Page 61 of Holiday Surprise

Looking out at all the scared yet trusting faces was hard. It was one thing to make plans just based off of the facts, but I hadn’t counted on the emotional aspect of a relocation like this.

Oliver raised his hand next and I nodded for him to speak. “Luke, you know you can stay here as long as it takes. I know it’s a bit cramped and not the ideal situation, but we’re Pack. We’re making it work and we’ll continue to do so.”

“I appreciate that Oliver, and everything you and Peyton have done this week, but we can’t put you guys out long term. It’s not right. Tempers will start to flare, heck we’ve already seen a few instances of that, and it’s only been three days.”

“And you’re sure the trailer park can’t be fixed?”

“I’m afraid we’d only be able to build half of it and that would require us to do most of the work ourselves. All of the forecasts are predicting the first major snowstorm of the year to hit next week. You know once that sets in, we wouldn’t be able to really start clearing the land even until spring. We can’t survive like this, stuck in limbo, for that long. We’d be displaced for months, maybe a year or more even. Plus, there’s no land there for us to run. I want better for us.”

Oliver nodded sadly. “I understand Alpha.”

“Come spring I may hire you and your brothers to clear the land. We can always sell it,” I suggested.

“But we won’t be here,” Kenneth said. “We’re relocating too.”

Oliver and Peyton shared a look.

“That’s really up to you, Kenneth. It’s up to all of you,” I told them. “I’ve already spoken with Thomas. Anyone who wishes to stay here will have the opportunity to give allegiance to Collier. No hard feelings. No questions asked. I trust that he can provide and care for any of you left behind. Setting my pride aside, that’s the only thing that matters to me right now. You hear me?”

Heads nodded all over the room. Sid Parker stood, and everyone quieted down. I nodded at him to speak.

“I was wrong to follow Jedidiah and divide the Collier Pack the way we did. I think each and every one of your parents realized that before they passed on, too. Jed talked a valiant game and made this new and wonderful life sound so enchanting and desirable, but we all know he didn’t live up to his hype, as my daughter would say.” Nettie smiled up at her father. “I always thought if I had the chance to do it over again, I’d never have left Collier. Luke, you’re not your predecessor. He was our demise and you are our savior. You’re giving me the opportunity to go home, but you’ve proven yourself worthy enough to follow. I choose to take your lead. My family and I will not be staying. I have no doubts that the young Collier Alpha is a good one, and under other circumstances I would take that offer, but I’ve watched you grow into the kind of leader that I’m proud to stand behind.”

He took a seat, and everyone stared, stunned. I wasn’t sure old Sid had ever said that many words combined in all the years I’d known him.

“I appreciate that, Sid, more than you know.”

“I’ve enjoyed the life we’ve settled down into this last year. It’s a good one, but we’ve been through a hell of a lot worse than this and together, we’ll come out all the stronger on the other side. We’ll find the right place for us, Luke,” Cruz said.

Kenneth rose. “I’m going, too,” he said.

Oliver looked like he was going to be sick, but he remained calm. I could see Peyton holding on for dear life. The last thing I wanted to do was break up this family.

“Now hold on you guys. I’m not asking for allegiance lines to be drawn today or decisions to be made. I’m just presenting you with the facts and what I’m planning to do about it. There will be time to absorb all of this and really think about what is best for you as an individual.”

“We’re wolves, Alpha. Pack before self,” Fred hollered out. I was taken aback by how many heads nodded at his statement.

“In light of the situation and because it’s been one hell of a stressful week for all of us, I propose a run,” Sydney said.

Peyton smiled, relaxing just a little. “I agree,” she said.

I shrugged. “I was planning on calling for one New Year’s Eve, but if you guys want to do that now, I’m all for it.”

“We can do it then, too,” Oliver suggested. “No reason why not.

Excitement was already lifting in the room. “Why not,” I said.

We headed out back and soon stacks of clothes were piled up on the back porch. They were an even greater commodity than ever right now, so no one was going to risk shredding them.

Sydney and I shifted first and took off running side-by-side. The others followed. It was a perfect night.

Later that night we settled into the guest room. Peyton had tried to insist that we take the master bedroom, but it connected to their daughter’s bedroom and we’d already put them out enough. We finally settled on the guest room, though I felt guilty for taking a room for just two people when every other one was crammed to the max.

“You know, today didn’t feel so suffocating with your help.”

She gave me a smirk. “True mates, Luke. My mom always said that true mates completed each other, like two halves of a whole. Without the other, you would always be incomplete, but together the balance of life is restored. In other words, , you can try to work through things with only half of yourself, but you’ll only make life harder on you.”

I grinned.

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