Chapter Thirty-Eight

That was definitely not how I wanted my morning to go, I feel Danny cling onto me tighter as his tears soak into my shirt, trying to soothe his troubled thoughts I rub reassuring circles gently on his back with my hand to calm him. I hope I haven't started a war between the two packs. It wasn't my intention but there is no way I could let Alpha Rick near Danny again. Normally I would direct Alpha Rick's attention to me but by leaving the pack and no other outlet he turned his anger onto Danny.

"Danny why don't you go hang out with your friends." He shakes his head and holds me in a death grip. "Everything is going to be okay Danny. I promise."

"And Jenni never breaks her promises" Conner tells him.

"But-"

"She found my mum for me like she promised me, and I thought she would never find her." Sofia informs him.

"Trust my sister." Lily chimes "now come on Danny let's go play" taking his hand from my waist she pulls him behind her as he reluctantly leaves my side, pups dispersed I run my hand down my face. What the hell am I going to do? What if Caspian takes his dad's side.

'Mate not stupid Jen. He will protect family.'

'Val. I've just took one of his family members away from him.'

'No, you are protecting his brother. He will understand.'

'But-'

'No buts Jen. You did the right thing and Joe will understand.'

'Shit. I forgot about Alpha Joe.'

Sheepishly looking at him I see his wolf staring back at me, seeing my attention is on him he steps around the table and comes to a stop in front of me.

"You did the right thing, and the Evergreen Forest Pack is behind you one hundred percent."

"Thank you."

"Jenni. Jenni!" Luke and Harry yell scrambling into the room breaking the tension. "We've missed you" missed me? I frown in confusion as I try to work out what they are on about, they joined in with the obstacle course with the other pups yesterday along with Cassey and they were there when I told them the story about mum and dad. They run in and latch their arms around me, my arms automatically wrapping around them just like I do with all the other pups I have cared for.

"I've missed you too?" it comes out more of a question though, I still don't understand how they have missed me. Taking pity on me Sarah finally reveals the truth to me.

"They were upset you were not there when they woke up this morning."

"Oh, I'm sorry guys. I had training." I watch as their cheeks flare red with embarrassment.

"No need to be sorry" Luke tells me patting my arm in a comforting gesture that an adult would do to console a child, Chelsea only just manages to catch herself from laughing at him by hiding her face in Dean's chest.

"Can you spend the day with us?"

"I'm afraid that is not possible today boys. I need Jenni today." Glancing up at Alpha Joe I start to worry that I am in trouble, meeting the eyes of Alpha Joe this time and not his wolf, seeing the anxiousness in my eyes his soften in response "Nothing to worry about Jenni. Think is time we caught up with you, that's all."

"Oh okay" giving them a squeeze I tell them that they should go find the others out in the playground before following Joe to his office.

"Well, what an eventful morning." Joe chuckles as he sits down on one of the soft comfy chairs, following suit I let myself sink into the sofa beside him.

"I'm sorry Alpha Joe. I seem to keep bringing problems to your pack."

"You can stop thinking like that. What you did for that boy was above and beyond. No one should live in fear, and you have taken care of all of them pups for so long."

"I didn't though Danny got hurt."

"You weren't to know that if you were gone, he would turn his anger onto his own son."

"I should have-"

"Stop it. Now to help with this I think we should call the council up to get their backing, but they will want evidence and testimonials, do you think you and the pups will be up for it now? We will need that evidence you took off Danny too."

"Yes, Alpha, I think it is time. I have the evidence and I am happy to tell the council and I am sure the others will agree but you need to make sure it is Shepherd that comes." I don't elaborate more but he accepts what I have asked.

"Right now, that is sorted I wanted to talk to you about everything that has been going on in the pack. I have been hearing very interesting things and you got Adam to not only talk but to come to breakfast."

"Interesting things? I didn't do anything with Adam."

"Hmm…if you say so. But you replaced the play equipment. You have been fixing things. Have you been neglecting your schoolwork." Does he think I haven't been doing it?

"No Alpha. Can I borrow your computer?" standing up he grabs his laptop and brings it over to me. Logging in to the portal I swivel it around to face him and watch him as he stares down at the screen, but he doesn't say a word, the silence finally gets to me, and I start to worry yet again. "I tried my best; I know my grades are probably not great, but I am honestly doing my best."

"Not great?" he asks me in disbelief.

"Yeah, D isn't great-"

"Woah wait a second you do know D is good right?"

"A is top grade and I am three grades below."

"Oh Jenni. That is true but in this case the D means Distinction. You are acing everything, and you have almost completed a whole year's work. How did you manage to get all this done? I thought you haven't been in school since you were a young pup-"

"Alpha" I blurt getting lost in his rambling.

"Sorry. Don't know what came over me." He admits looking abashed "I am so proud of you. But I don't understand how you have done so much in so little time."