Life Goes on but Never Changes

                It was now well into the morning. Jessie helped many of the elders find their must-have items. Packing them up with as much respect as for them and their age. It was heartbreaking as she listened to stories they could not resist telling. It was a time before her father’s time as Alpha. They’d thrived here in that time. Jessie knew it was too late, but she hoped one day she might experience a similar story.

                One glare from Alrick told Jessie it would be a chilly day in hell. Every time she looked up; it was to see Alrick watching her. His expression looked made of stone, and he waited for a storm to hit. He never said a word to her. Though he responded to anyone else that approached him.

                Jessie felt like she was dragging herself from one place to the next. Like everyone else, she wanted a place to sleep. In the vehicle, as it drove the quiet with the repetitive motion. Jessie must have slept because she woke up when she found herself pulled from the SUV. There was no consideration for her mental or physical state. At least she didn’t expect any. Therefore, said nothing about it.

                Crying out, startled, Jessie looked up into Alrick’s face. He steadied her on her feet even while he grimaced in irritation. “Take your things to the packhouse and leave them there in the main entrance.” With that said, he released his hold on her arms and walked off shouting orders at various other people.

                Sighing, she helped pull the baggage from the vehicle she arrived in. Leaving it all on the ground for those that they belonged to. Jessie picked up a single duffle bag and backpack. They parked all the vehicles in front of the packhouse. So, it wasn’t far to go with her bags. Others were hauling out things that they removed from her old packhouse. Yeah, ‘old’ was the correct description. This was the closest to a packhouse they’d get. This packhouse was nothing like the ‘old one. People came and went without permission. The lights all worked; sunlight entered through the windows. There was evidence of damage, but it appeared all recent. The main staircase led up to the second floor showed damage to the banister rails and a stair-like someone fell thrown them. One window bore a crack too. That was just the main entrance. Hector couldn’t go anywhere without destroying something.

                It sank in for her. Hector wasn’t just gone. He was gone, gone. As in dead, gone. Jessie was alone. The realization hit her so hard Jessie needed to find support from the wall behind her. Alone. Her mind reeled with feelings she found unexpected. How many times she’d wished Hector gone? Now that it’s happened, she wasn’t sure what was next.

                While she’d been leaning there ruminating. She couldn't understand the goings-on around her. Alrick entered and was scanning the entranceway. He fielded a few more questions before Craig followed him in with Kelly and her pup. They ushered her up the stairs. Jessie heard she would stay there. Until they could find something more permanent.

                At least they were caring for her and the babe. The only problem would be when they realized who the pup’s father was. Kelly was a sweet girl and young. Jessie never approved of Hector’s obsession with her. She wasn’t his mate, and he sure as hell didn’t treat her like one. The pup was Hector’s and when he’d found out she was pregnant. He’d tossed her aside. A pup didn’t fit into his lifestyle. He’d even gone as far as accusing her of cheating on him. He’d been the one cheating on her.

                Jessie liked the girl and helped her deliver the pup during the evening. Her sweet nature made her easy to like. A long time ago, Jessie had hoped that her sweet nature would have a calming effect on Hector. But they’d both been wrong. He’d rebelled even more instead.

                Jessie needed to remind herself that was over. He was dead and gone. Did she have to bury him? Ugh, she didn’t want to deal with that. Even if he was her brother. With everything going on, her feelings were in pieces. Jessie wasn’t sure she could pick up all of them. She didn’t want to think about putting them back together either.

                She couldn’t handle Alrick’s censure right now. So, when the door opened again, she slipped back outside.

*                             *                             *

                Alrick saw her come into the packhouse carrying just a couple of bags. He couldn’t believe that she expected others to carry most of her bags. She was nowhere in view when he entered. The new pup and mother came in and he sent them up to rest. His men found her in a derelict trailer, alone without running water and just a generator for electricity. She’d tried to make excuses for her pack, but Alrick was having none of it. Where was the pup’s father? No one could or would tell him. Which gave him the sinking feeling that Hector wasn’t just a nasty waste on the planet. But a blight on his pack, too.

                They’d gathered people together with minimal belongings. It became apparent that the land and buildings saw better days than decades ago. Alrick wouldn’t let anyone live in those conditions. He’d wished that Hector spent his money on his people. But feared his hope misplaced in this concern. It looked like the money went into partying and travelling. There were hundreds of dollars in returnable bottles lying about inside the packhouse.

                He’d found that Jessica-Lyn and her brother weren’t on good terms. But how much of that was believable? What crimes did Hector do around here? He’d sent her away, so she was out of sight. Just like his lover and son. Jessica-Lyn must learn she was no better than her brother. She’d neglected speaking up against the rot that occurred within her pack. She’d encouraged her brother’s actions. For that, he’d take a personal interest in teaching her where she belonged. He could smell her. It was near intoxicating. Alrick realized now that her scent mixed with the smell of home, it was pleasing to his senses.

He could smell her, but he couldn’t see her.

That made him experience some confusing feelings. Pleasant, but odd in that he didn’t like not knowing where she was. He needed her to understand her place. She’d left to carry more of her bags in. It would be nice to know that she’d some independence and work ethic. “Craig, where’s the sister?” Alrick stopped Craig as he came back.

                “What Jessica-Lyn? She was standing in the corner there. Didn’t you see her? Maybe she’s outside helping?”

                “I told her to bring her luggage in here.” Alrick looked about. Bags and boxes lay scattered in the entranceway. But he didn’t see any extensive collections of things. “Where is it?”

                “In that corner where she dropped it.” Craig had gone with Jessica-Lyn and overseen her picking up a few things.

                “That’s it?” There was a child’s backpack and a small duffle bag. Where were her clothing and her personal items?

                “If you saw where she was staying. You couldn’t keep much in it. Alrick, we’re doing them all a favour. I suspect we’ll just have to bulldoze all the buildings. Then build what we need. It will cost. I think that will be the easiest.”

                “I’m pissed. Every time I have the answers. Or think I do. I end up with more questions. Why won’t anyone willing to tell the unvarnished truth? Why didn’t anyone tell report this? How come we never told of this? I don’t care right now. Nothing is adding up, and it smells fishy to me.”

                “Yeah, I remember meeting Hector at a gathering of pack officials. They had tied you up in meetings. I don’t remember him ever not being drunk. He was a right asshole to everyone. I’m surprised NARC didn’t intervene in his pack’s business. Did you know I didn’t see a single working vehicle out there? I think we should find out if he prevented them from reporting by isolating them. We’re still looking for cellphones or if they know how to use one.”

                “I don’t know if it’s because I’m so tired. But it boggles my mind that it could be true. It just proves my point that as the Alpha’s sister she had a responsibility to the members of the pack. She should have reported this.”

                Craig gave Alrick one of his buggy-eyed looks. Alrick knew them well. Craig used this look from when they were small pups. He tried understanding what was off in what he saw. He’d too much restraint to say what he thought.

                “Find her and get her in here. I want to talk to her now.” Alrick stormed into his office and study. Pleased to see its neat and organized state. He couldn’t stand that chaos and filth anymore.