All Novel Sweet
95
“PLEASE, KILL ME,” I said to the dark cavern, but no one replied. I could see cameras, I knew they were watching, but none would relieve me of my life. They would not be denied their spectacle. The trial would be held in two weeks, after which my well-deserved suffering would end.
I closed my eyes and lost myself in my memories, replaying my time with Larry for the eight hundred and eighty-seventh time since I arrive here.
Jessie’s POV
“Thank you for allowing us to meet with you all,” I said as we sat down following Chairman Francois at the large conference table in the room next to the Alpha’s office. I held John’s hand in mine above the leather-clad armrest as I sat tall and proud in the room. To our right were Patrick and Mischa; next to them at the head of the table, the current Alphas of the Moscow Pack, Javier and Abrianna. Continuing on the far side, Council Members Hans and Prudence, Armando and Yara, Salvatore and Maria, and Jurgen and Ingrid. At the opposite head of the table was Chairman Francois and Roberta. To our left was Alpha Viktor, Luna Marina and Alpha Stan. It was an intimidating bunch, but my wolf and my mate gave me the confidence to sit as equals to them. “A few weeks ago, you asked me my intentions as to John and I taking the Alpha position. This trip has affected me deeply, and it has changed my decision. I am stepping forward to claim my birthright as the Alpha of the Moscow Pack with my mate John.”
There were smiles and claps all around at this. “I knew we wouldn’t lose you to the Colonies,” Salvatore said with a grin. “We were all hoping you would find your destiny in our Council.”
“Having said that, we are not ready to immediately step in,” John said. “For both of us, we only know a little of the culture and the language. It will take months of structured training for us to become fluent and effective in the Pack. In addition, I’d like to marry this woman and go on a honeymoon,” he said as he squeezed my hand and the table laughed.
“How long do you need,” Javier asked.
“Six months to a year before we can operate without assistance,” I said. “I would like to formally request that Councilman Javier and Luna Abrianna stay on until spring, at which time the position could be formally handed over. I would also ask that they consider staying in an advisory capacity until they are confident their experience is no longer needed. This Pack is going through incredible changes, and replacing their knowledge and experience with our own right now will not do any of us good.”
I looked at them and my eyes practically begged them to stay. “I have learned a lot these past few months, but there is so much I don’t know. Luna Abrianna, I need your help. I can’t let my Pack down when they need me.”
The two looked at each other, mentally communicating, then Javier smiled. “We would be honored to stay as you have proposed, Jessie. We’re actually enjoying the action of a Pack again after all these years.”
“And I would be happy to work with you as I have been working with Mischa,” Abrianna added.
“Wait, what about Patrick and Mischa?” Armando looked at them. “Are they to be given the St. Petersburg Pack?”
“I think that would be a mistake,” Javier said. “Both grew up in Packs, but you’ve seen the reports. St. Petersburg is in chaos, even Council Member Thomas will struggle holding it together and forming it into something new.”
“And we don’t know how their loyalties will fall,” Jurgen said. “Some may blame the loss of their Alpha, Luna and Betas on Jessie and her friends.”
“And for that reason, I cannot allow my daughter to go up there,” Alpha Viktor said.
“Nor do we want to take that Pack at this time,” Patrick said. “I’ve been here for months, learning the people and the job with Alpha Javier. Mischa has also started to form bonds here, and she still has to graduate school and wants to go to college and study to be a Doctor. I have talked with her parents and with the future Alphas. We want to stay here, in Moscow, and have accepted the position as Betas here.”Têxt belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
The Council members looked at each other in shock, they were effectively saying no to a position within a Pack. “You are Alpha level, and your mate is a bloodline Alpha, yet you are taking a Beta position?”
Mischa nodded. “We have every confidence that the Moscow Pack will return to prominence, and when it grows too large to comfortably govern, Patrick and I will split off and form a Pack in the Eastern suburbs of Moscow up to the Kstovo borders. The specifics have already been agreed to by all parties, with time and Pack size triggers along with guarantees of financial resources.” He passed around copies of the agreement for them to review.
“It is a win for all of us,” I said. “We get people we know and trust, who already know about running the Moscow Pack to stay on and work with us. When the Pack splits, they get the Pack they deserve, and we get a stable ally on our border. The expansion won’t take long, and in a few years these two will be ready for the job.”
Chairman Francois leaned back, considering the paper in his hand. “I have to say I’m impressed. Too many times, young Alphas are thrust into a job they aren’t prepared for. This type of mentorship could be a model for the future.”
“I agree,” Roberta said. “I like this plan, and I’m impressed they’ve thought through what they need to be ready to be a good Alpha pair.” The discussion continued, but the comments were all positive. Once Alpha Javier agreed to stay on, the rest of their decisions were easy.
Until one. “What do we do about the St. Petersburg Pack,” Salvatore said. “Thomas can’t stay there forever, and that Pack is in shambles.”
“If I may,” I said and they all turned to me. “There are two problems with that Pack. The first is financial; Yevgheny gutted their Pack finances is his drive to kill me. I’ve already said I would return the properties and the money to them once responsible leadership was in place. The people are the other problem. It’s the opposite of what happened here; the Moscow Pack lost the gangsters to the north, and now their families are struggling. There are too many families and too few providers,” I said as they nodded. “Shrink the pack, significantly. Urge Packs to accept transfers from the Pack, taking some of the financial and support burden away. Raise up whatever Betas you can and structure the Pack around that. Once they are strong enough to be self-governing, then find an Alpha who can take over.”
“That could take years,” Javier said.
“We can’t abandon them, and we don’t need a war starting over territory and past slights either,” Salvatore said. “The surrounding Packs will see the need to help out now to avoid problems later. Council involvement will be enough to deter border issues until it is back on its feet.”
“And we could use some of the money set aside for the Pack to pay for resettlement and support,” I added. “Just make it so those that want to leave can do so, and those wanting to stay under normal Pack rules can make it happen. I don’t want the St. Petersburg Pack to be my enemy, the ones I wanted out of the way are gone.” The conversation continued for a few minutes before Chairman Francois stopped it and all but the Council were asked to step outside.
“Nervous?” I shook my head but leaned into Alpha Stan as he wrapped his arms around the two of us.
“Thank you for this,” Alpha Viktor said. “Her mother is so excited about Mischa not just becoming Luna eventually, but getting to pursue her dreams.”
“It’s best for all of us, I think,” I said as I stepped back and molded myself to John’s side. “Not a bad plan for being dreamed up at two in the morning in your hot tub,” I said with a grin.