Page 31 of Rejection on the Full Moon

“That was smart, bringing those here,” Blue states, pulling me in for a hug. He informs us that the top two floors are dedicated for my pack, leaving us about twenty-eight rooms for us to use.

“Everyone, gather round,” I call for my pack, waiting for everyone to quiet down and listen.

“Someone link the wolves that took off in their fur forms to tell them what’s happening. Forest Paw left us twenty-eight rooms for us to use.” I start off, seeing Miles’ eyes glaze over.

“Mates will share a room, leaving us with about eighteen rooms left. The rest will be bunking with two girls in one room and two boys in another. Pair up and pick a room for you to settle into. We have no idea how long this blizzard will last, so make sure you pick someone you won’t want to kill by the end of this storm.” Instantly, wolves pair off, mates excited to bunker down with each other as they start to get their rooms ready.

“Guess I’ll bunk with Dom, so Lease and Concra can have some sisterly bonding,” Miles suggests, causing Dominic and Bill to growl at him.

“You do understand that Bill is Lease’s mate, right, and that Dominic and Amberle are mates now?” Christian asks our idiotic friend, watching everyone’s faces turn to look at Dominic and I in shock.

“Wait, when did this happen!” Lease yells, rushing to give me a hug and tilting my head to the side to show off the still-healing mate mark.

“Five days ago. I ended up getting my heat the same day too, which is why we stayed away.” I confess. Dominic breaks up the many questions that begin to sound from our pack mates, reminding them that now is not the time as we have to be ready for the blizzard.

With reluctance, my pack mates begin to unload their cars, Omegas of Forest Paw helping to carry their luggage up the stairs. Of course, Dominic and I chose a room at the end of the hallway, him going to put our clothes away in the drawers as I check the suitcase that holds my Tracker uniform, happy to see everything accounted for.

“Everything is put away. Do you want to go get food?” Dominic asks, wrapping his arms around me from behind and resting his head on my shoulder. Of course, with the news of the blizzard and us having to make our way to our ally’s pack house, the need for food was put on hold. My stomach growled, feeling hollow, and I nod, turning around to kiss my mate before pulling him towards the door. I’m surprised to see how full the dining hall is, as wolves who normally have their meals at home are crammed into the pack house, either in the hallways, the large formal room across the dining room or cramming into seats inside the dining hall. Omegas were running about, refilling the buffet station and the hot drinks. But the one person I expected to see here is not. Leo is nowhere to be found while his pack whispers amongst themselves anxiously. Of course, he would neglect everyone with the threat of a storm looming over our heads.

“Go grab us some food and find us a seat. I need to do something.” I tell Dominic, kissing his cheek before finding an empty chair and dragging it to the center of the room. Standing on the chair, I take a deep breath and count to three.

“Can I have everyone’s attention, please!” I yell, wolves nearest to me shushing one another as I wait for silence to settle down. Once everyone is focused on me and parents have their pups under control, I look around the room and smile.

“Due to recent events, I will be postponing training for today. I estimate we have three hours until the blizzard hits, and I would like for preparations to be completed before then. We need to have a few of you go out and purchase more food to last for at least two weeks. Some wolves will have to go out and purchase or gather firewood in case the power goes out, and we need to keep the heat by using the fireplace and cook on the wood stoves.” I start, smiling when Serena comes to stand beside me, a clipboard with the tasks I’ve announce written out.

“Who will go to purchase food?” Hands rise into the air as ten people volunteer, with Zack, Greg, and Blue being among them.

“Okay, after you eat, please head out immediately. Go two to a car, and each of you choose a different store to go to. Don’t forget toiletries and other essential products. Now, who will go for firewood?” another set of hands rise, about twenty wolves—a mix of Forest Paw and Blood Moon—volunteer. This included Bill, Christian, Dominic, and Axel, as well as Scarlet.

“Okay, I want ten of you to go out and buy some, and the rest in the forest cutting trees and logs. Same thing as the food crew: two to a car, pick different stores to go to, and leave immediately after you eat.” Serena is fast at writing down the names of the volunteers. Lease comes over to list the wolves from Blood Moon who chose to go. Looking at the room full of wolves, I notice the number of pups and teenagers milling about, deciding to give them a task as well.

“For their safety, anyone sixteen and under will stay inside the pack house. Those fourteen to sixteen years old will help with cooking and putting the food and provisions away when the group returns. The elderly will also stay inside. I would prefer if you all stay in the basement, where the game room, pack library and toy room for the pups are held away from the windows. The rest of you will be closing the storm shutters and making sure all the fireplaces are lit. Solar panels are to be protected, and I need a few handy wolves to keep an eye on our backup generator.” I receive a yes ma’am from the crowd, their own faces a mix of relief and determination in having some form of plan and leadership in this situation. Lease and Serena are smiling at me, both now sporting a clipboard each as they decide to stay with me, the designated leader for storm-proofing. 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 had 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 could 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 would 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 would 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 pack, 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 felt 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. 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.

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