Sweets

chapter 10

Cooper

We finally arrive at Alpha Daniel's pack after a day of traveling.

The huge black gates open, and we are allowed inside.

I am beat, and honestly don't even want to be here right now.

I just want to get home.

I want to see Rae.

She is all I can think about.

My mind is going crazy, and I blame my wolf.

All he does is whine and complain.

But Alpha duties call.

At least I have been able to get some work done throughout this trip and with these thoughts.

Henry and I are actually going into business together, and we have been setting everything up for that.

I mean, we already have everything set up, except the name.

His name is Henry Walsh, and we were thinking of Cooper & Walsh, but we are still brainstorming.

Once we get to the front of the pack house, there is a man standing there.

"Welcome to Howlers pack. I am Gamma George, and I will escort you to the Alpha, who was on a very important phone call and asked me to come fetch you all. I hope you had an easy trip here," he says.

We follow behind him.

"How rude of this so-called Alpha not to come out here to greet us, when we are doing him a favor," Ruby says, which makes her sound completely entitled.

"Why would he come greet her? She isn't even Alpha status to try to demand that," my wolf tells me.

My cousin's head whips over to her quickly and I know he is now mind linking her.

Good.

He needs to deal with her.

She should be thankful that the Gamma didn't hear her, or if he did, that he chose to ignore it.

We don't know these people.

We can't just assume he didn't want to come and greet us.

We don't know what emergency this Alpha has that he can't be here.

He sent someone and that is good enough for me.

The Gamma gives us a small tour, showing us the common places we pass along the way.

He introduces us to their pack members, who look at us with curiosity.

He asks us questions about the academy.

He tells us how, when he was young, all people did was fight.

He tells us how he has a son that will eventually take over as Gamma.

How he found his mate and had pups later in life, so for us not to be confused or surprised as to why he is much older than the Alpha and the Beta.

"Alpha Daniel is in his office. I will bring you all there," he tells us.

We step inside, and I walk in first, followed by my cousin, Henry and everyone else.

"Hello, I am Alpha Daniel, and this is my Beta Marlon.

We welcome you all to the Crimson Pack.

I want to start off by saying thank you for agreeing to come talk to our youth groups about the Werewolf Academy.

I unfortunately wasn't able to attend an Academy, because my father was murdered by Rogues right before my 18th birthday, so as soon as that day hit, I was sworn in.

I want my pack members to be able to have that option to go.

I want different for my pack, better," he tells us.

An Alpha who wants better for his pack.

Awesome.

"Look at this," His beta shows him something on his phone.

They both chuckle.

"Sorry. We have a human friend who makes these videos that are very entertaining. We are catching up on her adventures.

Yes, I know werewolves and humans don't always mix, but this is a very special human that we claim over here.

She travels, she is an artist, teacher, she does everything, and is a very kind person that we have learned so much from, and she does things we wish we could do.

We live vicariously through her.

Being from a pack, you all understand how we are limited to certain things," the beta says.

That actually all sounds like fun.

Makes sense. I grew up watching my buddy Cage and his cousins do things I wanted to do, but instead, I had to train, so I completely understand.

"I see no problem with humans. I am sure we all know some super cool humans," I say, because I know a farm load of them.

"So, would you like a tour?" Daniel asks.

"Sure, but I must let you know that we are in a hurry, and I was hoping to speak to your pack members today so I can get back on the road.

I have an emergency back home," I tell him.

"Of course. I must thank you for this. Your father has actually been bragging so much about you and this academy you went to.

He says it's hard to get into.

I really want the best for my pack members.

We have evolved so much from when my parents were the Alpha and Luna.

Back then, things were more traditional and men treated the woman poorly.

These opportunities weren't even a possibility back then.

We don't do that anymore.

Kids used to have to work from a young age.

I want the kids here to get an education.

The teenagers too and the older kids to go to an academy and train.

Anything that can strengthen and better the pack I am all for.

I like to think that I am what a friend called me, an open-minded Alpha," Daniel says.

"No, she said you didn't have a stick up your a$$," his Beta jokes.

Alpha Daniel just smiles.

"Do you have a mate? Or are there any women around that I can hang out with while you do man1y things?" Ruby asks.

"You can go look around to see if you find anyone," he says and continues, pointing out what and where everything is.

The pack is small, but I know that is because of what happened here, so we get through the tour quickly.

Ruby huffs and puffs.

Did she not just hear what this man said?

It sounds like they don't see gender here too much, and everyone is just treated equally.

