Chapter 27: Simon

I looked up and saw Nana. She stood there and looked at the papers and computer that sat on the desk.

“Nana, do you know how to knock?”

“I do, but if my grandson is Alpha, I have a right to walk in where I please.” She continued to look at the papers that lay scattered in front of us.

“I am that Alpha, Nana. And I am telling you that you need to knock.”

“Pft.” She said as she waved a hand in front of her. “Are you ready?”

“Ready for what?” I said as I inspected the numbers in front of me.

“Our weekly date to go shopping.”

“Nana, can we please postpone this until tomorrow?”

“No. A promise is a promise.”

She could be a stubborn old bitty. “Nana today is not a good day. I promise I will take you to as many stores as you like tomorrow. We just need to get this information out as soon as possible.”

She glared at me without saying a word. She turned on her heel and walked out muttering to herself.

“Not going to lie. But your grandma can be very scary sometimes.”

“I can definitely agree with that.” I shook my head at the door. “She may be angry now, but I will smooth it over tomorrow.”

“I say it’s your funeral, man.”

“Shut up, and let’s get back into this. I want to send these numbers out in less than an hour to hopefully get some bites from the other packs.”

The number of workers needed turned out to be fifty-six. We outlined the specific positions; how many were open and what skill set was needed. Most of the positions were on the job training, which offered more neighboring pack members a chance at a job. It was hard to find work now. No matter how much schooling or training a pack member had they still couldn’t find a job.

I was grateful to present this opportunity to my neighboring packs. Not only would it solve the employment issues we all faced, but it would bring our packs closer together. The mines were more than just a way to earn money, it would be a treaty that could last for decades. Though the other Alphas showed interest in this opportunity, we would have to wait and see if they would have volunteers to apply.

The Alpha could ask all they wanted but it really came down to the fact if the pack members themselves felt safe enough to work in another pack’s land. Some may have an issue with it.

“Ok, so I’ve written up an email sending it out to Tristan, Luis, and James. We have the final numbers on what positions we need. What we are offering in compensation, plus a sign-on bonus if they can start within the week. Look this over and let me know if you want to change anything?” Jared turned the laptop to face me, and I read over the details. It had everything that we discussed. The add-on bonus was an incentive to start and would be paid out after their first day but had to sign a ninety-day contract.

A contract was worth more, amongst wolf packs, than just their word. Not only did we have the word of the pack member, in writing, but the backing of their Alpha. So, if any pack member would back out of a contract, they would get repercussions from their Alpha as well as the Alpha whose contract was broken.

“Looks good to me. Send it.” I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my temples. I could feel a headache start to form because I stared at the papers and computer screen for too long.

“Sent.” He looked up. “Are you alright?” He closed his laptop.

“Yeah, I can feel a headache brewing.”

The phone on my desk rang loudly, startling me forward. I picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Alpha Simon, Alpha Tristan here.”

“Oh hey, what’s up?”

“I’m looking over the numbers you just sent.”

“Yeah?”

“Is this a fucking joke?”

“I’m not sure what you mean. Those positions are available, and the payment is generous.”

“It is beyond generous. A fucking sign-on bonus, as well? I might even sign up to help out. I just needed to confirm these numbers were accurate before sending them to my pack members,” he said and laughed.

“That’s good.” I took a breath. “We need the help and really if anyone can fill out the paperwork attached to that email and send it back to Jared, we can get them a contract and signed on.”

“I see it’s a three-month contract. Is there opportunity for a longer-term contract?”

“We are starting off with three months and working things out from there. If, for some reason, this doesn’t work out we won’t be bound by a longer contract.”

“Smart, smart.” I could hear Tristan thinking over the details. “I’ll send this to my pack right away. I have a feeling that we can at least fill thirty of those positions, if not more.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Between you and me, I was getting concerned that the pack wouldn’t last much longer. We have been struggling...financially.” I knew admitting that was hard on Tristan, but it was something we all knew was happening around our packs. The Alpha would do the best that he could to provide for the pack, but that only went so far.

“I’m happy to help.” The phone beeped letting me know there was another call coming through. “Hey Tristan, I have to let you go. I have another call coming through.”

“No problem. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye.” I pushed a button to end that call and accept the other. “Hello?”

“Hello, Alpha Simon. It’s Alpha James. I just wanted to confirm these numbers are accurate.”

“Hi Alpha James, yes those numbers are accurate.”

“Ok, thank you. I will pass this information along to my pack. I’m sure you will be hearing from my pack members that are interested very soon. Bye.” James hung up the phone.

“It seems like we are going to be having a lot of interest in these open positions,” I said to Jared.

“You don’t say,” he said. He shook his head and turned his computer to me to show his email inbox. “This offer was sent out ten minutes ago and we already have 13 applications with signed contracts pending our approval.”

“Let’s wait the evening and review them tomorrow morning. I want to have as many as possible to review at once before making any decisions.”

“I’ll create a folder on my laptop and save all applications.” Jared said as he typed on his computer quickly, focused on creating a new folder and organizing his emails.

I leaned back in my chair again, I thought about how to circumvent the issue with the company. We were severely shorthanded, if we could get these new applicants started in the next day or so we may just be able to meet our deadlines. Who would have thought getting a high-profile contract would be a curse?

“Not to bring this up now, but have you thought about the Yule Ball yet? We only have a couple months left and usually a menu will have been decided by now.”

I opened an eye and looked at Jared. “I haven’t even thought about that. With this huge contract I haven’t been able to think of anything else. I mentioned in the meeting I have some catering menus from a few different companies.”

“I recall. Decisions need to be made though, Alpha. How about I get Stella to make a few tasting options, that you can decide on. I know she would be over the moon to do this project for you. I would also suggest having a cocktail hour, serving appetizers and then have a sit-down meal.”

“If you have so many suggestions, why don’t you take over planning this party?” I snapped.

“I can only offer my help, Alpha.” Jared averted his eyes to my show of dominance. “Usually, this would be the Luna’s job and since you don’t have a Luna yet, the task falls on you.”

“Fuck, I don’t need to hear it. I’m so tired of everyone referring to me not having a mate yet like it’s a weakness. I know that the Yule Ball is the Luna’s job, I KNOW the task is on me now. I’m sick of hearing about the bullshit politics that don’t make me any less of a leader, but everyone else thinks so.” My voice started to rise in frustration. The headache that was a slight tickling in my head started to expand.

“Yes, Alpha.” Jared stood, bowed his head, and took a step back. He stood there in silence.

I rubbed my temples. “Stop, that.” When he showed respect like that it irritated me.

“Stop what?”

“The Alpha bullshit. You’re my Beta, you are almost on the same level as me. Just stop it.”

“Yes, Alpha.” Jared said.

As Jared said that Greta walked through the door of the office but quickly slowed her pace as she took on the scene. She averted her eyes from me and looked down as she could feel the tension in the air. “What’s happening?”