Chapter 48 Chapter 48 Riley was used to meeting pack elders. It was often a part of her job. Pack elders were important to a pack as they helped provide advice and guidance for alphas as well as keep an alpha in check if he abused his power. They were elected by the pack as a whole and were supposed to represent all pack members. Most packs had five elders and they were frequently some of the older members of the pack, those that the members felt confident had the wisdom and experience to provide guidance. Elders were crucial in a time of crisis for a pack, which is why Riley was so experienced with these meetings. She dressed nicely, wearing a pair of charcoal gray pants and a dark purple blouse. She curled her long hair and brushed on a light layer of makeup. She was just putting on a pair of black ballet flats when Kent knocked on her bedroom door. She opened it to find Kent dressed in a pair of black dress pants and a button up blue shirt that matched his eyes perfectly. He didn't wear a tie, his shirt open at the collar. His black hair was neatly brushed and his jaw was freshly shaven. Riley hesitated, her mouth going dry. Kent reached out, brushing a strand of hair back from her face, his touch sending a shot of heat right through her. "You look beautiful," he whispered. He took a step back, allowing her to step out into the hall. "Where do you usually meet with your elders?" she asked, hoping her voice sounded somewhat normal. "At the training academy," he said, heading towards the elevator. "In one of our meeting rooms." As they walked across the grounds, Kent told Riley about the changes Patrick made with patrols and his thoughts about how to best utilize the incoming warriors. It was the most he had spoken to her since the morning. After she had brought her laptop in to work with him, he had been remarkably quiet. They had lunch together with Patrick and Leo before getting in a quick training session. Kent held true to maintaining his space from her throughout the day, but Riley couldn't decide if she found that to be kind of him or just plain annoying. Leo and Wesley met them just outside the training academy and they all went together to the third floor. Kent led them to the meeting room that Riley had visited with Patrick her first couple days in the pack. When they stepped in, Riley saw Max just inside the door talking to a woman with short gray hair and a man with dark brown hair graying at the temples. Patrick was standing near the windows, clearly in deep discussion with a man with whom he bore a striking resemblance. Another man and woman stood at the far wall. Everyone fell silent as Kent walked in, turning to look at him. "Thank you all for coming," Kent said as he took a seat at the head of the table. Max sat down on his right side and Patrick on his left. The five elders filled in the seats on either side of Patrick and Max while Leo, Wesley and Riley sat at the opposite end of the table. "We appreciate you meeting with us so quickly," said the man Patrick had been speaking with. "I do want to hear the details of the new alliance, but first, please introduce us to the nearest visitor from the Council." The man turned to look at Riley. "I am Gideon Whare. I was the gamma for Alpha Kent's father. I am also Patrick's father." "I am Zane Kendrick," said the man who had been speaking to Max. "I was the beta to the previous alpha." The other three ran through their introductions. Alma, the woman who had been speaking to Max, was a 1/4 < Chapter 48 +5 Points) retired doctor and the oldest, longest serving elder for the pack. Jonna, a retired warrior turned teacher at the local elementary school. And Matt, the youngest and newest elder, was a recently retired warrior and head trainer for the pack. Riley quickly introduced herself, stating only that she had been asked to work in tandem with Wesley to help. problem-solve for the pack. Kent quickly launched into the details of the alliance with New Dawn and the promise of more warriors arriving on Monday. Patrick and Max also explained some of the changes they were making to defenses. As far as elder meetings go, it seemed pretty standard. Towards the end of the meeting, Zane turned towards Riley. "What are your thoughts on the attacks?" he asked. "You have the freshest eyes on the situation. Any ideal what is motivating the attacks?" Riley glanced at Kent, realizing that even his elders were unaware of the motive. Clearly, this secret was kept between the three ranked members. "We're still not sure," she said calmly, silently cursing Kent for putting her in this position. "But it is clear that the rogues are after something. I'm hoping that the Alpha or Beta can remember something that might be of importance." She could feel Kent's annoyance with her through the bond but she kept her face impassive. She didn't miss the dark look Max gave her as the elders' eyes turned towards Kent. "We've been thinking about it and brainstorming," Kent said coolly, "but we haven't come up with a solid idea yet." "Well, we'll need to figure that out," Jonna said. After a few more minutes and some discussion among elders about what they might be wanting in the pack, the meeting came to an end. Riley left with Wesley and Leo. Once outside, Wesley said a quick goodbye and disappeared quickly. "He's desperate to get back to his mate," Leo chuckled, watching Wesley disappear across the grounds. "1 remember feeling like that when I first met Leah. Like I could never get enough of her." "Oh, I remember what you were like," scoffed Riley. "I was Leah's roommate that first year. It took two months for you two to get Mated Couple housing, if I recall. I walked in far too many times on you trying to get enough of her." Leo tipped his head back and laughed. "Yeah, I do recall you yelling at us once about finding somewhere else. " She shook her head, laughing softly. "I remember that feeling though. When I met my first mate, every time he wasn't around it felt like I was going to crawl out of my skin if I didn't see him soon." The smile disappeared off Leo's face as he looked at her, his head tilting to the side. "Was it hard for you? Seeing Leah and I have a relationship so soon after your own rejection?" She shrugged. "It stung when you first met, but honestly, I liked you both so much. I liked seeing how happy you were." "What happened with your first mate?" 2/4 < Chapter 48 +8 Points > She sighed, looking up at the sky. "It's a long story, Leo. But he had a chosen mate, a woman he had children with. He told me that he would find a way to be together, but he never actually meant that. He just wanted everything. A mate, his happy family, his position. I think he thought he would have it all." The door to the training academy opened and Riley knew who had just come out. She turned to see Kent, Patrick and Max approaching them. "I'm going to head back to the pack house," Leo said, drawing her gaze. "I promised Leah I would call before dinner." "We'll go with you," Patrick said, motioning for Max to follow. Max cast Riley a worried look before reluctantly following Patrick and Leo. "I thought the meeting went well," Riley said to Kent after they had walked out of earshot. "It did," Kent said softly, looking at her. "Though I could have done without you trying to put Max and I on the spot." She shrugged. "I honestly was surprised that the elders don't know what you're hiding." "The less people that know, the better." Kent sighed, rubbing his forehead. "You're not going to stop being difficult about this are you?" "Nope." She gave her head a firm shake. Kent blew out a long breath, shaking his head slowly. "I'll talk to Max again, for all the good I think it will do. But you could be a little less difficult." "I didn't become the best by being easy-going," she muttered. "I'm used to dealing with stubborn alphas." The ghost of a smile played on his lips as he took a step closer to her. "And is that what I am? A stubborn alpha?" She smirked. "That's exactly what you are." He took another step, so close now that Riley had to tilt her head up to see his face. "And what do you do with stubborn alphas?" "You don't want to know," she whispered. He gently pushed her hair back from her face, causing her breath to catch slightly as his eyes darkened. "Alpha?" Kent wheeled around. Standing in the doorway just outside the academy was Gideon, Zane and Alma. Kent took a step away from Riley as she put on what she hoped was a neutral expression. "Might I have a word with you, Kent?" Zane said calmly, his eyes moving between Kent and Riley. "Of course," Kent said with a sharp god. Zane motioned for Kent to follow him, leaving Riley with Gideon and Alma, "I should be off," Alma said, a knowing smile on her face. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Atwood. I do hope to see more of you." She turned and headed off, leaving Riley alone with Gideon. Comments