I organize the folders of patrol reports and maintenance requests before entering the Head Alpha office where father is waiting. Usually these are saved to be discussed over the weekend, but now that the football session is over (we didn't get far in the playoffs) we have these meetings at 4 every other day. Nothing too crazy shows up in them, besides the recent rogue attacks, so I'm shocked to see the pack Elders waiting in the office with father.

Well, three of them: Elder Farkas, Elder Blair, and Elder Mayweather.

Elder Mayweather is a legend in healing practices amongst gammas; who helped advance techniques to where even omegas could learn how to heal too. Despite being 95, she still has a kind smile that makes her look young. She's wearing a long-sleeved gown with her long white hair in a braid behind her, and has a gigantic bag sitting on her lap. Which I'm pretty sure has enough supplies in there to fully stock a hospital by the look of it.

Elder Farkas is a tall, dark-skinned beta with a salt and paper afro, sporting some business casual attire. They're the youngest Elder in the group, if you can call 79 years old young, but made a name for themself as the peace keeper between all nine packs in the area. That's probably why they're the easiest Elder to talk to, since they actually listen to what someone has to say.

Then there's Elder Blair. He commanded this pack's armies before Mr. Warden, and I've heard rumors from older pack members that he used to run soldiers into the ground. Only calling the strongest and most ruthless wolves his soldiers. With everyone else being deemed "pawns", or worse "meat shields". Even standing here now, as a retired veteran, he commands respect with judgmental, ice-blue eyes that always look down on others.

He's also the ex-Head Alpha, and my grandfather.

"Did something happen that I'm not aware of?" I ask, closing the door behind me.

"No, nothing has happened. The Elders usually come by around this time to check on the new Head Alpha and Luna. However due to your... special circumstances, they're just here for you," father says.

"Oh, okay,' I say, placing the folders on the desk. Greaaat, I sure this will be fun. I mean, Eli and I are... getting along(?)... but we're definitely not dating. Let alone becoming mates. Maybe I should lie and say that I found a suitable Luna replacement. Nah, they'll have some weird old people way of knowing that I'm lying. Shit. I take a seat in one of the office's chairs, with Elder Mayweather occupying the other one, and Elders Farkas and Blair standing along the wall near her.

Elder Farkas starts the questioning, pulling out a notepad. "So, how have you been, young alpha?"

"Good. I've mostly been focusing on school and Head Alpha duties right now. The football season just ended so I have more time for pack stuff."

"I heard about that. From the few games that I was able to catch, your team seemed really skilled."

"Thanks. We could have gone further, but we faced one of the best teams in the league early on and got our butts handed to us."

"Sorry to hear that, but I hope that you were able to enjoy your time on the team."

"Yeah, no, it was fun. Plus, most of the guys from the team are going to join our troops after graduation. So, I'll get to work with them again.

"That's nice. So, how are your new powers treating you?"

"Great so far, I've been training to better control my enhanced strength as a wolf, and I even recently used Camouflage for a ...stealth mission." I don't know how much they know about the attacks, so I'll just keep the details vague for now.

"That's wonderful! Do you mind telling us what abilities you have unlocked so far?" Elder Farkas asks.

"Right now I only have super wolf strength, camouflage, alpha voice, and mind linking."

"Hm. We thought that that would be the case," Elder Farkas says, writing something down in a notepad. Elder Blair let's out an irritated huff from his nose, but says nothing. Only starring me down more, like he's hoping that I'll crumble under his gaze. I just slightly glare back at him before focusing back on Elder Farkas again. I don't really have the best relationship with my grandfather, since he doesn't think that any Head Alpha after him is good enough. Even saying that I would be a mediocre beta, when I was BORN. Like, dude barely even held me before he starting judging me! Whatever, I'll prove him wrong soon enough.

"Okay, before we continue, Elder Mayweather would like to have a quick chat with your wolf. If you don't mind," Elder Farkas says, scooting Elder Mayweather's chair closure to me.

