Alpha's Energy Crisis

Part 2

Alpha's Energy Crisis

by CA Clarke

****Author's Note ****

This is a sequel to the book Energy of the Omega (which has been completed here on Dreame) and is part of a winding journey, so I suggest you read that book first so you can enjoy this one.

If you enjoy this story please share, make comments or like comments, it helps other people find this book. Thank you for reading!

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This story follows several characters in the first-person point of view (POV). My characters have a wolf with who they frequently have internal dialogue and interactions, ‘These appear in italics and use single quotation marks’. Mind-linked conversations also written this way. Commands appear in italics with bold.

Calypso means secret in Greek. Calypso (Caly) Johnson’s wolf Athena is quite the character she is often witty and sharp-tongued.

Alpha Stavros Forrester is her Fated Mate, but his journey to acceptance has been a long one. He is often at odds with his own wolf Zeus, because of this.

Description:

Caly Johnson’s life is full of secrets. Her true nature as a werewolf, a powerfully strong energy that was gifted to her by the Moon Goddess herself, and an incomplete Mate’s mark that has kept Alpha Stavros Forrester from claiming her fully as his Fated Mate. She is caught in the middle of a fight between two Packs, Artemis where she was raised and Blood Pact where she is supposed to be the Luna. Now even more people want a piece of her, including her old University bully Alpha Tucker, and a corrupted Elder of the Council. She’s tired of being looked down upon as a lowly Omega, of being insulated from the world, and most of all being treated like an object that can be spied on, controlled and used. 

******

Caly’s POV (at Blue Moon’s Bite)

What have I done? 

I just turned my back on my Mate and left him to stand in an empty room. I walked away and didn’t look back. What kind of wolf does that?

‘Don’t do this to yourself, Babe. This is a two-way street, it’s not like he came chasing after you either.’ My wolf Athena’s right though, Stavros didn’t try to stop me. He wouldn’t stop me, he would have to admit that I was his Mate ~ his Luna. I am his most closely held secret, he has denied me almost five months. I thought he had finally accepted his fate, our fate,  but I was wrong.

I walk slowly back up to my room, I have no urge to rush. Surprisingly, I don’t feel any pain. The excess energy has worn out or was used up all on its own. I half expected my heart to explode with pain from our bond, since he had again worried I would reject him. I have felt him damage our bond more than once, but rejection is said to be one of the worst pains imaginable. I don’t feel much more than his sadness and frustration, and it blends in with my own.

‘Do you think he will be okay?’ I ask my wolf.

‘He is not my concern right now. You worry about you.’ Her answer is short, but not angry. More like perturbed, I feel her tail slapping back and forth creating a dull pounding in my head.

I arrive at my room, the bed has been made up and a fresh set of clothes placed on the bed. Two water bottles, two pieces of fruit and a packet with two cookies in it. Everything comes in pairs, I think to myself and sigh. I look back at the clothes, this is exactly what I need right now, a fresh start. A scalding hot shower and maybe a nap, so I have the energy to deal with Alpha Tucker at dinner time and make my new plans. 

*****

I wake to the knock at my door, Tucker has sent someone to let me know dinner is ready. When I arrive only Tucker and his Beta are seated. I am lucky that Jase’s friend is an Alpha and was willing to take me in, especially since Tucker and I have never really gotten along.

“Hey, Caly, good to see you. How are you holding up?” Tucker asks me, I sense a bit of concern in his voice. I notice he’s changed into jeans and a t-shirt, but his Beta is still all suited up and staring unhappily in my direction. Arnold is a pretentious prick, I like him even less than I do Tucker.

“Why would you be worried about me, Tucker?” I say rather bluntly. I didn’t intend for it to come off rude, but he’s never been worried about me before, in fact, I would say he has often delighted in my distress.

“Watch your tone!” the Beta gets excitable over nothing, and he’s now glowering down his nose at me. I roll my eyes at him before I frown at Tucker. I am planning on ignoring the Beta all through dinner.

“I have been read the riot act at least three times this afternoon about what I need to do with you,” Tucker admits.

“You should have told them you have paid for my services, you will have me do whatever work you want for the next three weeks.”

“It was more about your personal care,” He emphasizes the last bit.

“Who exactly spoke with you? Should I be concerned?” Concerned isn’t probably the right word, annoyed is more like it. Everyone thinks they know what’s best for me, how to care for me, how to protect me. Telling them all goodbye today, that I was able to care for myself, was hard, but it was also a long time coming.

