Rejection on the Full Moon

Chapter 26 - Calm Before the Storm Part 2

As I prepare to step down onto the floor and find Dominic, Leo comes barging in, rage seeping out of every pore as he storms his way towards me.

“Who the fuck said you can tell my pack what to do?!” He shouts while Zack, Blue, and Axel stop him from pulling me off the chair, and Serena and Lease stand in front of me protectively. Mia rushes in, clothed in only a baggy male shirt, and pulls Leo to her side, Leo’s scent and the pungent smell of sex wafting off both of them. Disgust fills me as I look down at these incompetent wolves.

“If you weren’t so preoccupied with fucking your pack’s whore, then I wouldn’t have to take charge. We are under the threat of an impending blizzard, and you’re too focused on getting your dick wet! You’re a pathetic excuse for an Alpha!” I state, rage building inside me, knowing that Leo would just let his pack members fend for themselves while he fucked Mia. Murmurs of disdain for Leo float in the crowd, and the dissatisfaction of the Forest Paw wolves for their so-called Alpha is clear to see. I have a feeling that once Blood Moon leaves, Forest Paw will have a change of leadership. Leo starts cursing me, threatening to show me what kind of an Alpha he really is and to make me regret my words. I can sense my pack getting ready to attack him, wanting to defend their new Alpha female. I motion for Blood Moon to stand down, not too bothered by Leo’s empty threats, as I remind the wolves to finish their meals and quickly start the preparation before the blizzard hits.

I step off of the chair, making my way towards the table I spotted Dominic at, with Lease and Serena following me, their clipboards in their hands. We decide that Lease will communicate with Blood Moon and Serena with Forest Paw when everyone is out.

“I want you to stay inside the pack house while I’m out. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate if you were out in this weather.” Dominic states, his eyes full of worry as he stares at me. I nod, taking a seat beside my mate as he pushes a plate full of food towards me. Dominic is right, neither of us will be able to concentrate if both of us were outside in this weather. Besides, I am the designated leader of everyone as we work towards preparing for the storm that is fast approaching. It will be easier for others to reach me in an emergency if I stay inside.

“Just promise me you will be safe.” I whisper, leaning into Dominic and wrapping my arms around him. We have just started our journey as mates, I didn’t want to lose him already.

“I promise I’ll be safe, Fire.” His arms wrap around me as Dominic reassures his safety. I decide that I didn’t want to sit beside Dominic; instead, I climb into his lap, taking the small window of time we have to cuddle while we eat until our plates are cleared of food, and Dominic heads outside to gather firewood.

“He’ll be safe.” Serena reassures, giving me a hug. Lease, Serena, and I decide to start by making sure the Elders and the pups are safely situated in the basement below, mothers staying in the playroom with the younger pups while I put on a movie for the older ones. The elderly congregate in the pack’s library, exclaiming that it will be quieter there for them. Once everyone else is situated, I gather the teens, leading them into the kitchen where Maria is waiting, aprons in hand for the thirty juveniles to wear.

“Since the Omegas are storm-proofing this house and the rest of the adults are either watching the pups, gathering supplies or preparing other important buildings to keep them safe from the blizzard, you all are going to help cook.” I state, making sure to look each and every kid in the eye. I know that many would rather be outside helping the other wolves out, but their job is just as important.

“You’re all probably thinking this is a lame job, that you would rather be anywhere else but here. But when everyone finishes their tasks and come inside from the freezing cold, there will be a lot of hungry wolves to feed. I need all of you to make sure we have enough food to keep everyone warm and fed. It is very important that you all do your best in here.” I see that my words have an impact as the teens who looked ready to sneak out are now perking up, their full attention on me. I’m putting my trust in these teens, trusting them to do their job properly and make more than enough food for the two packs, as everyone will be living here due to the blizzard. The teens begin to group up, and Maria sends me a proud look before giving each group a workstation with a different recipe. It feels nice making these young wolves feel important and giving them a boost to their confidence.

Maria and I help with explaining each recipe before sending the teens to do their tasks. The room is filled with the bustling of juveniles running around to gather ingredients and begin their tasks. Serena and Lease check in with updates of the tasks by other wolves, and Maria reassures me that she can handle the teens and ushers me out of the room. Omegas are bringing in stacks of firewood into the pack house from the snowmobiles used by the volunteers who didn’t go shopping.

“Hey, beautiful. How is everything here?” Dominic comes in for a moment, a travel mug full of hot chocolate in hand, his silver-blue hair covered in snow. I smile and press a kiss to his cold cheek before I quickly check him over and I’m glad to see he has no injuries.

