CHAPTER 17: THE PACK'S PROGRESS AND PERIL

Jason showed me the pack house. I carried out my plans of payback. When it was only us, I would take the lead and sway my hips or stand in a way that I knew drove him crazy. When he reached out, I'd move on, pretending like I didn't know what he wanted, earning me a growl each time.

When we got closer to people, I'd make provocative comments, then turn around and keep walking. I would smile because we were too close to people, and there was nothing he could do.

Jason talked throughout the tour while showing me each room. He started with the basement first. "There are four floors. The basement has extracurricular activities."

He led me downstairs, which opened up into a sitting area in the middle. He pointed out as he talked. "To the left is a full entertainment theatre area for movies or plays." He led me to the left of the sitting area, "Through here is a massive gym with all sorts of workout equipment that you are free to use whenever you want. In the large area, we lined it with mats for sparring."

There was a walkway around the mats, but he wasn't wrong. It was huge.

He continued, "Over here, we lined shelves with weapons with locks, so children can't open the cabinets." He showed me the weapon racks, and it was quite an impressive collection.

When we were done, he led me to the main floor. He pointed to each room. "Here, to the left, is the kitchen, which you found already. On the back half of the house is a very large dining room taking up the back half of the house. To the right is a ballroom, and in the center is our lounging area for pack members or guests to talk."

Julie came out of the kitchen holding cookies. "Hello, Alpha and Luna, would you like some freshly baked cookies? We made them as a treat for the pups."

"Yes, please," I said as I grabbed one, and Jason grabbed three. I chuckled and shook my head.

"Thank you, Mrs. Julie." She bared her neck and left out the back door.

Jason continued with the tour, "We remodeled this entire floor. The kitchen and dining area were very small. The prior Alphas didn't eat with the pack, so the kitchen was only big enough to cook for the ranked wolves." Jason sounded disappointed in them. "When we took over, that was the first thing we changed. We made the kitchen and dining area much bigger so anyone who wanted to eat at the pack house could. They send the kitchen how many meals they want from the pack house each month, so they shop for what we need. If families don't want to eat here, they can eat at home instead."

Then he led me to the last door on the right. "This here is our ballroom. We put on an annual ball in the winter, and packmates use it for birthday parties, weddings, or any other event."

When we left the ballroom, we walked upstairs. "We can stop at each floor if you want to, but the second floor is for guests. The third floor, to the left, houses the pack house staff, and on the right, those rooms are for the Beta and Gamma and their families, if they choose to stay here."

"No, I'm good," I said as we kept walking to the top floor.

Jason nodded and said, "Lastly, the fourth floor. You know that on the right are our rooms. On the left is a massive library and some conference rooms and our offices, but I want to show you the library." I thought the library in our office was big. This one reminded me of the library in the Beauty and the Beast movie. Not as big as that one, but still massive.

"Everyone is allowed up here; we don't hoard knowledge like the other Alphas did. That is why we built an elevator that leads to this floor only. Pack members can use this elevator to get to our offices as well."

I already knew that on the right side are the four Alpha's bedrooms, Luna's private suite, a nursery, and the Alphas' shared room. They left the nursery empty so I could decorate it how I wanted to.

So, he showed me the conference rooms next, then lastly led me to our office. My desk was the one in front of the window between my four mates. Jason and Zane are on my right, and Dean and Luke are on the left. In between our desks and the door is a sitting area.

When we opened the door, Zane and Dean were working. "Do you guys want to join the tour?" asked Jason.

"No, I have reports to review. Deek emailed me about rogues spotted in the area," then he looked up. I walked over to him and gave him a kiss. "You can update us when we get back from the tour." Then I looked at Dean, "What about you, Dean? Do you want to join us?"

"Sure, I've hit a brick wall. Maybe a walk will help clear my mind," he said as he stood and walked with me to the door.

"Maybe after Zane updates us on what's going on with the rogues, we can take a look at it. Sometimes it helps to have a fresh set of eyes," I suggested.

"That is a great idea," replied Dean with excitement.

