Sacrifice

I stayed in the gym so late last night that I ended up sleeping until 8 am, which is a rarity for me. I'm usually up, training early. Today is our meeting regarding the missing money and I'm not looking forward to it. I quickly shower and dress in jeans and a black button down with a pair of black ballet flats. The meeting has been set for 10am and I know most everyone is in the dining room for breakfast. I can't sit in that room and pretend that everything is okay. I decide to get a cup of coffee sent to my office.

I get in my office and realize that I wasn't the only person who was struggling today. Lana and Gemma are both already in my office with their own cups. I sit at my desk and sip on my beverage, thinking about how this meeting may go.

"I went ahead and filled Lana in on what's going on. I checked with the team as well and still no leads." I nod in response and continue to sip my drink. Lana clears her throat and I turn to look at her.

"Will we be okay?" I don't really have an answer for that question. I can't project how much damage this missing money will cause and I don't know if we have the ability to get it back. If we can't get it back, I don't know how long it would take to replace the missing amount.

"We will just have to be." That is the only answer I have at the moment. I have to keep this pack together and I can't lose the business. I will have to do everything I can to make sure that we can maintain the life we have built after all of these years. A knock on the door causes all of us to turn towards it to see who it is. "Enter." My dad walks in with Alan the financial advisor and Ben our lawyer. They all say their hellos and take a seat. "Good morning gentlemen, it isn't 10 yet."

"We realize that, but since this is such a serious issue, we figured we shouldn't wait," Ben said and I nod in agreement. Before anything else could be said, my door flies open and my mother walks in.

"What do you need, mother? We are in an important meeting." My mother looks around the room before settling her gaze on me.

"I'm well aware. I'm just confused as to why I was not included in the meeting." I look at my mother like she is an alien. Why the hell she thinks she should be a part of this meeting is beyond me. Mother notices my facial expression and continues, "Why wouldn't I be included, seeing as how I'm the Luna of this pack?" My mother stands up straighter and squares her shoulders.

"You are the FORMER Luna of this pack. Currently, we only have an Alpha and that is all that is needed." I give my mother an icy glare. I'm in no condition to deal with her foolishness this morning. My mother opens her mouth to speak, but it's my dad that says something. "Let's just let her sit in, hmmm. We really need to discuss what is going on." I close my eyes and sigh, nodding in agreement. My mother sits down and looks at me waiting for me to continue. We discuss the exact issue; what we found and what exactly was touched. Once the information was gone over, everyone sat quietly contemplating.

"Looking at the most recent statements, you can maintain matters here at the pack and at the company for another 3 months before that money will be missed," commented Alan. I had hoped that he had better news for me, but maintaining our big pack and the successful business was not cheap or easy and every dollar counts.

"So, after 3 months, we will be fighting to survive day to day, correct?" Alan nods in agreement. I sigh and run my hand over my face in frustration. This is a lot to deal with and I'm not sure how to fix it.

"This is exactly why women should be in a supportive role. This never happened when your father was in the Alpha position." I place my elbows on the desk and hold my head in my hands. I really don't need this right now.

"Tasha, just stop. She doesn't need this right now," my dad responds. My mother looks at him, exasperated.

"I told you she wasn't equipped for this role, but you just had….." My dad growls low at my mother and it was enough to keep her from finishing her sentence. I lift my head up and look at Alan and Ben.

"Would there be an issue if I provided the funds?" Alan looked at me with questioning eyes.

"What do you mean?" I stand up and start to pace behind my desk.

"I have some money and I can use it to replace the money that was taken. This way we won't have to worry about keeping the company and pack from ruin. They will never realize anything was amiss and we can focus on finding who did this." Everyone looks at me like I'm crazy. Ben is the first to speak.

"Alpha, there is nothing, legally, that will keep you from doing this if that is what you choose to do. You should make sure this is something you really want to do." Alan chimes in next.

"You do have the funds Alpha. Those investments did you some good, but if you do this, you will be starting close to zero again." I nod in acknowledgement. I figured that would be the case, but that doesn't change my choice.

"Pea….." my dad clears his throat, "Alpha, are you sure you want to do this? I mean what if you need the money down the line?" I chuckle a bit.

"For what, retirement?" I see some smiles break out at that. "We all know that I will leave this position when my heir is prepared to take over. The money I have is not needed for anything. I am the Alpha of this pack and the CEO of our company. It is on me to make sure they both run smoothly and people who work under me are able to maintain their level of comfort. What leader would I be if I don't fix this in any way possible? I have money that is not being used and money is needed to maintain the life we are living. It's simple." Everyone seems to agree with me at this point. "Alan, please get the paperwork ready to pull the money out. Ben, if there are any legal documents I need to take care of, please prepare them. I want to transfer that money tomorrow morning so we can start our Monday on the right foot." The two men reply 'Yes, Alpha' in unison and make their way out of my office.

"Uh, dear. Maybe you should contact Alpha Jasper. He will be more than willing to help. Actually if you think about it, he could make it so…."

"Stop mother. There will be no contacting Alpha KENT." My mother narrows her eyes at me and I don't flinch. "As a matter of fact, I hope you remember that as 'Luna' pack business is to stay within the pack walls, so there should be no way the Alpha should hear about what is going on….isn't that correct mother?" I look at my mother, willing her to go against my word. She says nothing, but gets up and stomps out of the office. Gemma and Lana get up to leave, laughing as they go. My dad is the only one left in the room. I sit in my chair, exhausted. "I'm sorry daddy."

"Sorry for what, Peaches?"

"Sorry I let this happen." I sigh and look at my hands in my lap. I hear movement and before I know it, my dad has me facing him and he is lifting up my chin to meet his eyes.

"Peaches, I am so proud of you. You found the problem and found a good solution. You are giving all you have to make sure others are cared for. That is what an Alpha does. This could have happened to anyone and is not your fault." My dad reaches down and kisses my forehead, "I love you." My dad straightens up and walks out of my office leaving me to contemplate everything that has gone on the last week.