The Beta's Justice

Chapter 13

Audrey's POV



Leaving Leon's office, I raced down the street. There was an architect's office a few streets down. It took me about ten minutes of running to get to it. By the time I reached the door, I was out of breath. I took a few minutes, trying to catch my breath. Finally, I raised my hand to knock on the door and headed inside. "Good afternoon, Ms. Audrey," I was greeted by a receptionist.

"Good afternoon," I responded. I closed the door behind myself.

"Is there something I can help you with?" She asked.

"Yes, I've received permission from the Alpha to commission blueprints for a new facility," I informed her. Suddenly, it dawned on me. I wasn't the same girl I had been. I was more somehow. So much has changed. I had changed.

"Yes, of course. Right now, the architect, Mr. Randolf is in a meeting. However, it should be over very soon. Would you mind taking a seat?"

"Not at all," I said as I found a chair and sat down. I picked up a magazine off the coffee table in front of me and began flipping through it while I waited.

After I had flipped through the magazine, I set it down and looked around the room. It was well designed or at least it looked it. The longer I waited, the more nervous I became. The door suddenly opened and two wolves came out. The wolf I guessed was Mr. Randolf walked the other out. Then he came back in. "Margret, what's my next appointment?" He asked, looking over at her.

She motioned for him to look behind him. "Audrey is here," she told him.

He turned to look at me. "Oh, yes, Audrey from the Beta family. Yes, come into my office," he said as he directed me to go with him.

He took a seat behind his dark wood desk. "How can I help you?" He asked as he opened a notebook.

"Yes, well, I've got permission from the Alpha to design a new training facility," I started to tell him. I stopped, beginning to feel overly nervous. Mr. Randolf seemed like a nice wolf. However, his appearance was a bit rougher, making me feel slightly threatened.

He pulled out his notepad, clicked his pen, and scribbled something down. "What will this new facility require? How many floors are you thinking and size?" he inquired as he looked up at me, waiting.

"I was thinking it will be the same size as the current facility. The first floor will be built for training. I am planning to add a second floor for living quarters," I told him. "It will also require reinforcement to protect against the pups and wolves with different abilities."

"I see, what kind of reinforcement will be required?" he inquired as he continued to take notes.

"Ummm... some of the pups and wolves have abilities to use some of the elements, such as water, earth, and fire. One is able to manipulate metal," I listed a few of the abilities that we were aware of.

He looked over at me perplexed. "I'm not sure of any materials that I will be able to use to reinforce the building. All the abilities seem to be able to destroy or damage the facility," he informed me.

I had worried that he wouldn't be able to build an adequate facility. The pups and wolves will need it sooner than we can have it built. Then an idea popped into my head, the twins. "I'm sure my brothers will be able to cast a kind of protective spell," I told him, feeling pretty proud of myself.

"Hunter and Axel?" he appeared even more confused.

"No, Caden and Aiden," I smiled. This was the first time I really thought of them as family. In the beginning, seeing them hurt. They were a constant reminder of my father's devious actions.

"Ah, yes, the twins. Then I will leave reinforcing the structure up to you," he commented as he jotted down another note. "Now, you mentioned that the second floor would be for accommodations, correct?"

"Yes, the pups and their parent or parents will need a place to live while they go through training and possibly after," I confirmed.

"I see. How many residents will be using the facility?"

"Umm, let me see, there are about twenty infants, twenty-five pups, and about fifteen adult wolves," I tried to give him the correct numbers, but still felt unsure.

"I will need the exact numbers. However, for now, going off the numbers you have given me, I believe one floor will not be enough. It would be best to have two floors for residence and the first floor as the training facility. I presume you will have a common area, a kitchen, and at least six to seven washrooms," he asked as he waited for my answer to make another note.

"Yes, I don't want them to feel imprisoned. I would prefer for it to feel as homey as possible," I agreed with his assessment.

"I can begin drawing up plans now. I will need the exact number of residences to make sure the upper floors are designed properly. Before we end this meeting, are there any specifications you would like for the training facility?"

