The Moon, My Mother

Last to arrive

*Calypso*

After I had settled in my chair, and the alphas in the chairs opposite the desk, there was a small knock at the door. 

"Come in," I let my voice carry, hoping my small, young alpha aura matched with the powerful one's opposing me. Martha, the head of our kitchen, and someone I likened to a warm grandmotherly figure, opened the door and rolled a small cart in.

"I brought food and drinks alphas. We a preparing a large lunch as we speak, so for now it is small snacks and appetisers available." She said softly as she set up poured drinks and spread small sandwiches, a selection of meats and mini kebabs across the desk.

"Thank-you Martha, if you could bring the lunch up when it is ready that would be perfect, I think it'll be awhile before we leave this room."

"No worries my dear," was her reply, paired with a sweet smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes as she left with her trolley.

"Please, help yourself while I prepare our pack records," was all the invite they needed. I watched as the two alphas started helping themselves to the spread. Werewolves burn through food, and although Martha said a small snack, there was plates and plates of food now covering the front of the desk. 

I pushed my chair back and pulled out our pack records. Wyatt left for the pack doctor who had been asked to quickly make a summary on the wounded and injured once help had arrived. 

I felt a pang in my hear as I looked at the paper in my hands. The updated pack list. Wyatt and I had compiled it a day ago. The small number of names pained me. We had lost many and in black and white documents like this cemented the hurt I felt, the realisation of the horror that had truly occurred. 

I blinked my eyes, clearing the grief from my head. I needed to focus and it was on me to make sure my pack had the best chance ahead. While we could no longer stay together, weak without warriors, it was my responsibility as the alpha's daughter to ensure their safety and life in a new pack. 

As I returned to my seat I finally allowed myself to study the two alphas in front of me and they talked quietly between themselves, enjoy Martha's food. I had seen them often before in meetings with my father and felt comfortable in their presence. 

The older of the two was Alpha Zane Black of the Black Claw pack. It was a strong warrior pack, lead by a strong warrior. He was just shorter than my father, yet had broader shoulders and large arms, he would often choose to fight wolves in human form. He had greying hair, cropped short, and dark brown eyes. Tan skin covered in light scars emphasised his fights and wars. Although a powerful warrior, he somewhat lacked in ability to drive pack businesses and understand the workings of families, the pack hospital, kitchen staff and cleaning. Luckily his Luna ran a tight ship in all those aspects, while his brother pushed the family business into security and worked with Zane to train strong guards.

The other alpha was Alpha Liam Stanford, alpha of the Night Howlers pack. He was an extremely intelligent man, and had tremendous strength in battle strategies and attack prevention. He constantly worked to ensure efficiency and improve on tradition. He had his hair gelled back despite travelling here and looked polished and sharp compared to Alpha Zane's roughness. While Zane's laugh boomed through the office, Liam offered small smiles and smirks, a gentler and refined expression of humour. 

Alpha Zane had been a close friend of my father and somewhat of an uncle presence in my life, while Alpha Liam had been taken under my father's guidance as a young adult and spent a few summers in our pack while I was young. 

I felt comfortable in entrusting my pack to these men and I knew they were good alphas and men who would care for my people. This wasn't how it was meant to go. My dad wasn't meant to die. I was meant to lead a thriving Silverwood pack. But this decision was necessary for our survival, and I had the responsibility to do the best for my pack.

As I went to clear my throat a message came through the pack link. One that would change my life forever. 

"Another alpha has arrived."