Chapter Twenty-Four

Alpha Joe's office is completely opposite to dad's, it has got the basics in it but nothing extravagant, they are obviously not doing as well as our pack is doing. I had heard rumours that after the war that they had taken a big hit, sending warriors off to help the King and Queen only to be killed by the vampires.

I don't know the full story; dad never allowed the full story to be told as part of our history, just the key parts of it that led to the council and even in the packs he sent me to for training never told the full story as though they were all trying to hide something. It's something I have tried to find out about on my own, but I have never been able to get all the story, only snippets, I wonder if there is a book in the pack library here that will tell me seeming as they were one of the packs that sent help to them.

Sighing I fold my hands onto my lap ready to get this meeting started, I don't want to waste more time on this than needed, I had only arrived back at the Red Moon Pack, my soon to be pack two weeks ago. It is necessary as an alpha to go to other packs for training and I had finally finished only to come home to mayhem.

This whole thing is fucked up, how could an alpha take pups from another pack, the pack was distraught and all over the place, on top of that we had lost a couple of pack members in the rogue attack, not forgetting those that were seriously hurt.

I thought coming here after getting all the facts and finding a legit reason for him not keeping them he would be reasonable after all he didn't file any paperwork for a pack transfer or notify the council. I never expected him to snarl at me but then again, I could have probably worded it better than telling him he took advantage of the pack even though that is exactly what he did.

I had looked forward to getting home after completing my last week in my uncle's pack, but I came back to the pack being in a shamble, tasks uncompleted, pack meals half completed or not enough to feed everyone. No one knew what they were meant to be doing, the laundry room was stacked with piles of unwashed clothing.

It took me a week to sort it all out, my dad was too busy fuming about stolen pups and doing goddess knows what. It took me over an hour to get the full story out of him, how there was a rogue attack and that Alpha Joe had taken the pups. When I asked him how the families could let the pups go, I finally found out that they were orphans, which made it even harder to find a solution as it wasn't a simple kidnap.

"Well, now we are all seated perhaps we can sort out why you are on my territory and your son is accusing me of taking advantage of your pack, Alpha Rick."

"That is because you did take advantage of my pack Joe. We had just been attacked, lost valuable pack members and then you told me you were taking the orphans. You didn't even ask."

"You didn't even know how many orphans you had in the pack" he accuses my dad and I feel even more frustrated than I was before I arrived.

"Yet again we had just last pack members and not to be rude why are you in this meeting Alpha Chris? This is no concern to you."

"Well, you see that is where you are wrong. As four of those pups, are pups of my pack." What now? How the hell did his pups get to our pack. Scrubbing my hand over my forehead I try to understand this new piece of information.

"How the hell did they get to my pack then?" Dad roars at Alpha Chris.

"That is currently not your concern, but I will be telling you now that they will be coming back to my pack when ready and not returning to your pack. And seeing as they are pups to my pack, I will not be submitting any paperwork, unless it is to the council about your mistreatment of the pups."

"How dare you accuse me-"

"He did not accuse you. He said he wasn't doing any paperwork unless it is to the council about mistreatment of the pups, if there is none, I am sure he will not submit any but the way you just reacted I am now a bit suspicious." And they are right, dad seems frazzled but then his whole demeaner changes instantly as though he has just remembered something.

"Can we please get back on track" I butt in "There was still no formal transfer of the pups that belonged to our pack. They were taken whilst my father was distracted with finding the culprits of the rogue attack and the loss of his pack members."

"How is that investigation going? Did you find the culprits that took my son and godson?"

'Pups were taken. Kidnapped? did you forget to tell me something dad?' I mind link him as I glare at him for missing some vital information in the story, he told me, but he chooses to ignore me.

"The investigation is still on going, I have been trying to find a trail but currently not found one and my pack has been distraught at the loss of their pack and of the pups-"

"In other words, your pack doesn't like the fact that they're having to work, now that the pups have left."

"How dare you?" How can he accuse my pack of such a thing, we are one of the strongest packs.

"No how dare you come here and demand to take the pups back. They are happy at last after everything. They have got loving and caring families and the ones who had been separated from their families have been reunited." I suppose if they are settled it would be wrong for us to upend them again, as I am aware of, they had no prospects in our pack.

