A Beta's Determination

Storm of the Century

Sam

I couldn't stop thinking about the things Serenity had said the day before, and it kept my mind in a boggle. Later that evening, Elijah had a sit-down in his office with me and informed me that he did have a photo of the little girl, which made him react the way he did when I told him about the dream. 

Serenity dreamed precisely what the little girl looked like down to the T, with no explanation at all; it just happened. Elijah was the only one that had seen what the girl looked like, except the sender of the picture. Julia and Cat kept their word on finding out exactly what could have caused her to dream of someone real but had never seen before. I am hoping it is just a little coincidence and a premonition of her. You know what they say, some people can dream things, then later in life, it actually happens, then bam, it's like Deja Vu.

"Sam, I need to have a word with you, Christian, Rex, and Lucius in my office the next few minutes," Elijah spoke, snapping me out of my daydreaming.

"Yeah, okay, what's up, man?"

I stood there waiting for Elijah to finish sending his link to the others. I wonder what was so important, just hope it didn't have any effect any time soon, due to our trip in the next few days.

The guys came strolling in the packhouse, sweat rolling off their foreheads and arms. In the dead of winter, wolves were very hot-natured and would sweat during intense training even if it was 20 degrees outside.

We all gathered in Elijah's office with our respected mates waiting for the big news from Elijah.

"Well, it has come to my attention in the next few days, there will be a severe winter storm making its way up the East coast with New York being in its path. Now, we are still on for the trip to Tennessee, and we are all going to be making that trip because I will be damned if I hear it from Julia that we have to cancel because of the weather. The cost of the cabin we rented for the week was not cheap by any means, but money is not a concern over the pack's safety."

Everyone present in the room sat up as Elijah continued to pass out orders and mark them off his list.

"First, I need Sam, Christian, and Lucius to check all the pack member's cabins to ensure the heating and air are working, along with making sure their chimneys are cleaned out. Guys, get a list of those that need any supplies they need, whether it's new filters or more wood. Sam, you take the Northern side, Christian, you're on the East, Lucius, you have the West. All three of you link me when you are finished and meet me back in my office."

We sat there waiting for Elijah to continue with the meeting before he dismissed us. We knew what was expected of us as we wrote the details of our assignments on the notepads Elijah handed us. It was now time for the ladies' tasks.

"Cat, you, Evie, and Sophia get an inventory of what is needed in the packhouse kitchen as far as nonperishable items."

"Alpha, do we need to go ahead and send Mrs. Johnson and a few more house Omegas to the grocery store for restocking on the health necessities?" Cat asked, writing the list of information down. 

"Yes, I mentioned to Julia to go ahead and scout out each bathroom and hallway pantry for any kind of item that is needed for a winter storm and to get back with me. I don't want anyone going without something they need during this time of need. The weather predicted is to be treacherous with six-foot-plus accumulation. My parents and Sam's and Christian's parents will be here and are willing to ensure everyone's safety. We are not staying here because the trip is non-refundable, and our parents keep reassuring me they can handle this while we are gone. I told them we may come home early if it gets too bad here, but that was the wrong thing to say; my mom got pissed. She told me a little bit of weather shouldn't stop us from getting to do what we have had planned for a month now."

"Once we get the pack situated, do we need to get the sandbags and salt trucks going?" Christian looked up from his pad to ask.

"Yes, Christian. I will discuss that with you, Sam, and Lucius when you three get finished with your first task."

The ladies left to go start on their tasks at hand. We have had a few winter storms in the past that didn't cause too much damage. No one lost power, and everyone was warm and fed. The way Elijah was talking about this storm coming up the coast had me even worried by the looks he was giving us.

"Sam, I have already sent Rex and Jax to go pick up Lucy, Gabby, and Jonas. They should be arriving soon. Once they get here, show them where they will be staying. Connor and my uncle will be here shortly; we will have a short meeting once everyone that needs to be here is here."

"Yes, Alpha."

I left Elijah's office to go start on my list of things to be done before the weather set in. Christian was halfway through his cabin check when he links me,

Sam, the Patterson's have a massive hole in the roof of their storage shed. Is Mr. Self at home? Do you know?

I think he is still at the training grounds; I will link him and see if he can patch it up. I will meet you at Patterson's in ten minutes.

