After a couple of days of panicking and denying the situation, I came to terms with it. Darius rejected me and although it hurt, I needed direction in my life. Building this pack back up would hopefully lead me in the right direction. The first step would be to gain this pack's trust.
"Beta Ryan, I can assure you that I've processed the situation," I told the man sitting in front of me.
We were in the Alpha's office, technically mine. All of the old alpha's belongings were still here making it uncomfortable to sit behind the desk.
He stared at me for a moment before nodding. "Alright. However, something isn't adding up."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the night you fought our previous Alpha, he had been intoxicated. However, wolves sober up pretty quickly, and you mentioned earlier that he wasn't drunk for most of the fight. So, if he wasn't drunk, how did you beat him?" He paused to let the question sink in and I started to wonder the same thing. How did I not think about that before?"
"Only someone of Alpha blood can beat an Alpha but you said you were a warrior in your pack. Not to offend, but not even the best warrior can beat an Alpha. You also mentioned your parents were warriors, so you're not of Alpha blood."
I leaned my elbows on the desk and thought about what he said. No possible explanation came to mind. Ryan's eyes suddenly widened.
"This might sound intrusive but were you adopted?"
"I was, but my birth parents were also warriors. No Alpha blood there." I felt a little pang in my chest as I mentioned my birth parents. I was little when they died, but I grew up listening to stories that my adoptive parents told me.
"Do you know anything else about them?"
"They had transferred packs a few years before I was born. My parents told me they were looking for a fresh start."
He thought about what I said. "I want to do a little research on them. Would that be okay?"
I thought over what he said. I have always been curious to know more about them but my parents told me they never talked about their life before joining the pack. Maybe this would be a good idea.
"Yes, report everything you find to me."
He nodded and asked, "Their names?"
"Maybelle and Thomas Reins."
He wrote it down on a sticky note and looked back up at me. "The pack is very anxious to meet you but many are terrified of the type of Alpha you might be. You're going to have to gain their trust."
Considering the state of their previous Alpha and everything they probably endured during his reign, this was going to be difficult. "Alright. We'll begin by announcing a pack meeting today at five."
He wrote that down on another sticky note. "What will you be discussing?"
"Well, I'll start by introducing myself and tomorrow I'll tell them my plan for the pack. We'll see how it goes over with them."
He considered what I said before nodding in approval. "That is a good start."
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The whole pack was gathered in a separate building from the pack house. About 150 wolves were gathered, all staring at me with different expressions; curiosity, excitement, fear, and defeat.
"Hello everyone," I said as I stood on a stage in the center of the room. "My name is Camila Rodriguez and I come from the Sharp pack. My previous position in my pack was as a warrior." I paused and looked around at my new pack. They stared back intently.
"I know y'all have hit a very rough patch and your trust in Alphas has wavered. I realize that gaining your trust will be difficult, however I want to and will put in the work to gain the trust of all my pack members." Some pack members, mostly the younger ones, appeared hopeful while most seemed distrustful and skeptical.
"Today I want to get to know each of y'all but tomorrow we'll meet again to discuss ways to strengthen the pack." A murmur of agreement goes around and I stepped off the stage. I walked to the nearest couple.
The woman was sporting a bright smile as she bent her head. "Alpha," she said in way of greeting and her mate followed suit.
I returned their smiles. "Your names?"
"Rachel Hanes," the red headed woman said and pointed to her husband. "Max Hanes. We're patrollers, or at least we used to be. Before things went downhill." Her tone was bitter and angry.
"Rachel, we shouldn't be so hard on the previous Alpha," he directed his attention to me. "He lost his mate just as he was accepting the Alpha role. He had a difficult time coping and managing the pack." He looked at the floor and his eyebrows were scrunched together. It was clear he felt empathy for the man rather than resentment.
How would the pack feel knowing I was rejected? A weight drops to the pit of my stomach at the thought.
They can't find out. At least not until I have gained their trust.
The anger left Rachel's face and her shoulders slumped. I put one hand on each of their shoulders.
"I cannot pretend to understand what you have been through but I realize it was difficult. Y'all have hit rock bottom, and as cliche as it sounds, y'all can only go up. We've gotta put in some effort and work together to build this pack up again." I looked at both at them and see some hope spark in their expressions. "I can promise this pack so many things; strength, unity, happiness, family, but only if you're willing to move forward."
"You're right, Alpha," an almost giddy expression crossed Rachel's face.
"I'm ready to hear your plan tomorrow, Alpha" Max replied with a small grin.
"So are we, Alpha." I turned and saw all my pack members had been watching my interaction with the Hanes.
"But we expect you to follow through," A woman from the crowd yelled.
A full blown grin overtook my face. These people are my future. "Everyone meet here at 7 in the morning. For those who work outside of the pack, we'll hold another meeting at 6 in the afternoon."
The replies sound more enthusiastic than before.
After the meeting, I toured the pack grounds. The grass was extremely overgrown and dirt was clinging on to the exteriors of most buildings. The children's park was bare along with the surrounding green area. No one was outside to socialize. The overall picture of the pack was of a broken community.
I turned back to the pack house and headed to my office. It was time to write down a rough plan to present tomorrow.
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I was the first down for breakfast and was in the middle of making pancakes when heavy footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. A guy appeared at the kitchen doorway, rubbing his eyes.
"Morning." The guy practically jumped in freight and whipped his head up. His eyes widen and I'm pretty sure my amusement was written all over my face.
"How did I not realize you were here?" He frowned at me.
"You're not completely awake," I replied as I pointed a spatula at him. I flipped my pancake and turned towards him. "And who might you be?"
"Zach, the Beta's son and your future Beta." He extended a hand towards me.
"Camilla Rodriguez." I returned the handshake and nodded towards the pantry. "Mind getting the syrup?" I poured in more batter on the pan.
"Will do, Alpha," he replied and saluted with a little smirk on his face.
"Cami is fine. No need for the Alpha part," I turned my head towards him with a smirk of my own. "You will be my second in command after all."
He placed the syrup on the counter and came to watch me make pancakes. He leaned against the counter, one hand holding up his head. "So Cami, what's the first order of business today?"
I pointed towards the stack of pancakes. "First, breakfast. Then, the pack meeting." He nodded and got started on setting the table.
"I smell pancakes!" Was followed by loud, rushed footsteps. LÃo stepped into the kitchen, his eyes zeroed in on the pancakes.
"Slow your roll. Not yet. We're all eating together." He shot me a small glare at having to wait and I grinned widely at him.
"Fine," he muttered and crossed his arms like a disappointed child.
I laughed at his antics and he cracked a small smile. "Make yourself useful and go help Zach set the table."
"Yes, ma'am. Or should I say Alpha?" He grinned at me and made little jazz hands. I laughed as I pushed him towards the dining room.
As soon as breakfast was over, we all headed towards the gathering room. A few people were already here and I headed over to greet them. As more and more pack members arrived, I realized that getting to know them was quickly becoming one of my favorite past times.
After a while of no newcomers, I made my way to the stage. "Good morning, everyone."
I received a chorus of "Morning, Alpha."
I surveyed the room and most tapped their feet against the floor or their hands against the table. Some even seemed to be sweating.
"Today marks the beginning of a long road towards something we all want; a strong community. I have began to formulate a plan that covers many aspects from finance to trainings, however I am eager to hear your thoughts and inputs. Are we all on the same page?"
"I have an objection."