36 - Colt POV
1237 Words
The light fades around them, leaving only myself, Clarke, the pickup truck and the dust residue of our former assailants thaf were now being scattered to the winds.
Tears were running down my face as I digested the situation.
My mate was going on a hunting trip... with her father... who was trying to kill our son not too long ago.
And... she was gone again.
I don't know how my heart can keep up with this. Being seperated from my mate was agony.
"Are you alright, Colt?" Clarke breaks my thoughts.
"No..." That was the honest answer. "This is not how it is supposed to be."
"With Abby?"
I nod my head in response. "I thought we would be handling all of our issues together. Not... her running off with her killer of a father and all of her siblings, both blood and adopted."
"I am not comfortable with Ads being with that man either, but I know that the girls and Jason would protect each other. That is what I am focusing on right now." Clarke tried to offer me some reassurance.
It... somewhat worked. I just shake my head and start making my way towards the pickup truck. "Lets just head back. I should try and show face with the pack... whilst I still can..."
"Not heard from the Elders or the Council yet?" Clarke asks as he climbs into the passenger seat.
"Not that I am aware of." I rest my elbow on the door and use my hand to prop up my head. Staring out of the window, I mull over my thoughts again. Because, with everything going on with Abby, the Elders could take me away.
We would be seperated.
I would probably never be able to see her again.
So, I wanted to spend as much time with her as much as possible... but she did not want to spend it with me. Or at least, she would rather go galavanting off without my knowledge and do whatever she deemed necessary.
Even tonight, I do not know where she is or for how long she will be away for. I only know who she is with, and I am not fully happy about that company either.
Pulling up into the driveway of the packhouse, I notice that there are not as many people milling about as usual. "Where is everyone?"
"Beats me." Clarke responds as we step out of the car as we parked by the garage.
Making our way inside, we couls hear the sounds of shouts and growls coming from the dining hall. Those noises carried us faster and faster until we opened the doors - a gathering of our chefs, led by Faye, where having a stand off against some of our warriors, led by Felix.
"What do you mean you are out of food?" Felix shouts at Faye, who was being held back by Tina.
"The order went through late and so it will not arrive until tomorrow." Faye defends herself.
"Then compensate us for the food we are owed." Gita protests.
"The pack doesn't owe you food. You have the option to pick and choose when you want dinner at your own luxury. That is how it has always been." Tina retorts.
"Enough!" My voice silences the crowd as they all bow their heads to me. "Has there not been enough negativity this last week?"
They all looked sheepishly away. The crowd slightly parted, only for me to clock Naomi sitting at a table by herself, pushing food around her plate.
"Dismissed." The crowd disperses as I march over to her.
Leaning over, she lets out a growl as I stare at her. "What are you doing, Naomi?"
"Eating." She blankly replies as she takes another bite of her chicken.
"And the shouting just now? You didn't think to deal with it?" She didn't respond. "You are the Beta, Naomi. You are responsible for keeping the pack on order."
"Colt." My eyes turn to see Dan and Siobhan coming over to stand behind Naomi.
"And you two, why have the chefs run out of food?" They looked speechless as I asked them a question.
"Excuse me?" Siobhan eventually asks. You can see the anger begin to buold in her eyes as I dared ask her a question which the Gammas should have done.
"You heard me. If the pack is supposed to function properly, you got to pay attention to the basics." This felt like giving them a lecture.
"Basics?" Dan snaps. He jabs a finger into my chest. "We have been without our Alpha and Luna for a week now, and you think you have the right to tell us off!?"
"I am the Alpha."
"And you put me and Dan in charge so that you and Abby could grieve." Siobhan stands beside Dan as they stare me down.
"Yes, but I expect the same level to be maintained."
"The role of six people left to two? Real fair." Siobhan stated with a sarcastic clap.
"Naomi is here."
"NAOMI IS ALSO GRIEVING, COLT! UNLESS YOU FORGOT WE LOST AUSTIN AS WELL THAT DAY!" Dan shoves me in response to emphasise the point.
"I still dealt with some Alpha business during this week as well. And I lost my son!" I shove him back, causing him to stumble into Siobhan.
Naomi rises to her feet. Her eyes flickering to black as she comes before me. "Some of us grieve differently to others."
"We still have a job to do."
"You haven't been doing it well either. You cannot jump in here and tell them they are doing sh*t when you might lose your title due to your decisions." She seethes at me.
Now, my eyes were turning black. "What. Did. You. Say?"
She didn't respond. We just eyed each other waiting for the kettle to boil over. It didn't taks long. One shove from me caused Naomi to reel back her fist and strike it across my face.
All out chaos broke out as the two of us traded blows. I would catch a glimpse of Dan, Siobhan, Clarke or any other pack warrior trying to pry us apart.
Blood oozed down my face I could see the cuts begin to open up on her.
"AHHHHHHHHH!" The scream caused us to halt. Turning in the direction, Teagan and Tyson cowered in fear behind their new babysitter, Blythe.
Our fists froze midair inches apart from each other as we looked at them - their eyes filled with horror.
Naomi was the first to move. Swooping over to them, picking them up and carrying them out of the room; the twins eyes never left me as they were escorted out.
My attention turns to Blythe as I run a frustrated hand over my face. "Please see that they are alright."
"Yes, Alpha." She bows her head and follows after them.
"Alpha." Carlos walks over to me, carrying some wipes for my cuts. "Here."
"Thank you, Carlos." My attention turns back to Dan and Siobhan. "Anything else you want to say?"
They both looked all shades of p*ssed as Dan responds. "The Elders called earlier. They would like a word with you."
Oh joy! Just what I wanted to hear. I wave my hand goodbye at them, not putting a lot of effort into it as I made my way to my office.
Time to face the music.
- Writer
