Chapter 28

Danny’s POV
“Claudia, Danny; I need to talk to both of you” Dad says to us, coming into our room and sitting down. “I’m glad Simon told us to keep Melissa at the stripper’s bar. James and Craig did go there” he informs us. Dad told me, he has never trusted James or his brother, Craig and asked Melissa if she didn’t mind working at their gentleman’s club. James doesn’t ask for names; or where they come from. As long as they are ‘well equipped’ for his customers, he hires them.
James doesn’t realise; most of his staff are members are from other packs, who don’t trust them. “Were we right? Is he telling everyone about Claudia?” I ask.
“Yes and no; she was behind the bar and overheard the conversation with Craig. Michael has been telling everyone about Amanda; they already knew about Claudia having Amanda and were biding their time. Todd finding out about Amanda; stopped whatever plans they were thinking of doing” he responds.
Claudia looks at us; trying not to show, how upset she really was. “W-what a-are w-we g-g-going to do?” she sobs as I place my arms around her. “Nothing, sweetheart; Mel said the new plan was to get Danny to forgive him and then take the girl” Dad snickers. “That’s never going to happen” I chuckle.
“We know; and they will never take the ‘girl.’ I would kill them, if they try” Dad includes and I raise my eyebrow at him. “Kill them?” I question. “Yes; keeping my family safe is an exception to my rule. I will not hesitate to kill, if they threaten myself or my family” he tells me. “I wouldn’t hesitate either. Anyone who threatens Claudia can think of themselves as a dead wolf walking” I snarl.
“This was only a small part of what I want to talk to you about. Danny, you have stepped up with every aspect of your preparations. I am happy with your progress and would like to hold a ceremony for you and Claudia” he smiles at me. “I don’t need a ceremony; I am learning and will continue to learn with your help” I tell him.
Claudia starts laughing; “Dad is wanting you to take over as Alph…” “I’m not ready” I inform them, cutting her off. “Yes, you are. I won’t be going anywhere and will be able to help you; if and when you need it” Dad smiles. I slouch back on the sofa and let out a long breath. “Are you sure? I thought I still had a lot to learn” I ask, not sure what to think or feel about becoming the Alpha of Cedar Moon Pack.
“You need to smile and say; thank you” Claudia giggles, pecking me on the cheek. “You’ve learnt it. More often than not; it’s a matter of getting your emotions together, which you have done and everything else, you learn on the job” Dad explains to me. “When do you want me to take over?” I sigh again. I still don’t think I am ready.
“That is up to Tim and Rick; I wanted to talk to you both about them” Dad tells us. “What about them? We made the decision to stick with Jason and Cynthia as our Betta and Gamma” I inform him, a bit of annoyance in my voice. “I know you still haven’t forgiven them and they need a lot of training, so did you. With the added threats to Claudia and Amanda; I was wondering how you felt having them as enforcers? And before you say anything; I know I told you; I oppose to enforcers because it is a way of showing aggression; but we need to think about it” Dad says; looking at both of us.
“The difference between my training and theirs; they had every opportunity to learn what they needed to. I didn’t have that choice; it was taken from me. If they want to be a Betta, Gamma or even an enforcer, they have to show they want to be one and not think they deserve to be one because they were going to be Todd’s” “We still have 5 weeks and 3 days to work it out. I don’t want to do anything until after Sophia is born” Claudia responds to Dad’s thought also.
“Then they have 5 weeks and 3 days to show me they have what it takes. Do you want us to have a meeting with them?” I ask Dad; hoping he might change his mind. They are remorseful and are trying to make up for what they did to me. Asking them to protect Claudia is a big step, one I am not sure I want to take.
“The best course of action is to have a meeting with them. I set one up for this afternoon, with Simon. We will be able to determine whether or not, they are serious about joining our ranks” he informs us; “I asked for the meeting to be held here” he adds; chuckling as Claudia huffs and gives us a, I don’t want to climb the stairs face.
“I want Jason and Cynthia at the meeting also. They have a say in this decision” I tell him. “I agree; I have asked them to come too” he smirks; standing up.