“Alpha Darius extolled the virtues of clean, healthy living. You know, unless your mood goes south, then I have his permission to pump you full of coffee and cookies. Jase was most concerned with your safety, so I will be moving you up into one of the guest bedrooms on my floor and have a guard shadowing you. Elder Mackelroy is your new personal Council Rep. and he gave me a list of how to care for my new pet, the rare and exotic Executive Assistant." I let out an annoyed 'Mmhmm' with a frown, but Tucker continues down this path anyway.

"Most interesting was my visit with your Warrior Woman. Theressa scratched a bunch of things off my list and gave me the first useful bit of information, the name of an expert on all things Caly, one who won’t panic and kill me if I have any questions.” I hear the Beta scoffing, I guess he didn’t care for Theressa. I am half surprised that Stavros didn’t go stomping into Tucker’s office to make threats or demands.

“Was the expert Colin?” It has to be him, he’s the only one who wouldn’t shift and run down here without thinking. 

“Yes, she gave me his private number.” 

“Good. I’ll get that from you later and add him to my list of weekly check-ins. He’s the most incredible Beta I have ever worked with, we became great friends.” I can’t help taking a subtle dig at Beta Arnold. I want him to know that Colin is superior in each and every way.  I might even start comparing them, just for the sport of it. 

Dinner plates are brought out, a beautifully plated hunk of roast beef, with a large stalk of rosemary sticking straight up out of the center of the mashed potatoes. I am offered a glass of expensive-sounding wine. I figure I should start taking advantage of all the perks of working for Tucker, it might help make this experience seem less crappy. I also asked for a french vanilla cappuccino, as I plan on using and abusing that fancy coffee machinery every chance I get.

“Do you want me to send someone to collect your things from Blood Pact?” Tucker asks after a while.

“I don’t think I have anything left, Jase told me that my things were burned out in a backfield.” Whether that was to cover up my kidnap, or the rage of the Alpha at my escape, I still don’t know for sure. So much of my own life is kept hidden from me, so many secrets.

“Would Darius have any of your bank account information in his payroll system? With that, you can have a new bank card issued.” Alpha Tucker says thoughtfully.

“I can call and ask him. That way by the time they mail me a new card I might have a paycheque to deposit. I’ll need to start rebuilding my life from scratch and I don’t have enough to buy a skirt and blouse for work.”

“Caly, you’ve never been frivolous with money, where do your paycheques go?” Tucker asks me. Crap, I opened myself up to this line of questioning.

“You are correct Tucker, I don’t like to waste money, period. Most of my work experience has been chalked up to learning opportunities and repaying my Pack for my education. I have always lived in a Packhouse and had whatever I needed for school and work provided. What more would I really need?" Saying that out loud gives me an idea for work, "Hey, your house staff wears uniforms daily right? You must keep extras somewhere, at least a crisp white button-up blouse and black dress pants would be better than leggings and t-shirts.” 

I look over to the Beta who has a stupid smirk plastered all over his face. I am positive he believes that's what I should be wearing every day, serving his coffee or on my hands and knees scrubbing floors. I may be an Omega, but I have two business degrees, I think I’m slightly overqualified to work in housekeeping.

"Find this funny, Beta Arnold? I am not ashamed of the fact that I am working for a living," I make sure he knows I am not impressed with him. I swear, one day I am going to allow Athena to rearrange all his facial features. "Beyond that, I don’t want to have any personal discussions in front of your Beta."

“You need to get over yourself, it’s hardly a surprise to me that you are just a poor Omega.” Arnold jeers at me. His attitude leaves a lot to be desired.

'If I get to rearrange stuff, can I chew off his d**k and stick it on his head? Squirrel Arnie the flaccid unicorn sounds fabulous.' My wolf quips, she’s the comedic-genius sidekick I need for my joke of a life.

Trying not to laugh, I sputter out a cough and have to take a sip of my wine.

“This is why I don’t wish to work anywhere near him. If I can avoid him at work and eat in the dining room I may survive the next few weeks with my sanity intact.” I tell Tucker ruefully.

“Sorry, I think it will be safest to have you eating here with me. We can definitely discuss work, how do you want to proceed?” Tucker asks.

"I need a full tour of your Packhouse, facilities and your Market Square. If we do that tonight I can hit the ground running tomorrow morning. I need a laptop computer so I can work wherever I am needed. I need to see your personal schedule and a rough outline of the Pack's daily activities. I…" I had three weeks to set this Pack on the right track, I had to develop a plan, and fast.

