21 It takes planning

The walk back was quiet, I had no idea what to say to him. The vulnerability he was showing hurt both Fallon and I to watch. When we finally arrived the house was completely silent everyone had gone to bed not knowing the tragedy we just went through. Losing your alpha is never easy for any pack, it was like losing the moon light in the night. Things would never be the same with out him. When we got to his room he looked so wore out, I hated to leave him like this.

"Would you like me to come in?" I asked as he opened the door, he nodded still facing the door and walked in.

"I'm going to get changed, be right back." ducking into his closet I was left alone.

I went and relaxed on his bed, the last time I was here it was definitely a different mood. Although I fondly remembered that day my mind kept going back to our Luna, Serena must be so lost right now I wanted to comfort her as well. No one deserves to lose their mate, especially as young as the alpha was. Finn came out and plopped on the bed face first next to me. He laid there for a couple minutes before turning on his side to face me.

"You want to talk about it?" I asked him hoping he would open up just a little bit.

"How about we talk about why you were at the cell house tonight?" he said fast, almost like he was trying to deflect my question.

I paused not sure what exactly to say, I didn't even know what came over me. There have been so many changes happening to me in such a short time I was kind of just following my instinct. He looked worried that I was talking so long to answer, but I just smiled at him. The tenderness in his look was not something I expected him to be capable of before. He was my mate and he deserved to know the truth.

"Well I knew you were going through... tough times. There was work to be done, and I could help. I... I wanted to protect my pack." I dropped my head into my hands not sure what he would say to that.

To my surprise his strong arms wrapped around me pulling me into his chest. My eyes closed as the sparks of warmth took over my body.

"Thank you..." he whispered into my hair, I could tell he was not far from falling asleep.

"Always." I whispered back to him. He chuckled and settled me into a little spoon position. Soon we drifted to sleep with what little peacefulness we could find.

The next morning when as I woke up I noticed the huge bed was empty. The clock on the mantle said it was only four-thirty in the morning. It was odd being in his room alone, it felt empty although his scent was always strongest in here. Groggily I got up and headed back to the room my parents and I shared. I could vaguely hear the staff arriving getting ready to start their work day. One of the conversations happening some where in the wing I stayed at caught my attention, moving stealthily I approached it to hear better.

"The Alpha has fallen, what is the next phase?" the feminine voice said, I stopped where I was not wanting to let her sense I was close.

"Phase 2 will commence shortly. Stay in touch to receive further instructions." the voice on the phone commented before ending the call.

My heart was starting to beat faster and faster, I took a deep breath trying to calm it before using my silent speed to catch up to the now walking she-wolf. When I reached the corridor she was in I peaked around the corner to see the long blonde hair swaying as she took a corner. A dark murky green aura was wafting off of her, I could tell she was up to no good. For some reason she felt so familiar, I speed down the hall in hopes to catch her but she was gone by the time I rounded the corner. Disappointed I headed back to the room this time at normal speed. The adrenaline rush just about took away any trace of being sleepy.

When I got back both my parents were getting ready for the day as well. My mom threw a look my way that she didn't even have to explain, her eyes said it all. Don't stay out over the young alpha's room they screamed at me. I just gave her an awkward smile before heading into the bathroom to avoid any conversation she had geared up for me. I took a shower and did my hair and make up before going to the closet to get dressed.

"Honey.." my mom called from the room, I really hoped I could have avoided this. With a sigh I left the closet and entered the room.

"Yes?" I said looking down at my feet.

"I'm sure you already know, but last night.. Alpha Henry passed away. There will be preparations for the farewell ceremony. Your father and I will be extremely busy." she said with a grave face. "Do try to make it back to our room at night but I understand how hard it must be to see him like that. Make sure to be careful with him." she said causing my head to snap up and see her sorrowful smile.

I just nodded in understanding as she and my dad left for the day. I looked at the clock that said five, it had only been a half an hour since the last time I had looked. The blonde in the hall way left so many questions unanswered, I knew I had seen her somewhere before. I groaned as I fell on the hard springs of the pull out bed.

"Do you know where we seen her before?" I asked Fallon hoping she could recognize the scent.

"No but she smelt like our mate." she growled. I rolled my eyes, all she ever thought about was him.

"So it must be someone who is close with him." sighing I got up and decided to look for Finn.

I searched through out the huge pack house but he was no where to be found. I decided to try linking with the Beta but even he did not answer. I was wondering back down the same hall the girl was in earlier when I picked up his scent. Following it, I was lead to a small door almost hidden at the end of the hall. Inside I could hear them talking. It sounded like the luna was in there as well as a few other people.

"There was another attack on the west side of the territory last night. Their surrounding us from all angles." Will sighed slamming something against the wall.

"Do we know what they want at all?" Serena said, her voice sounded so dejected it broke my heart.

"They want what rouges all want. To kill and take what they can." Finn finished and walked towards the door I was still on the other side of. I began to panic, I didn't want him to be angry I was eavesdropping. But before I could move he opened it and looked me dead in the eyes. "You going to come in or just stand out there?" he said smirking.

"W...Well I just.. I was just passing by and.." I was at a loss of excuses being caught red handed.