I disconnected the link and linked Mr. Self. Good thing he had just finished his workout for the day and was free to lend a hand. I gathered my things and headed to the East side of the territory. Lucius was still on the West, taking care of those cabins and going to where Christian was once he was finished.

I could already feel the weather changing as the winds began to pick up and the sky started turning the pinkish-purple it gets when snow is coming in. I knew we had time to get our things done, but the way the wind was blowing told me it wouldn't be long before the snow started.

I made it over to Christian in no time as he and Mrs. Patterson were standing on their back patio talking. 

"Beta, Gamma, how bad is the weather going to get? Alpha told us we need to be stocked up on the essentials and wood. In all my years, Harry and I have been with this pack, I don't think we have had a severe storm. The radar looks intimidating, and there is a lot of blue moving in," Mrs. Patterson stated with concern in her voice.

Lucius made it to where we are after a few minutes, "Where do we need to start?"

I motioned over to the shed, where Harry was standing, as we all began to walk over and check out the damage.

"Mrs. Patterson, I haven't had the chance yet to look at the weather radar, but I am pretty confident that we will have everything we need to endure it. I don't want you and Harry to worry about anything. We are going to get this roof patched up, and your wood restocked. The Alpha is on top of this 100%, so I have faith everything will be fine. If you two need anything at all, just link anyone of us, and we will see to it."

Mrs. Patterson and her husband, Harry, were a lot older, even though they were wolves and hardly ever got sick and could fend for themselves; for the most part, I still worried about their well-being. Along with the other pack members, I know Elijah and the others did as well.

"Thank you, gentlemen, for helping Harry with this. We greatly appreciate it," Mrs. Patterson smiled, gave us three a warm smile and a kiss on our cheeks. She reminded me so much of my grandma, and I couldn't help to have a warm place in my heart for the elderly.

Mr. Self and Lucius were on the roof as Christian and I would pass the materials to them. Harry was stocking up the woodpile and making sure their animals had enough hay to endure the cold. Before I knew it, we had the roof finished, as Mrs. Patterson came outside with a tray of coffee mugs. I knew from the smell ten feet away, she had gone inside and made us all a cup of hot cocoa.

"Here, you go," Mrs. Patterson smiled, holding the tray out as we all picked up a mug and began sipping the warm liquid.

"Thank you, Mrs. Patterson," we all said, nodding our heads at the kind gesture.

"No. Thank you for offering to help with this repair."

"It was our pleasure," Christian stated, turning up the mug and drinking down the last bit of the hot cocoa.

"Sam, I need to get back. I still have the Robertson's, the Phillip's, and the Walker's to get checked before we have to get back to the packhouse," Lucius said.

"Yes, I still have to finish up the few I have, as well."

"Let us know, Harry, if you or Lucinda need anything else."

"Will do, Beta."

Christian, Lucius, and I left to go back to our territories to secure. The guests would be arriving any minute, and I knew we would be receiving a link from Elijah any second.

It didn't take long to get the rest of the homes checked and accounted for. I had the list finished within a few hours and was heading back to the packhouse. 

"Hey, ladies. Do you all need a hand with that stuff?" Mrs. Johnson had at least ten grocery bags in her hands trying to open the door to the packhouse kitchen.

"Sam, did you, Lucius, and Christian get the cabins finished? We could use some help getting the rest of the packhouse stocked," Sophia stated, putting some nonperishable items in the pantry.

"Yes, we had to patch up the Patterson's roof to their storage shed, but that was the only big issue we encountered. Everyone else just needed more wood and a few more necessities."

Christian and Evie tag-teamed the bathrooms and hallway pantries upstairs, Cat and Sophia worked on the pantries that were downstairs, and Lucius and I finished helping in the kitchen. Julia and Elijah were up in their office handling last-minute details of the trip. Elijah mentioned we would be taking the plane to Tennessee and was getting confirmation on a landing site while Julia was focusing on the itinerary. Elijah upgraded and bought a new plane a year ago to hold more passengers than the old one.

The warrior trainers were outside taking care of the sandbags and salt trucks, making sure they made at least four rounds all through the territory, spreading and stacking. Every now and then, you could hear them pass by in the dump trucks as they dropped salt along the way. By the time they were finished, the territory and the area around the packhouse looked as if we were ready for war.

Sam, has everyone got their tasks completed? 

Yes. We are finishing up now. We have an update on the repairs that were made and what needed to be restocked.

