Chapter 27
Alpha Maximus POV (cont)
‘What do you need me to do, son?’ I shouted over the turmoil. I saw the surprise in Jackson’s face, then relief.
‘Dad? Oh, thank the Goddess. I need to reach under to help the last child, they are trapped.’
I peered in. Sure enough, I could see a child, wedged into the corner. I supported a different piece of the building. Not as big, but still heavy.
Whilst Jackson climbed under. I could hear him talking gently to the child. Who was clearly terrified. And didn’t want to move, but Jackson coached the little girl. Had her wriggling forward, bit by bit.
‘Is she the last one, Jackson?’ I heard Reece say. I watched my son, as the little girl clung onto his front, as he made his way slowly, free of the building. As he cleared the danger zone I heard him shout. ‘All clear Alpha Reece, let it drop.’ With a huge roar from his mouth, Reece benched the weight from his back and threw it off to one side.
He stretched his back, and flexed his arms as he watched my son walk away, still holding the little girl.
‘You have a fine boy there, Alpha Maximus. He will be an Alpha to watch out for, when he takes over the pack.’ The directness of his address to me, shocked me. If we are to be honest. Clearly, it was not just his muscles that had gotten bigger. His confidence had risen too.
‘Thank you, Reece. I appreciate the comment. It wont happen for a while yet though. I hope.’ I sent a silent prayer to the Goddess. As I always do, when discussing Jackson’s succession to Alpha.
Alpha Reece POV
I felt my back teeth grind, as the old man called me Reece. He hadn’t used my title. But I would let it slide. This time. I stretched out my back again, rolling my neck in a circle to try and get the stiffness out of it.
I nodded my head toward the Alpha of the Moons Wane Pack. Then walked off in the same direction as his son. I had to admit, when I realised who had arrived in Midway, I was prepared to loathe him, out of principle. But having worked with him, steadily for over six hours, had shown me a different side to the playboy, heir.
When I reached the town hall, I could see Jackson standing there with an elegant looking lady. Who could only be his mother, he resembled her. A lot. The Luna turned, as Jackson muttered something to her. Her eye’s met mine. For an instant there was no recognition in her eyes. I could see her look, from my feet to the top of my head. Then her eyes landed on mine again.
‘Reece? Is that you? Oh, Goddess. Please forgive my ignorance. I mean, Alpha Reece?’ Luna Lilian smiled brightly at me. And I found myself smiling back at her. I had always liked the Luna of the Moons Wane Pack.
‘Yes, Luna Lilian. It’s me. Little Reece. But I do believe I have grown since I saw you last?’ I watched as a shadow passed over her lovely face. No doubt remembering the night the Blood Oaths Pack had lost everything. Her smile wavered slightly, then she opened her arms and gestured me forward so I could receive a hug from her.
‘You have most definitely grown, my boy. Look at you! My husband and I have heard wonderful things about you, and the work you do. You have worked so hard to bring this pack together. To build it back up since it was…’
‘Destroyed.’ I offered her a word. Luna Lilian had enough grace to flinch.
Before either of us could say another word, ‘Lilian, are you ok, my love?’ Was bellowed from somewhere behind me. I staved off the urge to roll my eyes, nodded to the Luna. And excused myself. I carried on walking into the town hall, I really didn’t want to see the Alpha again. He made my blood boil.
I still cannot get over the audacity of the man. Mentioning my business. It wasn’t my fault I won the title from him. The high council decided that the name Wolf Enforcement, stayed with the rightful pack. Alpha Michael had come up with, and marketed the name. I new Alpha Maximus Forester was always going to be pissed off at that. But tough shit. That’s what I say.
And it wasn’t my fault that his company is failing, whilst mine is thriving. I knew some of his old clients were now on my books. But I had no control over that. Other than the client recognising the superior company.
I spotted a few of my men, I walked over to them and congratulated each and every one. I shook every hand, and accepted devastated hugs. I spent time, grieving with my men, as some had lost family members.
We prayed together, asking the Goddess to grant safe passage to anyone who had fallen today. Under such a heinous attack as this. Questions needed to be asked. But that can wait.
My work here was not over, so after spending some time with my pack members, I went straight back to work. Trying to clear the rubble, and make the town safe to move around in.
Jackson POV
‘What do you mean, she didn’t come with you? I phoned and asked her, specifically, to join me here today. What happened here today goes so far above any childish plans we made. I needed her here with me, she is the future Luna, for fucks sake!’
I kicked out at a loose piece of stone and sent it skittering across the road. I was standing with Dan, and some of our other friends. Dan had just told me that Eva was far to busy to come to Midway. Plus, she didn’t get dirty. And felt she would only be in the way.
‘Calm down Jacs, people are staring. Just chill out, man.’ One of my other friends had spoken to me and I all but ripped his head off. I grabbed him around the neck and pulled him to me. I whispered in his ear, ‘chill out? You want me to chill out, when my fucking fiancé has ignored a request from me. Plus she has now embarrassed me, in front of my mother. Who would expect to see my mate-to-be, here with me. Do you understand why I can’t Chill?’
‘Whoa now, come on. Jackson, let him go. You don’t want to be the thing that embarrasses your mother, do you?’
The softer toned voice had, of course, come from Dan. I released Simon and walked away from where the guys were standing. Dan walked with me. He stayed silent for a couple of minutes, as we surveyed the destruction of the town.
‘Eva should be here with me, Dan. Please tell me you at least tried to get her to go with you?’ I sent Dan a pleading look. As if, the next words from his mouth will decide my fate.
‘Of course I did. I went to her house. No one answered at first. Then I remembered who lived there. So I kept knocking until she answered the door. When I explained what had happened, and that you needed her to be with you. Well, she, uh, well.’
I watched him stutter a few words before he came to a stop. He looked embarrassed to have to repeat her words to me. ‘Just say it, Dan. I want it verbatim!’
Dan nodded, then took in a breath. Fuck, I thought. Was it that bad. Turns out, it was worse.
‘Eva said, tell Jackson that I politely decline his invitation to attend a bomb site. I have far to much to do. I need to steam my ceremony dress. Then go over colours, for my finger and toe nails. No. Tell Jackson I shall pass this one. Then she slammed the door in my face.’
I closed my eyes, I tried counting to ten. It didn’t work. I tried breathing deeply. That didn’t work either.
I was furious. No. I was incandescent with rage. I needed to leave for a few minutes. Dan followed me so he could hold my ruined clothes.
I phased into Obsidian, and fled into the forest.