Pack Affairs

 THE ALPHA’S SOULMATE

(Accept me my mate)

EPISODE TWO

THEME: Pack Affairs

My mom reached out and place her hand on dad's to calm him down when he clenched his fist. "What's wrong with our pack?" I prodded. There was no response. Then I knew something was wrong when no one said anything. They all fixed their gazes on their plates.

I watched my dad relaxed a bit and his expression softened. "Dad—"

He interrupted me. "Our pack is fine." A half smile displayed on his lips. I wasn't going to buy his response. I mean, I know they are all hiding something from me! Something that has to do with our Pack!

"Dad," I called him again.

"Bumblebee it's not something you should be concerned about. And our Pack is fine." His response was too sharp and immediate. And I knew there was no arguing with him. I wouldn't dare pester him about it. So I let things slide.

"I'm full." He pushed back his chair backwards and stood up to leave.

"I'm joining you honey." Mom followed him.

I breathed out heavily. "Can anyone please tell me what's going on here?" There was no response again. "Hello, why did you send a note to the Blackmoon pack?" I asked Juan but he didn't answer. He pretended to be busy with his phone.

"You? I know you know something about it," I turned to face Aubrey but she avoided my gaze. I sighed in disappointment.

I knew asking James won't favor me. He would end up saying bad words to me for not knowing anything about our Pack. Hey! Whose fault is that? Everyone’s—Dad's, Mom's, Juan's, Aubrey's and James'! And not my fault!

I had been interested in Pack affairs since I was little but they wouldn't allow me close to it. Dad thinks I'm too young. Juan says running the Pack or a portion of it would stress me out. Mom wants me to stay at home and learn how to be a good mama for the future. James says Pack affairs belonged to the males. Aubrey says I'm a sweet innocent girl who needs nurturing and proper care. She thinks interfering in the Pack affairs would taint my innocent image and corrupt my clean heart. And so she always drags along with her to some silly dancing classes. Or she persuades me to help her take care of my little nephews while she's dancing!

Argh! So annoying! No one sees me as a twenty-one-year-old! I don't want to be a sweet innocent girl!

"I can help you kiddo," James said. I slapped his hand away when he placed it on my head.

"What do you have to say?" I asked.

"I can tell you what you wanna know," James said and I eyed him suspiciously. I don't trust this guy! 

"I'm damn serious kiddo." He gave me a wink.

"Okay tell me," I said.

"So since you wanna know about the Blackmoon Pack—" James was interrupted by a loud growl. My head snapped to look at Juan who was now on his feet. Aubrey glared at James too.

"Don't you dare tell her about it!" Juan said sternly.

"And what's it about the Blackmoon Pack that you guys don't want me to know?" I grumbled, "Come on Juan I'm a part of this family! And so I deserve to know everything about our Pack too!" I threw my hands up in frustration.

"It's true you are a part of this family, but there are some things you shouldn't know too," Juan said before walking away.

"Why don't you just read some books in the Library. Mom ordered for some magical books. And I'm sure you'll find them interesting. Definitely," Aubrey said.

"That's innocent enough," James chuckled.

Fury crashed over me and I balled my fists. Aubrey walked away too. I tried to control my inner wolf from taking over. I shut my eyes, feeling frustrated as I almost failed at controlling my wolf.

"Relax! Relax! Avery! Look at me!" James said. I reopened my eyes only to see him close to me. He placed a finger on his lips. "I'll tell you what's going on around here," he said In a lightt whisper. And I relaxed. Thank goodness someone decided to help even though he wasn't my favourite.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes, but in exchange for something else" He winked. I knew it! I knew it! Believe me, I saw that coming! I should expect a condition whenever it comes to James. He would never help you without asking for something in return. James words are: "Life is give and take." You don't need to tell me, I know he's crazy.

"What do you want?" I huffed.

I really wanted to know about the contract between our Pack and Blackmoon. Blackmoon? Why Blackmoon of all packs? That's weird! Dad never liked that pack one bit! Why? Blackmoon Pack became the strongest pack in the country. And dad wasn't really happy about it because he had always wanted his pack to be the strongest.

So why is he asking the Blackmoon Alpha for help?

"I'll tell you everything once you agree to do what I want. Is that a deal?" he said. I nodded.

"What do you want James?" I asked.

"I made reservations at the biggest opening of a club in town, so I want you to come with me," he said. My eyes widened in shock. To be honest, I wasn't expecting such hit from him. I thought he would ask me to clean up his room, or do his laundry, or polish his shoes like he used to anytime. I was desperate to know something others in the house knew.

"I have planned everything Avery!" He smirked as he rubbed his palms together.

"Why are you asking me to go to club with you? I thought you were against me clubbing James," I said, surprise in my tone.

Yeah! James was never in support of me clubbing and hanging out with friends! Something that has to do with being 'a sweet innocent girl'. And dad would always turn me down anytime I made such request.

"Yes, I was against it but not anymore. I mean, look at you! You're twenty-one! Big and old enough to club with friends!" James exclaimed in an unusual tone. I shook my head slowly. He was lying!

"Spill it out James," I said and his false smile dropped and was replaced with a serious face.

"Okay... you got me kiddo," he mumbled.

"The thing is...few days ago I made the plan to hang out with my friends but Cole called up yesterday and said he couldn't make it. And I don't wanna waste his reservation! I paid a huge amount of money to get the tickets!" James explained. Anyways I was right! I knew he wouldn't let me go to club on a normal day.

"So you want me to be Cole?" I asked.

"Yes." He nodded.

"But James, I can't take up another person's identity. It's illegal," I reminded.

"Don't worry I'll have them change the name, age and gender. Is that okay?" he asked.

"Better. So when is the opening?"

"Tonight!" He exclaimed.

"What?" I gaped at him.

"You heard me Avery." He gritted his teeth.

"What about Dad?" I asked. "Don't worry I'll talk to him." James winked again. I'm sure he knows how to talk dad into allowing me go to a club with him.

"Okay I'll come with you but you have to tell me about the Blackmoon Pack and everything on our way to the club. Deal or no deal?" I asked.

"Deal Kiddo." He grinned.

The maids came around to clean up the table. I expected James to leave too but he didn't. Instead he leaned forward with a sly smile on his lips.

"How about I hook you up tonight?" He said. And I gave him a deep frown. "Come on Avery! It would be fun to have someone by your side too. I'm going there with Ava," he said. Ava was his mate.

I shook my head. "No hook-ups James!" I pointed out.

"So how about getting laid too?" he teased. James knew that I didn't like hearing such words like finding a soulmate, having boyfriends, or getting laid. I hate those craps!

I was never interested in romantic relationships because I have better things to think about.

"I can find the perfect guy for the night," he teased again.

"James you're disgusting!" I rolled my eyes before walking away. His laughter echoed in the large room.

"I'll pick you up by 8:00pm! And we aren't coming back home until midnight! Even if dad calls me to bring you home, I won't pick up his call!" he shouted.

"Whatever, stupid," I replied.

"Did you just call me stupid?" he asked. I motioned towards the library.

"Get to work James!" I screamed at him.

He laughed again. "See ya later kiddo!"

I inhaled deeply at the smell of fresh books in the library. I love reading books. Magical and adventurous books are my favorite. And I don't think it's a bad idea to follow Aubrey's advice of reading books. I don't need to worry about anything or be angry at anyone because James would tell me everything at night. I picked up the first book that caught my eyes and it turned out to be my favourite.