Aeron sat in his office reading over the statistic sheet for what felt like the 30th time since he had first downloaded it from his email. He had no head for all these numbers. Also, he was only 17 years old for pete's sake! How was he supposed to be able to do all this. His father had long been trying to teach him how to take over the pack and all the leadership duties that came with it, however with him not being able to transform, it just hadn't been a true teaching. A lot of things his father had talked about to him now made some sense, but there were still parts that he just felt so lost about. Like how it felt for wolves to come across his border lines was supposed to be an easy feeling. Yet he hadn't felt a difference all day, even though he knew that Rachel and Thomas were bringing a she wolf that had been discovered in the human foster system. He kept scanning the borders that he felt kind of like the edges of his body, and yet it didn't feel quite like that. He had felt Rachel and Thomas re-entering his boundaries, but had not felt the newcomer.
When Rachel and Thomas had come to seek his father's approval and had told their story. Aeron had been required to be a part of the meeting, as he had been since he turned 13. So while they explained what they had discovered to their Alpha and Luna, Aeron found himself wondering why they cared about his father's approval so much. Afterall others in the clan never had to seek approval for bringing children into this world, they just did it, and how many they ever wanted and the pack just dealt with it and accommodated it. So why should adopting an abandoned she wolf be such a big deal, yeah Rouges were a problem and often had to be turned from their borders because of what they had done in their previous pack. Yet this she wolf had been abandoned from what sounded like infancy, so she couldn't have done anything heinous, and his father had been a big advocate and teacher of that the children were never the sins of their parents and that they were to be given an equal chance like anyone. Some of their best warriors were the children of Rogues they had given a chance. So why was this being made into a big deal. It would be one thing if a different pack had claimed this child, but from what Rachel described teary eyed, the girl had had no one.
Finally, Rachel had finished her reasoning, his mother and father stepped to the side in front of him to seemingly debate the idea, however he was already decided. "What do you think Irene?" His father had questioned his mother. "I don't know, unnatural red hair, that means she could've been a product of that one pack that experimented with the witches. The child could have powers that could make life hell later. Also, having bounced from place to place, she may not take any feelings of loyalty and be a problem for that reason too". Ah, there was why Rachel and Thomas had sought approval. Mother's hatred for anything to do with witches. Aeron snorted at his mother's reasoning to which he received a glare from her. She turned back to his father "What do you think Glen, I think its a little too risky." His father seemed to ponder for a moment, but it was evident his father didn't think it was a risk. "What do you think Son? You seem like you have already made a decision". His father, always was observant and it was part of the reason he still held the reins. "I think it's silly we are even debating it. She should be given the same chance as we have given others in the past. We have let others who were experimented on by witches into the pack before, she should be no different. Yes, she is young and not a full adult coming to seek our help, but she should be given the same chance. Honestly I think this is a waste of council as others in the pack never have to ask for our approval on their choosing to have children, just because they can't naturally, why should we treat Rachel and Thomas differently. Especially knowing them so well and with how much they have done for the pack." Aeron had raised his eyebrows at his parents in a disinterested, yet of course kind of look. His father Glen burst out into a deep hearted chuckle. To which, much to his mates disapproval and fluster, turned around to address Rachel and Thomas. "It is decided then, Rachel, Thomas, go pick up this red haired lass. Let us welcome her with open arms!" Rachel's face beamed, not a single tear left in her eyes. Thomas had a small smile on his face, which was like him. However his mother Irene huffed and turned on her heel. This troubled Aeron, why was his mother behaving like this? It was very rude and cruel to Rachel who had been a steadfast friend of his mother's and had always stood by her side. Aeron watched Rachel's face fall momentarily and then quickly turn back into a smile, though forced looking now. "Thank you so much Alpha" She said to his father, but then locked eyes with Aeron, bowing her head. He knew what she meant, and he did appreciate the gesture. His father didn't miss it either and gave him a grin.
After Rachel and Thomas had departed Aeron had approached his father. "What was with Mother's attitude? I thought she knew how hurt Rachel had been all these years being barren. Why be so cruel when she thinks she has found such hope?" His father combed his hand through his hair, his face turning from a beaming smile to a somber look. "She still thinks her opinion should matter in choices like these, and your mother has never been fond of witches and their mischief. It took a lot of convincing to let some of the others that were experimented on into our pack. And even then, she refuses to interact with them…" his father let out a sigh, one that showed his years. "Well then she needs to get used to it. You raised me to be inclusive and there is a reason our pack is much stronger because of it." Glen smiled at his son, there was pride but Aeron could see a hint of worry. "Don't forget she is your mother, son, and that her motherly intentions usually have a reason we can't fathom". Aeron snorted, shrugged and said nothing more.