"I will contact you with an exact number later today. I am planning to go to the training arena after our meeting," I informed him. "As for the training floor, I would like to make it with four different sections. Each one is dedicated to a different terrain. Dessert, forest, mountain, and water," I watched as he made his final note before looking back up at me.

"You have a lofty request. However, I look forward to starting on it. I should have sample blueprints drawn up by end of week. I will give you different options for each floor. Then you will be able to select what each floor will be built as," he told me.

"Thank you very much. If you complete the prints before, please contact myself or Darren. He is usually with me," I quickly told him.

"Darren?" He asked. I realized that not everyone knew about the twins and even fewer knew about Darren.

"He came from another pack. He is my mate," I felt my cheeks redden.

"Full name?" he inquired.

"Darren Jones."

"Yes, yes, if we are done early then we will contact you or Darren Jones," he said as he wrote his name down.

"Thank you very much," I said as I stood and left his office.

Leaving the office, I felt light. Everything was beginning to move forward in a positive way. We were rebuilding, hopefully, a better pack in the end. Pulling out my phone, I called Darren.

"Hey," he answered. I proceeded to tell him everything that had happened with Leon and then the meeting with Mr. Randolf. "Wow, you've been busy," his voice held pride in it, making my heart skip a beat.

I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my lips. "Yes, very busy. I am heading to the arena. Meet me there?" I asked.

"I'm heading that way now, too," he responded.

We talked on the phone until we saw each other just outside of the arena. I could feel the bond, but it wasn't strong. Not yet. But when our eyes met, my heart skipped a beat and quickened all at the same time. He came right over to me and pulled me into a hug. "I missed you," he whispered into my hair.

"You saw me like an hour ago," I giggled.

"An hour is a long time," he gasped, as though I had shot him.

"Fine, it is a long time," I wrapped my arms around his waist.

We stood like this for a long while before we pulled apart. "Do you know where the twins are?" I asked, remembering I needed to ask them to do a protection spell over the new facility. I figured it was better to ask them now and give them time to prepare whatever they may need to prepare.

"They are in the arena, I believe," he informed me.

"Okay, let's go," I said as I turned and went to the door. I naturally slipped my hand into his and we walked through the doors together.

Having him at my side made me feel stronger. "Audrey!" Lila squealed as she raced over and jumped at me. Quickly, I let go of Darren's hand to grab hold of her and try not to fall over.

"Hi, Lila," I said, laughing as I set her back down on her feet.

"You're late today," she mopped.

"I am working on a big surprise for everyone, so I couldn't come here right away like I usually do," I explained without explaining. I didn't want to give away what I was really doing.

"What are you doing? What's the surprise?" She grabbed my hand, begging me to tell her.

I raised my hand to my lips and made the locking motion. "Secret," I grinned at her.

"Come on," she pleaded.

"Nope," I laughed. "Come on, let's get everyone's training started." I pulled her gently alone. I figured I would get the training session started and speak with the twins during or later when I didn't have little listening ears.

As the pups and adults gathered, I did a head count, trying to make a mental note of how many there actually were. When I finished, I counted thirty-five pups and twenty-three adult wolves. Then there were the twenty infants in the far corner of the arena. I looked around, they were exhausted. Living in the arena wasn't good for them, but there was nowhere else to house them, not yet. "Alright, for today's training, we will start with the usual warm-up then go straight to hand-to-hand combat. Do not use any of your abilities. The point of this part of training is control. We all need to control our abilities," I reminded them. We had been training for a few weeks now, but still, every once in a while, someone would accidentally use their ability or suddenly they would have access to it, and then someone would get hurt. We tried to keep a doctor at the arena, especially for training sessions.

I watched as everyone began jogging around the arena and then moved into stretching. As they did, an idea popped into my head. A running track above the first floor. One that they could use while others were training their ability or combat skills. One that they could look over a railing and watch if they wanted to. I made another mental note to mention it to Mr. Randolf. These wolves would see that they aren't being punished. I knew that's how many of them felt, but I wanted them to see that we intended to take care of them and their pups. Once everyone completed their warm-up and paired up, I stepped away to call Mr. Randolf before I forgot any of my mental notes.

