Chapter 114

Lexi

After running with the pups there was only one thing I wanted to do. Spend alone time with my mates. Or just one. I’m not greedy. I’ll take an hour if that is all I could get. But unfortunately there was pack business that had to be handled first. There is always pack things to handle. Don’t get me wrong I love these packs but sometimes it can be a little much. And I’m supposed to unite all the packs. There are times when I think mother made the wrong choice when she chose me to do all of this. It is overwhelming sometimes. If it weren’t for Ryan and Luther I believe I would lose my mind. “ Stop doubting yourself. Stress is normal for what you are dealing with. But you are not alone. You have me, your and my mates and so many others that are willing to help. You don’t have to take on everything yourself. Delegate if you have to. Get an assistant in both packs. But I assure you mother did not chose wrong.” Arya said.

“ Thank you, Arya. It helps to hear it sometimes.” I told her. “ Then I will tell you often. I’m always here for you.” she said. “ And I for you.” I said. “ We are here too.” Stone said. “ Yea, what he said.” Diesel said. I giggled “ Thanks guys.” I’m in the kitchen helping the staff go over the food budget for the month. I have the head of the kitchen explain everything to me. She explained the budget and what it goes for. It is hardly anything to feed as many people as it is supposed to feed and yet they put out such wonderful meals.

And the budget only covered food. There wasn’t anything for equipment maintenance. “ Carla, where is your budget for cleaning supplies?” I asked her. “ That is included with the housekeeping budget, my Luna.” she told me. “ Carla, are you ever going to call me by my name?” I chuckled. I have been trying since I met her to have her call me Lexi but nothing has worked. “ Sorry, old habits. I will get there.” she said. I pat her hand “ You know what. It isn’t a big deal. Do what makes you comfortable.” I told her. I didn’t want to force these people to do anything. If some of the older generation couldn’t call me by my name. It was fine.

I flip the papers of the budget back and forth. I’m not sure what I’m looking for but something isn’t sitting right. And it wasn’t Carla’s doing either. She kept impeccable records and all the receipts to account for all her spending. “ Carla, I need an honest answer to my next question. Are you cooking higher quality meals for the higher ranks compared to the lower ranks?” I asked. Poor Carla wouldn’t look at me. She found the table very interesting suddenly. “ You don’t have to say anything just shake your head. This was the former Luna’s doing, wasn’t it?” I asked. Carla nodded. I could feel the shame Carla felt coming off of her.

She felt like she was to blame for following instructions. I could feel how bad she felt. When none of it was her fault. I placed my hand on top of hers “ Carla, would you look at me please.” I asked keeping my voice low and calm. I didn’t want Carla to think I was upset with her. After a minute she did and I could see unshed tears in her eyes. “ Carla, none of this is your fault. You were following orders. I don’t blame you and I know Ryan won’t either. I feel partially to blame for not catching it sooner.” I said. Carla shakes her head rapidly “ Oh no Luna. You couldn’t have known.” Carla insists.

We weren’t getting anywhere and I wanted to fix the problem. “ Let’s agree it isn’t either of our fault and work to fix the problem.” I said. I pointed to the paperwork, “ Show me what you need to make sure everyone gets the same high quality meals that your staff makes for Ryan, Luther and me. I want everyone to have equal meals. I also what you to give me a budget for maintenance and cleaning supplies. Carla, you and your staff know this kitchen better than anyone. You know what cleaners work and what doesn’t. No one should have a say in what happens in here but you. Can you have me an adjusted budget by the end of the day or do you need more time?” I asked.

“ No, the end of the day will be fine. Thank you so much.” Carla said with a wide smile. “ It is the least I can do for the wonderful meals you guys make for us.” I told her. “ It is a joy to cook for you, my Luna.” Carla said. I could feel the truth behind her words. “ Now that we have settled that. Will you please direct me to the had of house keeping. I have a feeling everyone needs to have their budget adjusted.” I said. “ My Luna, forgive me if I overstep but you could save yourself from having to repeat yourself if you call all the heads in a meeting.” Carla said.

It isn’t a bad idea. I would get done a lot faster. And if it wasn’t my first official meeting with the heads I might do that. “ Carla, I think this time I would like to meet them one at a time. That way they know they have my undivided attention.” I told her. I must have said the right thing because Carla wasn’t just smiling anymore she was beaming. “ Of course my Luna. Who would you like to see first and I will go get them for you?” Carla asked. And that was another thing that was different. She was calling me My Luna instead of just Luna. “ Just grab who has a free moment. Let them know I will need them to bring their budget with them.” I said. Carla stacks her papers neatly on the counter then gets up. I sip on my cup of warm tea while I wait for Carla to come back.

About five minutes after she left Carla came back with an older man, late sixties maybe with trimmed gray hair. “ My Luna, the head of the cleaning staff is busy at the moment but Frank is available.” Carla says. I get up from my chair and hold out my hand. “ Hello, Frank. Thanks for coming.” I said. Frank takes my hand and bows “ It is an honor Luna.” When Frank lefts his head he lets go of my hand. I wave my hand to a chair beside me. “ Please take a seat.” I said. While Frank and I sat Carla went to make some coffee after asking Frank if he would like something to drink.

“ Frank are you Erin’s mate?” I asked. I’m trying to learn and remember everyone but unfortunately it doesn’t always work. Frank smiles letting me know I was right. “ Yes, Luna. My mate speaaks highly of you.” he said. “ Make sure you tell her I said hello when we are done here. And I’m sorry for not meeting you before now. I’m trying to get to all the members in each pack but between the two packs there is over five hundred so it is taking a while.” I said. “ No worries Luna. We all understand you are a busy woman. We don’t expect you to know all of us.” Frank said.

“ Did you bring the budgets I asked for?” I asked. Frank places two folders in front of me. Then he explains that he has a winter and summer budget. “ Will you go over these with me. Explain them. Make me understand.” I said. And that is what he did. He told me the summer budget was bigger than the winter. The winter budget was mainly salt for the paths, shovels, gas for the snow blower. Things like that. The spring and summer budget was for fertilizers. New flowers, hedge upkeep, lawnmowers, ect. “ Frank I don’t see anything about upkeep of the equipment or replacing it when necessary.” I inquired. “ I usually do the upkeep myself, making sure blades are sharpened and each machine is in working order. If we need to replace anything we used to have to go through the previous Luna’s assistant to get approval.”

I told Frank I wanted a revised budget of what he felt he needed for the winter and summer. I explained to him that it was my opinion he was the expert he knew better than me what was needed and what wasn’t. If I’m not mistaken I think Frank walked away with a smile. Carla helped me with each head and the situation was the same with each. I had them explain their present budget then asked them to prepared one they thought would suit them better. I went through the house staff and the nursery before I was ready to call it a day.

I have to look in to it and check with Ryan but all of the budgets seemed to be the bare minimum. Or cheap materials and food. I don’t like it. I know the Luna handles the budget for the house so I may need to bring Calissa in to help me. I need to get this fixed. And what is that fucked up bullshit was the food budget. What was Skyline thinking? High ranking Gamma’s Beta’s, Alpha’s and Luna’s ate better than anyone low ranking. Fuck that shit. My packs were all going to eat the same food no matter what rank if they ate in the packhouse. I’m worried what I will find when I go over the other budgets. Just how back was Luna Bitch fucking over her people? What ever the problem I’m going to fix it. These people aren’t going to live like that anymore.