“Good, the house is being weather-proofed, and the younger wolves are cooking in the kitchen.” I answer proudly, catching Serena and Lease sending us knowing smirks from inside the dining hall. I roll my eyes, ignoring my two assistants for the day, and focus on my mate.

“Well, wood-gathering is going well. Can you do me a favour and call the pack? If the blizzard heads north, Blood Moon might get caught in it.” Dominic gives me a quick kiss before he heads out, putting the care of our pack into my hands. With a sigh, I walk into the dining hall, making a hot chocolate for myself before I take out my phone and call home.

“Blood Moon, Avery speaking.” I smile at the sound of my assistant, homesickness kicking in as I’ve missed my pack.

“Hey Ave, its me. How is everything over there?” I respond, sipping on the hot drink.

“Everything is going well. Camile and I are holding down the fort, and Silver is being an annoying little shit as usual.” I chuckle as Avery continues, telling me that training is still going strong as usual and that my store has been profiting greatly these last few weeks, with Christmas being just a couple of weeks away.

“Have you killed anyone at Forest Paw yet?” I hear Silver’s voice cut into Avery’s report and another chuckle escaping my lips.

“No, but Miles recorded me kicking the shit out of my so-called sister, Mia.” I reply, getting a “Hell yeah!” out of Silver. I can’t help but roll my eyes, hearing Avery yell at him for interrupting her. The two are like cats and dogs, always at each other’s throats.

“Look, I called to let you guys know we’re expecting a blizzard here. Can you get Blood Moon ready in case it heads up home?” I speak up over their bickering, stopping the argument as I hear a chuckle from the other side of the call.

“I’ll make sure everything is ready, just in case, and we’ll let the pack know.” Camile’s voice answers. Christian would be proud knowing his mate is handling the pack alone perfectly.

“Thanks, guys. I have to go now.” I end the call, reassured that Blood Moon is doing fine, and head back into the kitchen to check on the cooking. The team with the stews and soup are just watching the pot, having nothing better to do. So, I decide to teach them how to bake cookies. Serena and Lease come in just as we start filling the empty ovens with trays of cookie dough ready to be baked. They give me an update that the teams who went out to buy food and firewood would be returning soon, and I realize two hours have already passed since all our work began. The Omegas are bringing out the cooked food and setting up the dining tables.

“We should call everyone in for dinner and just bunker down then.” I suggest, taking the clipboard from Serena and noticing all the tasks were done. Wolves from the wood-cutting task were filing in, with some helping to carry wood into the pack house, while others were seeking the warmth of the fireplace in the living room. The two she-wolves’ eyes glaze over, relaying my message to everyone while I scurry over to the oven to check on the cookies. Cold hands pull me into a warm body as Dominic’s scent fills my nose.

“Everything is done. We can relax now.” He grumbles into the back of my neck. I nod, snuggling into my mate. Maria assures me that I can go sit down as the teens and the Omegas have everything under control. This finally gives me an excuse to head to the dining hall and relax. My body is still sore from the last few days but due to having to take the lead and make sure the pack house is ready for the storm, I have had yet to really relax.

“How about after dinner, we go to bed? You look like you need it.” Dominic suggests as he sits beside me and takes my hand.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” I reply with a yawn. Soon, more wolves enter the pack house carrying bags from various grocery stores into the dining room where Omegas swiftly carry them away to be stored. From where I sat, I can see the doors to the pack house left open, the snow blowing in as the wind picks up. The storm is getting closer, making it hard to see past the first three feet in front of the wooden frame. When the last wolf enters and everyone is accounted for, the doors are shut and locked securely. All we can do is wait. Everyone begins to settle down. Mia and Leo are absent from the room, which brightens my mood.

Zack and Abby join Dominic and I at the table with their three pups. The pups are asking Dominic and I about Blood Moon and what our pack members are like. They are excited to hear that I own my own house with a pool, already begging their parents to go swimming in the summer there. Suddenly, the lights begin to flicker, causing everyone to go silent.

“Do not be alarmed, everyone. That’s just the blizzard. It’s not hit our territory.” Blue’s voice calls out to the crowd. The lights return to normal, but Abby and Zack still look a little tense. I guess after having Lilly-Ann in the pack hospital, they really feared losing a pup. Dominic suggests we call it a night, and helps myself, Zack, and Abby carry their pups up the stairs and into their room. I promise to spend more time with everyone, and say goodnight to Maxwell, Mathew, and Lilly-Ann before Dominic and I head to our own room. The exhaustion finally takes over, and after changing into some pyjamas, I fall asleep.