Preparations Underway

Addy

Weeks roll by as the news of our new roles trickles out. Packs from all over are drawn to our area, curious to see if the prophecy is indeed unfolding. The library is filled with books about this prophecy, and everyone has been taught about it at some point. We return to our pack to discuss the matter with Drake’s father, who is taken aback by the news.

His finger taps a rapid rhythm on the wooden desk. “You’re not going to lead this pack?”

Drake nods slowly. “Our family has led this pack for over four hundred years. When Addy and I have children, our firstborn will be groomed to take the throne when he’s old enough. Our second son could come here and lead this pack, unless something happens to his brother and he has to return to the palace. Addy and I have talked about having at least three sons to secure both the palace and this pack.”

His father groans. “Do you realize how much longer I’ll have to lead this pack? Your mother and I were looking forward to retiring after I stepped down this summer.”

Ryan, sitting next to us, chimes in. “What if I ran the pack until it was time to hand it over to your son?”

Sherman shakes his head. “You can’t without being appointed Alpha. His son would have to challenge you for the title. I don’t think you want to die in the process.”

Ryan shakes his head. “No, not really. So, there’s no solution?”

Sherman growls. “He could reject the other. Do you have to take that role?”

Drake looks at him, confused. “I have to take it, Dad. Addy is required to take that role, and she’s my mate. Where she goes, I go.”

I gently touch his arm. “I understand what your dad is feeling. He had his heart set on something that now can’t happen. I know it will be at least another nineteen to twenty years before he can hand it over, if not longer. We can come back here at times to give him a break or let him take a vacation. Our lives will be in high demand when we move, but we can work it out.”

He gives me a dirty look, causing Drake to growl at him. His eyes quickly drop to the paper on his desk, realizing he’s upset his son. He slowly looks back up at us, sighing slightly.

“I guess we have no choice unless I want our family to lose this pack. Your mother won’t be happy about this, but it has to be dealt with now that your plans have changed,” he leans back in his chair.

Drake smiles slowly. “I’m sorry about all of this, but in the long run, I’ve become much more powerful than I expected. Addy told me that when we both are sworn into the other role, Tate will have to train us about using the power that comes with the new title. She can control hers better than I can because of her wolf. Mystic knows how to use these powers because she’s been in these roles all her life. I, on the other hand, will have some difficulty because they are double the power from what I have now.”

His dad slams his chair on the floor. “Do you think we care about powers, Drake? I couldn’t care less if you have Alpha power or this other; your mother and I want to enjoy our retirement.”

I clasp my hands together. “Sherman, I’m sorry about this. We both are willing to do everything we can to help with this extra burden that’s been put on you. Ryan can come back here for temporary relief when you want to go places and take over the pack for that time. It would be the same if Drake and I needed to leave for business, leaving him in charge. He wouldn’t take over the Alpha spot but still be able to run the pack while you get breaks.”

A low growl comes out of him before he stops it quickly. “I don’t like this decision at all. Nothing can be done about it, but I wish something could be changed.”

Drake shoots out of his chair, slamming his hands down on the desk. “That’s enough. We’re trying to be nice about all of this, but it can be taken away quickly. We’ve offered two types of relief, but you’re so dead set on retiring that you don’t see how we’re trying to help you. Are you stuck doing the job the moon goddess gifted you? Yes. Is this going to make your term longer than it should be? No, not really. What if I was still a teenager or younger learning my trade? You would have to wait for me to get old enough to take over. For the last five years, you’ve talked about how you couldn’t wait until I was old enough to rule this pack. It worked in your favor that I was born quickly, but you need to look at the other side. Your son is going to a powerful position that will make decisions for all the packs worldwide, not just one. My job is bigger than the one you’re sitting in now. I don’t understand why you can’t be happy for me?”

He sighs long. “I am happy, son, more than I let on, unfortunately. It’s like having a bucket of ice water dumped on your head when you think the time is right around the corner, but then the rug gets pulled out from under you. We’ve been building up this excitement only to have it taken away so fast that it’s hard to grasp.”

Drake slowly sits down, his fingers moving quickly from his pinky to his index finger, as if playing the piano. “As we said earlier, I know it’s not easy hearing this news about your only son, but I was chosen for this. You wouldn’t have let Mom go and do something without you by her side, just as I won’t let Addy do this without me.”

