The Luna's Pack and Her Alpha

Six | The Elders

Veronica

Between the three of us, we managed to gather the backgrounds and relevant documents of the wolves I had close contact with going back the last eight years in just a few hours. There was a folder for each wolf that included a detailed background with everything from their name to their medical history, which would clearly show that other than the occasional scrapes and bruises from sparring there was no case of abuse in our pack from anyone, myself included. There was detailed information on when I was in contact with these wolves and for what reason. For the wolves that I had worked with for my training during my younger years, we gathered the documentation provided including my job descriptions and all notes and information I took down about my job, the people I worked with, and essays on how to improve the life of the wolves that did these jobs in our pack. By the time we were finished, there were nearly 100 thick folders piled on my desk.

We finished just before 10 pm. We all went straight to bed knowing that we had, at the very least, a long day ahead of us.

…

Training went on as normal, the pack hadn’t been alerted of the investigation yet so there was no extra chatter. I trained with the pack as I always did and went about my normal morning routine.

After breakfast, I stood on the porch of our packhouse dressed for the office in a light beige suit set with my hair pulled back into a long ponytail. The Elders pulled up in a Black SUV I nodded at the pack warrior who escorted their vehicle excusing them back to their post. Oliver, an omega who worked at the packhouse, opened the door to the backseat allowing the two Elders to climb out of the back seat, Eldrick and Blair. I climbed down the steps meeting them on the path in front of the house.

I bowed my head to them, “Elder Eldrick, Elder Blair. It’s great to have you here, I only wish it were under better circumstances. Mr.Oliver will get your things to your rooms on the second floor. If you’ll follow me, my father and our teams are waiting for us in my office.”, I turned without waiting for a response and lead them into the house and straight up to my office.

I walked behind my desk and motioned for them to take their seats in the vacant visitor chairs. Damon and Leo stood against the wall across from my desk awaiting a command. My father, Beta Nolan, and Gamma Patrick all stood from their places on the couch when we entered and waited until the Elders took their seats before reclaiming their seats. I remained standing behind my desk.

I made eye contact with the two Elders as I spoke, “If I may, Elder Eldrick and Elder Blair, we don’t want to waste your time reviewing the accusations. We’ve all read through the investigation notice and have reviewed the evidence submitted to you,” I said the word evidence with as much sarcasm as I could without being disrespectful, “I assume you’ll want to run your own tests, but I have had our pack doctor, Dr.Moreno, complete an alcohol and drug screening as well as a paternity test. Our results will be back by Monday. In an effort to make this investigation as smooth as possible, we’ve gathered background and relevant information on all pack members I’ve worked directly with over the last eight years, assuming this is the set of wolves you’d want to interview immediately. While we did gather all this information in preparation for your interviews, we have not notified the pack of your arrival, so I ask that you be mindful of their schedules and their privacy. There are two offices prepared for you on the guest floor for anyone who does not wish to be interviewed in their home.”

I paused so that they could ask any questions or give any response. After Elder Eldrick nodded I continued, “I’d like to request that you begin your interviews with Ms. Adams and Ms. Peterson,” I handed them each a file, “I require them for a meeting today at one o’clock. My Beta, Damon, and My Gamma, Leo, will be here to assist you with anything you need and Dr.Moreno has been cleared to give you any medical records you need that are not in these files. Unless you have any questions Leo will escort you to your rooms and show you where your offices are.”

Both Elders stood prompting my Gamma to step forward, before they exited Elder Blair turned back to me, “Thank you, Luna, for your hospitality and your assistance in the investigation. your cooperation is appreciated and noted.” He finished his statement then turned and left the room.

I hoped that the use of my title meant they expected the accusations were false and would make their investigation quick. I knew that even if they interviewed every pack member no one would corroborate the claims, but interviewing six hundred wolves would take time, time that we did not have.

Nina

I had just slipped on my blazer when I heard a knock at the front door. As I walked out of the bedroom I heard the door open and a deep voice talking to my mate, Coby, “Good morning. I am Elder Eldrick, I’m here to see Ms. Adams?”

“Good morning sir, yes please come in. I’m Ms. Adams’s mate, Coby. Let me get her for you.”

I rounded the corner before Coby had a chance to come to find me, “Hello, Elder Eldrick? Is it? What can I do for you?”

