77 Was Ramsey here too ?
L
“ I can’t believe I’m back here ,” I murmured as we drove through the bridge that bordered the human world and Blue Ridge pack .
“ Everything looks the same.
”
Nathan reached for my hand squeezing it tightly as he gave me a small smile “ Wee home , L .
We drove for a while in silence while I tried to think of everything except the sadness that suddenly crept into my heart .
For the first time , I won’t see my father .
He will not be there toin about me suddenly showing up without his permission or something worse .
I
“ We’re here ! ” Nathan suddenly said waking me up from my reverie .
When I looked around , spotted Beta Jeremy – Nathan’s father , together with a few Pack guards standing outside the Packhouse , with serious expressions on their faces .
I gazed at the mirror onest time before I came down from the car in Nathan’s arms .
Immediately , Beta Jeremy came towards us.
“ Miss L ! ” he said with an official tone .
“ Wee home but before anything , I’d like to offer my condolences on the loss of your father .
Alpha Logan was a very good man and Alpha to all of us .
It’s so sad that he had to leave us early !”
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I nodded , returning his smile .
“ Thank you , for your kind words , and for taking care of the pack in his absence .
I’m sure Father will look down from heaven and be proud .
My memories of Beta Jeremy as a child were filled with him wearing his famous dull , unimpressed look even now he looked the same , only , I saw his eyes linger on me for longer than a few seconds before he looked away not before I caught a sh of irritation .
“ All members of the Werewolf Alpha Council are en route to our pack , Beta Jeremy continued , fixing his gaze intently on me .
“ As Alpha Logan’s heir , you need to be present and carry on the official transfer of the Alpha leadership to Nathan .
”
I blinked , my eyes straying to my wristwatch .
It was almost noon and all I wanted to do was to go home to my family before any other thing .
“ Transfer of power ? Today ? The Council is already on their way ? L … I thought this could wait .
until tomorrow at least .
I had a stressful journey and would love to rest .
”
“ I’m sorry , L but that is not possible .
The Council believes that since you’re Alpha Logan’s heir , you must formally transfer the leadership of the pack to the Tanner family .
After the handover , Nathan would be Alpha and then we would proceed with his coronation and your mother would be the Grand Luna and join as an Advisor in the Alpha Council , as is customary for the widows of great Alphas .
Nathan squeezed my hand as if to apologize , and I could understand him .
He had told me that I needed toe home and prepare for my father’s funeral .
He didn’t mention these parts .
This wasn’t how I had nned my return .
77 Was Ramsey here too ?
For the first time , the reality of my father’s absence hit me again , sharper than ever .
“ And my sister ? ” I asked thinking of rissa .
“ You and your sister will be allowed to choose positions within the Pack hierarchy , or the newly appointed Alpha will give you roles he deems suitable , ” Beta Jeremy exined .
“ Still ,” I sighed tiredly .
“ I’m sure this could wait until tomorrow .
The Alphas travelling must also want rest .
We should do it tomorrow ”
Beta Jeremy shook his head , his lips thinning into a hard line .
“ You’re the representative of the former Alpha of our pack , L and every moment Blue Ridge remains without an actual Alpha leading us – without the deration of an Alpha , the more vulnerable we’ll be .
”
“ Vulnerable ? ” I eyed him suspiciously .
“ I don’t understand .
”
“ It means any of the neighbouring Packs can attack and im our pack as theirs .
It’s not a thing to wish for because people would die , unless … ” He trailed off giving me a known look .
“ Hey ! ” Nathan drew closer to me draping aforting hand on my shoulder .
These things don’t take long , I promise .
Just a couple of formalities and we’re done .
”
“ Fine ! ” I nodded to Alpha Jeremy who gestured towards his car parked nearby .
“ Shall we ? ”
Without another word , I and Nathan climbed into the back seat of the car as Beta Jeremy started the engine we started driving towards the Werewolf Alpha Council meeting hall .
It was at the , edge of the pack , built at an intersection between seven Packs that made up the South Region .
The drive would be about an hour .
