Saved by a Cupcake

17. Mia

Mia's POV

The days leading up to the training program slowly ticked by. After my resting day, I hit the ground running. I decided we as a pack needed a way of earning money besides the method we have been doing. We usually have all the pack members pay rent and utilities. However, rent is way too high, and I want to make sure Diamond Heart is financially safe for a long time.

So I asked some of our richer pack members for business ideas to bring us in some more money. A couple of them wrote up business plans for the council to approve. Since Diamond Heart is in the small town of Sandusky, we decided we could building something in the middle of our town and the next.

Plan A was to open up an Italian restaurant that serves Italian dishes, especially pizza. Plan B was to open a sports bar. Plan C was to build a coffee shop and used bookstore. The council approved of all three ideas. To narrow it down, we were going to have the pack vote.

During our meeting, we had a presentation for each business. After the presentation, all of the pack members submitted an anonymous ballot decided which business they want to open. We tailed all the votes, and the pack decided upon an Italian restaurant, Bello Italiano. So those plans are in action, the council and business people are in control of this project. It was out of my hands, and I was grateful.

Even after immersing myself into my work, I was still lonely and miserable. I need James whether I like it or not. I was hoping by now he would have called or at least texted an apology or something. His silence was maddening. However, I pressed on.

It was now the day that begins the training program. Isabella brought the warriors from the Broken Light Pack this morning. I was so excited to see her, even though she was packing up to go back. She was leaving tomorrow to return, while the program itself is two weeks. Isabella was the happiest I've ever seen her. I felt so happy for her.

Riverside Pack was the next to bring some of their warriors. Thankfully Alpha George did not come back here. Another one of our allies, Shadow Pack, arrived next with five of their warriors. Moon Hunters Pack was next with three warriors training. The last pack to arrive was Eclipse Pack. I was hoping that they would just bring warriors but not James. I expected him to hurt me again if he showed up.

Beta Ben tried to tell me I can stay in my office for the day, but I was not going to hide away from my problems. I also wanted to welcome the other packs here. So when the Eclipse Pack did arrive, I felt his presence too. This was weird since he was their alpha and did not need to be here for this.

I decided to make a grand appearance during lunch. Beta Ben thought it would be a good idea to have all the trainees get to know each other before the training started. So at noon, I left my office, and Isabella walked down with me to lunch. We usually have pack members eat lunch in our dining hall but decided that would be too much for our trainees. So we decided to have their first lunch just then.

The butterflies fluttered around in my stomach. My hands were super sweaty as I made my way into the dining hall. Isabella calmed me down some before I made my way in front of the trainees. I could feel his eyes on me, but I ignored him.

"Welcome to Diamond Heart Pack. I am Alpha Mia. We are so happy to host this program. Our goal is to help all of our allied packs with keeping their warriors in tip-top shape to fight our enemies. We welcome the Riverside, Shadow, Moon Hunters, Broken Light, and Eclipse Packs. I am so happy everyone made it here safely. I will not be your main trainer for this program; I have enlisted our very special and talented warrior Greyson to lead this program. We hope you learn new tactics, strategies, and moves to bring back to your packs. Thank you, and enjoy the food." I said confidently, even though his eyes were making me sweat.

Everyone started to eat as Isabella lead me to the buffet. "This is going to be so good, too bad I can't look at any of these men." She said pouting. We both laughed. "Because that is the worst thing in the world being tied down to one person." I teased.

"At least she is hot; I will give her that," Isabella said with a smirk. "Keep it in your pants." We both laughed and sat down. I could feel him moving closer to us until he sat down in front of me. He looked just as miserable as I felt.

"Mia, I will be forever sorry for what I did to you. I hope you will take me back and let me take you out on a proper date. I want to know the real you, Mia." He said, looking deep into my eyes. My stomach twisted as I heard the sadness in his voice. I reached out and grabbed his hand.

"Of course, James." His smile lit up his whole face. "You are too good for me, and I don't deserve you," James told me, and I blushed. "I think it is the other way around," I told him.

He turned to Isabella, shocked to see her. "I thought you were going to the Broken Light Pack?" He asked, and she smiled.
"I found my mate, so I'm packing up all my stuff to move there."
"Congratulations, I am sure that you two will be happy. What's his name?" I chuckled, and he looked at me curiously.

"My mate is actually Alpha Crystal, Alpha's Paul daughter." His eyebrows raised but then dropped. "Good for you, she's going to need a lot of support right now and needs a strong luna."

The mention of luna made me flinch. I hope James didn't come here to beg for me to be his luna. I really hope he has changed for the better, and we can together for a compromise. Maybe combine our packs together. We could get a house in the middle of our packs and keep both of our titles.  I know one thing for sure is that I refuse to step down as alpha.

I know James noticed my reaction but didn't say anything. We would have to continue that part of the conversation later, probably on our date. I got more butterflies thinking about our date. I was excited about it.

"Moving on from your wonderful news, I was hoping to have our date maybe tonight. So that way before Isabella leaves, you can help Mia get ready, and she can gush to you tomorrow about it." James said, and I was surprised he thought of Isabella.

"Yeah, that will work for me," I said, and Isabella shot me am impressed look. James left us, knowing we wanted some girl time. "I am so impressed with him already," Isabella told me, and I nodded.
"I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop, though. I don't know what our future looks like." I admitted, and she squeezed my arm.

We finished the rest of our lunch with her telling me all about her new pack and mate. I listened to every detail as both an Alpha and a friend. Alpha Crystal seems to have the pack on her side; no one has rebelled or ran off to be a rouge. Isabella assures me that she is going to be a good alpha.

Once we finish lunch, I return to the office while she finishes packing. I get through all my stuff and help her with her packing. We listened to some music and danced around having fun. Around four, she pushed me into the shower. She then helped me pick out clothes for the date. Isabella also did my hair and makeup again. By the time six rolled around, I was ready.