The pack was shocked by the arrival of their new leader. I was hoping for this outcome but I would never have expected Xavier to accept the Elder's offer to run the pack. I had mentioned to them before leaving about restoring peace between the Rouges and the Redbridge Pack but to do it in this fashion was something I wasn't expecting. I could see that some members were hesitant in accepting their new Alpha, there was a weariness in some of their gazes. I couldn't blame them for they were told a lie which caused hatred to form where it wasn't necessary.
I didn't have to spend a lot of time with Xavier to know he was a good man, he had managed to reform the Rouges and from my conversations with the Beta and Gamma of the pack they had expressed that the Rouges had only engaged in combat when they attacked. Both had shared that they were peaceful and often felt guilty for attacking people who only wanted to live in harmony.
At the meeting Xavier had announced that the members in his Rouge pack would be joining and he would be reforming how they approached lone or Rouge wolves. He understood that sometimes it wasn't their fault or decision to leave their pack so they should never be attacked on sight. He promised to lead them with transparency and that he wanted to introduce a democracy to the pack, hoping that they will all contribute to making big decisions that will impact their lives. It was at that moment I saw those who were weary, relax into their seats.
The Elder's stood by with a smile on their face and for the first time since arriving in the Redbridge pack, there was no longer a deariness that clouded the pack but there was a hum, a buzz of excitement. For Xavier's plans were something new, they provided opportunity for them to change the archaic system that has been in place. The only person who looked annoyed or irritated was Jacob, but equally there was an admittance of acceptance on his face.
I knew that we had said everything that we needed to. There was no reason for my thoughts to hang on his. He was a chapter that I had now closed and although he caused me significant pain, I hoped that he would find happiness. Now that everything had been resolved and plans had been made with the Elder's, there was no reason for me to stay. I was free to leave, free to live, free to love again.
I was in my bedroom packing my suitcase, making sure that all my personal items were stored away. When I arrived their was a heavy burden that hung on my shoulders, my demons were now destroyed. I no longer had a mate, I was now without a wolf for she had completely left me. There was only one thing I knew I would be leaving behind that I would miss.
It was then that my thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in!" I shouted as I zipped my suitcase up. I let out a deep sigh and turned around.
There he stood. The person who I would miss like hell. The personal item that I was leaving behind. His posture was defeated, he had tears in the corner of his eyes. His face was solemn. I knew deep down he was hoping I would stay but he knew this place held nothing but ghosts of my past.
"Benji." I said with a smile on my face.
"Loretta..." His voice cracked as he wiped the corner of his eyes. "Your..." Benji sniffed. "Ride is here waiting for you."
"Benji, wipe those tears away." I said as I rushed in front of him. "There is nothing for you to cry about. This isn't goodbye."
"But it is! I won't see you everyday, I won't speak to you everyday! Your going to ghost me, your going to never speak to me again because I am staying here. Why couldn't I have found Lewis in any other place! A place where you could stay!" He sniffed out, the tears continuously running down his eyes.
I let out a small chuckle as I brought my hand to my lips to cover the corners of my mouth which was tilting upwards. "Benji, you can't get rid of me that easily. You are still my employee. You are still my best friend. You are still my brother by bond. Just because we won't physically see each other does not mean you will never see me again."
"What do you mean I'm still your employee? How can I work for you when you are returning to New York?" He says with a furrowed brow.
"Don't worry Benji, you haven't lost your job. Your role is just shifting. I'm opening up a new initiative. Only you, Lewis and the Elders will know what the plans are moving forward. I am setting up a new initiative. You know the programme the Elder's spoke about in that last meeting?" Benji nodded. "Well I'm the funding behind it, you will be running it." I say with a smile.
His mouth gapes open. His eyes filled with shock and surprise. "What do you mean I am running it?"
"It means you will be working as my buffer. I will supply the funds and you will complete the investments. You have the education, you have the experience from watching me over the years, you have the intelligence and determination. You will be fantastic in running it. The Elder's agreed. So even though you won't see me everyday, you will still have to speak with your partner in business and crime." I smirked.
