My Mate's Joy

Chapter: Five

Chapter Five: Monkeying Around
{ Vale }

"That was delicious as usual Flora." I sounded.

She smiled and started to gather the dishes, Jessa got up to help her.

"Come on Vale, lets talk business in the office."

I got up as Flora was insisting that Jessa didn't need to help her and sent Jessa off to relax, of course my niece and nephews pulled her outside and I knew she'd be occupied until I saved her from the heathens.

"So." I said as I entered Ash's office. "Financial troubles?"

Ash took a seat behind his desk and gestured for me to take the seat in front of him, "More or less...My father in law was more charitable than he had to be, he loaned out most of the packs reserves and if we're not careful with our own pack spending Flora and I will be coming out of pocket...and with this unexpected blessing of a new child coming soon, my mate and I are cutting it pretty close here."

We talked for hours going back and forth about ways he could improve his finances.

I sighed, "You could always talk with Titus or Victor." I offered.

"Suffice it to say, I'm not exactly thrilled to have to admit to you none the less anyone else that I'm not capable of managing my packs funds properly."

I sighed "you're more than capable Ash and you're only doing what you can with the pack that you were left, debt and all...I'm just lucky Dad was such a fucking tightwad otherwise I have no doubts that I'd be in the same boat." Then I shrugged "you only have one option... I can give you what I can for now, I know you won't accept handouts so you'd have to pay me back but you can take your time paying it back until your pack is stable."

He nodded.

"I'll do what I can without drying my own accounts up, but you'll have to toughen up and require repayment from the allies that borrowed from you." I said.

"They'd see me as weak."

I shook my head, "some may, but last I checked it was them that needed to borrow it in the first place...and no one's pack is exactly struggling at the moment...plus I happen to know you are allies with three very lucrative packs that hold big industries, request the payment in cash upfront or share holdings in their companies, either way you're getting the debt they owe and you're making money in the process."

He nodded, "When did you become mister big shot Alpha?"

Once again I shrugged, "I've been taking online classes for business and accounting ." I admitted."

"Good on you kid."

"If there's nothing else...I should probably save my assistant from your children."

Ash chuckled and waved me away before I left his office and let myself outside of the house, I found the majority of them on the old playset.

_____

{ Jessa }

I watched as the kids played without a care in the world...they'd been at for a few hours now but they didn't even seem fazed or tired. But myself on the other hand...my mind was filled with multiple things at the moment.

'Wonder if Mom's okay?'
'Did I email the budget for the upcoming banquet to George?'
'Did I pack any floss?'
'I hope we don't have to reschedule my meeting about the festival.'
'I'll have to reimburse Vale for the hotel room.'

"Jessa, will you push me?" The youngest of the children asked in a pleading tone as he climbed onto a swing.

I smiled, I've always adored children and I couldn't help but smile as I got up to oblige him, Just then I watched as Vale exited the pack house and joined the older boys.

"Uncle Vale, do the monkey bars." One insisted.

"I'm in a freakin suit kid." He smirked.

"Ah come on...you getting weak old man?" The oldest boy asked

"Old man?" Vale chuckled as he removed his suit jacket, then he undid his cufflinks and unbutton his top shirt. He carefully tossed his jacket and top over onto a nearby bench. "I'll show you that your uncle Vale is neither old or weak." He smirked as he hopped up and took hold of one of the bars.

We all stood there and watched him expertly swinging back and forward on the monkey bars, to which I have to admit I also enjoyed much more than I should have as his silly attempt to show off for his nephews only emphasized his muscular arms and broad shoulders.

"Jessa push me higher." The little boy sounded snapping me out of my trance.

"Hold on tight." I said as I pushed him a little higher than before, I listened to the sound of his laughter and tried to clear my head, I needed to snap out of out. The last thing I need is to start looking at Vale as anything other than my boss and Alpha.

"Jessa." Vale sounded as he walked over, he lifted the bottom of his muscle shirt up and used the hem to clear away any sweat from his forehead.

So when I glanced over at him I had to reign in my wolf as I was now looking at his very toned abs. Once he dropped his shirt he pushed back his hair that had fallen into his face.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"You ready to go, I wanna grab a nap and then we have to get ready for dinner tonight...there's gonna be more Alpha's than orginally expected this weekend, so we're going to need more formal attire."

I was fixing to explain how I hadn't packed anything formal.

He held his hands up and smirked, "Don't worry, I'll cover it, and I don't want any protests Jessa."

"It's really too much, I'll have to pay you back, for a room and a dress now."

He shook his head, "This is my mess up so let me make it up to you okay...no repayment necessary, or at least...I won't accept your money."

"I'll have to reorganize the schedule to fit in a shopping trip." I sighed.

He shook his head once again, "No schedules this weekend, as a matter of fact I don't want you to work at all this weekend..."

"Then why did you bring me Vale?"

"So you can see what I do, get aquainted with these people firsthand as you will be dealing with them in my place from time to time, especially next month." He pointed out. "Remember I'm going out of town in two months for my best friends wedding."

"I remember, and I've got it covered."

"And that's why you are the best...now come on, I'm exhausted."

We told the kids bye and promised to see them later as we had to return for dinner with their parents anyways.

Flora and I walked to the front of their home to give the brothers a moment longer to talk before the Alphas would arrive tonight.

"I really am terribly sorry." Flora sounded embarrassed.

I shook my head, "Whatever you're apologizing for please don't, everything's good." I tried to assure her.

"No please... with the rooms, I should have known better than to start the rooms so close to Vale coming over... and then to suggest that you two are in a relationship..."

"Please." I said as I felt the heat rising to my face, "Vale is a very nice man but he's also my boss and more so my Alpha who I respect a great deal." But even I had to admit that Flora's earlier suggestions had planted that small seed of wonder in my mind...and now I was trying to bury it down deeper away from the forefront of my mind. I need to work and focus.

"Of course, and once again, my deepest apologizes."

I nodded, "Thank you." I said as the men came finally joined us and Vale and I took off shortly.