Chapter 0078
Cara’s POV
“What do you think we should do about the latest trade negotiations?” Eamon asks me, pointing to a piece of paper lying on the desk between us.
Eamon, Colin and I are in Eamon’s office discussing pack business. We’ve been in this meeting for hours, trying to finalize plans for the future of Pack BloodyMoon.
It’s exhausting mental work, even if my body hasn’t left this chair, I feel like I need to rest.
I look out the window and see the sky is dark now. It’s nearly the kids‘ bed time. I should send a text to Ruby, telling her to put them to bed without me.
I reach for my phone and Eamon sees me. “Let’s leave the rest of this work until tomorrow. We’re done for today.
I raise my eyebrows in surprise, “But we haven’t finished even half of the items on the list yet.”
I’m confused. Alaric would never let us end a meeting without finishing the work items. He insisted that everyone on the the team should work as hard as he does. I’m just out of practice with late night meetings.
“Yes, but some things are more important than this list,” Eamon smiles. “Like family. Go, Cara. Put your children to bed.”
My fingers reach for the papers in front of me, but they hesitate just before touching the
stack.
I turn to Eamon, “Are you sure?” I wouldn’t blame him if he changed his mind and wanted to finish the list now while we’re here.
Colin smiles at me too, “Yes, Cara. Family is always more important than work.”
I smile shyly back at them, “Sorry, it’s just not what I’m used to…”
Colin laughs, “Yeah, I’m sure of that.”
“How do you mean?” I ask, not sure what he’s getting at.
“Why do you think my brothers and I dislike Alaric so much, Cara?” Eamon asks me seriously. He folds his hands in front of his closed lips, looking at me.
“Well, actually, I’m not sure I know the answer to that…” I reply softly.
Eamon takes a breath, as if he’s thinking of how to explain a very long story. “Alaric reminds us of someone… Someone you’re lucky not to have known very well.”
“Our father?” I guess. From the very little I’ve heard about him, he seemed like a very
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Chapter 0078
unpleasant man.
Colin nods gravely, “Yes. And Eamon’s right, you’re lucky not to have spent much time with him. Not that any of us, except maybe Eamon, spent much time with him at all.”
I look to Eamon and he looks pensive. “He was a very cold man. It was very important to him that I learn to lead the pack in exactly the same hard way that he did.”
“Good thing you’ve got a mind of your own, bro.” Colin says happily.
“Yes, good thing indeed.” Eamon agrees. “He was very…distant towards most of his other children.”
“Except Lilia.” Colin laughs. “She was his favorite. His baby princess.”
I gulp, not sure how to feel. On the one hand, that should’ve been me in Lilia’s place. On the other hand, it sounds like I wouldn’t have enjoyed knowing this man anyway.
Eamon chuckles a bit too, “Oh, he loved her alright. They had very, very similar personalities. They both looked at the world through the same aggressive lens, if you will.”
“Oh.” I say simply. If our father was anything at all like Lilia, then maybe they’re right. Maybe I am better off not knowing him.
“He thought work was all that mattered… More than family, more than having fun, more than everything else.” Colin adds.
“You can maybe understand then how we might be a bit… sensitive… when these qualities! also appear in Alaric.” Eamon says to me.
I nod, understanding their point. It’s true that Alaric was primarily focused on work.
But there were moments, good times, when Alaric let himself have fun. When he let himself relax and just enjoy being alive. When he laughed.
Those moments were rare, but that’s also why they were so special.
I feel the smallest tug in my heartstrings and I know I’m in dangerous emotional territory.
Alaric is in my past. He is not in my future.
That chapter of my life is closed.
“What do you think makes a good Alpha, Cara?” Eamon’s voice shakes me from my thoughts.
Well, that was unexpected.
“What?” I ask, not fully understanding his question.
His voice is patient, “What do you think are qualities that one would find in a good and respectable Alpha King or Queen?”
Chapter 0078
What an odd question.
And the fact that Eamon specified Alpha King of Queen is odd, too. Alpha Queens are so rare, so uncommonly found despite all the packs that currently exist in the world. Very few have ever had an Alpha Queen..
It’s not unheard of, but it’s certainly rare.
I consider Eamon’s question for a few beats, really thinking through my answer. If I’m honest, I’ve been given the idea much thought.
“Well, I think they should be a good listener. An Alpha should always be willing to take advice into consideration, even if the Alpha has their own ideas,” I start.
Eamon nods appreciatively. “What else?”
*An Alpha should be a good leader and should be willing to lead the pack even in very difficult times. An Alpha should be willing to serve the pack in any way that the pack needs, no matter what serves the Alpha personally,” I add.
“And?” Eamon asks.
“And… the Alpha should always seek improvement. There are always new technological advancements, new medicines, new ways of doing things. The Alpha should be committed to allowing the pack to evolve into the future, not let it wither away tied to the old ways of the past.”
When I’ve finished speaking, I recall what I’ve been said and nod myself, reaffirming that these are the three qualities I think actually ARE the most important for an Alpha.
Eamon’s pride is clear in his facial expression. Colin looks pleased as well.
“Excellent responses.” Eamon says simply.
“Why do you ask?” I’m curious to know why he asked me the question.
Eamon waves his hand dismissively, “Oh, no reason… It was just what I expected to hear from an Alpha. Now go, put your children to bed.”
Eamon gestures for me and Colin to leave his office, but I can’t help but dwell on Eamon’s
words.
“An Alpha?!” I ask myself.
“Who knows? Anything is possible.” Colin says cheerfully.
It’s only when he replies that I realize that I’ve asked it aloud.
“Goodnight, Cara. Give the kids a kiss for me!” Colin chirps as he walks down the hall away from me.
Chapter 0078
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I’m still stuck on the idea as I put Mia and Ethan snugly into their beds. It’s still in my mind as I draw a bubble bath for myself.
It’s still in my head as I lay my head on my pillow to sleep.
An Alpha?…Me?
Could I actually be an Alpha?
* Chapter 0079
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