Jax nodded, as if formulating a plan. What about power?
Ray gives him a strange look, and so do I. Jon doesn't look that way, but he's the good one. Regardless, Ray had just answered that question.
"The electricity and gas companies provide all the power we need on the mountain," Ray repeats.
Jax smiles, showing the whitest teeth I've ever seen outside of the movies. "No, I mean, how does the power move from one Alpha Pack to the next?"
His words brought me completely back to the room. "O! I can answer that!"
Jax gave me a confused look, but I quickly continued.
"Swarms of Alpha were born. We are given titles at a certain age, and with that comes the Pack Alpha title. My father was the last Alpha Pack, and when he left, Ray took over."
The new wolf keeps my gaze in his eyes as I think about his next words.
I stiffened, waiting for him to put together my last name and the name of the flock and ask him about my father and why he was leaving. All set and ready to go, I have a mostly correct answer.
But he doesn't ask. "This is not the case with Laurel Cove packages. We must fight for leadership. The strong one wins."
I couldn't even imagine living in such a flock. Fighting with your peers, your family, for dominance, rather than knowing who should lead.
Jax paused and blankly scratched his head. No one can fill the silence. We can all feel that he's going somewhere and we can give him the space to do it.
"The only exception is if the alpha cannot produce an heir. Then the role goes to the next strongest in the herd." He brought his hand to his smooth-shaven head once again, and gave a long sigh. We've been stuck in these ancient traditions for centuries, and if I don't find a way out of it, I'm going to lose my purse."
Jon took a quick glance at Ray before leaning towards our guest. "Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Wait, why can't you have an heir?" I'm asking. I have a doubt but want to make sure I am not assuming anything.
"I'm gay, Willah."
I mean, eyeliner meant nothing and I didn't want to be caught with my foot in my mouth. "I see. So, your herd is progressive enough to accept you as an alpha, but not enough to abolish the heir rule?
"Almost. Nobody cares if I'm gay, but old people can't understand that I'm not procreating. And that's why I don't want to give up my bag."
"Well, do you have a plan?" For the first time since Jax's arrival, Ray relaxed completely, sinking deeper into the seat, and wrapping his arm around my shoulders. Ray knew that Jax was hiding his true intentions, but now that everything has been revealed, Ray needn't be on such high alert anymore.
"I hope you do things differently and are willing to talk to the herd. Show them that there are many ways to manage a pack and that we don't have to stick around.
"I'm not the alpha," Jon says. "I'm a sigma."
"Sigma?"
Jon nodded, and many expressions crossed Jax's features, but what he finally decided was anger. "Another side-effect of Titus' rule."
"Sigmas are quite rare here as well," I quickly add. "The only person I've ever met is Jon."
"But this is a naming born out of necessity, evolution. It is something that my package and all packages in my region are rejected.
Ray nodded once to Jax. "I think I speak for all of us when I say we would be honored to help. Did you set a time for the video call or do you need coordination with your package?
Jax shifted on the stool, anger brushed off as a small smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Video calling won't be enough."
Jon and I share an inquiring view.
And just like that, Ray is nervous again. The arm surrounding me tightened very slightly. "Ey? What's on your mind?"
Jax met Ray's fixed gaze. "We are holding a city council meeting of all the herds in Laurel Cove and neighboring Cypress City.
For the first time since knowing him in years, Ray looks uncomfortable. His shoulders are slightly sloping forward and his chin is sloping. To me the changes are as clear as a neon sign, but in reality its stance has only changed very little.
But Ray's words come out as smooth and straight as ever. "Friend, as much as I want to help, we just met. To fly over—"
"I realize this is a big question."
Jon leaned forward, raising his warm hand previously on my knee to make a broad movement. "Does the herd want to know how other herds are doing things? Do they want change?"
"Is there anyone there?" Jax answers. "Probably not, but the pack is full of good and well-behaved wolves. I think it's not common practice to force alphas to breed to maintain their position.
When they hear it's gone, they'll have to think again."
Ray took my hand and squeezed it lightly.
This is a signal. One we've never used but bought instantly.
"I think we'll need some time to discuss this," I said, and got up from the couch. Jax did the same, picking up his gloves and earplugs and following me to the door. "The surrounding wolves can tell you where our guest cabins are. You can stay there until we make a decision." I open the door and Jax doesn't refute another word.
"Thanks Willah." He nodded to Ray and Jon and walked into the twilight blue of the early evening light.
"I'll come out and say it right away," Jon began. "I don't think we should go to other herds and tell them the way they're doing things is wrong."
Ray nodded, and while our guest was here, he relaxed more than he'd allowed on the couch. "I agree."
"You know that's not what you want from us, right?" I say and I'm crushed between my two friends, my legs in Jon's lap, my back against Ray's side.
"Looks so close," Ray grumbled, wrapping his arm around my waist so I could sit sideways in his lap, pulling me towards him.
"Why don't we take tonight and sleep and talk tomorrow?" Jon suggests pulling the hem of my trousers hard enough to pull my belt up to my hips.
Surprising all three of us, I stiffened.
Jon drops my pants. "What's going on Willh?"
I met his gaze and covered my mouth so my lower lip wouldn't quiver.
Ray pressed me tight against him. "You can tell us. Anyway, Willah."
How do I start this?
It's been weeks since I've avoided this thing exactly because… because why? Afraid of being disappointed?
As stupid as it is for an omega to be afraid of hitting his friends... that's exactly what's going on.
"Please don't laugh," I whispered.
"We never would," Jon says earnestly.
I take a shaky breath with my lower lip between my teeth. "Marih the healer took my magic from me and…" I pause, and Ray's arms wrap around my waist even tighter.
He presses his nose against my temple. "You're worried that it's not enough. Do you still think you can't untie my knot properly before Jon gets us down?
I nodded, silent tears surrounding my eyes as Ray voiced my fears.
He placed a small kiss on the corner of my ear and slowly whispered his next words. "I'd be lying if I said the same thought hadn't crossed my mind."
I curled up in his lap and let him see the shock on my face. "Really?"
He nodded and Jon squeezed my calf. "It was on my mind too."
"No dear?" I ask.