Great. Rex, Jax, and the guests are back, and I linked them to meet me in my office. I need the rest of you to come as well. Connor and my uncle are pulling onto the territory now and will be up here shortly.

Elijah cut off the link, and I put the remaining items in my hands up and made my way up to his office.

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Connor

"Elijah, it's so good to see you. I feel like we haven't seen each other in years," I stated, giving my younger cousin a tight, embracing hug.

"It has been a very long time, and I am glad you both could make it. You already know everyone here but a few guests that are going with us. We met them not long ago, but the more we talk to them and get to know them, the more they seem really down to Earth, good people."

"That sounds great, man. It has been quite some time since dad and I have been off the territory. Ever since mom died, I have been trying to get him to do more things that he enjoyed years ago. His old Beta and Gamma took him to Montana last month, and they spent a couple of weeks out there, fishing and just enjoying the good old times. He came back a new man like he had had an epiphany of some sort. Maybe one with nature, I don't know, but whatever it was, I didn't care because he was back to his old self."

"I am so sorry to hear about Aunt Helen. I apologize sincerely for not being able to come to the ceremony, as we dealt with some unwanted issues ourselves."

"It's no harm done, cousin. I understand entirely, and I am glad to hear everything is back to normal for you all. How is Julia, by the way? How are the little ones? I bet they are getting so big. What are their names again? I am terrible with names."

"Dylynn, Daelynn are the twins, then we have little Olivia. They are getting so big. The twins are two, and Olivia just turned a year old not too long ago."

"I am jealous of you, Elijah. You have a perfect life. You are a significant Alpha to a fantastic pack; you found your mate and have a family. I yearn for the day I see my mate and begin to accomplish those things."

"Don't be jealous, Con. Be patient; you will find her, maybe when you least expect it. Time is of the essence, and patience is a virtue. One day, you will look back on this conversation and think, there was always a good reason to wait for the wonderful, unexpected things in life."

"That's easy for you to say Lij, you have the things that are meaningful in your life. Don't get me wrong, I love being Alpha to my pack, and we are growing day by day in numbers, but I always have that empty feeling in my heart for something more; something to feel that void, and I know it's because I haven't found her yet, so forgive me if I seem a little off, in a way."

"Connor, I couldn't be mad for you feeling that way. I was the same way before I found Julia, probably worse; throw in my temper, and it was terrible. When I saw her, it felt like the emptiness faded away, and I became whole. Julia grounded me in so many ways, opening my eyes to different views of certain situations or tasks and showing me what empathy and sympathy can do to and for a person. This brings me to what I want to discuss with you. You remember back when we had the issues we had to deal with two years ago?"

"Yeah."

"Well, in the process of all of that, I kidnapped the guy that had helped the man we killed. I held him captive for over a month, torturing him and doing things I am not very proud of. Julia befriended the man, making me realize not everyone in this world is evil. People do bad things, that doesn't make them bad people. In the end, I ended up taking him in, letting him prove himself and join the pack. I gave him a chance to start over with his life. He is now one of my head security guards and has found his mate and started a family. He has made a complete change in his life for the better."

"That is crazy. To think, the Alpha that was known as a ruthless, coldhearted, dickhead has turned into a softy has my mind in a frenzy," Connor sarcastically stated, chuckling.

"Me too. The craziest thing of all is I didn't even realize I had changed so much until one day I actually sat down and thought about how my life has changed since I found Julia and the positive things that have followed her to me."

"Okay, enough of this sentimental s**t; where's everybody else?"

Elijah laughed, playfully slapping me on the back, "Come on, man. We have a small meeting before dinner."

I followed Elijah through the packhouse, noticing the change of the interior along the way. The Luna must have really changed him; Elijah was always so dull and straightforward, never wanting to change anything or upgrade in all the years of growing up with him.

"My office in the packhouse is on the top floor; everyone else is already there."

I continued to follow him, greeting pack members along the way. We stopped down the hallway in the corridor as we came to an elevator.

"We're not taking the stairs?"

"Elevator is quicker; plus, I have to finish getting the pack prepared for the winter storm that's coming."

"Yeah, dad mentioned something about a storm coming up the East coast. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"You two are guests here, so no, you are not to do anything while you are here, but knowing you, I know there will be something you come up with that I miss along the way that needs to be addressed."

"You know me all so well, little cuz."

I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction to knowing me like the back of a book.

