Tug of War

6 | revelation

6.

revelation

The first step I took to prep myself was to assess all that I had to take on today.  

        As I lay in bed, I thought about the fight with Grayson last night.  I'd known him for less than 24 hours, and we'd yet to have a civil conversation together.  I would have to mend that before the mass pack meeting.  An actual attempt at a truce had to be made.  

        That was another thing that I had to take on - the announcement to the packs.   In retrospect, it was rather terrifying, because the packs could react either way.  There were some members who were like Anthony, who had created a neighboring rivalry with the Mystic Storm pack.  It wasn't that we interacted with each other often.  It was just pride; wolves were very proud animals.  If they felt that there was an imbalance in authority in each pack, they could riot.  With the deaths of their Alphas, their brains were already scattered and a little lost.  It was a delicate balance.  

        I knew that I also needed to take time to sit down and absorb all that has been happening in the whirlwind of the past couple of days.  I didn't really think the weight of everything - the genocide of a third of my pack, the death of my parents, being named leader of a pack - had hit me full force yet.  I'd just been going through the motions; I was numb  And I knew that, when I did, it would hit me like a boulder.  I knew now was as good a time as any, but that was something I really couldn't face now. 

        My pondering was halted by the overpowering scent of coffee permeating through my room.  It was a scent that I was familiar with.  Every morning, my mom made coffee as strong as she possibly could.  It was just that memory that held enough allure to make me curious as to whom was making it in the Alpha floor kitchenette.  Grayson didn't exactly seem like a latte drinker.

        Throwing my comforter off, I fixed my long night shirt and stood.  My feet made soft padding sounds on the carpet as I walked out of my room and down the hallway to the center of the floor, where the kitchenette was located.  Resting her forearms on the island was one of the last people I expected to see.

        Elder Buchanan stood with a mug of coffee in her hand and a friendly smile on her face.  

        "'Morning, Alpha Spencer," she greeted me.  The formalities sent a pang through my chest.  "How'd you sleep?"

        "Well enough," I responded cautiously as I seated myself on one of the island counter stools.  Though I had no problem with her being here, I still didn't know why exactly she was.  "Not that I'm not glad to see you, but why exactly are you here?  In the pack house?" I quickly glanced at the microwave clock.  "At seven in the morning?"

        "Oh, you know," she waved nonchalantly as she finished her cup of coffee and moved to the counter to pour another, "to check up that our co-Alphas are getting along.  Make sure Anthony hasn't castrated my grandson.  

        "And since Wesley isn't screaming in agony, I suspect his manhood is still intact for now.  Which leaves you and Grayson.  I hope the two of you are getting along better than the last time I saw you, as I'm sure you know how important it is?"  She raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

        I paused in response.  I couldn't exactly lie to her and tell her that everything was Candyland and rainbows.  Yet, the truth was still hesitant to come from my mouth.  I knew how how much this meant for the future of the pack, that their Alphas got along.  So, I just gave a lame, "Eh," in response with a sheepish look.  

        Elder opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted Grayson stepping out of the mating wing corridor and into the kitchen.  

        "Alpha Grayson," she smiled as she sipped from her cup.  His head whipped up to her, and he took the two of us in.  I was sure we were quite the sight, with me in a messy bun and oversize shirt and Elder Buchanan made up in her classic business formal wear.  "Alpha Spencer was just telling me about how you two were getting along."