Chapter 12: Helping Others

After lunch with Lucien, Emma met up with Kendra again.
“Some of the other women heard about your homeschooling advice and want to ask you questions,” Kendra said when they met at a picnic grove in the woods
“Okay. I’d be happy to answer them,” Emma said.
She hadn’t told Lucien about her morning. She didn’t want to lose the positive buzz she had from contributing something to this council. Lucien would find a way to downplay her accomplishments. Or he’d be embarrassed that she was the center of attention. Either way, she didn’t talk about it and was vague about what she’d done that morning.
He’d returned to some breakout session for Alphas. Her afternoon was free.
A few women straggled in and sat across from Emma at the picnic bench. She smiled at everyone and Kendra introduced them all.
“I’m not a Luna, but I’m here representing Wolf Woods.”
Emma’s ears perked up at the name of Dex’s pack. “Welcome.”
“Our Alpha doesn’t have a Luna yet, but I’m the Beta’s mate so we figured I’d get some useful things out of coming here. I’m Leyton.”
“Nice to meet you, Leyton. I’m Emma,” Emma said.
She studied her, the idea that Brutus actually found his mate was intriguing. He’d been such a player when she’d known him. Despite having many questions about Brutus and how they met, she kept them to herself.
“We’ve just become a pack recently, but we do have some parents who homeschooled. Maybe a larger percentage than most packs because we all have been orphans or outcasts.”
“You already buck the norm,” Emma said.
“Yes, exactly.”
“Do you have someone or a group that oversees what the parents are doing?” Emma asked.
“No. We are all on our own, though the parents meet regularly to brainstorm ideas.”
“It’s good to have support. My parents will be here in a few days, I can introduce you to them and you can get their feedback from a parent’s perspective,” Emma said.
The last day of the council was open to the families of Alphas and Lunas. Emma wasn’t looking forward to it, but she could rise above that and help these women.
“That would be great, thank you. You’re so helpful, Emma. Lucien is lucky to have you as a Luna.”
She doubted that Lucien would ever feel that way. It didn’t matter what she did. She would never prove herself worthy, but she could be strong for her pack. They mattered more than Lucien. Emma just smiled at Leyton’s words.
Leyton left with a smile on her face. Kendra settled next to Emma. “You’re good at this.”
“What?”
“Helping people.”
Emma shrugged. “I guess I’ve found my calling. Should I write an advice column?”
Kendra laughed. “You’re also a lot of fun. I was dreading coming here. Although I know a lot of Lunas, I’m not close to any of them.”
Emma felt happy that she and Kendra had met, and relieved that she hadn’t been the only Luna that was nervous. “I’m glad we met, Kendra.”
Kendra hugged her and the warmth of the moment washed over Emma. Her new friend studied her when they let go. “Are there other problems you can solve?”
“I don’t know. What do you have in mind?”
“I know that Leyton is having trouble connecting with the other Lunas. Her pack is new and since she isn’t a Luna they aren’t so cordial to her.”
“That’s not right. She has a right to be here. She’s helping her pack,” Emma said. “Is she involved with her Alpha at all?”
“Not that I know of.”
For a moment, Emma was jealous, but then remembered Leyton was with Brutus. Emma still had feelings for Dex. The admission stunned her. How could she have feelings for him?
Emma swallowed those thoughts. “Is there something you’d like me to do?”
“Well, we could introduce Leyton around,” Kendra said.
“Around? I don’t know that many people, Emma said.
“I do, even if we’re not lose. You’ve gained a reputation and everyone knows you, even if you don’t know them. You would lend some credibility to Leyton being here.”
Emma couldn’t believe her ears. Did she have that much power in such a short time? “Really?”
“Yes, you would. I’ve overheard several conversations about you. None of them gossiping,” Kendra said.
Emma puffed up a little, but she didn’t completely believe it. This was her start. The beginning of a new and powerful Emma. Lucien be damned. He wasn’t going to hold her back anymore and she would stop seeking his approval. Today.
Emma rose. “I can do that. Let’s find Leyton.”
They found her sitting alone at the beach. Emma plopped down on the sand next to her. “Kendra told me some issues you’ve been having.”
Leyton flashed a weak smile. “Being a new pack and not being the Luna has put me at a disadvantage. I’m not getting any respect and in fact, I’m being ignored. I was so thankful when I could pick your brain earlier.”
Emma looked up at Kendra then back to Leyton. “Well, Kendra has a plan.”
Leyton sat up? “Oh?”
“We’re going to introduce you around. Emma seems to be a hit at this council so we’re using her popularity to show the others that you should be taken seriously,” Kendra explained.
Popular? Emma was popular? Not having gone to regular school, there had been no worries about being popular or not. Emma had never thought of herself as a leader, and maybe that was the problem. She’d spent too much time being who everyone else thought she was and not enough being the wolf she actually was. This council meeting was giving her the freedom to find out who she was.
Emma realized that she was far more powerful than she’d suspected.
Leyton looked from Emma to Kendra then back again. “Okay. If you think it’ll work.”
Emma and Kendra exchanged a look and Emma nodded. “Yes, I think it will.”
She wasn’t sure, but acting confidently was half the battle. She rose and held out her hand to Leyton. This was one way she could help out Dex and no one would complain. Not even Brutus, since Leyton was his mate. He might even be happy that Emma had gotten involved.
They found a group of women at the other end of the beach.
They eyed Emma as she approached, but Kendra plastered on her large smile and stepped up. “Hey ladies. Have you met Emma?”
“You’re Emma?” one asked. “The one who has been talking about homeschooling?”
“Yes,” Emma said.
“Wow, great to meet you.”
“This is Kendra of the Lake Lobos Pack.”
There were greetings all around. Emma pulled Leyton to the front. “This is my friend Leyton. She’s with the Wolf Woods Pack.”
“That’s that new one?”
“Yes. The one taking in all of the orphans,” Emma said.
The greetings for Leyton were not as enthusiastic, but they were there.
“Don’t you take in outcasts also?” someone asked.
Leyton cleared her throat. “Yes. We do. We don’t turn anyone away.”
“How has that worked for you?
Leyton’s smile said she was eager to talk. “Well our Alpha is pretty strong, so anyone who joins us knows that the rules are the rules.”
“I’ve heard he’s interested in making pacts with some of the more violent packs.”
“He is, but not at the expense of anyone else’s pack. He is pursuing peace.”
That didn’t surprise Emma. Dex was an Alpha who had nothing to prove. It warmed her that he was leading such a movement. The women asked more questions of Leyton and they ended up asking her if she’d have dinner with them.
Emma looked at Kendra. “I think our work here is done.”
They left the group deep in conversation.
“Hey, Emma, Kendra,” Leyton called. She reached them out of breath. “Thanks.”
“Anytime, Leyton. Anytime.”
Maybe Emma had found her superpower.