"Bye, Zane, we will see you in a bit," I said as we walked out the door. We took the elevator down to the main floor.

The pack house has a wraparound porch with lots of porch swings. In the back of the house, there are three large decks. The left deck is nothing but tables for dining. The middle deck is slightly lower than the right and left decks. It has more dining tables but also sitting areas.

On the right is a massive outdoor kitchen. There are 5 heavy-duty massive grills, 5 smokers, 3 giant stoves with ovens, and on the side, there are 4 more stacked ovens. These people know how to grill out. In the backyard is a giant park for kids to play in. There are a dozen swings, 2 large playsets with slides, a couple of merry-go-rounds, and lots of other play equipment. They have a full basketball court and an Olympic-size indoor/outdoor pool.

There were people grilling and children playing. Jason introduced me to a few of the families before moving on with the tour. The packlands are very clean and well-maintained. The further back we went, the houses began to look a little run-down.

Jason went to help a kid who fell off their bike, so Dean took over the tour.

"The last Alpha, Alpha Neo, spent all the pack's funds on the pack house and a few of the houses close by for the higher-ranking wolves and council members. He did not put much money or resources into the other houses," Dean explained with disappointment.

It clearly showed. I don't know how he could let it get this bad. There were a few houses in the very back that I would tear down before someone got hurt.

"We are working to fix everything," said Dean as Jason joined us again. "Jason and I worked on a plan and an order in which to fix the houses. We are about 73% complete. While fixing the houses, we are also renovating the other half of the school. Once we are done with the houses, they will start on some of the other businesses. Unfortunately, the businesses will have to help themselves for the most part."

"How can an Alpha let the houses get so bad? Some of those I would condemn and tear down so no one gets hurt," I asked, not understanding how someone could let this happen to those he is supposed to protect and care for.

"Greed," Jason summed it up perfectly with that one word.

"How come no one stood up to him or spoke out? Asked for resources or money to fix things?" I asked.

"Because to do that would be to challenge him. My brothers and I moved from the United States to over here because we didn't find you over there. We decided to travel to find you. When we heard about what was going on here, we decided to settle here with the intent of trying to challenge the old Alpha. There was a rogue attack, and the Alpha ran like a coward. My brothers and I led the pack to victory. It was after the show of cowardice that we challenged and killed the old Alpha. We also let go of 3 out of 5 council members. They were the only two that were helping the pack behind the Alpha's back. We have been Alphas for almost 2 years now. We still have a lot more to rebuild, but we are getting there."

"I think you're all doing a fantastic job. You helped save and rebuild a community you didn't have to. You stop and make time for your people, no matter how big or small the request. You guys are just what this pack needed." We walked in silence after that as we headed back to the pack house.

"Look, I have made more money than I know what to do with. I want to give it to the pack," that surprised Dean and Jason.

I added, "This is not up for negotiation. They are my pack too, and I want to take care of them and make sure nothing like that ever happens again. We can even expand our territory and accept new members. I would like for this pack to take in people who need a good, stable home, like Michelle and Cammy. We can't do that with condemned houses."

Jason is looking at me with pride shining in his eyes. "Let's talk to my brothers, but I think that is a great idea. You are going to make an amazing Luna."

"We could help the businesses that we normally wouldn't be able to help," said Dean, crunching numbers in his head. I giggled.

"It's hard to believe you guys aren't biological brothers because of how similar yet different you guys are," I said.

"We are not blood brothers, but we are in every other sense of the word," he said with pride. Then he said with a little sadness, "Our bond was forged on the battlefield at first. Then through the hardships in life."

"I'm sorry you all went through what you did, but I think it helped make you the men you are today, and I wouldn't change a damn thing about you," I said with total confidence that made him smile.

"How was the tour?" asked Luke, walking up to us.

I wasn't expecting to see him so soon. I ran into his arms, excited to see him.

"It was great. I am impressed with how much improvement you have made in just 2 years," I say, and you can see the pride shining in their eyes.

All of a sudden, Luke freezes, and they turn serious. "What is it?" I ask.

"Get everyone inside, rogues are attacking," Zane says as he comes rushing outside.