"Oh, okay. Just give me a second to call him forward," I say, closing my eyes so I can focus on finding him.

"That won't be necessary," Elder Farkas says. Before I can ask why, I feel Elder Mayweather place a hand on my chest and her index finger on my forehead then shove me harder than I thought she would be capable of. I don't know what she did but suddenly everything goes black, and I feel like I'm floating in an empty void.

I can't see anything or move, but I do hear faint muffled voices from somewhere above me. I strain my hardest to move even a little, but it feels like I'm frozen in slowly melting wax. I don't know how much time passes, but soon enough I'm swiftly pulled out of the void. Waking up gasping, and jolting forward in my chair.

"Breath. Relax, young alpha, you're okay," Elder Farkas says, resting a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"What did you do to me?" I ask taking in gulps of air as I gain my bearings again. Elder Mayweather is still smiling as if nothing even happened, but father is giving me a confused, contemplating look while Elder Blair gives me an even more disgusted look than before. So that's not good.

"We just put you in a deep slumber of sorts so we could talk to your wolf without any ...influence or interference," Elder Farkas says, giving me a bottle of water. Might as well use this water break to do some catch up.

What the hell happened?

Did you hurt anyone?

Oh, okay. What did they ask you?

Like?

Hold up, what do you mean "how is our mate?"

Why would you say that?!

No, it isn't! Things with Eli are too complicated for him to be our mate, Onyx.

*Sigh* We'll talk about this later. Now I have to do damage control.

I finish the bottle of water before clearing my throat to address everyone. "So how did it go with my wolf?"

"Good, he just gave us insight on things from his perspective," Elder Farkas says. "He seems very protective and cares a lot about you-"

"Are you still trying to pursue that omega brat?" Elder Blair gruffs out, crossing his arms.

"I sorry?" I say, gaping at him

"Elder Blair, please!" Elder Farkas says, glaring at him.

"We might as well not beat around the bush. Look at him! He doesn't have all of his powers, or a Luna. He's weak at a time when this pack needs to be stronger than ever," Elder Blair says, the volume of his voice rising almost to a yell.

"Enough, Elder Blair," father says standing up now.

"No, Alexander. He should be running this pack by now. But instead, he's sitting around with his thumbs up his ass. Waiting around like a lap dog for some no-name omega to accept him. When there are waves of other, more suitable, wolves in this pack alone. We should just make him reject the bitch, and choose his new mate ourselves-"

CRACK!

Elder Blair stops mid rant and everyone looks at me, or more specifically, the arm of the chair that I just broke off. However, I not completely in control right now. It's more like me and Onyx are co-piloting, since we're both fucking pissed at the same person right now (but for different reasons). We toss the chair piece on the floor and slowly stand up, not breaking eye contact with Elder Blair. Letting out a growl that makes even the other two Elders shrink back a bit. I would apologize, but we're to occupied with our target right now.

I switch out of my Head Alpha voice before turning to address Elder Farkas. "Is this questioning over?"

"Um, yes, I will email you or your father any other questions I have," they say, placing their notepad into their bag. I give the two kind Elders a nod of thanks, and head for the door.

"We're not finished here Grayson!" Elder Blair barks at me.

I step through the exit before looking back at him and saying, slamming the door behind me.

I walk to the end of the hall before taking a few deep breaths to relax. Finally leaving the suffocating atmosphere of the office. Most of the time, I'm not thrilled to do the statis reports we usually have at this time; but I'd rather be a little bored than be nit-picked over shit like that.

I take one more deep breath and head back to the common area of the pack house. After meetings are done, I like to mingle with the pack members here and see if anyone needs help with anything. My first stop is the kitchen; though mostly because I smell something good coming from there, and find Conner baking cookies.

"Hello best brother in the whole wide world!" I say, giving him a big hug.

"What do you want," Conner says, rolling his eyes and shouldering me off.

"What, can't I just compliment my brother without any ulterior motive?" I say, trying my best to give him puppy dog eyes.