"Well, I suppose we wouldn't want to upend them again. We would like to have permission to stay at your pack for a week to observe them and ensure that they are one hundred percent happy here and we can sort that paperwork out at the same time." I offer dad staring at me incredulously, but we need to regroup and rethink this situation before it escalates further.

"I suppose I can grant that request. But if you disturb the running of my pack-"

"We have no attention of that. Now where are they?" Dad interrupts him.

"Which pup would you like to see first?" looking at dad he doesn't answer.

'Err…Dad who should we see' I link him, mind you he never answered my first link.

"Is there anyone particular you want to see first?" Alpha Joe smirks at dad and I wonder what he is playing at. Why does he not just take us to them.

"Might as well start with that troublesome she-wolf. The one that took my son." Really dad? Great start calling a wolf troublesome and not asking to see her by name but then Alpha Joe's eyes glint as though he is up to something.

"Very well. You know she has become a key member of my pack. Me and my mate are in the process of adopting her and her siblings." He smiles with so much fondness for the girl. "To be honest she is only one of the ones not at school." Dad looks shocked.

"What do you mean school?"

"Oh yes I forgot you didn't let them go to school." What? This is turning out to be one massive learning curve for me, what has dad been doing with the pack since I have been gone?

Emerging into their dining hall I find the she-wolf with my brother, he seems happy, I haven't seen him like this since my return, the beautiful female is making him laugh as he talks to her about goodness knows what and I find myself jealous, he used to talk to me like that.

"Caspian came back two weeks ago. He's changed." My brother mutters dropping his head.

"Perhaps he is just trying to settle back in after being gone so long. Perhaps you should ask him if he has time to do something with you rather than waiting for him?"

"I don't know. He-" coming to a stop next to him he stiffens before looking up at me "Er…Hi Cas" I see the smirk on her face, she knew I was here, and she let my brother voice something that was bothering him, so I knew and … and I'm so happy she did.

"Hey bro, see you got food. We just wanted to see er…" I look at her before glancing at my dad.

"Just ask your questions then perhaps Alpha Joe can show us where we are staying?" he looks back at Alpha Joe.

"Dad doesn't know her name." my brother huffs out on a breath, but I hear it and she obviously does as she snickers.

"Hi Caspian. I have heard so much about you. I am Jennifer." Holding my hand out she takes it and an electric shock goes up my arm what the? She snatches her hand back frowning down at it before schooling her expression, that was weird.

"Have you now?" I am shocked how does she know well I suppose the pack would have talked about me, but I am sure I have never met her.

"Danny used to tell me a lot about you." I see Danny blush at her declaration, and I have to bite my lip to stop myself laughing.

"All good I hope?"

"Depends on what you class as good?" she smirks making Danny chuckle. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

"You very well know you b-" dad stops trying to calm himself "you know what we would like to talk about. The fact that you and the pups are now here." He raises his eyebrow.

"Oh that. Danny, you want to play that new game I told you about?" she asks my brother, completely ignoring my dad's question leaving him spluttering.

"Hell yes."

"Alright. Go make yourself at home, their room is right next to mine." He knows where her room is. When did he go there? I feel my wolf grumbling in my head not liking the fact another male has been in her room, her personal space, even if it was my brother.

"You sure they won't mind?"

"Of course not, your family." She hugs him "take this in case you need more." What on earth is she giving him?

"Thank you" he leaps up hugging her before heading towards the stairs. Well thanks Danny pretend we aren't here why don't you.

"So, Alpha Joe took myself and the other pups in, giving us all a home." She plainly states with no room for argument.

"Yet it wasn't formally done meaning you are still part of the Red Moon Pack."

"Hmm…think you are wrong on that but enlighten me"

"Of course, a low ranking she-wolf wouldn't know" dad snarls at her lack of respect towards us but I see the amusement and fondness shinning on Alpha Joe's face.

"Well, if you mean the documentation of change of packs technically Alpha Joe doesn't have to do it."

"Your still dumb-" she holds her hand up.

"Technically, you as alpha did not officially take us into your pack. Do you even know how many of us orphans there were?" how dare she question an alpha.

"He does not need to answer you pup." I snarl at her.

