Chapter 36: Back at the Pack

As Dex parked the truck in front of his house, he already had a checklist in his head of what needed to be done. He’d only been gone a few days, and thankfully no one had challenged his authority so he was still Alpha of this pack.
If someone wanted to challenge him, they could bring it. He had his Luna and was more powerful than when he left.
“I’ll unpack. Do you need to check in with Brutus?” Emma asked.
Brutus. Dex didn’t know what to do with Brutus and he hadn’t told Emma that it had been his Beta who had betrayed her. She hadn’t asked any direct questions, but if she did he would be honest. He was aware that Lucien had left her in the dark. He wouldn't do that. It served no purpose. “I do. You don’t mind taking care of things here?”
She kissed him on the cheek. “You have me now, Dex. You don’t have to do it all.”
He smiled down at her. “I’m glad you’re here Emma. I’ll be back for dinner.”
“Call me if you’ll be late.”
He left her doing the domestic chores he hated anyway. He sent Brutus a text that he was back and wanted to meet with him.
They met at the Grand Hall in the middle of Wolf Woods. It was a stone structure that had been there when Dex claimed these lands. The old, majestic structure had only needed some tender loving care to bring it back to what it must have looked like when it was built.
Dex had an office in this building also and he liked this one better than the Town Hall which was right next door. If he wanted to admit it, he liked the grander surroundings of the Grand Hall. Stone and wood appealed to the wolf in him.
If he could stop Lucien, get Emma divorced and marry her, his life would be complete. He had ongoing projects, but none of them caused him the stress that Lucien had.
Brutus entered Dex’s office, his step filled with trepidation. Good. Dex wasn’t ready to forget that Brutus had betrayed him. The only reason he hadn’t taken him out by now was that they'd been friends, but that protection wasn’t going to last forever.
“Welcome back,” Brutus said.
He didn’t slap Dex on the back. Dex stayed in his seat. This was a business meeting. “Thanks. Catch me up.”
“We broke ground on the new elementary school. The Meadow Pack came calling to form an alliance.”
“Any reason we shouldn’t?”
“I don’t trust them, but I’ll defer to your decision.”
Brutus wasn’t usually this deferential. Maybe he’d learned his lesson, but Dex wasn’t giving him any more leeway than he had already. He’d betrayed Emma and he’d betrayed Dex. If Dex had had anyone else who could have looked after the pack while he was gone he would have given the responsibility to them.
Dex rubbed my chin. “What about the new bookstore?”
“The ribbon-cutting will be tomorrow.”
He grimaced. It wasn't the most glamorous part of Dex’s job, but he had to lend his support to all of the small businesses in his territory. “How about that hunt I had scheduled?”
“It’s still on. The assessment team came back with their report,” Brutus said. “The report is on your desk.”
He flipped open the folder in front of him. “Squirrels and foxes seemed to be in abundance. We’ll hunt them, then, so those populations don’t get out of control.”
Brutus nodded and wrote that down on his notepad. They’d covered businesses, the wildlife population, and schools.
“There have been numerous reports of intruders to our territory.”
Normally Dex wouldn’t worry about them but he knew Lucien was on the hunt to get Emma back. He would soon learn that Dex and Emma had returned. The wolf grapevine was as good as any communication system.
“Was anyone caught?”
“None.”
“I think if those intruders wanted to join our pack, they wouldn’t be hiding. They must be Lucien. I’ll ask around to see if Lucien is doing it. Someone will know.”
“Right.”
“Something else?”
“Well, the word has been that Lucien has been visiting some packs around us and trying to garner support to go to war. “
Dex’s eyes fell closed. He didn't want war. He wouldn’t back down. He’d have to remind Emma to get in touch with her elders. If she was in the process of getting their approval for her divorce from Lucien, then he wouldn’t be able to wage war. Then again, that might not stop a wolf whose pride has been hurt.
“You have names of the Alphas he’s been contacting?”
“I do. I’ll text them to you,” Brutus said.
Dex sent a text to Emma. “Don’t leave the house. I don’t think it’s safe.”
“Okay.”
She sent him a kissing emoji. He smiled down at her text.
“Dex?”
Dex looked up. Brutus was still there. “Just warning Emma.”
“She should probably stay put. We don’t know if anyone is looking for her.”
“You don’t know?”
Brutus looked down at his hands. “I haven't been in contact with Lucien since you left. He’s sent me messages, but I’ve ignored them.”
Dex studied his friend. “You better be telling the truth, Brutus.”
“I am, but I understand your disbelief. I betrayed you and I’m sorry. I never should assume I know better than my Alpha.”
Dex stared through him for a moment not sure if he should accept Brutus’ apology. “I’m keeping my eye on you.”
“Understood.”
“Is there anything pressing I need to deal with?”
“You’ve got the list.”
“How is Leyton doing?”
“She’s all healed and excited to have Emma back.”
Dex nodded then rose. “If that’s it, I’m going home to my Luna.”
Brutus lef,t then Dex headed home.
Emma was folding some clothes when he arrived. “I thought you’d be later?”
“There wasn’t anything I had to deal with today.”
“What did you mean by your text that it wasn’t safe for me to leave the house?” she asked.
“There have been intruders on our land. We haven’t been able to discern who it is, so I want you to stay close to home. If you need to go out, I’ll get someone to escort you. This is just temporary.”
She nodded. “Okay, Dex. If you think it’s best. I don't want to give Lucien any chance to snatch me again. On the subject of Lucien, I spoke to an Elder and he’s going to set up a meeting for me with them.”
He hugged her. “Good.”
“Now fold some clothes.”
He laughed and picked up some pants. “We’ve had the specter of Lucien hanging over our heads. I can’t wait until he’s no longer in our lives. Do you want to pick a date for our wedding?”
Emma’s smile lit up the room. “I didn’t want to think about it until we were clear to marry, but we could plan things at least.”
He’d made her happy and that made Dex happy. “Okay. Pick some dates. I’ll see what I have coming up around them and what the pack has going on. We have a hunt soon.”
“Well, it might take a few days for the Elders to get back to me. I doubt they are going to make this an easy process.”
He kissed the top of her head. Now that Emma was back in his life, he wasn’t letting her go. He already knew he was more powerful with her here. His mind was clearer and life looked that much better. “We can hope it goes smoothly.”
“That doesn’t mean Lucien will give up.”
Dex frowned. “He might not, but it will be harder for him to gather wolves to go into battle with him.”
“I hope.”
Dex didn’t want her to worry, but he would always be honest with Emma. She changed the subject. “You want some dinner?”
He sidled up to her, his arms going around her. “I think I’d like dessert first.”
“Dessert?”
“Yes, one Luna, naked in my bed. That sounds like the best dessert ever.”
She laughed and gave him a friendly punch. “You are incorrigible.”
“And you are all mine.”