Darren's POV

Audrey's working so hard. I admired that about her. She was really taking her redemption to the next level. I watched as she left the arena, pulling out her phone as she went. Turning back around, I saw the twins. "Caden, Aiden," I called them over to me.

"What?" Caden grumbled, looking up at me with disinterest.

Aiden elbowed him. "Be more respectful. He's an alpha," he chided him.

They looked so much alike but were so different. "Audrey has a request for you. She's stepped out just now to make a call, but suspect it won't be long. You should go and see what she wants," I told them.

Aiden nodded, but Caden didn't look as though he wanted to move. "She's not even our sister, why should we care?" he muttered.

"She may not be our sister, but they treat us like family," Aiden shot at him.

"Doesn't mean I need to keep doing everyone favors. With Nova, yea, we had to. It was mom's fault. But now, I think our debt is repaid and I'm tired," he sighed.

Without warning, Aiden struck Caden. "Stop it! Stop being a wimp! Stop being lazy! We finally have a real home with people who care about us. Don't ruin it!" He groaned at his brother. I had never seen them fight, let alone hit each other.

Caden stood back up, brushed the dirt from his clothes, and faced his brother. "They only speak to us when they need us. They don't invite us to family meals or check on us. Only when they need something! I will not be used like some fool!" He yelled at him. His face beat red.

"Maybe they would, if you weren't such a jerk!" Countered Aiden. "I wouldn't invite family either. You're so off-putting!"

"Then you don't have to. Let's not be family anymore," Caden screamed at him.

"What is going on?" I heard Audrey come up behind me.

"Nothing," Aiden responded, trying to force a smile. He wanted so much to be accepted and have a family. It was written all over his face.

"Caden?" She asked as she turned to him.

"I won't be used," he responded, his voice steadfast.

"Who is using you?"

"You and this stupid pack," he glared at her, but she seemed unfazed.

"How are we using you?"

"We saved Nova, we helped train these pups and stop them from killing each other and you want us to do some unknown favor too," he spoke in a rush, as though if he were to slow down, the words wouldn't come out.

"Then I am being used to," she responded with a shrug.

"How?" Caden glared at her.

"I am training these wolves because I am the only one with the power to also control them and I have control over my powers. I was also sent to take care of Nova and retrieve those pups. I am now in charge of creating a home for them. So, I am being used too," she responded coolly.

Caden stood silent, unsure of how to respond and so Audrey continued. "Darren is being used to help these pups. Leon was forced to become Alpha while Nova was still encased, Hunter ran the pack for a few weeks, Luna Lily is a grief counselor right now, and warriors are pulling double shifts," she listed. "We are all used one way or another," she finally concluded.

Cade remained silent, but still fuming. "We allow ourselves to be used in order to help others and the pack. But we are not used to others feeling gratitude for our actions. You have no idea how much this pack is growing to respect you both and that is because you think that we only wish to use you. We are Ryker and we are not Catherine. We will not use you and then throw you away when you have outlived your usefulness." Her words seemed to calm Caden to some extent. His shoulders relaxed and the redness on his face disappeared.

"Fine, what do you need?" He grumbled, trying hard to appear as though her words had any effect on him.

"Research," she said simply, trying to pique his interest.

"Research?" He asked.

"Yes, I am planning on building a training facility and home for these wolves. But due to their powers, it is extremely hard to make a facility that they can't destroy when we start to train them to actually use their powers. That's where you two come in," she smiled at them.

"You want us to research a spell to make the facility indestructible," Aiden responded, appearing excited about this new challenge.

"Exactly," she smiled.

"Fine, we'll do it," Caden relented.

"Oh, and family dinner tonight at seven. Don't be late. Darren is cooking and you won't want to miss it," she told them.

"I am?" I asked. We hadn't talked about that.

She nudged me lightly and I instantly knew she had overheard more of the conversation than I or they realized. "I guess I am," I laughed. "Any requests?"

"Hamburger," Caden quickly responded.

"Hamburgers it is then," I smiled. His expression lightened.

"Come on, Aiden, let's go," he said as he dragged his brother out of the arena.