The Packless Wolf

Chapter 7

Reika’s dad had mind linked her to join the negotiations as she entered her room.

Reika was excited that she would finally get to see some of what her dad would do. She had only ever seen glimpses before. She knew she would get the coffee shop once her dad stepped down. That’s why she majored in accounting and minored in business. 

She knew he was wanting to step down from the alpha, but her being mateless was putting a hold on that, at least that’s what she thought. Of course, Conri, disagreed and said it was because she ran off to the other side of the country.  After her mom was killed in a rogue attack when she was 10, she took over some of her mom’s duties. She would mostly help with the meal planning and shopping. When she got older, she helped with the hosting responsibilities. Truthfully, part of her liked it, but mostly she didn’t enjoy it. Each Luna in their pack would take on different jobs. She remembered learning that her grandma took care of the budget, jobs that were traditionally the alpha’s jobs in other packs, but her grandpa hated math. Her mom though, had no issues taking on the traditional roles because she loved hosting, and decorating, and shopping. When Reika turned 16, she started working at the coffee shop on Saturday her family owned, which was located in the human town, a 30-minute drive north.    

Reika quickly showered, then got dressed. She wore a maroon loose fitted buttoned top tucked into black pin striped trouser pants with suspenders and her combat boots.   After brushing her teeth, Reika stared at herself in the mirror. She tilted her head to the side. She only saw a snippet of the person she was. You are not happy, Conri said to her. Why do you pretend to be something you are not?

And what am I supposed to be, Reika retorted?

I have told you many times.

Reika rolled her eyes. There was never any way she could be an alpha. Not only would she lose control of Conri, some of the elders of the pack had explicitly spoken against it. Yes, most of the pack was accepting, but still, the elders were against it. She had her suspicions on why since she was never told.  She left her room, making her way to breakfast.  

~

The meetings weren't like what Reika thought they would be like. They would meet with the pack member, the mate and the mate's alpha. They would ask a few questions, then the fated mates would be on their way. All in all, The Blue Ridge Pack gained 4 male wolves, all who were warriors, 2 she-wolves (1 was a warrior and 1 came from a pack who didn’t allow women to fight), 3 omegas (1 male and 2 female) and Merrick. They lost one of their female warriors, Desiree. Reika didn’t blame her though. She was mated to Jordon. He was the son of the Crescent Moon Pack’s alpha. They got to meet with everyone first, since they were the hosting pack. They finished after three hours, but it was the hosting pack’s job to be the mediator between the other pack alphas if needed. If a fight broke out between 2 packs while on another’s land, it would not be good. They had finished right before lunch. After lunch, the packs started packing and leaving. Reika knew from the past that it was customary for those traveling to the mating party to bring the things they deemed valuable with them. If they wanted, they could go back to the pack before going to the other pack to say their good-byes. Most of the wolves that attended had mated.

Reika noticed that besides Fiona and Merrick, all the other mates had already marked each other. Merrick had wanted to wait until he joined the pack. Reika struggled Reika laughed to herself about how different Fiona and Merrick looked. Merrick was still sporting the outfit he wore earlier, but Fiona, she changed into a black tattered spaghetti-strapped dress, a studded belt, fishnet stocking over ripped black stocking and black high-top converse.

After lunch it took another 2 hours for the other packs to leave. The last one to leave was the Crescent Moon Pack. Through teary eyes Desiree had said goodbye to everyone in the pack. Desiree was only 18 so Reika never hung out with her much.  

“You’re going to be a great luna,” Reika said to Desiree as they hugged goodbye. Reika could already feel the strength of her luna aura. 

“I think I have really big shoes to fill,” Desiree confessed, doubting herself.

“And they’ll be overfilled when you step in them,” Reika reassured her. “You’re one of our strongest warriors. From what I hear, everyone loves you and you're so welcoming to the new members.”

Desiree’s face turned red as she looked down at her feet. “Thanks,” she replied, “and you’ll make a great alpha.” Her blush turned into a smile.

Reika’s scrunched her nose up. “Who says I’ll be alpha,” she asked, tilting her head?

“Oh,” Desiree covered her mouth, then leaned up to Reika’s ear. “Apparently, among all the alphas there's a rumor you’re going to be the alpha soon if you don’t find a mate.”

Reika rolled her eyes, “That’s just hogwash. I’m sure my mate is out there and then he’ll be an alpha,” Reika waved her hand aside. Conri growled in her head.         

Desiree laughed and left Reika's side, walking over to her parents. Holding on to the hug from her parents a little longer. She had already mated completely with Jordon, her pack bond was automatically severed. Her parents whispered their goodbyes in her ear  After a time that felt too short, Desiree started to head to her mate’s car. She waved to the pack and got into the car.