That actually sounds quite peaceful and makes me think about how I will run my pack.

I admire Alpha's who have their pack's best interest at heart.

That is how those packs thrive.

A mentality where no-one is above the other.

I love hearing about people wanting to succeed and not putting up excuses.

We walk around a small playground and behind another building.

"This is our gym," Alpha Daniel points at a huge building not too far from the pack house.

What instantly catches my attention and the attention of all my friends are the murals painted on the walls of the back of their pack house and the gym.

"Woah," Henry says

"These paintings are amazing," Zane tells him.

Alpha Daniel has a huge grin on his face.

"We need paintings like this in our pack house Henry," Bash tells him.

Henry nods.

These paintings are amazing.

"That human my beta was talking about is a very talented person.

We did mention she is an artist, aside from everything else she does, right?" he says with so much appreciation.

"Sounds like you might have a crush," I tell him, completely joking, but he gets a bit flustered.

He doesn't deny it though, and I don't miss the look his Beta gives him.

We get close to the building to appreciate the work done.

It really is amazing.

Even my wolf likes it and thinks we should get wolves painted in our pack house.

"A bunch of dancing white wolves, or get the artist to paint my mate naked over our bed," he tells me.

That actually doesn't sound like a bad idea.

He lets us into their gym, where he asked all the pack members who are ages14-17 to meet.

I talk to them, tell them about the academy.

They ask questions, and I answer everything truthfully.

My cousin also answers questions and talks about his experience.

Our friends get in on it, and I think we really sell the place, because they all seem interested, and Alpha Daniel seems pleased.

I hand out papers with information and tell them they can call the number if they have any more questions.

I let them know that they can get as personal as they want with their questions.

I also bring up abuse in the homes.

The Academy has a 100 % privacy clause and if they ever feel scared, need to run away, or need any kind of help, the number on that paper also guarantees safety.

I did meet many people in the Academy who ran away for a better life.

"Do not be afraid to use it if you need it," I say.

"Can I get your phone number and call you when my stepfather hits me and locks me up in the basement," a girl raising her hand bats her eyes at me.

"Ashley. Your stepfather does not lock you up in a basement." Alpha Daniel sighs.

"I know. I was just hoping this hunky Alpha would give me his number. Who knows, in a couple of weeks, we might be mates," she winks at me.

"I can guarantee you are not my mate, and no you may not have my phone number," I say, and turn to answer more questions.

When the last kid asks his question, and we are sure no-one else has one, Alpha Daniel thanks me and asks us to stay for dinner before we head back out.

I look over at my friends, hoping they don't want to stay.

I can starve for a couple of days.

Did it in the Academy so many times.

Days at a time.

When they tried to get my wolf to submit.

Food was withheld to make us weaker.

It never worked, and we always came out on top.

All that I learned was that I am still strong 4 days later even without food and water.

Everything is mental.

"I'm hungry," Ruby whines.

"We would love to stay for dinner," Zane says.

What's next? They will want to sleep here too?

No, if they change anything else, I will put my foot down.

I have to get home today.

"I have instructed the chefs to make their specialty. You will all love it. Let's go to the kitchen," Alpha Daniel says.

I sit down and drinks and dinner rolls are sat in front of me.

I am at a table with Alpha Daniel, his Beta Marlon, my cousin, Ruby, Henry and two women who keep asking everyone personal questions.

The rest of the guys sat at another table with a bunch of women.

I get that feeling again.

Ever since we arrived, I felt a little off.

I can't tell what it is.

It's a feeling I have only ever felt once before.

On a rainy night years ago.

The feeling begins rising in my chest until it hurts, and I feel a heavy sinking feeling in my stomach.

I begin to worry, and I have no idea why.

"Stay alert," I tell my wolf, but also whisper it to my cousin.

We don't know this Alpha or his pack.

Although they don't look like a threat.

A plate of food is placed in front of me.

It looks and sells delicious.

"I know it isn't anything fancy, but everyone around here loves the beef stew.

We grow our own animals, fruits and vegetables, so we know everything that is put into our bodies is fresh," he says.

I take one bite.

"Mmmm," I say.

"This is delicious," Henry adds.

"Best meal ever, and these rolls, I can have 10 of them right now," Beta Marlon says.

I take one bite, and I am immediately pulled back to my childhood.

These taste just like Rae's mom's dinner rolls.

One thing you never forget is something that woman baked.

My favorite was always her chicken pot pie.

Maybe it is just my mind playing tricks on me because I want to be back home already.