towards the dungeon entrance. Rune moves quickly, his large black wolf blocking me from entering the stone cottage as he lets out a small whimper.
[Please, Brynlee. I can’t do my job as my Uncle’s Beta with you here.] He states, nudging his head against my shoulder. I sigh, feeling how important this task Gale gave Rune is to him. It is a way to prove he has changed from the playboy future Alpha to the loyal Mate and Beta that he has been working hard to become.
“Does this have anything to do with Devlyn?” I ask softly, running my fingers through his soft black fur.
[It does.] He answers, eyes closing with each pass my fingers make through his fur.
“Rune, what is taking so -oh. Brynlee.” Gale walks out of the stone cottage, a look of shock on his face to see me standing there with Rune blocking my path.
“What brings you here?” He asks, looking at Rune with a raised brow.
“I was dealing with a situation at the greenhouses when I spotted Rune coming here and I came to find out why he was here.” I answer with a shrug. Gale hums, mulling over my words as he looks towards the greenhouses. Ashton is still standing by my truck, a look of confusion on his face as he respectfully waits for me to rejoin him.
“Since you’re here, you might as well join us inside. Rune, Link Ashton and tell him we need a few buckets from the Pack House filled with ice.” Gale sighs out, motioning for the two of us to follow him. I look down at Rune, who stares between the dungeon entrance and me, worry gnawing at the bond.
[I will stand near the exit if it makes you feel better.] I link my Mate, watching his tense body visibly relax.
[Please do that. I don’t trust Devlyn and I need to know you’re safe.] Placing a soft kiss on top of his furry head, I walk past Rune and head into the dungeon. If Gale had told me to go back to the Pack House, I would have, but I am glad he invited me into the dungeons. If there is a threat to my Pack, I would rather learn right away than learn about it from someone else.