{Zader POV}
I looked at my secretary as she started to stack up the papers on her desk in the office next door. I frowned to see that most of the other employees were missing, and I was angry that no one was doing their jobs. My secretary got up and put her coat on and started placing her personal items in her purse.
I could see her through the glass wall that our offices shared, and I buzzed the intercom to speak to her.
"Nancy, can you please come next door for a moment?" I said through gritted teeth. I was getting angry that all of my employees thought they could just slack off on the job, especially when we had a huge pitch coming up.
She immediately dropped her purse on the desk and briskly walked to my office. She knew my tone of voice meant that I was angry, since she had been working for me for two years already. My dad gave me the company when I turned 21, and thankfully she decided to continue working for me as the secretary. If it weren't for her, I might not have been able to keep the company afloat.
"Sir, what can I help you with?" Nancy said quietly.
"Well, you can start by telling me why all of my employees have decided to not work. Then you can tell me why you decided to pack up and leave early." I huffed out in frustration.
"Mr. Hale, it's 5:16 pm. The others all left 45 minutes ago, since they got off at 4:30 pm. I stayed behind to finish some paperwork for HR, but I was leaving to go home now. I can stay if you need me to, but I was hoping to go see my daughter's Christmas play…" she trailed off nervously. I was shocked to hear the time, and I double checked the clock on my desk. Sure enough, it was a quarter past five.
"Oh shit. Nancy, I am so sorry. Of course you may go. I didn't realize what time it was. Please forgive me and go spend the evening at your daughter's play." I said apologetically.
She smiled and thanked me before returning to her office to pick up her purse. She quickly came back to my office and opened the door.
"Have a good weekend Mr. Hale."
"Have a good weekend Nancy." I said with a smile. I realized that I not only lost track of what time it was, but what day it was. I forgot that it was Friday. She rushed out to the elevator and disappeared from the office floor.
I slowly gathered up my papers and shoved them in my briefcase. I shut down my laptop and also put it inside next to the files and other paperwork. I shut off the lights and locked my office door, making my way to the lobby to hop on the elevator.
I got in and pushed the button for the underground parking garage. As the elevator descended 22 floors, I frowned at the plans I had for the weekend. All I was going to do was work.
As the young CEO of a public relations agency and the Alpha of one of the biggest werewolf packs in the Pacific Northwest, I had a lot of work to keep me busy. The Black Mountain Pack has roughly 700 pack members, making us the largest pack in the state of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. My PR agency was also the largest in this area with high profile clients from around the world.
I worked late most weekdays and took it home on the weekends often. I simply didn't have a reason to put work down, even when I was home. It was depressing to think that all of my employees had plenty of Christmas plans to go home to, while I simply had nothing.
I shook off my momentary depression and got my head clear to start thinking about the pack business that I would need to tend to when I got home. It was December 1, which meant the hearings would be tonight.
The hearings were always held on the first day of month, and pack members could bring their complaints forward. As the Alpha, it was my job to settle any conflicts, enforce our pack laws and any punishments necessary and any other pack business that required my attention.
I was snapped out of my thoughts as the elevator came to a sudden stop and the door opened. I stepped out into the cold parking garage and made my way toward my Audi S5. I liked to park near the end where most people didn't park. I always found a spot that didn't have anyone parked on either side to avoid someone banging my car up with their doors.
I unlocked my car and threw the briefcase into the passenger seat. I pulled out my phone and checked for any messages. As usual, the only messages were from my beta, Rylan. I sat in my car and shut the door to look at the texts he sent me.
Rylan:
2:36 pm "Alpha, we have spotted a small group of rogues off the eastern border, but they never crossed the boundary."
3:18 pm "Alpha, the trackers just returned and reported that their scents disappear about 2 miles outside of the border to the north."
5:02 pm "Alpha, did you work late again? Don't forget about the hearing at 7:00."
I rolled my eyes at Rylan. He was thorough to say the least. I threw my phone in the passenger seat and backed out of the parking spot. I drove up the ramp to street level and waved to Grant, the parking garage security guard. He tipped his hat and opened the gate for me to leave.