"Nope. Besides your scent smells a bit sour, which means something happened,"

"Pssh, no it doesn't. I'm fine,"

"Well now I can't smell it at all, which means your hiding it. Which only further confirms my point," he says, turning towards me with a plate full of chocolate chip cookies. "Here take ONE, to help you feel better."

"But I need four in order to really recover from my difficult day," I say with a pout.

"Two, Take it or leave it."

"Deal!" I snatch up three cookies and run to the other side of the kitchen's island. Narrowly missing a spatula to the arm.

He doesn't bother chasing me, since I'd totally out juke him, and instead pulls out his last batch from the oven. Placing it in front of a fan to cool. "So," Conner says, leaning against the island. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong or are we going to play the guessing game like always."

"No. I'll tell you. Just later, when less of the pack is here," I say, munching on my last cookie.

"Does it have to do with grandfather and the others visiting?" he asks, furrowing his brows in concern. I nod. He sighs, "I thought so. Well, that can wait till later. I could actually use your help if you're not busy."

"Yeah, sure. What is it?"

"I made these cookies for the pups at the nursery, but I need to head to one of my healing classes soon and I don't want to leave this kitchen a mess. Could you take these plates to them while I clean up here?"

"You're sending me, a defenseless alpha, into a horde of gremlin toddlers with trays of sweets? Why dear brother, if you wanted to be an only child you could have just said so," I say, placing a hand on my chest and faking a hurt expression.

"You'll be fine, I have faith in you," Conner says, giggling as he adds the cooled down cookies to the second large plate. He places both plates in front of me, before grabbing the cleaning supplies under the sink to get started.

"Okay... If I don't return, tell mother and father that I love them," I say as I put both plates on a serving tray, we use for events here.

"Have fun!" Conner calls behind him, as I head out of the kitchen. Weaving my way past pack members young and old, it's not long until I'm walking down the hallway leading to the nursery. It's technically a nursery and daycare center for pups of pack members who don't have someone to watch them while they work during the day. Or need a place to drop them off at for an hour or two. In extreme cases, this place ends up being a home for some pups until a family takes them in. Though that rarely happens.

Looking through the small window in the door it doesn't look like there are to many kids. However, I can no longer trust my eyes, because as soon as I step into the main room pups start rushing in from the connecting side rooms. Right. I forgot about those. Next thing I know, I'm being swarmed by like forty kids. All of their little hands reaching for the cookies I'm holding above them.

"Woah, woah there! Can I at least set them down first?" I say, chuckling at their attempts.

"Hey! Let them through or no cookies, you little gremlins," a familiar voice calls out from one of the other rooms. Instantly they all back up and form a path to a big table, but still watch me like starving predators. As soon as the plates are set on the table, they all attack like vultures. I marvel at how quickly the cookies disappear, yet somehow every single pup got one.

"Hey, thanks for-" the voice starts then abruptly stops.

I look away from the massacre to face them, and oh my goddess. There. Standing right in front of me. Wearing a yellow teddy bear apron. Covered with marker doodles. Is none other than Elijah Matthews. Looking just as shocked as I am to see me. Not wasting a moment, I take out my phone and take a picture.

"Hey! Delete that!" he says, reaching for my phone.

"What! No way. This is so out of character for you that someone needs to have evidence that it happened," I say, laughing as I hold it over him.

"He's usually here when I'm short staffed, so it's not that rare," an omega says, as he enters the room cradling a baby.

"Dude!" Eli says, glaring at him.

"Milo, right? You're one of Eli's friends," I say, pocketing my phone while Eli's distracted.

"One of his BEST friends you mean. Though, besides me, two other bffs, and his teammates he doesn't really talk to anyone," Milo says, pushing up his glasses.

"Don't you have some babies to burp or something?" Eli says, pushing him back towards the other room.

"Hey, I'm just making friendly banter," Milo says, giggling as he leaves.

