Chapter 38: A New Luna

Dex sat at his desk in the Grand Hall. His office overlooked the training field and he had his chair turned so he could see what was going on. Brutus was out there, as was Leyton.
“Readying the troops?” Emma said from behind him.
He swiveled around in time to see a frown march across her face. “Yes.”
“I’m sorry that you have to be on high alert.”
He rose and strode around the desk. He enveloped her in his arms. Would she ever know how happy he was that she was here? Could he ever convey to her the depth of his feelings? He led her tightly. “Please don’t dwell on that. No one begrudges you being here.”
When he loosened his grip, she looked up at him, her brow creased. “Are you sure?”
“Has anyone said anything to you?”
“Well, not directly.”
“If they do, you tell me,” Dex said. “I’m the Alpha here. What I say goes.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Besides, all of these wolves have never had a place to go. They will defend this territory readily.”
“But they didn’t have to until I came along,” Emma said. She let go of him and walked to the window. She pointed out. “How often did you drill before me?”
Dex stood behind her and pulled her close. “Just as often, Emma. There are always threats. Which is what I was trying to get rid of at the Council. We could all live in peace.”
She leaned her head against his chest. “It’s a noble goal, Dex, but as long as there are wolves that think like Lucien you won’t have peace.”
“That means that you aren’t the cause of my pack drilling to fight.”
She laughed. “Okay. You used my argument against me.”
“Yes, I did.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I’m not as dumb as I look.”
“You couldn’t possibly be.”
He growled a laugh then straightened. “You should go help Leyton.”
“Why? She seems to be doing a great job.”
“Yes, but it’s a Luna’s job to get the troops ready.”
“They aren’t troops. They’re your pack members,” Emma said.
She spun in his arms, her eyebrow cocked.
“I hate to think of them as troops, but we are all together in our need to defend our territory. Against whatever threat comes our way whether it be Lucien or some other pack. At least with Lucien, he’s a known quantity. He’s also unstable because he’s fighting for something intangible. His honor.”
“Your pack—”
“Our pack, Emma. These are your wolves also.”
“Our pack will be fighting for its territory.”
“Exactly. All of these wolves are happy to have found a home. They aren’t going to give it up easily. You were thrown out of yours so you are an outcast, too. They all understand that.”
She rose up on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his. “Thanks, Dex, I feel better about this.”
He patted her bottom. “Now go out and help Leyton. Alpha’s orders.”
She laughed. “Okay, sir.”
She saluted and left him in his office. He’d join them in a few minutes, but he wanted to watch Emma in action. His heart was full now that she was here and because of her strength he could do anything.
Emma strode onto the field like the Luna Dex knew she was. Leyton gave over command and the she-wolves did everything Emma asked.
“She’s very good,” Brutus said.
Dex didn’t turn to look at his Beta. He didn’t completely trust him anymore. That saddened Dex, but his betrayal of Emma had been a huge mistake. “Your wolves look good.”
“Are you ready for your intelligence briefing?” Brutus said, not responding to the compliment.
Dex spun his chair around. “Can I trust it?”
Brutus looked at the floor. Dex stared at him. He hadn’t demoted Brutus, but it was an option if Brutus ever showed any signs of questioning him again.
“I don’t know what else I can do Dex to make you forgive me.”
“I don’t know either.”
Dex rested his elbows on his desk and tented his fingers in front of his face. “Give me what you have.”
“The perimeter has been quiet, but there are rumors of troops being gathered. Lucien has been actively recruiting other packs to go against us.”
Dex sighed. He just wanted to live his life without interference. “Not surprising.”
“You have meetings this afternoon with Alphas from packs who want to join us.”
Dex frowned. “Good. I’ll take a meeting with anyone interested in fighting with us. Can I count on you to vet them?”
It was the only bone that Dex could throw his old friend. The trust wasn’t there, but if Dex thought Brutus wasn’t doing his job, Dex himself could reach out to other Alphas. He’d know if Brutus wasn’t telling him the whole story.
“Yes, Dex.”
Brutus left. Dex spun around to watch Emma one more time. He rose but one of his pack members appeared in his doorway.
“Sir, could we speak to you?”
Conrad and a few others, all orphans who had joined him early on before the pack even had a place to call their own, crowded into his office.
“Go ahead,” Dex said.
Conrad’s gaze flicked to the training ground then back to Dex who hadn’t sat back down. “We are concerned about Emma’s presence here.”
Dex raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“She brings war with her.”
“If you think war isn’t inevitable given how some people think of the new ways we embrace, you are mistaken. Emma brings a certain pack to our doorstep, but that Alpha doesn’t like our ways.”
“But—”
Dex put up his hand. “I’ll say the same thing as I said to Emma this morning. We will have war on our doorstep no matter what. With the Fang City pack, at least we have someone who knows them and can teach us to fight them.”
Conrad looked at the floor nodding. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“That’s why I’m the Alpha here.”
Conrad and his group backed out of Dex’s office. Whether his pack wanted her or not, Emma was here to stay. If anyone had a problem with it they could leave or challenge him for the position of Alpha.
Dex strode out of his office. He needed to see the warriors and have them know they were being seen. When he reached the field Emma glanced at him. “Alpha?”
Dex nodded. Emma motioned for him to take over the commands. The wolves on the field stopped what they were doing and shifted to human form. They knelt like a football team taking a knee for their coach. He reached behind him and took Emma’s hand. He loved the surge of power that came from her.
How had he ever thought he could go through life without her?
“You all look good. I appreciate the work you are putting in. It’s been quiet, but I don’t want us to put down our guard. You can take the rest of the day off, but be back here even earlier tomorrow.”
A cheer went up and the wolves dispersed. A few approached Emma and thanked her. Others welcomed here. He hadn’t asked them, but he was glad they did. The last thing Emma needed was to feel unwelcome. He wanted her to understand that she belonged here. Beside him.
When the field was empty, Dex turned to Emma. “You ready to go home?”
“You done work?” she asked.
He rested his hands on her hips. “No, but I can take an hour for myself. No one will begrudge me that.”
“And what shall we do with that hour?”
He tugged her towards the parking lot and his truck. “I’m sure we’ll think of something.”