He stepped to the side letting me into the room. The group of the higher ups of the pack all had solemn faces, Serena's cheeks were still wet from fresh tears that had fallen. Instinctively I went over to her and gave her a hug which only made a few more tears fall. I sat next to her hoping to comfort her some more as the group continued going over facts.

The room was small but held a large table in the center. It looked like the council room the alpha normally had his meetings but not quite the same. The paintings on the walls in here were not like the ones that lined the entry hall but more of a tenebrism style to them. It took me a moment to realize this room resembled a art studio that had been recently changed. These all looked like the painting Finn had hanging in the hall. I wondered if this was once his studio before giving my full attention to the conversation.

"They have staged attacks on all sides of the territory, its almost like their rounding us up." Val's dad said shaking his head.

"We need to go on the offense, we need to figure out where they are hiding. Their numbers are to large for them to not have a den." Will said looking over the map on the table.

"Have the patrols found any pouches like before?" I asked standing up and joining them around the table.

"No, but they have found carvings in the trees. The symbols are always different." One of the omegas said tracing a line around the map showing where they were.

There was no pattern to it, even the attacks were not behind it nor followed the same trend. Finn sighed raking his hand through his dark hair. I could see how stressed he was, not only did he just lose his dad but he had to assume alpha duties almost immediately because of this. Everyone was looking to him for answers but there were none to be had just yet.

"Maybe we should send a scout team?" I asked Finn who was still staring at the map like it would suddenly give something away.

"No, we need help." he looked up at everyone weighing his words, "We are going to invite the other pack alphas to the festival." he said sternly letting the alpha's tone seep into it ever so slightly.

"Do you think they will come with everything going on?" Will said confused by the decision.

"We will warn them but rouges working with hunters silver is a threat to all of us." he pointed to the open field we used for most of our festivals. "We continue on with the plans, except account for more. We'll need to send a few more people to the Beta and omega house." he looked to them and they nodded in respect before heading off to make it happen.

"Are you sure they will help?" Serena said quietly as she got up and walked to the door. Finn just nodded fiercely. "The Fall equinox was always your father's favorite time of year." she shuddered and left us alone in the room.

"Are you alright?" I placed my hand on he forearm hoping he would let me comfort him again.

"I'll be fine, just have to get through this." he placed his hand over mine, I gave him a small smile.

"Are these yours?" I waved my hand at the paintings on the wall.

"Do you like them?" the smile he gave me was worth not being let in on his plans. "I use to paint often, but it doesn't seem like I'll get a chance to again for a while." he sighed walking over to one of the larger ones caressing the frame. "This was my pop's favorite." his hand fell to his side and I could tell he was fighting his tears.

I went over behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist, nuzzling my face into his broad back. We stood there for a moment letting the sparks take over where we touched. When we were like this it felt like nothing in the world we couldn't figure out together. He would protect the pack and I would protect him. Fallon howled in agreement with the thought that he was ours to protect.

"Let me help with the festivities, I'm sure Val could move mountains for a good event." I let go and he turned and draped his arms over my shoulders looking into my eyes.

"It will double as a service Dali, are you sure you want to help?" the tiered look on his face only made me more determined.

"Yes... I'll help with what ever you need mate." I said shyly, it was the first time I was actually sort of admitting to him how I feel, he smiled and hugged me tight.

"Thank you mate. I will need some help with the other alphas when they get here... If they come. We'll need a few rooms prepared, the beta and omegas will move the pack members but I wont be able to direct the staff." he let go just a little making my hands fly up to stop him.

"I'll take care of it. Just a little longer." I made the best puppy dog pout face I could muster. He laughed and gave me a small his on the top of my head.

Soon enough he had to leave, the process of getting all of the alphas together has always been difficult. I don't think I had seen more than two ever come here and not at the same time. The smaller pack alpha's were always the ones who showed, but only because of the fear we may attack them. I sighed, there was much work to be done if he was going to pull this off. I opened a link with Val hoping she was up already.

"Hey, I need some help with planning. Are you up for the task?" I said through the link.

"I was born ready baby! I'll come over to the house soon." she said before closing it.

The fall festival normally held a few main events but with the passing of the alpha we should start it with that. Val would know exactly how to line up the events since she has been going to them her whole life. Leaving the room I headed to the kitchen to get some breakfast. It was emptier than it usually was, maybe the pack members had already been moved to the other houses. Noticing one of the staff member I figured she would probably know who to talk to for the room situation.

"Excuse me?" I said startling her. She was a tall skinny woman, her grey hair placed neatly into a low bun.

"Yes? How may I help you young luna?" she gave me a sweet smile that didn't quite meet her tiered eyes.

"Who is in charge of the staff here?" when I said this worry took over her face.

"T.. That would be me." she bowed her head in respect.

"Perfect! I need some assistance with changing and cleaning a few of the rooms." she relaxed a little but still was apprehensive. "We are going to change the now emptied rooms into ones fit for alphas." her face lit up at the mention of other alphas.

"Yes ma'am. Just let me know what I can do to assist you." she looked almost eager to help now.

"Well first lets get them cleaned, I assume they emptied the larger rooms?" she nodded, "Perfect lets start there, when its done please come find me." I gave her a huge smile, maybe she was like how I use to be about those who live in this house.

With that she left her work for another she-wolf who appeared out of no where. She must run a tight ship, no wonder she was in charge of the staff. Val should be here soon, I took a granola bar and headed out front.