Chapter 111-1
The mood in the room was tense. Amie was sitting close to me, holding my hand in her lap and gently rubbing soothing circles with her thumb. I don’t know if it’s for her or my benefit, maybe for both of us. On the other side of Amie, Sam was sitting. He had insisted on joining. Jake was on my other side. On the big screen in front of us was James, Elder and the former Alpha.
“Little sister, Luna Amie, you look well,” Elder said and then smiled in my direction. “Alpha Finlay, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Beta Elder, thank you for inviting us to this meeting,” Amie said. If hadn’t known her as well as I did, she would have sounded relaxed. But I did know her and the tension in her voice gnawed at my raw feelings about this meeting. According to Elder, James was now ready to let go of the past and move forward. Apparently he had taken a liking to another woman. That was all nice and dandy, but I still didn’t trust him. I wasn’t scared about him trying to woo Amie back. She would shut any shit like that down. I was scared he was still holding a grudge and would try to hurt her. As he didn’t have access to her, it would be emotional pain. If he tried, I would personally go all the way to his pack and end his miserable little life. For now, I was playing nice. This was important to Amie. She saw this as the only way to make sure she was able to see her parents again. I wouldn’t be the one standing in the way of that. Instead, I put on my best smile.
“It’s long overdue. Our packs share many values and we have strong ties of family and friendship between us the former Alpha said. “Wouldn’t you agree, son?” The question seemed to wake James from his state of deep thought.
“Yes. You are right. It would be beneficial for our packs to have an official tie. We saw it with how you organised everything to let members of Ocean Shore find safe heavens. We are always looking for allies like this,” James said. Amie squeezed my hand.
“I couldn’t agree more. I think both our packs would benefit from an alliance, and I know it would make Amie happy,” I agreed.
“It would,” she confirmed. We continued to talk about expectations and limitations. I relaxed the longer the meeting went on. It
seems like Elder was right.
“Mom told me two of your pack members are expecting pups. Congratulations,” Elder said as we were rounding off the meeting.
“Yes, Emile and Hudson are expecting their second pup in May. Ramses and Kyla just found out three days ago they are expecting. So we will have a spring and summer full of pups this year as well,” Amie said. I could see James’ eyes filling with something close to longing. I was going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he was longing for a family in general and not eying my Luna. Just to be safe, I let go of Amies hand and put my arm around her shoulders.
“It’s a great blessing for the pack. I don’t know if we told you this, but the Beta’s and Gamma’s pups were actually born on the same day last year. It means we can have a big spring birthday party,” I proudly said.
“Really?” the former Alpha asked. “That sounds like one hell of a party. I remember when these three and Cindy were younger. Just a party for one of them was a big thing.” We all smiled. We talked for a while longer, I liked to give Amie some time to talk with her brother and uncle. James stayed mostly quiet if he wasn’t asked a direct question. I was hopeful our alliance would actually take place and that it would last.
“Thank you,” Amie said as we logged off the call. “All of you were on your best behavior and didn’t even growl once. I appreciate it.”
“Of course, sweetheart. We know how important this is for you,” I told her and placed a kiss on her temple. Both Sam and Jake
nodded.
“I think it looks promising,” Jake said. “If we put aside the issue with their Alpha, they are a good match for our pack and they seem as interested in having an alliance as we are.”
“It will sort itself out,” Sam agreed. Amie beamed at them.