I pulled out into the dark street that was full of traffic. Seattle during rush hour was a nightmare, and I was in the heart of it. I huffed and turned on the radio to block out the honking and cussing of angry humans that were trying to no avail to make the traffic jam disappear.
I shook my head as the snow started to fall in my headlights and flipped my windshield wipers on. I normally liked snow, but driving in it was a different story. I wasn't worried about my safety, since I was a werewolf and had enhanced reflexes. I was mostly annoyed at how much more this would slow down the human drivers.
After twenty minutes of inching along, I finally got outside of the city and hit the interstate. Several cars were on the interstate, but it wasn't near as many as the city streets. I easily sped around the humans and passed them. I made it to my exit and quickly got off the busy highway.
I turned down the two lane road that would eventually lead to my territory. Once I started driving, I let my instincts take over so I could focus on the night ahead. I knew we had several disputes to settle and a couple of punishments to administer, but it shouldn't be too eventful.
I would have to speak with Rylan about these rogues. It wasn't unusual to have a rogue or two approach our territory seeking asylum, but a "small group" seemed suspicious. I would need to know exactly how many were spotted.
I knew Rylan wanted the weekend off for his anniversary, so I would have him meet with me after the hearing to ensure he had Saturday and Sunday to spend with his mate.
Rylan and Analia, his mate, met two years ago and fell in love instantly. Rylan was the first of the ranked wolves to find his mate. My Gamma, Brett and I had yet to find anyone. I was truly happy for Rylan, but it also made the pain of not finding my mate yet even worse.
I was comforted by the fact that Brett hadn't found his mate, which made me feel shitty. I sincerely wished for Brett to find his mate, but I also secretly didn't want to be the last in our group to find my mate.
I finally pulled up to the territory entrance and shook off any thoughts about mates to get in Alpha mode. Our pack was large, so the territory was large as well. We had about 10,000 acres of land for all of our pack members to live on. Our pack was the size of a small town, so we had shops, small businesses and even a small park.
All of our pack members lived within the territory in houses or in the packhouse. The packhouse was situated in the middle of the territory and had 7 floors. The first floor was the municipal area where any pack members could enjoy amenities like the indoor/outdoor pool, movie theatre, recreation room, dining hall, gym and several hangout rooms that could be reserved for more private gatherings.
The second floor had bunkers and plenty of conference rooms for meeting. The third floor was where all of the guest rooms. Each guest room had a bathroom attached so visitors could be comfortable. The fourth floor was where all of the parents/siblings of the high ranking wolves lived.
The fifth floor was for Gamma Brett, his future mate and any children they might have. The sixth floor was for Beta Rylan, Beta Female Analia and any children they might have in the future. I lived on the seventh floor, and my future family would live here with me one day hopefully.
I pulled up to the front steps of the packhouse and mindlinked Davian, my head guard.
Davian, please come take my car to the garage.
Yes Alpha!
I glanced at the clock on the radio, and it was already 6:30. I quickly got out of the car and grabbed my briefcase. I threw my keys to Davian who was trotting down the stairs toward me.
"Alpha, good to see you home." he said with a friendly smile.
"Yes Davian, it was a long day. I am glad to be home, even if there is more work to be done." I said with a sigh.
I walked up the stairs as Davian got in the car and started it to drive it around back to the garage. I opened the door to all hell breaking loose in the great room. Women were yelling across the space. Children were scurrying underneath adult feet. Males were trying to follow the orders of the women to no avail.
I smiled and shook my head at how hectic my pack truly was. Everyone was getting the dining hall in order to serve as a gathering place for the hearings. I was thankful for such awesome pack members.
"Alpha! Are you just now getting home?"
I spotted Rylan across the room with his mate who was currently ordering two young male wolves on where to take the stacks of chairs they were carrying. I made my way over to them to speak to him.
"Yes Rylan, I lost track of time, and traffic was insane as always." I said.
"Again? That's the fifth time in two weeks that you haven't left work on time. Is everything okay?" Rylan asked with concern.
"Yes, everything is fine. I just don't have a reason to come home like you do." I said as I jerked my head toward Analia.
