29
Crispin's POV
"Are you sure?" Dieter asked me again as we walked to his weekly meeting he had with Viktor and the delta.
I had told him that for us to move forward we need to learn everything there is of each other. The good and the bad. So that means me sitting in during a pack meeting. And we also still needed to figure out what we were going to do about my pack. Would we merge? Or would I pass my role to someone else? Many questions needed to be answered.
"Yes, I am sure. No more avoiding, remember?" I squeezed his hand tightly and looked up at him. He nodded and his lip twitched slightly to indicate a smile. But we were in front of other pack members so I knew I wouldn't get a full one. At least not right now.
He pushed the door open and we were in a conference room. Viktor was already in here, as well as another man, which I assume is the Delta. And then there was another man. A man who looked so identical to Dieter except for the scar that it scared me. This must be his father.
Dieter pulled me further into the room and he of course sat at the head of the table and I sat next to him.
Dieter's father, Donnie, held a demanding presence that could paralyze him. It was strange hearing from Georgie about their story and then this being the man attached to it.
"Shall we begin?" Dieter asked and the men nodded.
"Our female births have gone up 3%." I assume this was good Dieter gave his approval grunt. "But on the other hand, many more mated males have dropped from sparring," Viktor said, each word spoken slowly as if not to rile Dieter up.
"By how much?"
"It's gone down another 5%. Obviously, our message wasn't strong enough."
I knew what Viktor meant when he said message. The memory is engrained into my brain. The sound of the blood hitting the floor, and the way he begged...I don't think I'd ever forget that.
Dieter began to ramble on about the next steps to take. But I found myself zoning out and trying to figure out a solution on my own. I am an alpha as well, and I know how to deal with reluctant wolves. Being the leader of a small pack means a lot more opinions are heard and HAVE to be acknowledged.
From what I heard the only ones resigning from the training are the ones that are mated and older. They have children and want to settle down. Which is understandable. But the problem is they are in the wrong pack to do such a thing. Settling down and living slowly is not an option here.
Though I understand the concern of the mates, I know as time goes on I will carry those same fears toward Dieter. The only way they would be able to have the life they choose is if--
"I have a suggestion," I spoke interrupting Viktor, but all eyes were on me. Suddenly I felt like I should have raised my hand like I was in school again. They all stayed silent and I realized they were waiting for me to finish my sentence.
"Give them the option to leave." The men's eyes went wide and before I could fully explain myself, a scoff left all their mouths as they stared at me.
"What kind of suggestion is that?" The delta asked, and Viktor smirked. I had a feeling these two did not like me.
"Let him explain," Dieter spoke, his voice boomed across the table and shut the men up immediately. I turned to Dieter and gave a look of appreciation and he nodded slightly.
"Send them to my pack." That seemed to grab their attention. "Having both packs rather than merging packs would be less of a hassle for both of us. This way it keeps my pack thriving and helps keep the morale for yours."
"I am still quite confused about how this would work." The delta asked, I still don't know his name but now it seemed too late to ask.
"It sounds to me like many of these wolves want to slow down. And I understand that is not something that is offered here. But in my pack it is. We have our town and many homes that are empty and can be filled with wolves who want to live at a slower pace. And from what I can tell it's about a hundred wolves? Not only would this boost your pack morale, but also benefit mine as well."
Dieter nodded in understanding and I let out a deep breath. Though Donnie's eyes were staring deeply at me. I wondered what he was thinking or if had he thought my idea ridiculous.
"That's all great in theory, but who would run the pack? You would be here with Dieter would you not? They would need an alpha still." Viktor spoke crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. Almost as if he was challenging me.
"We appoint an alpha to take my place. They will work with us and understand that even though we are not there...we would still be in charge of big changes and they'd handle the day-to-day." I suggest which seemed to shut Viktor up finally.
I was getting pretty sick of his mouth.
"Who do you suggest?" Dieter's voice was deep, but Donnie's could cause an earthquake. Now I know where Dieter gets his voice from.
"I of course would have to ask them first but...I suggest Danielle and her mate Rena. They are currently there running things while I'm here and from what I can tell it's going smoothly."
A thick silence fell over the room. A female alpha isn't unheard of but it still happens. But not enough to where this suggestion would be deemed as normal. Dieter told me how Danielle would always join him when it came to his alpha training because she wanted to learn as well. I know she'd be amazing. Plus...we don't have many other options.
"I will consider this. Thank you, Crispin." Donnie spoke and a smile graced my face.
I wasn't expecting such praise from the man, and I didn't know how much I needed it until now. My chest puffed up with pride and I felt a confidence flood my veins. But I guess it's understandable seeing as he is my father in law...
My phone began to ring in my pocket and I grabbed it to take a look and an all too familiar name flashed across my screen.
"I should take this." I showed Dieter the name and he let out an amused grunt. I excused myself and quickly walked out of the conference room. And once my finger swiped the screen to answer the call I was met with a very angry-looking man.
"So, you just forgot about me or something?" James said, sadness and anger evident on his face as I looked at the Facetime.
"James, I am so sorry I--"
"You better be fucking sorry!" Oh, he was serious. James wasn't one to cuss...only when he was very, very upset. "You have a hell of a lot of explaining to do, mister."
I walked through the pack house and I found an empty sitting room. I closed the door locking it to give me some privacy. Also, I didn't want anyone walking in and hearing me get yelled at like I was a child.
Once I sat comfortably on the couch took a deep breath and let the words flow. I don't quite know how long it took for me to tell James everything. I hadn't told him pretty much anything, I was too wrapped up in what was going on to even tell him that I found my mate to begin with.
His reaction to Dieter was priceless. So much so that he even called Ben to join the call and they both were freaking out. They asked me typical questions like if our conversations consisted of him grunting and me talking. Which I found slightly funny.
But as the conversation went on, I told them about the more serious matters. From what I could tell on the call, James knew about the sacrifice Dieter would have to make, so I didn't need to explain that. But having to explain that it was Carter was a different level of pain.
Both Ben and James looked remorseful. Ben began to cry for me. Told me how he wished he was here with me to comfort me. Then I told them about how Dieter and I are struggling and we are trying to take our time to get past this.
They offered to watch Carter if Rena and Danielle ever wanted a break and to give us more time to fix things. They both listened with intentionality, hanging on to my every word. And once I was done they finally spoke.
"Crispin...I don't know what to say." Ben said, his voice filled with sadness towards me.
"Yeah, I wish there was something we could do." James chimed in.
"This is enough. You asking and letting me talk through it is more than enough. I promise." I sighed and ran my hand through my styled hair, which I knew I was going to regret. "I'll try and call you more often I promise, it's just I have a lot going on in my head..."
"Don't worry about it! You call us whenever you can! And we will go and visit Carter this weekend." Ben said with a smile on my face that warmed my heart.
"I would really appreciate that, truly. Thank you." I gave an appreciative smile and let out a deep breath, finally feeling like some weight was off my shoulders.
"Now, I'm dying to know. How is sex with Dieter?" I let out a deep and hardy laugh, which I didn't realize was needed until now. Ben's face held curiosity and amusement, as well as James'.
I was overwhelmingly thankful for them...
