The Alpha's Daughter

XIV

Days passed, those days turned into weeks and suddenly the expedition was two days away. The nature of the trip had forced her to gradually spend less time with the child. She hadn’t seen the girl in three days. Emma had already bought much for the child but felt like she should splurge and shower the girl in toys before she had to leave.

Despite her decision, she felt conflicted. After all, she was using gifts to replace her presence.

She told Linus of her plan and left the compound, returning shy of noon. The Alpha crossed the threshold of the foyer, where Emilio greeted her. She was momentarily confused until he motioned for her to follow him. His brow raised at the sight of the bags but he didn't ask. Emilio waited until she was in pace with him before he spoke. “Ready for Friday?” he asked.

“Yea”, she showed off the bags with a big smile, “it’s what prompted the shopping expedition for Bailee.” He’d confirmed the pup’s position so she spent much time preparing.

“Bailee? That’s a nice name.”

“She choose it herself”, Emma smiled proudly.

Emilio smiled slightly but stared at her eight bags for a moment, “need help?”

“Nope!” She chirped.

He hummed and took half of her load despite Emma’s efforts to out manoeuvre him. “Let’s hurry to the child’s room”, he smiled victoriously.

She grumbled sulkily, “why?”

“The elders want to meet with us.”

Emma’s expression sobered and she followed her brother. After a detour to the family wing, they entered the office. The four Elders sat at the foot of the long table. Next to Elder Lavoie was his wife, and their aunt Sonia. Emilio sat at the head. Emma took her place on his left and Emmett on his right. Zoë sat beside Emma and Zane by Emmett.

Now the remaining members of the Nye family were seated. A room full of Gamma and Alphas.

“I hear there is another expedition”, Elder Pelletier opened with a smile, “we couldn’t have asked for better leadership. Every day you prove to us you will make Onyx Ridge great again.”

However, not all the elders were smiling. It’s not hard to guess they still resent Emilio for sitting in the spot of leader. This resentment was on the Alpha twins as well, since neither challenged him for the position of leader. Emmett goes as far as being Emilio’s bodyguard to defy them.

“I hear you’ve already begun investigating far north-east”, Elder Tremblay spoke after. “I thought our”, he swallowed his distaste, “connection with those vampires were already established.”

“Didn’t push it far enough”, Emmett berated the man mentally.

Emma stared at the man bored of him and his complaints. While its true vampires tended to be unpleasant, most were arrogant arses, but that was no reason to hate them. Unlike wolves, Vampires didn’t actively cross territories to provoke another race.

“Fret not”, Emmett took the floor, “our affiliation with the Northern Coven is in effect. We have new aspirations.” He looked to his twin, her expression twitched slightly so he continued. “We’ll be sending Emma on an excursion to a nomadic settlement. We hope to establish them.”

“Why?” Elder Lavoie asked. He was genuinely curious.

Emmett smiled slightly at his uncle, “by our assumption they are a group of outcasts.”

The old men furrowed their greyed brows. Emmett bit his lips, wondering if he should spin a lie to appease the other elders.

“It is to increase out numbers without adding such wolves to our pack”, Emma lied easily. “We can cement our influence with a large military power. If they are indeed exiled they would not have loyalty to the group that abandoned them.”

Emmett continued to build off his sister’s words. “As a nomadic group they have experience with livestock and agriculture. We have land we could lease to them and set up a favourable exchange. Money and food in exchange for their stay and security.”

“Is this true Alpha?” Elder Moore stroked his beard.

“Yes”, Emilio nodded, “I was the first to establish contact. They are expecting us, so we intend to speedily deliver.”

The old men nodded appeased. Emma comfortingly patted Emilio’s thigh under the table. While Emilio knew these were lies the thought of exploitation left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“That reminds me”, Samara spoke softly. The room gave her their attention, “we’re due for the Winter Convergence this year.”

“Is that so?” Emilio asked his mother. She nodded.

“This is a grand opportunity!” Elder Pelletier chuckled heartily. Emma held her breath and waited for the two-faced wolf to speak. “Emma, do you have anyone in mind?”

