Taking Down the Alpha

37 Another Way

We hurried after Lisa. She was walking at a fast clip, so it was clearly urgent.

"What is it?" I asked, catching up to her.

"You just need to see," she said. I inwardly groaned, wondering what new problem had cropped up. We'd only had control of the pack for what? Twenty minutes? Did I really need more issues already?

We rushed down the road, and she turned sharply to the left into one of the large clearings used for pack assemblies and gatherings. To my surprise, it seemed the whole pack was waiting there. Tiki torches and streamers in the trees surrounded the area, and off to one side were tables where some pack members were already sitting, and on the other side were tables piled with food. 

Lisa turned and met my eyes with a smile. "Congratulations, Alpha and Luna."

I returned the expression and thanked her. I wasn't thrilled that she had caught me off guard like this, but I was impressed that the office staff had managed to pull the planning off without me catching wind of it. And all based on a hope that we would win. Or... "Wait, what were you going to do if we didn't win?"

She smiled sheepishly. "I'm afraid it would have been a celebration for the former alpha, Luna. My apologies."

"No, that's very practical. I approve."

"I figured you would. And for what it's worth I was hoping this would be your victory celebration. We'll all be glad to have you back in the office."

That meant a lot. "I'm looking forward to being back with all of you," I responded.

We started walking forward, but Alard pulled me backwards slightly. "Jessica, I need to go get cleaned up, but first we really  need to talk."

I nodded. "I know we do, but look at them, they're waiting for us. They want to celebrate what you did. Why don't you go quickly clean up first, and then we'll talk when we get a quiet moment?"

"This is great and all. But—"

Right at that moment we were separated by a throng of enthusiastic pack members. I sent Alard an apologetic expression. Had I even thanked him for liberating my pack? I must seem so ungrateful. As soon as I got free from the throng, I'd go over and speak to him.

"Luna. Congratulations," Marigold said as she walked up to me, Portia beside her with a bashful smile. They both tilted their heads down respectfully. "I didn't think you could pull this off, and I was very wrong."

I remembered well their pessimistic attitudes when I had tried to get support from other pack members who had been in similar situations. Those words had been disheartening, but I understood how difficult it was for us wolves to break rank so I didn't blame them. Ultimately, it had worked out in the end. "Well, I had doubts myself. But my friends and I got through." Denise and Liana deserved credit for their parts, too.

She nodded. "I truly believe we'll have a prosperous future under your direction."

"I'll do my best."

"I have no doubt you will."

I glanced around for my mate, but he had disappeared, probably to go clean himself up after all. I wondered briefly what he might have wanted to talk about, and I regretted not making time for him right away. Balancing pack responsibilities and my mate would likely be a challenge in the days to come, but I was certain that we would persevere because we were both pulling in the same direction.

Alard returned a short time later, but before he got to me he was waylaid again by pack members who seemed desperate for his attention. I could hardly blame them; Alard was pretty wonderful. And while I was biased, I was certain they were pleased to have such an improvement in the alpha department.