He nods, slowly pulling a paper from his desk. “This was something I had put back for the day you took over. Read this carefully; some suggestions might help your new role. There are some rules I had written down for you that could help if something happens where it comes down to a hard spot of making a decision.”

Drake scans the paper before folding it and putting it into his pocket. His dad watches him closely but doesn’t say anything. We stand up to check on our room being packed by a few members who volunteered to do it while we met with his dad.

Sherman holds up his hand. “One more thing before you leave.”

Drake crosses his arms over his chest. “Yes?”

“How are things going at your new living arrangement? Can I get you anything you might need?” he asks, pulling open a drawer.

“People have been buying us items over the last week, telling us they wanted to help decorate the place. If you want to gift us something, let me write down some items we still need. Mom asked us the same thing before we came in here,” Drake leans over, grabbing a pen.

He writes down several items we’ve discussed buying but haven’t gotten around to. His dad looks over the list, pointing to one thing on it.

“We’ll get you this sofa you need for the sitting area. Can you send me a picture of the one you picked out?” he asks, holding up his phone.

I pull out my phone, sending him a picture of the beige-colored sofa that Drake and I agreed on last week. People have been telling us they wanted to buy us items for our home, so we stopped buying and made a list of what we needed. Most of it has been purchased, but there are still some items we need. Hand in hand, we walk out of the office and down the hall, looking around the place where he grew up. I haven’t been here as long as he has, but it feels like home. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly since Myra’s birthday. His parents have treated me like a daughter, with more love than I ever received from my own parents.

As we walk out, a female voice calls from a door. “How is my favorite son today?”

Drake hugs his mother. “I’m fine, Mother. We just left Dad’s office talking to him about the two of you being able to turn the pack over to us. He was given some options but was unhappy about them.”

Her laugh is light. “He was looking forward to not having the headache of running this pack, but he loves his people, even if he doesn’t always show it when he’s upset. His temper is getting shorter as he ages, but he can handle it. Our family has always been trained to be leaders.”

Drake nods. “We told him we could come back to relieve you for vacations, and Ryan volunteered to run the pack if we couldn’t. It won’t be the same as being fully retired, but it can bring relief when needed.”

She hugs me. “The two of you don’t need to worry about us. I don’t mind spending more time with my family. This pack runs itself with only a few mishaps here and there. Your father will have to continue with all the paperwork like he always does. The part he hates is all the papers that require his attention. He loves running meetings or speaking with pack members, the other not so much.”

“Since the announcement, you’ve been my guide, and I’m grateful for that,” I say, taking a step back. “I wish we could take this on, give you the break you’ve been longing for, but the other responsibilities demand so much more of our time.”

Her eyes shimmer with unshed tears. “Don’t fret, Addy. You and Drake were chosen for a greater purpose. When’s the ceremony to confirm the titles?”

“Coming weekend,” Drake responds, dragging his hand down his face. His nerves are frayed from learning all the intricacies that come with the new title. Tate has been coaching him tirelessly each day—training him in paperwork, managing his armies, and scheduling meetings with pack leaders. It’s not vastly different from his Alpha training, but the scale is much larger now. He has to deal with multiple packs under his rule, handle more intricate details due to the expanded size of his lands, and negotiate with Alphas he doesn’t particularly like.

“Stop fretting, son,” his mother chides gently. “You were born for this, and I have unwavering faith in both of you. Look at what you’ve achieved in such a short span of time. Packs that were once riddled with issues are now thriving, thanks to your guidance and problem-solving.”

Drake exhales a long breath, closing his eyes. “I know, Mom. The past few weeks have been chaotic. My training has been a lifesaver, but dealing with packs we vowed never to interfere with is challenging. Some of those Alphas are tough to negotiate with, and don’t even get me started on when multiple ones are in the same room. It’s like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.”

His mother chuckles. “It’ll get easier with time. Think of it this way—all these Alphas have been ruling their packs for ages without any accountability. Now, they have to answer to someone. The council has been dormant for a long time because they weren’t needed. But now, you’ve stepped in, overseeing all of them. They have to answer for any actions that might displease you. They’re being forced to adapt, to ensure their actions meet your approval.”

Drake embraces his mother again, a smile lighting up his face. She’s been his rock all his life, always knowing the right words to say when he needs to hear them.

“She’s been incredibly patient with me during my Luna training. Now, she offers advice when needed, admitting she’s unsure how to navigate the role of a Queen.”