Frank Capello as Beta Jacob Garnett

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"I'm afraid I can't do that. I will not take your children."

Rafe, Darric and I are alone in the den with Jacob Garnett, the rogue leader.

"You can't? These are children; they need your help. I heard you are an advocate for children, especially the less fortunate. I thought you're starting a school for everyone or is it only for rich and influential supernaturals like you? I guess I was wrong about you. We will be on our way. Thank you for nothing, Lord Cal."

"Watch your tone," Rafe hisses.

"You will not talk to my mate like that, you sought him out, remember?" Darric growls.

"And I regret it, Alpha."

"Gentlemen, please! Let's tone down the testosterone a little, okay?"

"We'll be on our way. Thank you for the meal," Jacobs says. He gets up and marches towards the door.

"Not so fast, Jacob. I said I can't take your children away from you. I never said I wouldn't help you. Sit down, please, let me explain myself."

"You will help us?"

"It all depends on you."

"On me?"

"Anyone can see the love between you and your daughter. Imagine how devastated she'll be when you leave her with me? No excuse on earth will placate her. I imagine it'll be the same for the other children. So, I have an idea. How much do you know about the school?"

"Only that you are building a school for all supernatural regardless of title, wealth whatever."

"Do you know that the 'boarding' part of the school really starts from age ten, but we will make exceptions when needed? Based on what you just told us, you have two issues weighing you down. A pack of your own and a place for your children, right?"

"Of course, my Lord."

"Please call me Cal, I'm not used to the Lord title yet," I smile.

"I need to run one of my ideas by my mate, Alpha Darric and then we can resume this talk. Meanwhile, why don't you join your family and get something to eat. We'll talk soon. Jeffery?"

"If you'll follow me, sir."

Jacob follows Jeffery. I wait. Darric taps me on the shoulder as he moves to sit in front of me.

"I know that look, what are you thinking."

"I can smell his brain on fire from here," Rafe says.

"I think we may have a way to help them. We all agree that they are not the crazed, red-eye rogues you thought they were, right?"

"Point taken. What's your plan?"

"Rafe, you said, and I quote, 'You must be presented by an established pack Alpha to the Ruling Council before they can allow you to lead a pack.' Now we know an established pack that can present Beta Jacob and his people to the Ruling Council for consideration. I believe..."

"Oh no, no, no! I see where your mind's going. You want me to present that rude man to the council? I know nothing about him or his people for goddess' sake," Darric rants.

"He is a good man. I peeked at their minds and they are reasonable people. Are they perfect, no? They've done some things to survive that, who knows I may have done in their shoes. How about they stay at BloodRose while you get to know Jacob and his people? And they get to know the wonderful Alpha that you are. Let's show them that not all leaders are mean, conniving assholes like they think."

"You know pack rules Cal. I can't just move in thirty people without the approval of pack leadership."

"I know that, Darric. As your Luna, I say let's meet with them tomorrow and put it to a vote. And Darric, you have an opening for the Beta position, right?"

"Yesss, so?"

"You may have some viable candidates in this group."

"He has an attitude," Darric says about Jacob.

"Show me a were that doesn't have an attitude," I reply. "It's in our DNA, dude."

"What else did you glimpse from their minds, Cal? Anything to worry about?" Rafe asks.

"I am not at liberty to tell, and nothing to worry about."

"How about we meet with the pack leadership tomorrow and see where we go from there? Until then, where do we put thirty people?"

"Where else? Here, and don't worry. I'll talk to Jeffery and we'll make them comfortable. I don't want them out of here wandering with 'rogue' status until we decide. I can't imagine what will happen to Kynder and the children if that happens. Do you guys?"

"No, we don't."

"Fine, do what you want but any misstep and..."

"I know, I know. They're out on their asses," I concede.

"You will abide by whatever decision is made, right Cal?" Rafe says.

"I promise."

"Why can't you be like other Omegas, you know, without a cause to fix?"

"Ohhh Darric sweetie, haven't you heard, don't you know?"

"Heard what?" Darric asks

"Omegas are rising, supernatural world beware." I wink and sashay my ass out of the den.

― ☾ ―

"And that's where we are," Darric finishes bringing the pack leadership up to date. Darric is at the head of the table, Rafe and I sit on his right and left side, respectively. Also, in this meeting are Betas Cole and Rick Waver, Deltas Frank Bolden, Emmitt Rivers, and Cece Wyatt, Gamma Leo Raleigh, Katie Johnson representing the school, former Gamma Katreena Grey representing the pack clinic.