"Everyday. You promise we will speak everyday?" He let out a heart filled sobbed.
"Everyday. We will speak via telephone or video conference. Just because I won't be here physically doesn't mean that you can get rid of me that easily. I will always be your problem." I say as I pull him into my arms. I hug him tightly and hold him. "Besides I am going to need regular updates on your romance with Mr Beta." I whisper in his ear.
"Promise?" He whispered into my hair as he placed his head into the crook of my neck.
"Promise." I say as a small tear escapes my eye.
"I expect you in New York for the Anual Shareholder's meeting. You should bring Lewis with you. Show him your stomping ground." I reply as I pull back.
"Fine, but we are staying with you when we visit. Your place is nicer than most hotels." He muttered.
"Deal." I respond quickly. I grab the top of his arm and grace with with a small smile. "Now make yourself useful and take my suitcase downstairs." I chuckled.
"Yes ma'am." He fake salutes and takes my suitcase and makes his way out my room. As he leaves I let out a deep sigh. It's then that I take my final bow through the place that I grew up in, the place that I once called home.
I couldn't say that all my memories were bad here, there were some moments that I could never forget. Spending time with my father with the warriors as he made them run drills while he set up a mini obstacle course for me to complete. I remember playing with the pups in the daycare centre when my family pushed me away or when I would sit with the sick and elderly and listen to their stories about their families and mates.
It was those moments that I tried to grasp onto. I didn't want to leave this place filled with hate, there was a part of me that just wanted to put everything to bed. I wanted to leave this place with forgiveness in my heart. For I was entrusting them to support and accept my brother by bond, if I was to ever visit him I didn't want it to be something I dreaded.
As I made my way through the pack house, there were faces that I had never seen before. They held a look of gratefulness and relief, while faces that I remembered were filled with acceptance. My visit may have caused pain to those who had truly deserved it but for those who were innocent, my visit brought peace and new opportunities. A new era was beginning, even if it was my final goodbye.
There on the lawn stood was Beta Lewis who had pulled Benji into his side, offering him comfort and support. I smiled at their affection and made my way to them. I looked at Lewis who gave me a grateful smile. Â He released Benji and pulled me into a quick hug. "Thank you for bringing me Benji. Don't be a stranger." He whispered in my ear.
"I won't but that doesn't mean you can't come visit your sister-in-law. Look after him." I whispered in reply. In which he responded with a tight nod.
I pulled back and made my way to the limousine that was waiting outside the pack, before I could reach the handle to the door, a hand appeared out of no where beating me to the punch. I looked up and saw a smiling Xavier.
"Now you weren't planning to leave without saying Goodbye were you?" Xavier jested.
I looked up and stared deeply into his eyes, giving him a small smirk. "I wouldn't dream on it Alpha."
Xavier's eyes darkened. I could see the intense look he responded with. It was clear his wolf was clawing to the surface. "Alpha." He said, I could see the words twist in his mouth like he was savouring the taste. "Never heard a more beautiful voice say that word to me before." His voice was deep and husky. I could feel the flutter in my stomach at his reply.
"Well Alpha, it suits you. I couldn't think of a better person for the position." I respond.
He gives me a huge smile, his teeth were showing as his lips tilted upwards. As I looked at him I could see the dimples in his cheeks appear. It was both sexy and adorable. "I won't forget what you did for me. For my people. I owe you everything." He replied with a small bow of the head.
"You don't owe me anything at all Alpha Xavier. Your people deserve peace and so do the people of Redbridge. You have already changed their lives. I can't wait to hear what you do next." I state.
He pulls the handle and opens the door for me. He gestures for me to take my seat in the limousine "I will be seeing you again, mark my words." He smirks.
I take my place in the car, my bottom sits on the cool leather seats. He closes the door and I unwind the window. He's perched his hands on his knees as he reaches my eye level. "I'm sure you will. But for now, it's Goodbye and Goodluck."
"Goodbye Beauty." He replies and he taps the top of the car. It's then that the limousine pulls off for me to return to my stomping ground, my home. New York, your Queen is back and for the first time in years, her ice cold heart may be melting.