Eli lets out a huge sigh before facing me again with his usual annoyed expression. "What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean? I'm just delivering the cookies that my dear, younger brother made."

"Well, congratulations, you did your job. Now please-" Eli starts to say, before a little girl runs up and tugs on his apron.

"Mr. Eli, look! I finished my drawing," she says, handing it up to him. I swear, in a matter of seconds his expression shifts from annoyed to curious and happy. Like a switch was flipped somewhere.

"It looks amazing Nicole! I really like the flowers that you added," he says holding the drawing.

The pup gives him a bright smile and runs off, probably to draw some more. I can't help but look at Eli as studies the drawing with a small smile. Making the room seem even brighter than the windows make it, and radiating warmth with how gentle he looks. A part of me wishes he would smile like this more often, though I doubt that it would ever be directed at me. He glances up, catching me staring and raises an eyebrow.

"What?" he asks.

"Nothing. I just didn't think that you liked kids," I say, shrugging.

He scoffs. "What, did you think I hated them or something?

"Honestly, yeah. Considering the whole... you know."

"Strike against omega norms?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I technically did a few years backs, because of that reason. But Milo got really sick one week and needed me to cover his shift. It was hell at first, and I didn't know what I was doing," he says, laughing at the distant memory. "I tried to do what I thought Milo would do in those situations, but that didn't work. So, I said 'screw it' and started doing things my way. And that worked. The kids had fun, and admittedly, so did I."

"Wow."

"Heh, yeah. When Milo got better, even he was shocked that I didn't quit in the first hour. So now in-days I pop in from time to time to help out," Eli says, clipping the drawing up on the wall with others. "I'm definitely not a regular like Milo, but when I have nothing better to do, it's a nice way to pass the time. I even thought about teaching at the Ward dojo once I'm out of high school because of this. I don't know. Kids are cool if you're willing to work with them."

"Huh. I forgot that you attend Mr. Ward's dojo. Explains how you were able to fight against the rogues so well,"

"Yeah, and kick your butt back when we were kids," he says, grinning.

"I seem to recall me winning most of those fights," I say.

"See, there you go again with that selective memory of yours. Honestly, I worry that I may have hit you in the head to hard back then," he says, lightly tapping his knuckles on my temple.

"Whatever. I know I'm right on this one," I say swatting away his hand. He laughs, like genuinely laughs, and I can't help but chuckle too. We only stop when Milo clears his throat as he walks up to us.

"If you two have time to flirt, then at least help me with these children while you do it. It's almost circle time, and rounding up kids hoped up on sugar is hard. Gray, you're not doing anything else today, right?"

"Uh-"

"Great," Milo says, handing me an apron. "Thank you! Eli be nice." He gives Eli a pointed look before walking off again.

"Guess I'll stay a little longer," I say, laughing as I tie on the apron.

"Fine, I guess three is better than two," Eli says, rolling his eyes.

"If it makes you feel better, I'll let you take a photo of me in the new uniform." He squints at me but slowly a smile creeps on his face. He eventually gives in, pulling out his phone and snaping a few photos, while I model off the very stylish green frog apron. Once he's satisfied, we get to work rounding up children for whatever circle time is.

*****

"Bye, have a nice day!" I say, waving at the last parent picking up their child this evening.

I take in a deep breath as I close the door, and release it as I bend down to pick up a toy the kid left on the floor. Placing it in the toy chest, I take in the silence of the daycare. Man, I like kids but handling forty of them all at once, with varying degrees of chaotic nature is a lot. How Eli and Milo manage it on their own will forever amaze me.

"Okay, the three pups that live here are now enjoying dinner in the residence room. I'll stay here and watch them till the next omega comes in for their shift. So, you guys are now free to go," Milo says as he and Eli enter back into the main room.

"You sure dude? I don't mind staying with you longer," Eli says.

"I'll be fine. At most, I'll only be here for thirty more minutes. Thanks again Gray for helping out today, the kids really enjoyed having the next Head Alpha visit," Milo says.