77 Was Ramsey here too?
Lyla
“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 “Welcome home, Lyla.
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 to complain 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 one last time before I came down from the car in Nathan’s arms. Immediately, Beta Jeremy came towards us.
“Miss Lyla!” he said with an official tone. “Welcome 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!”
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 flash 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, Lyla 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 become Alpha and then we would proceed with his coronation and your mother would become 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 to come home and prepare for my father’s funeral. He didn’t mention these parts. This wasn’t how I had planned 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 Clarissa.
“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 explained.
“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, Lyla and every moment Blue Ridge remains without an actual Alpha leading us – without the declaration 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 claim 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 a comforting 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 clarity’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 him later. 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’t come 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 to come,” I said quietly. “She doesn’t think mother would be welcoming 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 you later 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 occasionally, 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 becoming 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 would come later of course but this is about maintaining stability and ensuring there are no… complications 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 calculating. “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 succeed him ever since we were kids. I have no designs for the office. I mean… why would I want to become 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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