Chapter 17: Our Work Begins

Chapter 17: Our Work begins
Silas
I let the cold water run over my body. I need to cool my body and mind. I don't know how long I can hold back from marking Syd. Everything is new to her, and her reactions are so intense. I can't say that the mate bond isn't adding to it. It's not new to me, but it feels new every time she reacts to me. If she will just let me in and trust me. She is more like a cat than a wolf. One minute she's all fangs and claws, the next purring and rubbing herself on me. I know I caught her off guard just now.
I didn't scare her. I don't think that's actually possible to scare her, but I surprised her for sure. I didn't even mean to. Only the medical staff back home have touched my scars. It just brings their faces to mind. I don't want that memory associated with Sydney at all. I know she went through her own hell that night, and I don't want our nightmares to take over.
As I'm standing under the cold water, my skin starts to sting a little, but it bothers me less than it should; maybe it's because I'm well-rested. I haven't slept through the night without a nightmare since July 27, the night of raids. Was it because I was with my mate? Or was I so emotionally spent I didn't have anything left to feed the nightmare? I reach back and touch one of the scars, and I throw my face up to let the ice-cold water wash away my tears. Those little faces, I promise I will not rest until I clean up this pack. I turn off the water, feeling refreshed after coming to a new resolution. I get dressed, and as soon as I open the door, Syd rushes past me, slamming the bathroom door behind her. I don't know if she's mad or in a hurry
"Hey, grab a duffel for after we talk with the elders. We have the ranked tryouts right after." I hear the shower turn on. I guess it was hurried over mad. "Then we have pack work to catch up on before the pack meeting tonight to introduce you and accept you into the pack."
I rub my shoulder. It's such an odd feeling. I know I need to do the pack ritual, but part of me feels like I'm rejecting my old pack, my family. "Do you trust anyone to be the Beta or Gamma?" I lean against the door to better hear her response. It's like we have been mated for years, not two days.
"I barely trust you! Gideon said there's a whole process to find them. Alpha John said they need to come from our pack in order to rebuild." I hear a bar of soap drop to the tile shower floor. I can imagine Syd chasing down the soap in the shower, and the image is so cute it's sexy.
I try to stay on topic, so she doesn't catch on to what I'm thinking. "What's the process?"
"He said something about a vow of faith and loyalty." I hear the shower turn off. "I guess when the goddess calls a true ranked member, they just drop to a knee and give the Alpha a vow of faith and loyalty. Then you do this blood sharing thing, and they get an upgraded mark." She opens the door and is wrapped in a towel with her hair twisted in a towel as well.
"I guess it's different if you're born into it." I can't peel my eyes off her, and a low growl rumbles from my chest as she scampers to the closet. She sneaks a peek at me over her shoulder before disappearing.
Now she is just taunting me; she left the door to the closet open. It takes all my energy to hold Bram back. "Yeah, you are just accepted by the pack and the goddess." She steps out of the closet fully dressed and has a quiet sadness reflexing in her eyes.
I reach out and take her hand, planting a kiss on the back of it. "You are an Alpha now. I'll help you find a Beta. Please trust me."
She lets out a breath, "I'm trying. I really am." She doesn't let go but instead leads me out of our room, and we are on our way back to the Alpha office. We didn't finish our conversation, or I guess there was nothing more to say about it. Gideon and Lucas are waiting for us when we get to the office. They are accompanied by the same seven elders as last night.
The one they call Elder Joseph was the first to open his mouth. "Well, it’s the Alpha and her Leamir."
"It's Lumiere. I will not warn you again." Damn, she's sexy when she's in charge. I turn my gaze to Elder Joseph and snarl. Sydney takes her chair behind her desk, and I stand next to her.
Joseph gups nervously. "Right, that's the term Lumiere. Lumiere Silas, how are you liking the White Ridge pack so far. I see neither of you are marked yet."