He gave me a thin smile before saying, “I would like to ask you some questions about your boss, Ms.Green.”

I looked at the watch on my wrist, I had plenty of time before the meeting with Chef Michaelson, but I was incredibly confused and more than a little suspicious. My confusion must have been apparent because before I could respond he said, “I know you have an important business meeting to attend today at one o’clock, this shouldn’t take too long. Is there a place where we can talk or would you prefer to return to my office at the packhouse?”

So this visit was not a surprise to everyone, he knew about the work meeting, so Veronica must have filled them in on my availability today. I would wring her neck for not telling me about this, but that would have to wait, “We can speak in my office, it’s just this way.” I said leading him out of the entryway and down to my office.

I motioned for him to take a seat in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace, “Can I get you anything? Coffee, tea, water?”

“No, Ms. Adams. I’m ready to begin if you are.”

“Of course, what is it you need to know about our lovely Luna-to-be?”, I wanted to set the tone for this interview right off the bat. If the Elder Council was coming through asking questions about Veronica, it was not good, and while I didn’t know the specifics I knew that Veronica would never do anything to harm this pack or any of its members.

He smiled at me catching the hint, “It’s obvious you’re fond of Ms. Green. Could you describe your relationship?”

I returned his smile but proceeded cautiously, “Of course, other than being my future Luna, my boss, and my training partner, Veronica is my best friend.”

He nodded, “I see,” He opened the folder in his hands before continuing, “Was it during one of your training sessions with Ms. Green that you acquired a split lip and the contusion to your nose?”

I smiled to myself at the memory before I noticed Elder Eldrick giving me a curious look, “Veronica and I were sparing after morning training. It was right after I started training with the men, she was teaching me how to block a center punch. We went over the motion several times, but when she threw the punch I blocked up instead of out and pushed her fist up and right into my face. It hurt like a b***h, but I never made that mistake again.” I paused and looked Elder Eldrick in the eyes, “I remember that day like it was yesterday, but it wasn’t yesterday, that was nearly five years ago. What is this all about.” I questioned him.

He sighed. Realizing we weren’t going to get very far until he explained the reason for his visit, he offered a brief explanation, “a number of previous pack members have submitted complaints of physical and mental abuse from Ms. Green.”

He looked at me, seemingly waiting for a response, but the shock on my face was the only response I could offer. Surely if I opened my mouth nothing respectful would come out, so I hoped the shock and furry on my face would convey my feelings. Clearly wanting more he asked directly, “Have you or anyone you know been mistreated by Ms. Green or any of the other ranked pack members?”

It took all of my strength to keep a growl from escaping my lips, “No. I have never received or witnessed any form of abuse or mistreatment by Ms. Green. She has been nothing but a strong and supportive leader for her entire life, to every member of this pack.”

Elder Eldrick nodded before scribbling something down on his notepad, “Excellent. Now how often would you say that Ms. Green uses alcohol and drugs?”

I looked at him suspiciously, “To my knowledge she has never used alcohol or drugs.”

He nodded, but maintained eye contact, “Never? She hasn’t attended any after-school parties, or snuck out at night?”

I shook my head, “Never. We were both homeschooled by our mothers, we didn’t have access to ‘after school parties’.”

I held eye contact with him, to make sure he knew how serious I was, but he wouldn’t let it go, “Still, it’s rare for a 17-year-old to never have experimented. With alcohol at the very least.”

I nodded, “It is. It’s also rare for a pack to be passed down to an 18-year-old girl. Ms. Green has been training to take over this pack since she was five, I assure you she’s had no time to participate in childish substance experimentation.”

He nodded and once again scribbled something on his notepad. I didn’t wait for him to finish before speaking again, “Is that all?” I was seriously over these questions.

He looked up at me, “Just one more question. Do you know who Ms. Green’s biological father is?”

I blinked at him, thinking I must have heard him wrong, “excuse me?”

He repeated the question again and when I continued to blink at him he said, “one of our complainants claims that Alpha Green is not Ms. Green’s biological father. I gather from your surprise that you do not believe this to be true?”

“No, I do not believe the claim is true,” I said as calmly as I could, but I’m sure he could feel my furry filling the room.

He nodded and made a few more notes before standing. I stood up after him and lead him out of the room. I lead Elder Eldrick to the front door, but when he saw Coby sitting in the den on his laptop he had a different plan, “Actually, Mr.Coby would you mind if I stay and chat with you for a few minutes?”

