Wolf Tech 6: The Pups

Chapter 3

Layla had held back a day, as she would have been really fighting tears all the way. She had got word that 'due to budget cuts,' she 'was no longer needed.'

Her research had been her life since she graduated! Now, she had no idea what to do, she just knew she was welcome at the pack, and she had gotten to know the pack over the last decade. She was glad she had decided to approach them when they first came out to help with her climate details way out in the 'untouched' mountains. She had forged a friendship, and was welcome out at the pack, even if some ideas they had shared, they had asked her to keep to herself.

She would talk to the Alphas. They were almost like parents to her now, since hers died. Her mother when she was a teen, and her father a couple years before.

Adam had sent a couple wolves to pick her up and bring her out after the funeral. This time she didn't want to impose and had driven herself out, and hadn't called to tell them.

Driving up to the gate the guard came out, "Layla, was there something wrong? You were expected yesterday."

Layla shook her head, "Had an issue come up. I just forgot to let the pack know. I'm sorry."

The guard nodded, and signalled for his partner to open the gate. She was known enough that they didn't need to see her Pack Friend necklace, or the ID bracelet on her wrist. He did make a note that she had smelled very upset, and let the Alpha know.

*****

She was still not used to having the Thetas taking care of her, so she pre-empted it by putting her vehicle away herself instead of stopping at the door. They had opened the back of her SUV even before she had her seatbelt off.

They disappeared off before she could even sigh about them doing so, knowing they would pretend to not hear her complaints.  Today, she was out of it enough that she didn't say anything.  She was going to need some time with the alphas.

Alpha Adam met her at the door to the packhouse, giving her a big hug. She started crying again as he wrapped her in his hold. He didn't say anything, just picked her up and carried her inside, heading straight for the Alpha wing, and sitting down on the couch in his suite with her in his lap.

Zane followed them in. The gate guard had contacted him as well about what he had scented. Once they walked into the Alpha's suite, Tessa showed up with some food and drinks for everyone. He settled down across from Adam. Depending on what was wrong he would need to know.

"Let it out. It is safe here, you are among friends. Let it out." Adam said quietly. He knew that it was better to let her cry than try to get her to stop.

"M-m-m-my p-p-p-position is being e-e-e-eliminated." Layla stuttered after crying for a while. "I don't know what to do!"

Adam just rubbed her back, "I heard there was some cutbacks happening, and when you didn't show yesterday, I got concerned."

"I don't have any other work. I haven't done anything else." She cried. "I love doing research, but there is nothing else, and no where else to do it near here!"

Tessa knew what Layla like to drink and had it ready for her, "Here, have some tea. I added a bit of extra honey to it. You smell like you needed the energy the honey will give you." She settled down next to Adam and Layla and leaned against her.

Adam sent a thought down to Healer McCoy, the head of medical. He had a lab that was part of the medical section, but wasn't used that much. He wished Toms was around, as the Cougar, while not being a pack member—it would really surprise all the wolves if he decided to join—was also a Pack Friend and had taken a job to be a roving courier to the many packs and prides, to be independent of all. He was Pack or Pride friend to many groups, and the only one that was close to the number was Zane.