Page 25 of Two Years Gone

“What do you think this meeting is about?” I whispered to my mom. Sophie shrugged and the whole room hushed as Alpha Daniel and Zane walked into the room and to the front.

They took their seats next to the Beta and then Alpha Daniel stood and began to speak.

“Good evening, Green Ridge Pack. This won’t take long, we just wanted to update you on a few changes. Our plan was to have Alpha Zane take over as official alpha at the end of the summer.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be pushing back his promotion until December. He will be taking the next six months to train with me personally to ensure our pack has the very best alpha.”

I could hear the whole pack beginning to whisper, making guesses as to why he was pushing things back. I felt embarrassed as I sat there knowing it was my fault.

I kept my head down and I could feel eyes on me. I didn’t dare to look up, knowing it was probably Zane glaring at me.

As soon as the alpha released us to dinner, I stood and dashed out of the room. I finished dinner and began dishing up food for pack members who made their way to the kitchen.

Finally, Zane and Daniel made their way through the line.

“Sophie, Ella, this all looks awesome. Thank you for putting this together so last minute!” Alpha Daniel sang as he walked up to us.

“It’s no problem, Alpha,” we both said. I looked up to see Zane staring at me, not with anger but with confusion.

“Ella, do you have a moment?” he asked, his eyes searching my face.

“Uh, I’m actually in the middle of serving dinner. Is it important, Alpha?” I replied, hoping he wouldn’t push it.

“It is.” He turned to my mother.

“Sophie, do you mind if I steal her for just a moment?”

My mother nodded with a smile.Traitor, I thought to myself. Zane led me out to the hallway behind the kitchen.

“Is everything okay?”

I lowered my head again.

“I don’t know what you mean, Alpha. Everything is fine.”

Zane moved toward me, and I involuntarily flinched backward. Frustration flashed across his face.

He took a breath and spoke again.

“Ella, something is obviously bothering you. What is the matter? You’ve been like this since the…”

I met his eyes to see the realization in his eyes. He knew that I knew he wasn’t getting promoted because of me.

“Ella…” Zane looked down at me and his face softened.

I lowered my head again.

“I’m sorry, Alpha. I had no idea Alpha Daniel would do that. I can go talk to him and explain everything.” I was eager to keep myself from his wrath.

“Ella, this isn’t your fault.”

I looked up at him, confusion evident on my face.

“But I—”

“Ella, this ismyfault. I messed up. I let my pride get in the way of my duty to my pack. My father is giving me six months toget my head straight, to figure out exactly what kind of alpha I want to be.”

He wasn’t angry at me. He wasn’t going to hurt me or yell at me.