“The meeting is in half an hour. Talk it over with Claudia and we will discuss it then” he says smiling and heads towards the door. “What if we decide not to have them as enforcers?” I ask him. “Then, it will be a short meeting” he answers, heading out the door.
**“What do you think?”** I ask Jesse. **“If Mandy is to be protected; enforcers will be a good addition.” “Rick and Tim? They couldn’t protect a fly. I can’t see them being able to protect Claudia and Amanda; even if I did trust them”** I explain to him. **“You need to discuss this with Claudia. If she trusts them to protect her; then it’s a matter of, if they can step up and learn to protect her”** he answers me.
“What’s Jesse think?” Claudia asks smiling. “He agrees enforcers will be a good addition if it means extra protection for you and Mandy” I inform her. “How are Rick and Tim going with their training?” she continues her questioning. “It’s slow; I don’t know if they are up to becoming enforcers” “Your training was slow too” she exclaims.
“I wanted to train and learn. My training was slower because my body wasn’t strong enough” I inform her, my frustrations coming through my voice again. “Do you think, they don’t want to train?” she asks. “They complain a lot and only do what is necessary; I’m not sure if they have the drive” I answer her.
“Then we will have to convince them; they need to be more serious” she smiles. “It’s going to be difficult; they have been around Todd for far too long” I inform her as someone knocks on our door. “Come in” I call out.
“Simon; nice to see you” Claudia smiles; “Come in and find a seat” I add. “Do you know what Alpha Henry wants to see us about?” he asks; looking between Claudia and myself. “We do; we need to wait for the others to arrive before we go into it” I tell him as Jason and Cynthia come into the room.
“Come in and find somewhere to sit” Claudia says; while we wait for Rick, Tim and Dad. “Rick, Tim; come in. We are still waiting for…don’t worry. Come in a find a seat” I say as Rick, Tim and Dad come into the room.
“Thank you for coming to Claudia and Danny’s room; we have a proposal for Tim and Rick” Dad says, starting the meeting. “Really?” Tim asks, sounding surprised. “Don’t sound so excited; there is some provisions before we accept the proposal Dad has for you” I inform them with a smirk.
“We are up for it; whatever it is” Rick smiles; “how do you think, your training is going?” Claudia asks them. “Really good, we are learning a lot” Rick says enthusiastically. “Simon, how do you think their training is going?” Dad asks him. “They are doing what is necessary, in their training” he answers and I look at Claudia with an I told you so look.
“I have not hidden the fact; I haven’t forgiven you for our past and it will take a long time for me to trust you again. What Dad, Claudia and I want to ask of you; you need to prove I can trust you. You will need to do more than the bare minimum in training. You need to be as strong, if not stronger than Jason, Cynthia and I” “Danny, what it sounds like you are asking Rick and I; you want us to be enforcers” Tim tells us, his face dropping as I smirk.
“That is exactly, what we are asking” Claudia informs them. “Are you sure?” Jason asks; not convinced we are making the right decision. “No, I don’t know if I can trust, two people who have tormented me for as long as I can remember to protect the most precious things I have in my life. My mate and my daughter” I answer him.
“Can I add something?” Cynthia says, listening to what we had to say. “What would you like to add?” Dad answers her. “Claudia, we know why you need the extra protection. Maybe, we need to inform everyone why you need the extra protection” she says.
I look around the room; Dad nods his head at me. Jason sighs “I hate to admit it; I agree with Cyndy.” Shaun shrugs, saying; “It couldn’t hurt, they might train harder if we do.” And Claudia’s eyes glaze over; to talk with Amanda.
**“Just tell them”** Jesse encourages me.
“Claudia; it’s up to you and Amanda if you want to tell them” I say to her. “Amanda says, it will be better to show them” Claudia informs us. “I suggest if you are not sitting; you better do it now” I tell everyone.
“Why?” Rick asks; “Because, you don’t want to wake up with a headache; when you fall down unconscious” Jason tells him as everyone sits down and Claudia lies down on the bed.
“We are ready whenever Amanda is ready” Dad calls out to Claudia. There was a flash of light as we head to Amanda’s sanctuary.