Another Chance

Chapter 4- New Years Ball Part I

In the morning, Alpha Derick mindlinked his Luna, "You remember the New Year's Ball?"

Luna replied via mind-link, "The preps are underway love, don't worry. The packs have been sent invitations. We have received a few RSVPs already, others are being followed up."

"What would I do without you?"

"That's not an option", she mindlinked.

"I already miss you. Come to my office when you are free," he said.

"You act like a hopeless romantic. It's already the 28th today. There is a lot of work left to do," she urged.

"The pack can take care of itself for once. I want to retire soon. Our little girl will soon have her wolf and a mate." he says, thinking about the future.

"Yes, if all goes well. Something tells me it won't be a smooth ride."

"I agree, even my wolf seems restless. There are just too many prying eyes on our pack. Our girl is not yet ready."

"Then, you agree that we will have to push her harder."

The alpha sighs agreeing, as if she can hear him from his office. Alpha finally decides to walk over to his Luna and help her. He walks through the door, when Gamma Garrett mindlinks, "Ugh! Work." He asks his Gamma to come to the office. The offices and the couple bedrooms on the Alpha floor are all soundproof. Only the kid's rooms are not, to keep an eye and an ear to them.

Gamma Garrett walks into the Alpha's office without knocking. Most of the time, the Beta, Gamma, and Delta simply walk in as they get prior permission to reach Alpha before they even make their way there. The office has an overlooking wall painted in natural green colors and shades of black. The furniture is made from ebony wood, artistically hand-crafted to give a modern contemporary look. The decorative pieces on the table and around the room are made from "Dalbergia melanoxylon", also known as African Blackwood. The room gets added grandeur with statement lighting. From the statement luxury chandelier to the chic white chair, these design-led elements have been styled to create a modern home office idea that oozes luxury. The window overlooks the entire pack, which magnifies the feeling of power.

"What's up?" Alpha motions for Garrett to take a seat. While taking the seat, the Gamma replies, "Alpha", he pauses. On occasions of business, Gamma and Beta do not go via a first-name basis with Alpha Derrick. The word makes Derrick alert about the serious tone of his Gamma. Garrett continues, "There is some activity around the pack borders". He switches on the satellite mode. "I know it ddoesnt seem alarming yet. Right now it just feels like rogues are living, however, we both know, given the upcoming ball its too much of a coinciddence. Also, Debra will be coming of age soon. I just don't want to take any chances."

Derrick mindlinks Harry to come to office. As if expecting it, Harry, the Delta of the pack enters. Alpha says, "I see you have both discussed before coming to me."

Harry cleared his throat, "The patrol has been informing for this past week. There have been more sightings since Christmas. Something major seems to be happening."

Alpha replies, "So, you are saying that the rogues are just living there. They do not want an asylum here."

Both the Gamma and the Delta just nod.

"Hmm.. " Derrick nods. "Do we have any rogues who are being tested currently?"

"Yes Alpha," Garrett replies, "There are two."

"How are they faring?" Alpha asks.

"Seems okay. However, that is what is bothering me."

"How so?" Alpha asks again.

"It's as if they know the drill" Gamma replies.

"Switch it up then. Take it to Level 3 testing mode. Do we have any rogues that have either just been added to our pack, just given residence in the pack near the forests, or are waiting for their residence to be built?"

"Yes, alpha. I will get the list and cross-check", Gamma replies.

"No need, we know one is a traitor. Don't cross-check. Take them to the training ground, the one in the pack. Have a few warriors attend too. Delta, see to it that the best warriors attend and one spy. Have them report as soon as the group is formed. We will take a Level 5 rogue test for all in front of the whole pack as soon as you can assemble them all together. Also, make sure, no one is aware of it. I will let the Betas and Luna know."

"Yes, Alpha," Delta Harry continued, "I will send Aspen, who is a warrior and spy. Most people confuse him for a brawn. He is a goodd spy who just looks too stupid."

The Alpha nods, "Delta gets the surveillance team on each of these participants. Both our guys and the suspected ones. No one should spot a finger on it." He continues, "Gamma, help Harry with the technology required, you know the drill. Let's flush them out. Put someone to watch out for the activity outside the pack. Also, Delta, if any of the spies pass today's test, ask them to meet me at the watch tower."

