Page 7 of Fated In Winter

“Okay, let’s get this over with.”

I looked at Mitchell. “Is there something wrong? You have two wolves from different Packs here, ones that just were in a skirmish, and now both Betas of the Packs? I don’t know if I like this.”

“What she said,” Conner growled.

“It’s nothing bad. In fact, it’s good, but it’s a weird request.”

My eyes widened as Conner met my gaze, and he shook his head.

Good, he was just as in the dark as I was.

“As you know, our Packs are a little different from others,” Mitchell began, and Nick snorted.

Nick was young, even younger than Conner I thought, and he had so much power within him with the mantle of the Beta. The original Betas and Heirs and enforcers and everyone else in that hierarchy in the Redwoods were still around and still had connections to the Pack. But the Redwoods were so settled and peaceful that the moon goddess had blessed the next generation to give the older generation time to breathe. It was a great blessing to have that happen, rather than death or war, to create new leaders.

It meant that there was always someone there for advice, help, and to tend to the bonds.

The Talons didn’t have that, but with the way that the Brentwoods were procreating and how we were settling into our foundations in peace with the Redwoods, I thought maybe in a few decades it could happen to us too.

“Anyway,” Nick continued. “Yule is coming up, and we have never had a group event with both Packs to celebrate Yule and to thank the Alphas to show our support.”

I blinked, tilting my head. “What does that have to do with us?”

“You’ll see,” Mitchell answered. “Our Alphas have had so much pressure put on them, even more so than any of us because they hold the mantle of every single bond of every single Packmate within our dens. And as Betas, our job is to take care of the Pack’s needs. We ensure that every need of every single wolf is being met. And we haven’t been doing that enough.”

“Of course you have. You guys are just as exhausted as the Alphas are,” Conner began, and I nodded.

“Exactly.” I liked Conner that much better for noticing that and speaking up.

“Thanks,” Mitchell said dryly. “We’re working on it. It’s why we have the Omegas and enforcers and everybody taking care of each other. But what we need is to show the Alphas that they did something right. And we don’t want the burden to fall on the Alpha’s mates like it has in the past.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“We are going to hold a Yule celebration. And you two are going to plan it,” Mitchell said, and then grinned over at Nick.

I frowned. “Excuse me?”

“I’m not a party planner,” Conner growled.

“Neither am I. I might be a woman, but I don’t plan parties.”

Nick threw his hands up in the air and pulled a five-dollar bill out of his pocket. He handed it over to Mitchell and cursed under his breath. “I thought that you would pull out the growly and sexism card later, but here we are.”

Both Conner and I flipped off Nick in one motion and then grinned at each other. I pulled my gaze away, my wolf preening at the attention.

“What we’re saying is our wolves are telling us that you two need to be part of this. And if it’s the moon goddess saying that you two need a break and to be part of something bigger, then we’re going to listen.”

Mitchell let out a sigh. “So, to take care of our Alphas, to take care of our Packs, you two are going to be in charge of a joint Pack celebration for Yule. And you’re going to enjoy it. Or I’m going to get growly.”

I looked at my Beta and my gaze lowered instantly, my wolf clearly not as dominant as it needed to be. “Why us?” I whispered.

“You know why, Romy,” Mitchell whispered, even though all the wolves in the room would be able to hear. I swallowed, my heart breaking.

“You know why as well,” Nick mumbled, and Conner’s shoulders dropped too.

I didn’t know Conner, didn’t know why he needed to be grounded within the Pack any more than I did. But I understood my reasons. I understood that everyone was worried.

Because people were going rogue, the balance was off, and those without pure connections and deep threads were leaving us.

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