"Well Alpha, I am sure it won't be long. The moon goddess has someone very special out there for you, or else she wouldn't make you wait so long." Rylan smiled and walked over to his mate to help her direct the young wolves.
Werewolves are given mates by the moon goddess, and that's the person they are supposed to spend the rest of their lives with. It's like soulmates, but for werewolves. Once a wolf turns 18, they have the ability to find their mate. I am currently 23, and I have been waiting five long years to find mine. Rylan and Brett were both 21, and Rylan found his mate at 19.
I knew he meant well by saying what he did, but he had no idea what it was like to wait five years for a mate. Most wolves found their mate by the age of 21. It was very rare for wolves to not be given a mate by the moon goddess, but it did happen. That was secretly my biggest fear.
"Alpha, are you alright? You look worried."
I immediately looked down to see Analia glancing up at me.
"Oh, yes Beta Female. I am alright. Just thinking about pack business."
"Well Alpha Zader, it seems that you still need to get ready for the hearing?" Analia said with a cautious tone.
I looked down at my phone and saw that it was already 6:40.
"Oh fuck! Yes I do need to go get ready. Thanks for reminding me."
I turned quickly and dashed down the hallway to the elevator and got in. 15 minutes later I had changed, freshened up and headed back down. I had grabbed all of the official claims and paperwork for this month's hearing and was reading over everything to make sure I didn't have any surprises.
When I walked back through the great room, it was completely empty. Everyone had already gone to the dining hall to wait for my arrival. I walked to the giant wooden doors that normally stood open but were closed for this event. Only pack members were allowed in the hearings.
I nodded to Davian who was standing guard at the door and Rylan and Brett who were standing nearby to accompany me inside.
"Davian, if you please?"
Davian bowed and opened one door, while another guard opened the other one. I walked straight ahead with Rylan flanking my right and Brett flanking my left. We made our way to the front of the room, where chairs were placed for us.
There were a total of six chairs at the front of the room where the head table normally was. This is where the high ranking members and their mates sat during meals and during hearings.
The biggest chair in the center was for me, while the chair immediately to its left was slightly smaller. It was intended for the Luna of the pack. The chair to the left of the Luna's was for Brett, and on the farthest left side was for the future Gamma Female. On the right side of my chair was Rylan's seat, and to his right was Analia's chair.
We advanced to the front of the room as the pack members bowed when we passed by them. When we got to the front, I was the first to take my seat followed by Rylan, then Brett. We sat and the pack members stood up and faced the doors at the back of the room once again.
The doors opened, and Analia walked through to take her place up here with us. She was the only high ranking female in the pack, so she had to walk alone. Normally all three high ranking mates would walk as the males did. I felt a little sorry for her, but she held her head high and had dignity nonetheless.
The pack members bowed to her as they did for us, and she eventually came to the front. She paused for a moment and bowed in front of us before taking her seat. After all the high ranking wolves were seated, the pack members rose.
I stood and bowed my head to the pack members to show mutual respect.
"Good evening everyone. Thank you for joining us. I know we have a lengthy agenda to get through tonight, so I won't delay in starting. Gamma Brett, will you please introduce the first case?"
I took my seat as Brett rose and called the first case forward. I listened to the crimes that wolves were accused of, decided punishments and settled disagreements amongst pack members. It was a pretty standard night, and we made it through all of the agenda items in an hour.
That's when the floor opens up for any new business. This is an opportunity for pack members to bring things to the attention of the high ranking members that may not be able to wait for another month.
"Alright, that is all of the previously discussed business. So, does any pack member here have any new business they need to discuss?" Brett announced over the crowd that had begun to chatter quietly.
I saw the back door open and Davian entered holding the hand of a young girl.
"I do." he boomed in the large room.
The crowd instantly got quiet as Davian continued to make his way to the front. I was intrigued by this display, since I didn't recognize the girl. I also didn't know he had any business that needed attention, so I was interested in what this could possibly be about.
He stood right in front of me and bowed his head. The girl stood slightly to his left, but she seemed very shy and hid behind him. She bowed her head as Davian spoke.
