Crescent

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

"I'm glad to see you have chosen a beta," Alexander says as we walk toward his office. We just finished breakfast, taking some coffee to go as well, and are heading to work on alpha and luna duties.

I'm excited to see exactly what my role is supposed to entail and also work on plans to even out the work, chores, and training amongst the pack. A plan already lays itself out in my mind: figure out exactly how this pack functions, then call other packs that we have good standing with and see how they organize everything. Blake has talked about other packs before, but said we only associate when we have to - like alpha meetings, ascensions, and the yearly ball. I think I would like to plan a meeting to visit a pack that has similar values of my own. Then, I could speak to the luna there and try to figure out a new plan for our pack. "It wasn't my doing," I say as I pull myself back from the whirlwind of thoughts in my head. "He was just there when I woke up and, I don't know, some part of me created a bond with him. It was ethereal, almost. I didn't understand what was happening, but then we started talking without speaking. We could just feel what the other thought. It was amazing."

Through the beta bond, I can feel Tom walking a distance behind us - like a chaperone. It is his job to make sure the contract doesn't get broken, so I'm thankful for his presence. My thankfulness must have drifted to him because I feel his welcomeness float back.

"It is something else, isn't it? The pack link is similar, just slightly less, and I've heard the mate link is more." Alexander nudges his office door open and allows me inside first. I gave him a respectful smile.

"Is a chosen mate bond similar to a regular mate bond?" I set my coffee down to retrieve the notebook from under my arm. I've brought a pencil and paper in order to write things down, so that I can study on my free time.

Alexander freezes just in the doorway. He was in the process of holding the door open for Tom, but instead lets it slam close. I mentally tell Tom to wait out there and eavesdrop in order to manage us, but still provide privacy. "I think that would be a question for Blake's role, don't you?" His tone seems to hold annoyance, but I don't comment. I remain silent as I sip some coffee and sit down on the guest side of the large desk. He sighs. "No. A chosen mate bond is no where near as strong as a blessed bond - not even as strong as a beta bond. It is probably the same as the pack bond, but with a more openness that you wouldn't normally give a regular pack member."

I take all the information in as I title a page 'bonds' and make a diagram of strongest to weakest and how they are formed. "Zach is your third in command, right? Do you have a bond with him?"

He shuffles some papers around before sitting and logging in to the desktop computer stationed in front of him. "Somewhat. The gamma bond is slightly more, and the chief warrior bond is the same as the pack link. However, there is more consideration when blocking them out mentally. For instance, I block almost all regular pack members feelings except for fright or pain. My wolf communicates with the rest of the pack through their wolves, so there is a closer link between them than our human sides. My wolf will let me know if anything major happens and he will use discretion when letting someone through to talk to me."

"How many people do you have in the pack?"

The morning continues with my questions and note taking, but I start to feel bad when I realize he hasn't gotten any work done. I've been so busy asking questions that Alexander hasn't even had a drink of his now cold coffee. I offer to refill our glasses and tell him to get started with whatever he needs to be doing. He tries to object, but I shrug him off before leaning over the desk to grab his cup. He has it placed on his right side which happens to be on the far side of the desktop, so I end up stretching and arching in order the grab the mug. I realize I accidentally placed my chest in his face when I catch his eyes cast toward my fullness.