Harry smiles and shrugs, "You know all of our guys will pass."

Alpha nods. They both open the door with a serious look on their faces. Taking a deep breath, they both stroll out casually as if they are not on some mission. Both laugh and talk while mind-linking instructions to their respective subordinates. For onlookers, it was just a meeting with regard to the New Year's Ball. However, the test will commence at 4 am with the first light. They both decide to announce the test in the evening during dinner time. It will be a test to choose the warriors who will be on the security detail of the Alpha family. The cover was good.

Meanwhile, the Delta secured the perimeter of the pack border with more equipment and Beta Wizard helped cloak the wolf's smell, sound, and vision of others, making the working wolves invisible to any eye. The Delta team installed more cameras, covering blind spots, not that there were any. They just installed hidden cameras, the locations of which were only visible to the team. All the videos will be aired live to the R&D facility. The distance between 2 wolves around the border was decreased, which was negligible for a regular eye.

The wizards and witches coven, which they also refer to as a Clan, as it consists of wolves and witches alike. Witches are humans who can perform magical art. Wolves have inherited or learned the art from their ancestors who were either witches or wizards. Inheriting ancestral art. Mooncrafters is the only blessed clan that can live among the wolves safely in the world. It's judged and envied far and wide by other major clans. Of course, prosperity and power add to the mix of the number of things to be hated for. Handful powers are known to the public. Mostly they and their powers are kept secret from society itself.

The Mooncrafters enforce another layer of protection to the R& D facilities.

As evening dawns, the work at the packhouse runs as usual. As dinner time approaches, once everyone is in their seats, Alpha Derrick looks at Garrett, to whom he nods. Derrick clears his throat, seated at the center table with his family, and says loudly, "My dear pack members, sorry I couldn't call a meeting earlier. As you know, the New Years Ball is coming soon. Some of you may already be busy with the preparations. It has come to my attention that our new members who were recently added want to participate as well. So, Gamma Garrett has come up with a fantastic idea. I will let him speak." With that, he nods to Garrett.

Debra looks at her father and then to her uncle Garrett as he begins, "Good evening, Silver Moon Pack! Since we have received requests from our new members for participation in the upcoming Ball, we have decided to add to the security detail of Alpha's family. It is one of a kind chance to prove yourself. All who are interested can open the pack app and send your name. Everyone will be informed of the interviews via the pack link. Please do this while the dinner is over." He continues, "You will find a form that you will have to fill up. All the answers are required and will be matched. As much as we appreciate many participants, please make sure you will be able to fill up the role. Thank you. "

As soon as the announcement was made, every pack member took their phones out and starts looking at the form. Few just browse through. Few who have responsibilities for the day of the Ball don't even bother to look at their phones. Few who were interested saw the criterion and decided not to.

Alpha Derrick looks at Gamma, as he is unsure about this diversion. He mindlinks Garrett keeping a stoic face and taking a spoonful of hot and sour chicken soup in his mouth.

"Care to explain this procedure?"

Garrett mindlinks, "It is to keep the procedure fair. Before you say anything, we understand we will receive more participants. That form is there for just that."

"What are the questions?"

"Last scores on tests, list of tests taken to qualify, willingness to do added work for the pack, willingness to take IQ test before being selected for the detail, their usp according to them, do they have any responsibilities currently assigned for the New Year Ball, their job profile in the human world and if they are available on the day."

"What arbitrary stupid questions are these? Wait, do you have a list, and somehow these answers will influence the shortlisting of that list?"

"No"

Derrick's jaws twitch in anger and Luna Selena brushes her thigh against him to calm him down. He keeps a pointed look and quickly looks at Gamma for an answer. Even for a normal wolf eye, the movement was too fast.

"Alpha, the answers we get, will help us cross-check the records. Right now our suspicion is only on this year's rogues. However, I don't want to eliminate the fact that the traitor might have already entered the pack. We are going to twist the Level 5 Test a bit too."

"How so?"

"Level 5 tests are mostly concentrated on extreme physical challenges. We will include IQ, emotional, psychic, and magical tests into the mix. It was the idea of Beta Fredrick, it was just decided at the last minute. Also, the test will commence just before dawn for individuals. However, the actual test has begun. Surveillance, both digital and physical, is on high alert."