Nathan’s hand found mine , gripping it firmly as he murmured that everything would be alright .
As we drove , he dropped his head on my shoulders , muttering something about a power nap and soon , he was snoring gently .
I envied his ability to be able to sleep despite the thick tension in the car .
My mind was racing with a million thoughts spanning from the Feral Wolves and my presence here in this world and facing my mother and my sister while also hoping I try to send my father off without any drama .
My phone tinged with a text .
When I opened it , it was from Paul .
I was supposed to be attending his birthday party this evening , but after informing HR that I needed a two – week leave , the first I had taken since I started working , they granted it without hesitation .
No one knew wh ….
was suddenly going on a leave in the middle of the year but for rity’s sake , I had to tell Paul that I’d lost my dad .
He’d been so sympathetic and was kind to offer to attend the funeral .
Which I had gently refused saying we wanted it to be a family affair .
.
A small smile appeared on my lips , I wondered what he’d do if I told him that I was a werewolf .
Hey , have you reached yet ?
77 Wis Ramsey here too ?
His text read .
I stared at it for a few minutes deciding to reply to himter .
Maybe towards the end of the day .
As I raised my head , my gaze met with Beta Jeremy’s in the rearview mirror .
I was used to being an object of scrutiny , even judged but the way he looked at me now was more than disapproval – It was pure disdain .
His eyes had turned cold , making my blood run
cold .
I managed a small , polite smile , hoping to diffuse whatever tension seemed to be simmering but his expression didn’t change .
I looked away , turning to the window , even though I still felt his eyes lingering on me .
“ You didn’te back with Miriam ? ” He asked suddenly , causing me to jerk with surprise .
“ Nanny ? ” I turned to him , trying to look less surprised .
He nodded .
“ She didn’t want toe ,” I said quietly .
“ She doesn’t think mother would be weing since it’ll just be family attending the funeral .
”
“ Is that what she told you ? ” he scoffed , shaking his head as he turned his attention to the road .
“ She should be here … anyways , I’ll take her number from youter on and give her a call .
”
I wanted to ask why her presence was important but I held back .
He didn’t give me the impression that he wanted to be questioned .
The drive continued and asionally , I would feel Beta Jeremy’s gaze on me .
I didn’t know , neither did I understand why he was watching me but it was making me anxious and I couldn’t wait for us to get to our destination so the inspection would stop .
After today , I would no longer be referred to as Alpha Logan’s daughter and no matter what , I’ll have to be supportive of Nathan’s leadership but I would do that from afar because no matter what , I was still a stranger – still felt like a stranger and I knew I would never belong even with Nathan finally bing an Alpha .
Soon , the Council hall came into view .
Just as we neared the gates , Beta Jeremy’s voice broke the silence again .
“ You understand , I assume that this isn’t just a handover , he said , not taking his eyes off the road .
“ It’s an official appointment , the coronation wouldeter of course but this is about maintaining stability and ensuring there are no …plications moving forward .
The words hung between us and I furrowed my brows , unsure of what he meant .
“ Complications ? ”
His gaze flickered toward me in the mirror , his eyes were cold and calcting .
“ The Council expects a clean transition .
Any residual loyalties to your father’s ways , any … attachments from the past , must be set aside .
The Pack needs one strong leader now .
Any distractions would only weaken us .
His words sounded like a threat to me but I couldn’t I couldn’t pinpoint the reason .
“ Beta Jeremy , are you worried that I might contest Nathan being appointed as the Alpha ? ”
He didn’t say anything
77 Was Ramsey here too ?
“ My father has always wanted Nathan to seed him ever since we were kids .
I have no designs for the office .
I mean … why would I want to be an Alpha ? I’m not fit for the position and I want what’s best for the pack .
”
“ Good ! ” he nodded .
“ I’ll hold you to your words .
”
The gates of the Council building opened and we drove in .
Just as the car came to a halt and 1 was waking Nathan , from the corner of my eyes , I saw a figure moving towards our car – a familiar figure .
When I turned … the blood drained from my face .
It was Lenny Ramsey’s Beta .
Was Ramsey here too ?
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