Arnold interrupts me again, "You assume Alpha Tucker and I don't have better things to do this evening!"

"You assume I was asking you to give me this tour yourself. I only need the Alpha to find me a laptop and show me the office so I can start immediately. Usually, I go discovering the territory with my assigned guard, and I imagine it will only take half the time since I have been a guest here on so many occasions." Like hell I was planning on touring the grounds with Arnold, why would he think I wanted to?

"Arnold, you can leave and enjoy your evening. I don't mind showing Caly around myself."

"Well if you're going, I should go with you, Alpha." Is his nose brown from being up Tucker's ass all the time?

"Not needed, Arnold, I think Caly would prefer you didn't join us." Tucker's tone is final, leaving no room for Arnold to try weaselling his way in again.

Not that I want to spend an evening listening to Tucker brag about his Pack like he usually does, but if we drag Arnold with us I will probably need another glass of wine and a second scalding before bed.

The tour went quickly, and Tucker was forthcoming about the inner workings of everything he controlled.  When he was done he asked me if I wanted another coffee so we could talk. I agreed, but I told him it had to be from the kitchen.  

I met a lovely older she-wolf cleaning up for the night. She sorted out a uniform and some black flats for me, and I insisted she teaches me how to make a frothy latte with the fancy machine. Tucker offered that there was almost always someone milling about to make me one, but I don't plan on burdening the kitchen staff, especially if they were busy with meal service. 

I handed him the cup I made for him. "This is really good Caly, I had no idea it did all that. An espresso machine should be making espresso right?"

"Well yes, but sometimes we have to find alternative solutions and use things in more than one way. I thought Latte would be the easiest to master. Don't worry, if I manage one new recipe a day I will be a pro in three weeks. Remind me one day to make you my Irish creamer! I swear it goes well with every hot drink."

We started walking up to my new room. "I can't believe you are so excited about a coffee machine, it must be a while since the last time you let loose." He lets out a soft chuckle and I am struck again by how pleasant his laugh sounds.

"I don't think I have ever been allowed to 'let loose' Alpha Tucker." I roll my eyes, it's a bad habit of mine.

"Dramatic much? You partied here all the time with Jase, and I saw you at the ‘Ex’.”

“Neither of those were by choice. Everyone thinks they are the safest solution for me, so when they go somewhere they drag me with them! Jase more than most, but you know he had a thing for me. It was his way of trying to help me, but we fought about it all the time. Since I was a poor Omega as your Beta so delicately put it, I didn't want him wasting his money on me, so Jase would always insist on buying me a coffee, and would look the other way when I stole a french fry or onion ring off his plate. The times when he went ahead and spent money on me to go out, I was always aware of the judgemental looks I got. Do you really think you are the only person who believed I was a mansion crasher or a damn gold digger? Or that you're the only person who didn't think I deserved a quality education or didn't know my proper place as an Omega?” I realize too late that I am loudly arguing with my new boss and on the verge of tears.

"I am sorry, Caly," Tucker tells me quietly.

"Yeah, me too," I angrily shot back. I don't want his lame apologies. I don't need them. What I need to do is get into my room and drink this coffee. I shut my mouth and walk faster until Tucker stands in front of a door, reaches into his pocket and hands me a key.

"Thank you. If there isn't an alarm clock can you send someone to knock on my door for work tomorrow?" I keep my eyes down, ashamed that I can't keep myself under better control.

"Yes, I'll have someone call on you a half-hour before breakfast." I am surprised by his next comment, "Don't worry about tonight, tomorrow can be a brand new day for you, Caly."

"Thank you," I barely manage to mumble out before I unlock my door. I feel my body about to crash, so I drink my coffee quickly and strip down to my t-shirt and undies. I don't dare turn on the TV or I'll be up all night, I just lay in bed in the dark until sleep takes me.

*****

Colin's POV (at Blood Pact)

We spent the rest of the afternoon drinking. I should say more than just drinking, drowning our sorrows and getting completely s**t-faced would be far more accurate. Should we be pouring our hearts out working towards the ultimate goal of bringing Caly home? Yes. Did we talk about every crazy idea that came to our addled brains? Yes. Were any of them good? Sadly, No. I’ve done nothing but ensure a hangover for the morning.

We hear a quick knock before Ryan carries his Mate into the office. I can already tell these two are going to be lovesick puppies for an awfully long time. Time to put on a happy face for the newcomer.