"Do we know for a fact that they are not rogues?" Cole asks.

"Technically yes, because they're not affiliated with any pack right now. But they are not homicidal or anything. As Darric mentioned, they want to have their own pack."

"How long will it take the Ruling Council to decide whether to grant them pack status?"

"From my experience, it ranges from three months to about a year," Rafe tells us.

"That long?" Frank says.

"The children. What are their ages and education levels?" Katie asks.

"There are twelve in total. Ages six to seventeen. I have no information on their education levels," I reply.

"We may find some qualified workers for the clinic in this group," Katreena says.

"This is my opinion. After talking with my mates, I would like to give this group a chance at survival. This chance will be secondary to my, our pack's safety. If we allow them sanctuary till Ruling Council grants them pack status, they will have to abide by our rules and we must welcome them with open arms. I have met with their leader. He is a Beta by rank, but he is obviously their choice as a leader. Now, one other thing to think about is that, if or when the Ruling Council offers them their own pack, they will be under our jurisdiction AND protection. They become family." Darric tells them.

"I know this is something new for our pack, and I can understand some of your anxieties. BloodRose is changing for the better, and some of you may not want to rock the boat. Understandable. They braved miles of travel to give their children a chance at the new school and hopefully build a pack of their own. I think the right thing to do is to help them as much as we can," I tell them.

"They'll need the training to protect the pack, are they ready for that?" Rick asks.

"They must pull their weight like everyone else," Cece says.

"As someone who was banned from the pack for years, I am sympathetic to their plight. I am open to helping this group, and that's my vote," Katie says.

"Where will their pack be located?"

"Nebraska," I blurt out.

"Nebraska? Since when?" Darric mindlinks me.

"Since another idea just jumped into my mind."

"Ah, Cal's mind. The minefield of ideas. Kaboom!" Rafe laughs.

"Funny High Lord, hilarious."

"I vote yes," Cole says.

Everyone votes yes except Delta Emmitt Rivers. I make a mental note to tell Darric why he voted no.

"Emmitt's worried that you will choose a Beta from the new group instead of promoting from within, Darric," I tell him through our mindlink.

"Is that why he voted no?"

"Yes. You need to reassure the Deltas and Gammas that promotion is always from within first, for qualified individuals."

"Filing the open Beta and Gamma positions has not been on my radar with everything else going on. I need to fill those positions. I'll talk to them before they leave. Thanks."

"You're welcome. Now to meet with Jacob and share the good news."

"Not without us, you're not," Rafe says.

"Thank you, guys. I will let you know how many houses or rooms we need to set up as soon as I get a more accurate headcount. Frank, Emmitt and Cece, give us a minute?"

The other leave and I walk out with Katreena and Katie while Darric and Rafe talk to the Deltas.

― ☾ ―

"How are you doing Katreena?" I ask her after I bid Katie goodbye.

"I am doing well considering."

"I am sorry about your mother and brother."

"I don't know why I feel sad. They turned out not to be the people I thought I knew and loved. Darric tells me to keep the good memories and work through the bad ones. That's what I'm doing. It's hard but I'm keeping busy with the clinic."

"I am always here if you need to talk okay."

"Thanks. Is Darric doing okay?"

"As okay as anyone can be in this situation. But he's doing well. He likes what you're doing with the clinic and very proud of you. He thinks you may have found your niche."

"I think I have. But nursing school is no joke."

"That's right. Congrats! Any bite for a permanent physician?"

"Yes. Two! I brought the information for our two hires so Darric can offer them the job. A werewolf and a werecat both recommended by Dr. Granger. And they're mates. I am so excited for the pack."

"A werecat in a werewolf pack?" I ask.

"Cal, you were in a werecat pack. And Raven, Roland and Serena are thriving in a werecat pack so..."

"I know, I should know better. I hope they work out. The pack really needs its own permanent physicians. I must tell Darric to invite them over to the manor when they join the pack."

"They were his top two preferences. I couldn't tell with his expressions throughout the interviews."

"Good luck. I am so eager to meet this werecat."

"Thanks. Tell Darric to call if he has questions. I'll see you guys later. Bye Cal."

"Bye."

― ☾ ―

"Jacob, how was your night? I hope you found everything to your liking."

I greet him as Jeffery walks him into the den. Darric and Rafe agreed for me to meet with Jacob alone, with Jeffery. Small compromise.

