28- Leadership
Chassy
The weight of uncertainty hung heavily in my mind as I returned to my room after I visited the Red Moon Pack. Xander’s presence still had a profound impact on me, and I couldn’t help but feel drawn to him despite my best efforts to resist. Thea wasn’t making things any easier with her constant support of our budding connection. Today was only our second day of training the warriors, and I couldn’t help but fret about how I would handle seeing him again. It was disheartening to admit that I had allowed him to touch me once more, and to make matters worse, I had enjoyed it.
After a quick refresh, I left my bedroom and embarked on a mission to find Sims. He was responsible for providing me with updates on everything that transpired within our pack during the day. Even though I understood that he might not have contacted me yet, my eagerness for information prevailed. I craved updates, whether they pertained to significant events or mere routine occurrences.
As I ventured towards my office, I unexpectedly ran into Daddy Jay, my cherished source of support and wisdom. His warm smile greeted me, and I couldn’t help but feel a momentary sense of reassurance amidst my swirling concerns.
“How are you, Dad?” I inquired, seeking some semblance of comfort.
“Very fine. You have nothing to worry about,” he responded with an assuring tone, attempting to alleviate my anxieties. We entered my office together, where we found Sims and Allie, patiently awaiting my arrival.
I couldn’t help but notice that Sims appeared unusually eager to share some news with me. His excitement was palpable, and I couldn’t help but brace myself for whatever revelations awaited.
“You haven’t changed yet,” I observed, my curiosity piqued by Sims’ demeanor.
“I’m excited to tell Sims about what happened earlier,” he admitted, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.
“What is it?” I inquired, my patience waning as I yearned to know the events that had transpired in my absence.
“Why do you look so defensive? Did something happen in the Red Moon Pack other than the training you were there for?” Sims prodded, seemingly enjoying my discomfort.
“Let’s focus on the meeting, shall we?” I deflected his inquiry, reluctant to delve into the intricacies of my personal life.
Sims mocked me, “Trying to change the subject,” but the joke soon wore thin and gave way to a seriousness that intrigued me.
“What’s going on? Did something happen?” I asked, growing increasingly anxious about the nature of the news they were withholding.
“It was the usual issue, the vampires,” my beta replied, a hint of weariness in his voice. I exchanged a knowing glance with Daddy Jay, who nodded in concurrence. I sighed, recognizing the limitations of my absence from the pack. Despite the Red Moon Pack’s proximity, our response to emergencies still required time. This was precisely why I preferred the swiftness and agility of a bike over a car.
“Tell me what happened,” I urged, eager to be filled in on the details.
“This time, they didn’t launch an attack. They simply stood there, staring at us. As usual, we refrained from making any hostile moves. We kept our minds shielded, preventing any potential intrusion from those among them who might possess telepathic abilities,” Sims reported, providing an overview of the situation.
“Did you take any precautionary measures?” I inquired, keen on ensuring that my pack had handled the situation appropriately.
“Well, one of the three vampires did something,” Sims continued, leaving me hanging in suspense.
“What was it? Why are you dragging out the report?” I exclaimed impatiently, my anxiety escalating with each passing moment.
“Don’t get too worked up,” Sims cautioned, recognizing my urgency. “One of them simply smirked at us,” he divulged.
“Why?” Inquiring about their peculiar behavior, I pressed for more details.
“We’re not entirely sure,” Allie interjected. “When we inquired, they merely shrugged, leaving us with unanswered questions,” she added, echoing my curiosity.
“There must be a reason behind their actions,” I insisted, turning to Sims in search of clarity.
“Tomorrow, Allie, you don’t need to accompany me,” I declared, shifting my focus to our plans for the upcoming day. “Sims, make sure to notify me immediately if anything similar occurs in the future, whether I’m engaged in training or not. Do you understand?” I inquired, my tone laced with authority and urgency, emphasizing the importance of swift communication.
“Yes, Alpha,” Sims responded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and my position as the pack’s leader. Despite my reluctance to exert authority over my pack members, there were moments when it was necessary, particularly when the pack’s safety was at stake. My Luna instincts and Alpha duties would take over in such instances, and my pack members respected and understood this.
The following day, my agenda included a return visit to the Red Moon Pack to address the situation with them. I couldn’t justify focusing on training warriors from other packs when my pack faced imminent danger. It was imperative that we intensify and refine our training regimen.
“Dad, could we ask Rick to oversee the training of our omegas? They need to become stronger, even if it’s only by a small margin,” I proposed, recognizing the need to empower our younger pack members.
“Of course,” Daddy Jay agreed, expressing his confidence that Rick would welcome the opportunity to return to an active role. Allie, who had been quietly supportive throughout our conversation, added her consent to the plan.
“Yes, I agree. Dad has been complaining about having too much free time at home. He expressed a desire to return to active duty. I’ll convey the good news to him.”
“Thank you, Allie.” I expressed my gratitude and appreciation for her willingness to assist.
“No problem, C,” he responded, emphasizing his flexibility in switching between formal and informal settings.
“I’m eager to expedite the training within the Red Moon Pack, but I realize it may not be feasible or advisable,” I lamented, grappling with my desire to fortify our defenses against the vampires. “We’ve been training for over a year, and our warriors still require additional preparation. One can only imagine the challenges faced by those who have never encountered vampires before.”
“Don’t rush it, dear,” Daddy Jay advised, offering his wisdom to temper my impatience. “You have Simon and me here to support Sims and Allie. Your role is to assist and provide guidance. And don’t forget Rick as well.”
“But the thought of it overwhelms me. I’m alone, and there are so many vampires,” I confessed, my concerns weighing heavily on me.
“You are not alone. Your mate is by your side if you allow him, and you have the squad you’re assembling, along with their respective packs. Consider yourself fortunate to possess the support you need in our pack while you’re away. Many alphas have had to set aside their pride to allow you to assume the role of assistant commander, simply because they couldn’t bear to leave their packs vulnerable,” Daddy Jay explained, shedding light on the intricacies of pack dynamics that often revolved around pride and gender roles.
“What do you mean?” I inquired, eager to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by other alphas.
“C,” Sims interjected, elaborating on the issue at hand. “No alpha willingly accepts a female leader, not out of chauvinism but because men inherently feel the need to protect women. Allowing a female alpha challenges their pride and traditional roles.”
“I’m not concerned about such matters. Seeking help when necessary is not a source of shame,” I asserted, standing firm in my convictions. As I glanced around the room, I noticed the understanding nods of the men present, acknowledging the complexities of pack dynamics in ways that I, as a woman, might never fully comprehend.
Our conversation took an abrupt turn when a mind link from the patrol guards interrupted our deliberations. “Alpha, rogues in the east,” the message conveyed. We exchanged alarmed glances, an unmistakable sense of urgency descending upon the room. In addition to our ongoing vampire predicament, we now had to contend with the presence of rogue elements in our territory. It appeared that the challenges in our world were ceaseless and unrelenting, requiring our constant vigilance and resolve.