"Theressa mentioned you had found your Mate. It's nice to meet you Tabitha and congratulations to the both of you." I slap Ryan on the shoulder, maybe a bit too hard because I see him wince. I shake Tabitha’s hand vigorously, her head bobs along with the pumping of her arm. Meh, everyone likes a happy drunk, right? 

"Ryan! Tabs! Join the party! Grab a drink and tell us how meeting the fam went!" Terri asks them, just a bit slurred. Maybe it’s me? She’s really loud though, that can’t just be me.

Ryan grabs an office chair to put his pretty partner on before he grabs two more glasses and a can of soda from the fridge. Pfft, mixing his drink, what a lightweight. Whoops, he was mixing a drink for her. I suppose that’s okay, she did just get out of the hospital. He pours his drink straight, like a good wolf.

"Great, Mom and Ambie were both so excited. I explained she needed to be close to Doc and she would be safer in the Packhouse. Mom agreed, sorta." He makes a weird face. Why did he do that?

"Sorta? Spill it." Terr starts pumping him for information. 

"She said it was natural to be protective and it's very hard to be out of each other's sight in the beginning. Then she said I was a nineteen-year-old male wolf, and though she looked forward to having grandpuppies, she didn't want to hear me making them! Tabi sat there and laughed with her. I was beet-red and all the girls ganged up on me!"

Tabitha was first to break into a fit of giggles, but soon we were all laughing uproariously, it was just too funny not to. Besides, we desperately needed to break out of our funk.

"The Packhouse has excellent sound-proofing. Which is great because you're getting the room right next door to mine, we are going to be neighbours, Buddy!" Ryan's eyes go huge at the thought. It hadn't occurred to me that he might not want to be on the same floor as two of his bosses. Whoopsy.

"We thought it would be safest. She was stolen from her Pack, but we don't know why." How do I make this not sound bad? Everything coming out of my mouth right now probably sounds bad. I mean we don't know if she's gifted or if she even knows that there are gifted wolves out in the world. If we ask her a thing like that straight out, she might get nervous or offended. What if she cries? I can’t handle a crier right now!

"Beta Colin, I know in your mind you are spinning around in circles. I will tell you because you need to know. I was caught because I can randomly know things before they happen, but Elder Giles felt I wasn't very useful. I can't force myself to see any time I want, and I can't see more than maybe five minutes ahead of time. I can't alert you to a problem or predict a fight or give you Friday's winning lotto numbers. So I am just no good."

"That's not true, Baby. You don't need to do anything to be special. You're already everything to me." He stands behind her chair, draping his arms over her shoulders and kissing the top of her head. She’s so sad. It makes me sad. I should stop drinking.

"Thank you, Ryan. I never thought I would end up with someone as wonderful as you. Phone." the girl says loudly.

That was odd. Why would she blurt that out? I think to myself, but my thoughts are cut short when my phone starts to vibrate in my pocket. I don't recognize the number so I dismiss it.

“See, not very helpful, is it? The most helpful thing I have ever been able to do was to prevent a glass from spilling onto someone's laptop.” Tabitha tells us sadly. "Phone. You need to answer that."

My phone buzzes again. 

“Hello! I’m Colin...Beta Colin...yeah.’” Yeppers. Time to stop drinking.

“Are you alright, Beta Colin?” The voice asks me. s**t! He knows I’m drunk. Wait, who knows I’m drunk?

“Maybe. Who’s this?” I try to sound not-drunk.

“Alpha Tucker from Blue Moo…”

“Blue Moon...You saw me standing alone..” I cut him off as I started to sing. What? That song is a f*****g classic!

“So how drunk are you, Beta Colin? Because I have a few questions about…”

“Caly!” I remember she’s there. That’s why we’re drinking.

“Please tell me you aren’t f*cking celebrating the fact that Caly didn’t go home to you.” How dare he say that! She’s ours!

“We are not! This is a pity party!” Did I really say that? That’s bad. Real bad.

 “Okay, I’m going to wait to rip you a new asshole until you are coherent. Could you try to be sober and relatively normal by tomorrow morning?” Man, is he ever cranky.

“Somber. Got it.” 

“No, somber is what you should be feeling right now. Sober is not being so stupidly drunk that you start singing to an Alpha when they f*cking call. Wait, is Alpha Stab actually able to come to the phone?”

I look at Stab, he’s laying with his head on his desk. That must be why he hasn’t been talking. “Nope. He’s napping.”

“I’m sure you mean passed out. I’m going to hang up now, Beta. Remember, I need you sober.” He hung up on me! He didn’t even say goodbye! Jerk.