FIFTY-EIGHT
**-Scott’s POV-**
“She’s like this all day already. We don’t know what happened.” I explain to Elder Lucien and Fiona. “She mindlinked Ryan to explain Buwan wanted to see Raki, but the moment we felt our emotions change, we ran towards her and found her crying on the ground.”
It has been a few hours now, Ryan lifted Indy up and brought her back to our room. Yeah, our room. After the kidnap, we furnitured a complete new room for the three of us. An extra large bed, so we can all sleep there comfortably when we want too. But also a separate bed in the same room when it’s needed.
I stare at Indy, curled up in our bed, sleeping. She’s exhausted from the few hours she’s been crying. We immediately called Fiona and she tried to comfort her as well. Indy called Khal’s name, making my wolf growl in anger. He’s dead, why is she crying? He can’t hurt her anymore. I don’t understand.
“Hmmm.. I can try something, but it’s better for her to sleep now. Call me when she wakes up, okay?” Lucien says while she makes her way to the door.
I nod. “Ryan, would you mind if I take a quick shower and do some work? I would love to stay with her, but the pack isn’t running herself.”
“Sure. It’s your shift anyway. I’ll make sure Indy’s OK and I’ll link you when anything changes. It’s fine.” Ryan says.
I sigh of relief, these are the perks of sharing a mate I guess. After the shower I walk to my office and start my laptop. I open my email, hoping I got some news from the guy I contacted. But still, no anwer. I feel I’m frustrated and rub my eyes. I’m investigating Indy’s kidnap and it’s frustrating as hell that I’m constantly hitting a wall. How can Beta Jeff disappear? It’s like he never existed!
I hear a knock on the door. “Come in.”
I turned around when a familiar smell hit my nose. “Hunter! I didn’t expect you here.”
Hunter is the one that kept Indy’s old pack running now there was no Alpha or Beta anymore. I assigned him to that task, because he’s a neutral wolf in this matter and members of the pack are already getting to trust him, because he helped when Alpha Khal was hospitalized here. I approached their old Alpha, the father of Khal. But he didn’t want to run the pack again, he’s mourning about his son and has no Luna to help him with ruling a pack. Hunter is preparing a fight, where every wolf in the area can have their claim on the, now Alpha-less, pack to be the new leader. But that takes some time.
“So, tell me: what brings you here? Is everything alright?” I ask Hunter
He smiles. “Alpha Scott, I - “
“How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t need to use the formalities with us?! Being the partner of Indy’s mom, makes us practically family. Please.” I insist, interrupting Hunter. Hunter is only a few years older than me, and despite he has no experience in running a pack - heck, he hasn't even grown up in one! - I have huge respect for that guy. There’s something in that guy, he’s so confident and acts like a natural leader. I wouldn’t be surprised if his parents were having Alpha-blood, what makes him an Alpha too.
“Yeah, right. Sorry. Well, Scott, I spoke with Fi this morning and she told me about Indy. It was a good reason to come over and visit again. I peeked around the corner just minutes ago and she’s still sleeping. Fiona told me I could find you here, so I came to discuss the date for the fight.”
“I see. Well, good that you came and worried about Indy. I’ll appreciate that.” I nod to Hunter. “But I don’t think you only came to my office to discuss the date, right?” I smile.
“N-no. Well, you see.. I…” Hunter starts talking, visibly uncomfortable. “Spit it out, Hunter.” I encourage him.
“Alright. I don’t know the rules, but as a packless and former-rogue, can I join the fight as well? Like - as a candidate?”
I can’t say I’m surprised, due to how I feel about him, but I wasn’t expecting *him* to feel the same. I stay quiet for a while, not knowing if I’m correct.
“Well, to be honest, I have to ask the elders. But I don’t think it’s an issue. You’re already running the pack, temporarily, and that’s approved too. So, if you don’t mind, I’ll check for you. But from man-to-man, I can only say: Go for it! I mean: I don’t know your parents, but if you asked me I would say that you’re definitely Alpha material, Hunter.”
“Thanks, Scott. I appreciate it. So, I was thinking: we could set the date next saturday. Although it’s not a full moon, the weather will be good and clear that night. I think that would be a perfect night. Besides, old man (Khal’s father) and I talked to the pack and they’re more understanding of the situation right now and ready for a new leader.” Hunter explains.
“Great. Nice done. But I’m thinking: we’re having a situation with Indy and Raki right now, I’m not sure how far Fiona explained, but we’re not having all the answers of Indy’s meltdown yet. And maybe it’s better for everyone if Indy and Raki are at least there at the fight. But I’m not sure if that’s realistic. I’ll update you soon enough. I’ll contact the elders about your participation and will message you today or tomorrow about my plan with Indy and Raki.”
Hunter nods. “Great. Thanks for your time, Scott. I’ll be around today and go back after dinner.”
“I bet Fiona would love that. Thanks, Hunter. See you at lunch?” I answer with a smile.
“Yes. Thanks, again!” And with those words, Hunter leaves my office. I think about what he said and I feel enthusiasm radiating from my body. It would be great for both packs if Hunter and Fiona would be the new Alpha and Luna of that pack. I can’t wait to inform Indy, but first we have to manage this situation. I hope Indy wakes up soon, so we can get a bit more information. I bet Lucien can help with the proces. But first I need to contact Elder Augustus, he’s the expert in wolf-law and luckily he and I are close, due to my work. He’s a bit of the father I didn’t have for the past years. He helped me with the company and is an excellent Doctor of Laws. I dialate his number and hear the phone ringing.
“Scott, Augustus here. How can I help you?” I hear his calm voice.
“Augustus, good to hear you. Well, I want some advice. You know about Hunter and the temporary Alpha-position , right? Well, about that…”
I explained the whole story and wait for Augustus' answer.
"Well, he's already doing a great job at the moment. You can only perform the temporary role if you're fitted in the first place. So, I can be very clear on this answer: yes, Hunter can participate in the fight to try to claim the pack. There are no restrictions about the role or history of a wolf. I mean, not in this case - with being a former-rogue or something. It's pretty simple in wolf-law: may the best wolf win, which are almost always Alpha's - because they're simply the strongest. But a clever rankless wolf can also win, and he or she should be rewarded by that. Anyhow, it's no problem. You can tell him that."
We chit-chat for a while and I hang up after 20 minutes. I smile and my mood instantly changed from frustrated, this morning, to euphoric. I can't wait to tell Hunter, I bet he would be pleased with my answer...
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Author's note: *I'm very sorry that I didn't update more regurarly the last time. I've been sick and trying to catch up with all the work I couldn't do lately. I hope you understand that (as a mother) I have several other challenges too, due to the lockdown and Covid-19 situation the most of us are all still in. I make sure you will at least get two updates a week, what I still managed to do at this point. But I'll try my best to get you the third update too! Please, I hope you understand. Keep safe and keep strong! xx-B.*
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