We stepped off the elevator to the top floor, making our way down the hall when an intense scent hit me like a ton of bricks. It smelled like freshly baked banana nut muffins. I knew no one was cooking when we walked through the kitchen, so what kind of scent was this. I could feel my mouth watering with every step we took. My wolf, Cano, was going crazy, "MATE, MATE, MATE."

Could it be? Could my mate be on the other side of the door we stopped at? I knew all the people in there, and they were already mated. It hit me; I remember Elijah telling me he invited some friends he met to come along with us on the Christmas trip. I could feel my stomach twisting and turning into knots as Elijah opened the door to his office. 

"Hey, love. It's about time you got your ass up here. We have been waiting for forty-five minutes on you." A small, petite brown-haired woman stepped over to him, kissing him and wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Jules, there's someone I would like you and everyone else to meet," Elijah stated, turning his attention in my direction.

"Connor, this is my mate and Luna of Red Moon pack, Julia. Julia, this is my older cousin, Connor, Alpha of the Mystique Moon pack." The Luna bowed her head and shook my hand.

"You don't have to bow to me; you're family. The family gives hugs," I stated, giving her a warm, friendly hug.

"It is charming to meet you, Connor." 

"Connor, you know Sam and Christian, my Beta and Gamma. Their mates, Colleen and Cat. We have some new additions to the pack. Evie has found her mate, Rex. He is a half werebear, hence the large size. Then we have Jax, my head warrior trainer also Julia's uncle, and his mate, Josephine, but you can call her Jo. She and Cat are witches and two of the most kindhearted people you will ever meet. Then we have Lucius, my head security, as I mentioned earlier, and his mate, Maria."

"It is a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Connor, Alpha of the Mystique Moon pack, as Elijah mentioned before. I can't wait to spend this trip with you all and get to know you all better."

The guests in the room smiled and nodded in agreeance with my words as they each got up or walked over to give me a brotherly or sisterly hug.

I glanced around the room, noticing everyone's features and what made them look so unique through my eyes until my gaze fell upon a tall, slender redhead sitting in the loveseat across the room with a girl that looked to be part Hispanic. The massive man sitting beside them gave me an uneasy feeling as a growl escaped my throat.

The banana nut scent came flowing through my nostrils as I walked closer to three individuals sitting across the room. I couldn't tell which female was giving off the smell until her eyes locked with mine. The beautiful, ivory color of her skin complimented her blazing red hair; I could feel my wolf trying to take over.

"Elijah, who are they?" I pointed over to the direction of the three sitting on the loveseat. I kept my eyes locked on the fire engine red-haired woman sitting with her hands in her lap as if she was trying to control herself for some reason.

"Connor, these are our newest friends we met that will be coming along with us on the trip."

Three stood and stepped closer to us, her scent magnifying as she stepped closer. I was trying so hard to control myself the closer she got. When she stepped merely a foot in front of me, I knew exactly where the smell was coming from. I immediately stepped in front of Elijah, taking the redhead by the waist, pulling her until she was flush with my body. 

She stiffened as I closed my eyes and held her there for a split second before leaning deep into her chest, inhaling her intoxicating scent from her chest to her neck, running my fingers through her silky hair. She let a small growl from deep in her chest as I looked into her black, lustful eyes. 

I wonder if I made her feel the same way, not letting my release on her hips go. The next thing I know, I am being lifted up in the air, with a massive hand around my throat.

"JONAS, PUT HIM DOWN!!!" I could hear Elijah's voice boom through the room, snapping me back to the reality of the situation. I could feel the hand setting me back down on the ground and releasing me from my neck. I was enraged.

"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!!! Cano roared, baring my canines, eyes black as night, and claws out, ready to tear this culprit's throat out through his mouth.

"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TOUCHING MY SISTER LIKE THAT?" The culprit roared back in my face. I could see his eyes turning colors and taking a different shape. What the hell is he? He wasn't a wolf; how was he her brother?

"Looks like Connor has found his mate," Sam said from the background.

"EVERYONE OUT, EXCEPT JULIA, CONNOR, LUCY, AND JONAS!!" Elijah was pissed. I can't believe I made a scene like that. We may be family, but my behavior was unprofessional, to say the least. I knew he would give me hell, but I couldn't help the way I was feeling towards the woman he called, Lucy. I couldn't help the mate pull.