Coby looked shocked, but stood and motioned to the chair next to him. I watched as Elder Eldrick walked over to take the seat beside Coby and prepared to ask him the same ridiculous questions he had asked me. I looked between the two of them before I excused myself to finish getting ready for our meeting today. I didn’t have much insight as to what was going on, but I knew one thing for sure, Veronica had some explaining to do.

Sage

I looked at my watch, 11 am, if I leave now I’ll make it to the office in time to go over all the menu items and make sure the office is set up for the rest of our day, before the meeting with Chef Michaelson. I grabbed my bag and walked out the front door of my condo, headed towards my little red car in the driveway.

My condo is part of a small set of condos right across the street from the packhouse. A few of the units were used for visitor overflow, but most of the units were reserved for pack members that worked closely with the ranked members, like me. It was a small condo, but it’s just me, so I don’t need much space.

I opened the door to my car, but before I could get in an Elderly man I didn’t recognize appeared before me. “Hello Ms. Peterson, I’m glad I caught you before you left. I am Elder Blair, do you have a few minutes to spare? I’d like to ask you some questions about a matter.”

I was beyond confused. This guy looked like an Elder, I didn’t know we had any Elder’s coming this week, but he wouldn’t have made it onto pack territory otherwise. After my quick assessment, I gave him a small smile, “Of course, sir. What is it you’d like to know?”

He smiled, “I’ve been given an office in the packhouse to use for interviews, would you mind talking there?”

Crap. I checked my watch, “I have a meeting for work­–“

“I’ll ensure you leave on time, Ms. Green said she needed you for a meeting at 1. I promise I’ll have you done long before then.” He interrupted.

Veronica? I was very confused and I wanted to know what this was all about, but before I could ask he turned and started walking back to the packhouse. I shut my still open car door and followed after him. He walked in the front door, like he owned the place, and turned to go up the stairs. On the way up we passed Veronica coming down the stairs.

She smiled her classical bright, beautiful smile at us, “Hello, Sage. Elder Blair,” she nodded to each of us, “I’ll see you at the office, Sage.”

I returned her smile and continued to follow Elder Blair down the hall to an open door and into an office. He shut the door behind me and motioned for me to sit in one of the two chairs in front of the desk. There was a large stack of thick folders on the desk, something big was going on and I wanted to know what.

“Sir, I don’t mean to overstep, but can you tell me what this is all about?”, I asked in a calm voice.

He smiled at me and nodded, “Of course. We are investigating Ms. Green.” He looked at me, looking for a reaction.

I expect what he saw was a face full of shock, “For what reason?” and with that question, the last bit of patience and calm left my body.

He tilted his head to the side and in a scolding tone, “Has she not done things that would warrant an investigation?”

The smirk on his face was quickly removed by my wolf, Sadella, tearing to the surface with a fearsome growl. My Luna would not be threatened and mocked in my presence, “Our Luna is dedicated, loyal, and nothing but caring to this pack. She’s skipped meals to ensure this pack remains secure, she’s stayed up until dawn to ensure she can financially support nearly 600 wolves, and she trains every morning until the last wolf leaves the field. So unless those things are illegal, no she has not done anything to warrant an investigation.”

Seeming to ignore the majority of what I said his response was, “She’s not your Luna. Not yet.”

I stood, in an attempt to distract Sadella and keep her from coming to the surface again. “You’re wrong, she’s been our Luna from the day she was born. She lives for this pack and she does everything in her power to make us stronger. You won’t find anyone in this pack that doesn’t love and respect her.”

He stared up at me with his eyebrows raised. This is not how wolves spoke to an Elder, but he was threatening my Luna, “Do you have any specific questions or may I go?” I looked down at my watch, hoping I looked like I was running late.

He nodded, “I think you’ve answered all my questions, thank you for your time, Ms. Peterson.”

I turned to leave before I paused, I looked back at him and softened my tone as much as I could, “I would be cautious when speaking to the warriors, official or not they would give their lives to protect her. They won’t take kindly to her being threatened, verbally or otherwise, and some of the younger warriors haven’t mastered control yet. Luna would not want anyone to get hurt.”

He nodded his head and I resumed my exit. I was ready to get to work and distract myself from this ridiculous investigation.