Admittedly he had never been close to his mother. She was always off taking care of others and being a nurse and being a midwife. She took more joy into helping others bring life into this world than taking care of the one she had brought. For that, Aeron wondered if he would ever be able to forgive her.
However he was torn from his memories when Blake, his Beta, entered the mainson, hearing his best friend's voice from the front door. Aeron had been lucky. Not all Alpha Beta pairs ended up being best friends as it was a bloodline trait. However Blake had always stood next to Aeron, had his back both physically and mentally and allowed Aeron to vent or share his fears. Blake truly was a best friend in every sense of the word, and had developed the ability to read Aeron as if he was a book. Aeron sighed and stashed the statistic report away to ask his father to explain it yet again. "Still can't make sense of the report and not looking forward to the tongue lashing that it will get you?" said Blake who entered and immediately leaned on the doorway.
He was a few inches shorter than Aeron, just as muscled and stocked. He let his hair grow a little longer so that the tips in front whipped about as he moved his head, something Aeron always teased him about. Though it seemed popular among the gaggle of girls that always trailed them. Aeron could honestly care less, he only had time for his mate whenever she decided to show up in his life. Blake hadn't found his either, but pretty boy hadn't let that keep him from getting tail. He hadn't been bashful, despite all of his father Blane's warnings.
Blane, Aeron's father's Beta, and steadfast ally had warned all the boys that fooling around with anyone but their mate would mean pain for their mate. Blake had ignored this, saying it had to be a way to get the boys to stay faithful or celibate. It helped that not only did Blane train all the upcoming warriors but he also found time to be the highschool boys team coach for almost everything the boys joined. Aeron stood up to his 6'5'' inches and stretched backwards. His hands brushing along his office ceiling. "Nailed it. I just struggle so much with numbers. Why do I have to be good at it, why can't I just have another pack member take care of that one thing?" He groaned at Blake, who merely shrugged his shoulders. "It's among the things Alpha's and Luna's split, maybe your Luna will be good at that?" Blake smirked at that, knowing full well that whoever Aeron ended up with would probably be most like his mother and probably be just as absent because of it, after all many partners seem to reflect their parents.
Though sometimes Aeron wondered if it was because his mother didn't have her partner, the Beta's mate, to help with those duties. As Blake's mother had died in childbirth. How Blane had stayed sane and kept moving forward was still a mystery to most of the pack as usually a werewolf male lost their mind when losing their mate. A she wolf could hang on for her children and family, but most males had never been able to cope with losing their other half. Yet Blane had and done a great job of raising Blake. Some had whispered it was because Blake's mom was a human, but Aeron called that bull. The man was just tough like that.
"By the way, my dad says it's time to roll out. Colt is waiting in the driveway hanging onto Maybel as long as he can." Blake made a gagging motion and rolled his eyes. But he couldn't fool Aeron, they were both jealous that Colt the gamma and their other best friend had already found his mate. Gamma's were chosen, so they were almost always the Alpha's best friend. Sometimes, very rarely it was the Beta's, but most times it was the Alpha's. Aeron had been lucky for sure.
Aeron nodded at Blake, "Well that just means you get shotgun for the ride, and in charge of the tunes. No girly weird stuff that the girls have shown you though, got it?" Aeron said with his face showing a stern look though both of them could hear the tease in his voice that left it a joke. "Just the one that is slappin, that's it I swear!" Blake grinned as he and Aeron headed out of the office. The two descended their stairs.
"Here is your bag master Aeron, have a good championship!" Said his butler/garden's keeper/mechanic Nathan. Nathan, along with Hazel, his mate, had volunteered to be Aeron's house servers when Aeron had turned 16 and moved out of his parents house into his own. Something Aeron had been touched by, as serving an Alpha was completely voluntary in their pack, so sometimes an Alpha went without house help. "Thanks Nate, I'll make sure to give the Gators hell just for you". He grinned as he grabbed his duffle full of clothes and football gear he had packed the night before, along with his truck keys from Nate. Blake threw his head back and with a howl raised both hands to make metal hand signs "We are gonna sack em!"