"She has a point how about you make a list of names of who we need to do paperwork for?" Alpha Joe says stepping forward.

"Ok. Come on Dad let's go make this list and then we can get on with the process."

------------------------------------------------------

Sitting in the lounge with my dad I pass him a piece of paper to start writing the list we need but he just stares at it.

"Come on Dad what are you waiting for?"

"I don't remember their names" he admits, he has to be kidding me right now, right?

"How do you not know their names they were part of the pack. Do you know how many of them there were?" hoping that they were not telling the truth, surely, they weren't telling the truth.

"I don't know."

"This is ridiculous how can you not know" I groan "Can we contact the wolves who looked after them, surely they would know."

"That is going to be hard."

"Why?"

"Because that she-wolf you were talking to, was the one that looked after them."

"You what? What else have you not told me Dad?" I growl.

"Remember your place son. I am still the alpha of the pack therefore your alpha."

"Sorry" I say through gritted teeth but at the same time I'm not in the slightest. What the hell has he been playing at?

"All you need to do is use that brilliant mind of yours and get them pups back" he snarls at me. Why is he so eager to have them back. Not questioning it and deciding to think about it later when I am alone and can think about it more.

"Ok well we can observe today and hopefully pick up the names we need for them."

"Great idea son. Knew you would come up with a smart idea."

----------------------------------------------------------------

It has been an unsuccessful day and I feel like Alpha Joe has told his pack not to talk around us about the pups in the attempt to embarrass my father further. I haven't even seen Danny to be able to ask him, or to see if he lets the pup's names slip by mistake. Heading into the dining hall for dinner I see Danny sitting on the high-ranking table and head towards him before settling next to him.

"Have a good day bro?"

"Amazing day. Jenni showed me around the pack, their training grounds is amazing and-" he is almost bouncing on his seat in excitement as he tells me about his day.

"What were you doing there, son?" dad growls out slumping next to me in a mood. I don't hear what Danny replies as my eyes find the curvy female approaching the table with two plates of food that smell divine.

"Here you go Danny" she smiles.

"You remembered" he looks up at her with glazed eyes, tears threatening to escape them.

"Of course, I did." She goes to place another plate down, but dad snatches it out of her hand.

"What do you call this?"

"Not yours" she mutters before raising her voice "That was for my boy here" she nods to the little boy sitting in the chair next to her empty seat.

"Well go get-"

"Alpha Rick. Please do help yourself to the food over there" Beta Dean points over to the buffet style layout not looking at all impressed at my father, almost like he wants to kill him.

"I'll get you something Dad." As I get up, he slings the plate back at Jennifer, but she manages to grab hold of it before it goes everywhere before sitting next to the little boy.

Plates full of food I place one in front of me and another in front of Dad but realise that there is tension in the air.

"Come on Scotty you must be hungry" he shakes his head and I watch out of the corner of my eye as she glances around the room sighing in defeat. "Alright, I'm heading out early if anyone wants to join." She calls out to the room.

I have never seen anyone move so fast, let alone a whole pack, well nearly the whole pack, they all launch up from their seats as soon as she finishes speaking, dashing to get a water bottle before departing. "Can I come?" Danny pipes up bouncing in his seat, his plate already empty which shocks me, he hasn't been eating much recently and I was getting worried.

"Sure thing."

"I've been practising" he chimes as he too launches to his feet and walks beside her and the pup Scotty. Hang on practising what on earth is he talking about?

"Jenni, honey" Luna Sarah calls out to her "I will make sure there is food available for you all, just in case anyone is hungry."

"Thank you, Luna," she bows and turns just in time not to get knocked flying.

"Sorry. I should of…hang on where are you all going?" exactly what I want to know.

"Starting early. No one has an appetite."

"Shit. Be right behind you" he shouts out as he runs towards the bottled water.

"Can you grab an extra three please?"

"Anything for you." he winks at her grabbing another three bottles.

"Alpha Joe what is going on?" I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Oh, they are just off to the training grounds nothing to worry about" interesting I want to see this; I have never been excited to train let alone see a whole pack excited.

"Do you mind if I watch?" I ask, dad raising his eyebrow at me.

"Sure, why not" Alpha Joe chuckles.

Settling in to watch I was not prepared for this training session. Shit, this is insane.