Chapter 105
It doesn’t take long after we leave the pack house for Madilyn to orientate herself to the land. I’m quite impressed really.
We enter the banquet hall with more than a few stares towards me. I try my best to ignore them but it gives me the creeps as I collect two plates and head to the buffet.
“So what’s your interest, little lady.”
She giggles happily as she stands on her toes looking at the selection.
“It’s always the same.” She pouts.
“It looks good to me. It’s a decent variety. French toast, pancakes, waffles. I see biscuits, toast, sausage gravy, that’s a good combination. Sausage links, ham, bacon, scrambled eggs. You can’t tell me there isn’t something that you don’t want.”
“Hi, you’re new here and looking more than a little lost. Perhaps I could help you.”
I startle badly at the new voice addressing us.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I guess our assumption that Alpha and Luna Demetri were giving Erin a break today was correct.”
“I thought it was Luna Lilly.”
“She is but when we reference both she takes his name. It’s easier than separating the names and titles and they don’t like the formality of using their last name. Who may you be? I haven’t seen you before.”
“He’s Alpha Cole.” I cringe at the use of my title.
“So you’re another that doesn’t like their title. That’s okay. Lots of the alphas here are like that.”
I nod silently looking around at the array of food before me. I can’t remember the last time I had unrestricted access to anything I wanted. Just seeing the food sends my stomach into a painful frenzy.
“My name is Carla. I run the kitchen with Luna Lilly. Are you okay Cole? The longer I talk with you the more nervous you seem to be getting.”
I close my eyes. I can feel the stares, hear the murmurs. My grip tightens on the plate in my hand and my breathing turns to tight pants as my anxiety starts kicking in.
“Cole?”
My eyes snap open as I instinctively step back. It’s taken very little time for my confidence to diminish into fear and anxiety, making me wonder just what it was that alpha was thinking to allow me to care for Madilyn.
“You’re looking really lost and overwhelmed. How about I help the two of you get some food and we go sit together near the entrance.”
“Sure. Yes ma’am. I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”
I momentarily find my voice. It’s so weak and submissive I swear I hear some of the teenagers laughing on the other side of the room.
“Go ahead and pick Miss Madilyn up so she can see what we have. It does tend to stay the same with the exception of a few dishes. Picking her up will allow her to see everything.”
I nod silently again as I reach down, gathering her into my arms and lifting her up, only to put her down just as quickly. My attempt to bite back a yelp turns into an epic failure as several escape turning me quickly into the laughing stock of the banquet hall.
“You’re hurt. I’m so sorry. I would have never suggested if…..”
“I can pick her up.”
I cut Carla off between pants as I recover from the sharp pain that just radiated from my left side. How stupid could I be not to remember my broken ribs on my left side.
I squat down to Madilyn as I guide her to my right side. Even though I’m left handed my right is far stronger due to the numerous brakes I’ve had to my left, essentially forcing me to be ambidextrous.
She wraps her arms around my neck and with a sharp breath in, I manage to get both of us off the floor. The laughing teens in the background are becoming harder to ignore. I’m shocked when Carla, who feels like a beta, says something.
“It would appear that four young men who have entered into a special agreement so that they can have a half day of school three days a week are fixing to lose that privilege.”
I don’t think I’ve ever heard four mouths shut so quickly. Without a word, I watch them make their way out the back door.
“Alpha Demetri doesn’t tolerate such antics from anyone.” She explains gently. “Now, what can I get you this morning?”
“I’m not a big eater so smaller portions if you don’t mind. I’ll have whatever she wants.”
“I appreciate you trying to make it easy on me but I don’t mind getting you something different from her.”
I give her a smile and a nod before turning back to Madilyn.
“What would you like to eat?”
I smile as she taps her chin, deep in thought before speaking.
“Delta Carla, can I have French toast, sausage and …..”
She pauses a moment before completely lighting up.
“Hash browns!” She squeals as I cringe.
“Easy there, sweetpea. My hearing is really sensitive.”
“I’m sorry.” I rub her back gently.
“Do you have eggs, scrambled with cheese?” I wonder out loud.
“Yes, we do.”
“Alright Miss Carla. I’d like the same with a small scoop of eggs please.”
“Are you sure you want to keep it small? Injured alphas usually have big appetites.”
“Smaller is better. I don’t like wasting food and I can always get seconds, right?”
“Yes you can. Go ahead and find a table. If you’re okay with it, I’d like to sit and chat with you.”
“Sure.” I agree even though I’d rather be left alone.
I make my way to a table by the door. I place Madilyn on one of the seats before taking my own, hissing loudly as Carla sets our plates down in front of us.
“Are you okay, Cole?”
I’m trying hard to breathe through the searing pain that’s now radiating down my leg.
“Daddy said he came hurt with lots of bad boo boos. That’s why he’s staying at the pack house. So daddy and doctor Pierce can help him get better.”
“Your father has always had the heart of a helper, a protector. That’s why your grandpa gave him the pack. He had to wait until all his other kids left to rule their mate’s packs before he could retire. Unfortunately, he got sick before that happened.
Your dad had a lot of work going on back then. Your brothers were barely one and three when Alpha Brian started training your dad to be alpha. Of course your father thought he could have it all. Be a doctor helping others while leading the pack and raising a family. I’m not certain how long it took before he gave up being a doctor but it took about five years for everything to smooth out. For all the adult wolves to either leave the pack or accept him as the new alpha.”
“I thought transitions went more smoothly than that.”
I find my voice as the painful burn on my leg starts dying down and I place my first small forkful of egg into my mouth.
“I think it depends a lot on who the pack believes is going to take over versus who actually does. The transition for Alpha Brian went very smoothly because he was the only child to survive the war but because him and Luna Alice had four kids, two boys and a girl before Demetri, the majority of the pack had an issue with him taking over even though his siblings had already moved several hours away into other packs.
Of course as the new alpha he was allowed to make changes that not everyone agreed with so the general rule from the council is five years to implement any new laws and give members the option to leave. He’s done a lot of good since joining the prospect program. He’s had a heavy influence on changing the laws that bind abused wolves to their packs.”
Although I’m actually enjoying the information she’s sharing about the alpha, she’s caught my attention. He’s helped to change laws?
“Do you know any specifics on the laws he’s changed?”
“Just rumors really. Only his upper ring really knows what he’s working on. What I can tell you is that he’s shaken up a dozen or more packs during the first six years after he started accepting prospects into his training program. He tweaked the program we already had, made it better by breaking it up into smaller groups.
All pups get started into the basics at thirteen years old here and advance according to how long it takes for them to master what’s being taught in that age group. It’s designed to take a year but the higher birth ranks usually advance faster.
Unlike most packs, who concentrate on training the prospects and canning those who can’t adapt to the change in style, Alpha Demetri changed his prospect program to concentrate on testing those who are coming in to verify that they have skills that he needs. It’s a grueling process for most. Physically and mentally challenging. He has some of the strictest rules against bullying, assault, and rape and the penalty is steep if he can prove you’ve done it. Rumor has it that he’s already beat the asses of three young prospects before sending them home just a day after they came.” I stop eating briefly.
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