"Alpha, Beta, Beta Female, Gamma, It is my pleasure to introduce you to Carina. She is my mate."
My eyes widened in shock as he slowly rose from his bow. Rylan almost fell out of his chair, and Brett took a step back from his own surprise.
"Well, it's very nice to meet you Carina. Welcome to the Black Mountain Pack. My name is Alpha Zader, and this is Beta Rylan, Beta Female Analia and Gamma Brett." I said as I gestured to each person. "Congrats Davian on finding your mate. Now, what business would you like to bring before the ranked members?"
I knew what he was wanting. Wolves that found their mate from a different pack would have to decide which pack they would live in. Most of the time, the female wolves went to live with the male's pack, but that wasn't always the case. I guessed that he wanted Carina to join our pack.
"Alpha, I am asking that Carina be allowed to join the Black Mountain Pack and live with me in the packhouse." he stated.
Davian had his own private living quarters on the second floor since he was head guard. It would be a nice place to raise a family.
"Carina, what pack do you come from?" I asked with interest.
"Alpha, I am an omega member of the Rising Moon Pack." she said softly.
The Rising Moon pack was a very small pack in eastern Oregon. We had an ally pact with them, which meant we were on good terms. I normally asked each new wolf what pack they came from, simply to gauge if their transfer was going to cause any major problems.
I accepted all mates of my current pack members, since the mate bond is very sacred to our kind. I wouldn't intentionally deny one of my pack members the ability to have their mate become part of our pack, unless they were a member of a certain pack.
The Red Moon Pack in Maine was ruthless and killed other packs out of greed for power and land ever since the Beta overtook the Alpha of that pack four years ago. They hardly ever kept survivors and always slaughtered the higher ranking wolves. I couldn't afford to have that kind of mindset seeping into my pack. Luckily, the pack was on the other side of the country, and I never had to deal with that pack.
I smiled at the new couple and held up a finger to ask them for a moment while the higher ranked members deliberated. While Rylan and his mate consulted, I mind linked Brett.
Brett, what do you vote?
I am in favor, Alpha.
Very well.
I turned to see Rylan and Analia were looking at me instead of each other, which meant they were done discussing the issue.
Rylan, what do you and your mate say?
We are both in favor.
I cut off my mindlink and turned back to Davian, Carina and the rest of the pack.
"Black Mountain, please welcome your newest pack member, Carina!" I announced over the crowd. A smile broke out on Davian's face, and he picked up Carina spinning her around as she laughed with joy. The rest of the pack members clapped and cheered with delight. It was always a good day to add another pack member to our ranks.
I lifted my hand to quiet the noise of the crowd.
"Davian, congrats on your new mate. Carina, we are happy to have you as part of the family. She is more than welcome to join you in the packhouse." Davian thanked me and bowed.
I was about to turn to Brett to see if there were any other pack members who had new business, when Davian spoke up again.
"Alpha, I do have one more thing to present to the ranked members." he said a little less confidently this time.
My brow furrowed, and I turned my attention to him once more.
"What is it Davian?"
"Carina's parents died two years ago when she was only 19, leaving her to care for her younger sister at the time. They had no other family, and it was just the two of them. Her sister is only 19 now, and she hasn't found her mate yet. Would you be willing to let her sister join the pack as well so that she isn't left alone?"
Carina had her eyes to the floor, and I could tell she was scared of me saying no. I smelled the fear coming off of her and a slight amount coming from Davian as well. She must've asked him to present this to me, since he's already a pack member.
I was a fair and generous Alpha, so I wouldn't shun a young wolf that didn't have any other family. I was always happy to bring in new wolves that needed a home.
"Is she present? I would like to meet her." I said kindly.
Davian turned around to gesture for the guards to open the doors, and a red headed girl walked through them with her eyes cast down.
As soon as she entered the room, I heard a feral growl coming from my left. Before I knew what was happening, Brett's head snapped up and his eyes were obsidian black. He ran to the girl in the back of the room using his wolf speed and had her pinned against the wall before I could say a word.
"Mate." was all he said.