Alpha's Winter Promise

Episode 10 - Raindrop - Atticus' POV

I managed to get a decent night sleep and woke up feeling refreshed. Which is good because today was going to be a busy one.

I had managed to score a last minute meeting with the match maker before the men’s competition started later in the day so I needed to hustle to get out the door.

I’d already let Benni know I would meet him over at the stadium, so a quick shower, a breakfast biscuit grabbed and a peck on Agnes’ cheek as payment for the food and I was on my way.

The sky was overcast, heavy with the threat of rain so I flagged down one of the waiting cars and directed them the Raindrop Cottage, a bed and breakfast on the outskirts of the estate village. It's an appropriate name given the current weather and I rush under the cover of the wrap around porch just as the first drops start to fall.

“I hope this clears up before the events! Granny said I could go, but I hate getting wet” There’s a young boy standing under the awning with me and he extends his hand in greeting.

I take it in a firm handshake. He grins back at me. “They’re waiting for you inside, Alpha Steele. I’ll let them know you’re here!” He returns in a flash, this time with a a cookie in each fist, and another one already squirreled away in his mouth. “....ou…tan…o…in…ow” Which I take as ‘you can go in now” but translated through chocolate chip cookies.

Kids are infinitely amusing.

I step past him and poke my head into the sitting room. A middle aged woman looks up from her embroidery and her eyes crinkle with a warm and welcoming smile. Her hair is touched with silver at the temples and i’m reminded of my mother. She stands and walks over to me, opening her arms up for a hug like it’s the most natural thing in the world to hug a complete stranger.

But it’s not like hugging a stranger. I feel my throat close up and tears come to my eyes. This is warmth, comfort, protection. This is chocolate chip cookies and band-aids applied with a kiss to take away the pain. This is a hand knitted scarf and being reminded to wear your rain boots.

“There, there, dear, it’s okay, it’s okay.” She pulls back from the hug and rests her hands on my shoulders. “Look at you, all grown up now. I’m so proud of you.”

I’ve never met this woman once in my whole life, as far as I know, but I’ll be damned if that’s not exactly what I wish I could still hear from my own mother. She died in a rogue attack before I took over the pack from Dad. I would have given anything to have her tell me one more time she was proud of me.

She hands me an embroidered handkerchief. “Clean your face up, love, and come right this way.”

I’m led around to a small breakfast nook and there’s a young woman pouring tea for a Granny. She sets out a teacup for me as well, before sitting at the table with us.

I didn't have any sisters but I am not surprised when I suddenly feel the need to protect her and my spirit buoyed by the joy that radiated off her.

The Granny reaches across the table, her hands wisend, each wrinkle a testiment to her long life. She holds my hands gently, her milky white eyes looking into mine with uncanny accuracy. I just wanted to hold her hands and listen to the stories she could tell me about her life.

“Good morning little wolfling. You’re here to discuss a match.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m in need of a Luna for my pack and have not met my fated mate yet.”

“Oh, have you not?” She chuckles and pulls her hands back. I somehow am not at all surprised that I'm left holding a butterscotch candy. “Girl, hand me the list”

The youngest hands her a journal and Granny runs her fingers down the page. I can see what might be names written down, but she's not looking at the writing, her face is tilted so it feels like her gaze is just over my right shoulder.

Granny clicks her tongue and frowns, then she lets out a cackling belly laugh. The middle aged woman claps her hands together and leans over Granny’s shoulder.

“What do we have here then, Gran-gran?” Her eyes scan the page. “Well, that is unexpected isn’t it?”

“OOOOOOOOh, let me see!” The youngest hops up and looks over Granny’s other shoulder. “Oooooooooooooooooooooh, whaaaaaaa??”

Now that I see the three of them together I notice that they all look remarkably similar. The matrilineal line of their pack must be a very strong one. Granny tilts her head and runs her fingers down the page again as if she’s double checking something.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, the only other sound is the whisper of Granny's parchment thin skin on paper.

“Wolfling, I'm afraid I have bad news for you. We will not be able to designate a chosen mate match for you.”

I”m confused. I’m frustrated. “What am I supposed to do now? Just pick some she-wolf at random?”

Jericho stirs “Show some respect here, pup” he growls at me.

I run a hand through my hair and take a deep breath. “I apologize, ladies. I wasn’t expecting that answer.”

All three of them look amused. Granny speaks up, “Wolfling, it was hardly the answer we expected either. But still, payment is due for services rendered.” and that was that. There would be no arguments or begging her to keep trying, her tone expressed finality. Her features grow thoughtful. “Flowers.”

“Flowers?” I ask, trying to make sense of what she wants.

“Flowers.” She repeats as if I'm a schoolboy caught not paying attention in class.

“You want payment in flowers? I’ll have to have some delivered, but that’s no problem.” I pull my phone out of my pocket, ready to call a florist.

Her knobby finger points at my bag. “You have something with flowers on it. You must leave it here.”

The book.

I hesitate. I don’t want to relequish the connection to my mystery book-club friend.

Jericho chimes in “Payment is due for services rendered. You have to hand it over”

I reluctantly open my bag and place the floral covered romance book on the table. Three faces all look remarkably pleased with this transaction. I wouldn't have taken them as being fans of supernatural romance novels.

The middle aged woman, ushers me to the front door and gives me another hug. “Don’t worry about it dear. All you need is a little bit of patience”

“I feel like I've heard that a lot lately. But thank you for your time today, I do appreciate it.” She gives me a kiss on my cheek.

“Good luck in all your endeavors today, dearie.”

I quick step through the rain to slide into the back seat of the waiting car. I direct the driver to take me to the stadium before leaning back against the seat with a sigh.

I’m unhappy about the whole thing really. I have no idea what to tell my pack when I get home. I suppose I'll have to ask Miranda to make up a list of eligible she-wolves in our pack and may a few of the others nearby.

Or …

I could always abdicate my role and give it to Benni. He only took the Beta position because the previous one had no sons and Benni mated to his daughter. His wolf is an Alpha though, so it would just take the pack some time to get used to the idea.

The more I think about it, the more it seems like the right thing to do.

I'll need to get some time with Benni, and probably Simon, to float the idea…. I am so lost in planning my abdication of the Alpha role that I barely take note of a black SUV passing us, heading toward the Raindrop Cottage.