“Sorry?” The Luna furrowed her brow.

“Pardon me”, he chuckled, “I forget too often. Must be by old age.” Emma watched him wearily, she had a feeling she knew where this conversation was going. “When will you take an interest in someone darling. Zoe you as well”, the man turned to her. “Neither of you are getting any younger, when will you marry?”

Zoe gave the man a pointed look, and Emma quickly pinched her.

“The Winter Convergence would be a good chance to create and strengthen connections for our Ridge”, Samara added trying to redirect the conversation.

“Yes of course”, Elder Pelletier was all smiles, “it would be a grandiose opportunity to find partners for our young leaders.”

“Elder”, Emma swallowed her sigh, “I can’t even blame your old age because we have discussed this one too many times. We will not be married off. I personally choose to marry because of love and mutual respect.”

“I understand that you long for the ideal”, his smile hadn’t faltered, “but you must know my child. While a mate is promised to everyone, all are not fortunate enough to meet them.”

“I never said anything about a mate”, she smiled sharply. The man recoiled. Emilio held her hand under the table, rubbing soothing circles into her knuckles. Emma discreetly took in a breath.

“Since we are on the topic of mates”, Emma continued, “will you tell me that as well after I’m married and my true mate shows up?” Her sharp smile grew, “will you tell me that when he shows but you don’t approve of him?”

The man went silent altogether. The tragedy that happened to her mother will not befall her. Emma will not allow herself or any other woman in this pack to be used as bargaining chips. Not as long as she’s Luna.

Not as long as she’s alive.

Emmett, if he was being honest, liked to upset these folks. “On that note”, he added, “we have taken in a child.”

He turned to his sister, she told him the child’s name telepathically. The Elders looked between the Alpha twins.

“Come again?” Elder Tremblay.

Emmett grinned, “your poor excuse at defending the compound when we were gone lead to an intrusion. Bailee is in Emma’s care, the intruders have be disposed of appropriately.”

Their expression tensed, the other seniors merely seemed confused. “Where is the child now?” their uncle asked.

“The family wing”, Emilio smiled.

“What!?” Tremblay jumped to his feet in his objection. He pinned Emma with a glare, “how dare you-“

Emilio cut him off, “how dare she do what?” The old Alpha became quiet. Emilio arched his brow then smoothed out his expression. “Don’t go quiet now”, he offered an encouraging smile, “voice your concerns. You have a problem with my decision, yes?”

Elder Tremblay cleared his throat, “no discrepancies what so ever.”

“I’m glad we could reach a compromise”, Emilio was beaming.

Emmett covered his laughter with a cough. Emma covered her mouth, the Gamma twins folded their lips. Even Samara and her sister Sonia tried to cover their amusement. Satisfaction was sweet.

The man was red on his face as he sat, Emilio continued to smile, contempt carefully hidden in his expression. These old men still believe they have power because Emilio often appeased them in the beginning. Especially Tremblay, the old git didn’t know how to respond to anything other than pressure.

“Seems I should work harder on inner reform as well”, then the teen leaned back in his chair and smiled at the ceiling, “but what was that saying? Can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” Emilio straightened himself and looked at Emmett, “is there anything else.”

“I don’t know”, Emmett looked to the elders, “any other concerns?” They shook their heads.

“Good”, Emilio was already standing, “meeting adjourned. Also, don’t request anything of our Luna, she’s busy with her preparations. I’ve given Zane full command over Emma’s forces. Please to stay away from their barracks.”

Emilio stepped out first and the younger generation followed him after. Soon after the other Elders left, one after the other. Until one was left in the silence, stewing on his thoughts.

Aggravated, his teeth nicked his lip. “Damn it!” Tremblay slammed his fists into the table. Again those brats have embarrassed him. What do they know of running a pack? “I’ll show them”, he grumbled to himself.

Samara stood outside the door, her arms folded.

There was a crash inside the office. “I’LL SHOW THEM ALL!” he bellowed angrily.

The woman smiled and walked away from the office.