I raise an eyebrow; this old man has a death wish. Sydney grabs my hand to stop me from stepping around the desk. "Not sure yet. The day just started." It might be better if I can end him. I don't get a good feeling about him.
Sydney rolls her eyes, "Let's get on with it. Where are the three who were patrolling last night?"
Lucas sets a folder in front of me. "They are in the hospital still. They should be released this afternoon. I spoke with them last night. The best evidence we have is the note the rogues left. What do you elders know about a wolf named Drystan Merikh?”
One of the Elders looks very worried and is about to speak before being cut off by Elder Joseph. "He was expelled from our pack."
"Wait, I was told he ran away and denounced the pack." Sydney is standing with arms crossed now. Already I was not too fond of this Elder Joseph, but I quickly liked him less and less.
Joseph waves Sydney off, "Same thing."
"No, it's not! What is the truth!" Syd slams her fist on the desk. I give them a menacing growl. They are making my mate mad and lying. "Now!" Sydney uses her Alpha aura.
An Elder I have not been introduced to yet stands up. "Alpha Tarlo expelled him. I don't know the full story, but I know the night before his challenge, with Tarlo, he was dragged from his home by a few warriors, and the next morning your father was dead, and Drystan was no longer a pack member. This is all I know." This Elder glares at Joseph. I guess we have a bit more to clean up, starting with our Elders.
"Elder Elton, which warriors?" Sydney's tone softens with this Elder. He must be someone she looks up to.
He lets out an exhausted breath, "I don't know, Alpha." He drops his head out of respect. I like Elder Elton so far.
"It doesn't matter that was the past Drystan attacked us. We must fight back." Elder Joseph huffs.
An elegant older woman steps forward. "You are an old fool! Of course, the past matters! If we can reason with Drystan, then maybe, we can save lives. Talking about attacking! Our warriors are depleted after the Raid and what Tarlo did. We don't even have a Beta and a Gamma yet. Our Alpha just found her mate, and we are still rebuilding pack facilities!"
"Aunt Mimi is right. We need to know what really happened that night. Beta Lucas, are you able to stay longer to help out?" Sydney called the old women Aunt. Was she her real Aunt, or is it a term of endearment?
"I'm sure Alpha John wouldn't mind." Lucas pulls out his phone and text Alpha John.
"Please tell Alpha John I said thank you. Well, I guess there's not much more to go over. You are all dismissed." The gaggle of Elders makes their way out of the office before the door closes behind them. "Alpha Gideon, thank you for all your help. I know you are heading back this afternoon."
"Sorry, Syd. I would stay longer, but my Luna might murder me!" He chuckles as he sinks into the sofa. "As you know, the morning of the Raids, she gave birth to twin boys. We have a set of twin girls already, so I am needed at home to give her a break, plus we have more packs that need tending too." He scrubs a hand over his face. I did not envy his responsibility.
Sydney gives him a nod. "I understand. Thank you, Alpha Gideon."
"Please give my regards to Beta Tyson Alpha Gideon." I bow my head out of respect.
"Ah, that's right, Silas you were the one who saved all the pups on Tyson and Lucas' raid team. I hope next time I can hear all about it." I look over at Lucas, and he gives me a sad smile. He only saw me a few hours after the fight, and he interviewed the pups. He knew more than most of my truth of that night.
I drop my head. "It's not as heroic as it sounds. Maybe next time."
"Syd, good luck, call me if you need me! I'll be leaving this afternoon after the first ranked member tryouts." Gideon moves the conversation, thank the goddess.
"Of course. Anything you or your men need, please let me know." Sydney leans back in her chair.
"You two better get ready. We have the ranked member trials in about 10 minutes." Lucas looks at the time on his phone. Just like a Beta to keep things moving. I give him a nod and pick up our duffle bags to head out to the training field. Sydney is close behind me, and once we are out of the office, I feel her hand slip into mine. Maybe we made better progress than I thought.