"Very well, thank you."

"Please have a seat. How's Kynder?"

He sits opposite me, straight, knees crossed, arms folded. I smile. Pride, the downfall of weres.

"She's good. What have you decided, Lord Cal, sorry, Cal?"

"Alpha Darric will present your request for your own pack to the Ruling Council this week."

"This week?" He leans forward, smiling. He is kinda cute when he smiles. The blue eye sparkles and the brown eye shines.

"There's a lot to tell you and like I said it all depends on you."

"Go ahead."

"Okay. Your family cannot roam alone right now because they will label you rogues and if you mistakenly run into another were pack you may be hurt. For now, you will live in my pack BloodRose Pack. The pack leadership agreed to have you stay until your pack status is granted and ready to move. You must obey their rules and ways while you're there. And since Alpha Darric is presenting you, your pack falls under his domain, his protection."

"I must report to Alpha Darric? Until when?"

"Rafe said they made the rule for the safety of smaller packs. A pack must have a minimum number of members before they can grant them full pack rights and able to stand on their own."

"That explains why we were still under HavenClaw pack."

"How many people are in your former pack?"

"With the children, I'd wager about a hundred or so."

"That's one big reason I agree with the rule. Look at your group; For example, there's only thirty of you including children. How can you protect yourselves against a bigger pack without the backing of another one? And you also need to show the council you have enough land for your pack to live."

"Land?"

"I have a proposal for you. Do you mind living in Nebraska?"

"Nebraska? That's where the school is being built, isn't it?"

"Yes. And there's enough land for a pack and more. You'll work with Alpha Salim of Crimson River pack to help you build your homes. That might take a while because he's spread so thin building the school and adjoining houses."

"I have some money saved to secure payment for the land."

"Good. You make your payment to the school. No hurry with that. The school administrators will work with you."

"Great."

"Now about the children. They can start or continue their education in the BloodRose pack until the school opens. Your family can stay together, if you agree with all that I have discussed with you."

"To be honest, this is a lot to take in. Did you come up with all of this overnight? Wow! Okay, I will speak to my family and let you know what we decide."

"Good. So, can I come to visit Kynder?"

"Sure. Let's go."

― ☾ ―

"And she is so smart. She can read at grade four level. A six-year-old reading at the fourth-grade level."

"So, you keep saying," Darric smiles.

"Someone is quite smitten. If I didn't know better, I'll be very jealous," Rafe says laughing.

"Guys, I'm ready," I whisper.

"Ready for what?" Darric asks. "A child?"

"I thought we would wait for you to lighten your load," Rafe tells me.

"Let's face it guys, that may never happen. And then what? There is no perfect time to have a child, but I really want one of ours."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"I would love a child too. Seeing Rick tugged at my heartstrings for a moment," Rafe says.

"And you're not getting any younger," Darric teases him.

"Watch it pup. So, you're on board, Darric."

"I'm on board like Cal said, there is no perfect time."

"Yess! So why don't you both meet me in our boudoir, gentlemen."

I get up to leave and my root crashes my planned baby-making party.

"What's wrong, Esme?"

"Cal, trouble big trouble."

"What is it?" I ask Esme, checking her all over for any sign that she's hurt.

"They have summoned Freddy and Summer to the Ruling Council. They are under arrest."

"Shit! I warned her," Rafe said.

"We must go to Salim's and stop the guards from taking them to the council," Esme says tapping her toe.

"She's right. When the guards arrest people, by the time they bring them to face the council, the accused is usually muddled physically AND mentally. You cannot let that happen to Freddy."

"Or Summer. We need to stop them."

"My Sun god, I have to tell Georgiana and Raul that their daughter is under arrest by the council? Shit!"

"I'll see you guys at Salim's. Come on Esme. Jeffery, please take care of our guests while we're away."

"Sorry my Lord, I must come with you."

"Damn, I forgot. Darric?"

"Go. I'll have Cole take care of them and Rafe and I will be with you as soon as possible."

"Thanks. Love you both. Esme let's go. They are not taking Freddy and Summer without a fight!"

We arrive at Crimson River Pack den. Summer and Freddy are bound in iron cuffs standing beside a guard from the council. The other two guards are battling Alpha Salim and his warriors. Furniture is scattered and torn, there are holes in the wall, and Silvermane, Alpha Salim's werecat is on a rampage.

"STOPPPP!!!!" And I freeze everyone, including Jefferey?

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