49. A Slice of Heaven

Paul - The Oltenia pack’s meeting grounds
As I descend the mountain to meet up with Radu, it is already midday. It would be nice to be a simple guy, free of the troubles and responsibilities that tie me down. Are these ideas enough to disqualify me as a leader? Or does everyone experience these thoughts from time to time?
My eyes wander over the lush forest and the clearing beyond it. In the distance, the clouds are slowly drifting away, revealing the blue sky.
Radu is already waiting for me. He’s probably used to my former self, the one who does the job and then takes time to relax if there’s time for such a treat.
The alpha of the Oltenia pack stares at me from head to toe. My clothing is casual, and I wonder if he has ever seen me like this before. When we meet, even in the forest of his meeting grounds, I always wear one of my suits.
“What’s with the jacket and joggers?” Radu chuckles when I arrive in front of him. “Are you trying a change of style?”
"This is just what meets the eye," I say, pointing toward my clothes. "The changes are more in-depth. I’m trying to relax."
He whistles with a grin.
“You’ve said you wanted to talk with me about a certain issue.” Radu steps toward his river-stone cottage.
“Let’s go somewhere else.”
“Oh, this is new.” He chuckles yet again, but this time his gaze is bewildered. “You always preferred to go to the meeting room and have a cordial discussion when we talked about pack business. What changed?”
“I’m not so stiff anymore.” I tilt my head, pointing to my left. “Let’s go to the river.”
We take a stroll through the forest and along the stream. After this time spent in silence, we find a good place to sit on the stones that line each side of the water. The humming is powerful yet soothing, and I take my time to enjoy it.
The rough, rain-swollen river buffets the rocks at our feet. Small droplets splash over my feet. I move my toes and allow the refreshing water to wash away my worries. A leader makes the rules, not the rules make the leader.
Radu sits next to me, leaning back on his elbows. He takes in the surroundings as he stares out over the stretch of water.
“So, what did you want to discuss?”
I hesitate for a moment, and then I decide to come clean.
"There is a problem concerning both of our packs. Alin, my trusty moon brother, has mated with Ana, a member of your pack. He didn't have my permission, and I'm guessing Ana didn't either."
"This is indeed a conundrum." Radu looks at me a bit confused. "You should have banished him from your pack the moment you found out about this. Yet here you stand, talking with me as if you are considering settling this as if it were a common trifle."
“Indeed I am. I wish to take Ana with me back to my pack and allow them to be together. Of course, if she’s willing. I’m ready to listen to whatever you like in exchange for this favor.”
“Paul, you of all people should know that we don’t do things like this. There are rules and regulations for such issues.”
“Yes, I know.” I nod and look at the stream. “As I said, I’m trying to change some things about myself. If there’s a way for everyone to get what they want and be happy, I’m ready to allow it. Learning to bend the rules is the hardest adjustment, yet I’m here and asking you to do the same.”
"I'm saying it as a friend." Radu pats my shoulder, much more gently than usual. "There will be those who take advantage of this side of you. In order to succeed, you had to wear a mask and follow the rules. You ruled by example. There will be consequences if you change now. I hope you are ready."
He tries to sound delicate but still comes off strangely eerie.
“Do you think I can’t handle the consequences? Or do you know something I don’t?”
Radu shrugs in defeat. “I’ve got a call this morning from Banat pack’s alpha. He’s pressing for the alphas to agree on a petition to call for an early Summit. Apparently, everyone is concerned about you having a strigoi as your mate.”
“Are you one of them?”
"Of course not." Radu leaps to his feet and gives me a stern look. "It pains me that you put it this way. My confidence in your ability to make sound judgments applies equally to your personal and professional lives. I told Tudor the same thing when he called."
“I understand. Call Tudor and tell him you agree. Let them have their Summit. I’ll show them I’m still the Dragon, and there’s nothing to be concerned about.”
“Are you sure?” Radu frowns, seeming extremely worried. “You give them the perfect opportunity to meddle in your affairs and poke into your personal life.”
"I’ll be alright." I get up from the rocks, and this time I pat his shoulder. "I’m prepared for whatever may come."
I leave Radu there on the riverbank and stroll up the mountain path back to my honeymoon dwelling. I would be lying to say that the Summit doesn’t make me feel uneasy. But the thought of seeing Laura again brings a smile to my lips. It’s been merely a few hours, and yet my need to hold her in my arms again is stronger than anything else.
In front of the entrance, my body freezes as I gulp. Slowly I push the door and peek through the gap.
Laura's eyes wander from left to right across the lines of black wisps on the white paper. She's stretched out on her back, ankles crossed, head and shoulders on a comfortable mound of pillows tucked to support her up.
She reads, seemingly oblivious to the world around her. The only sound is the faint hum of the wind between the leaves.
I stand outside the door, staring at the goddess on the bed. I'm not sure where she got the book, but she presumably has a stack of them in her bag. Why does the picture of her just lying on the bed and reading a book make me happy? Oh, so this is what a slice of heaven looks like.
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A/N: I know that both Alin’s mate and Paul’s housekeeper are named Ana. This is a pretty common name in Romania, alongside Maria. Also, it’s common to know at least several people named the same. I’ll try to make sure you will not get confused about this :)