Page 44 of Holiday Surprise

“Great, it’s settled then. I’ll give Lily a call to let her know you’re on your way.”

She was still squealing with every other word as she ran over and explained her new job offer to Kenneth. He hugged her and swung her around in celebration, then she ran to get her things and was soon off on her way.

I followed her out and called the store.

“Hey,” she answered.

“Hey? That’s how you answer my store phone?”

“Oh please, like you don’t have caller Id and I didn’t know it was you.” I was certain she was rolling her eyes.

“Fine, well, Chasity is on her way. Are you sure you don’t mind sticking around and getting her settled in? I could still come straight back there.”

“Would you stop? I am capable of doing this. You are a Pack Mother, too, so go do your Pack Mothering things and don’t worry about this place.”

“Thanks, Lil. You’re the best,” I said disconnecting.

I hadn’t told her how Luke had brushed me off and didn’t want or need my help. Instead, I took her up on her offer and then drove straight to my place. I let myself in and walked straight to my bedroom. I kicked off my shoes, not even bothering to change, pulled back my blanket, then collapsed into bed. I pulled the covers over my head. I finally gave in to the turmoil I felt inside, and I cried.

Luke

Chapter 19

When I arrived at the trailer park, the adjuster was already heading for his car. I jumped out of my truck and ran to him.

“Wait, I’m sorry I’m late, but I’m here now. Please don’t leave,” I practically begged.

“Mr. Larken, I’ve done my walk through of the property and my findings are no different than the last two adjusters that came out here in as many days. Take the cash out offer, Luke. It’s a good deal”

“It’s not a good deal. How can it be when I can’t get our homes livable off what your so-called insurance company is willing to pay?”

“I can appreciate your dilemma, but the truth is, these trailers are so old and already in such disarray that it would cost three times the value of this whole place, if not more, just to replace, and you never carried full coverage to begin with. The company has already agreed to pay max value. There’s nothing else I can do here.”

“But max value won’t replace even half of the homes here,” I argued.

“I’m aware, and I’m sorry. The policy you have is old and limited,” he pointed out.

“It was done by my predecessor. He cut corners and cost everywhere he could. I should have looked more closely at it.”

“Yes, you should have, but I’m afraid it’s too late now. We’re doing all we can for you. Take the offer.”

Without another word, he got in his car and drove away. I looked around at the charred remains of my pack’s home. I know Jed liked to lowball things, but I never dreamed property insurance would be one of them. The adjuster was right. I should have looked closer at the policy and ensured we were protected. I failed them all. I wasn’t fit to be called Alpha.

The fear of the reality I’d put us in was paralyzing. Even if we did most of the work ourselves and I pulled all the finances I could muster to make up the difference, it would still take months to get the place cleared, leveled, and rebuilt to code. We couldn’t live at Peyton and Oliver’s for months.

I already knew the area well, and there was no place for us to go. We already lived in the lowest income housing possible. There was nothing left for us here. I fought to control my breathing as the reality of our situation suffocated me. I was going to have to move the pack.

I didn’t know where we would go, but it was our only hope. There were cheaper places to live down south. Maybe I could even afford a little land from the insurance policy payout, a place we could run. It wasn’t going to be easy, but we could do it. We had to.

I knew several of the guys had worked hard for Collier at the ranch. I thought maybe he’d accept anyone that didn’t want to move on. They’d probably be better off in Collier anyway, but there was no way I was going to force them to leave. The choice would be theirs. I was certain Oliver and his brothers would stay for Peyton, but I didn’t know how the others would react, and I dreaded finding out.

After watching the sun set, I sat there in the dark trying to just be still. My wolf had been so agitated since the fire and I wasn’t used to that. I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, but eventually, with a heavy heart and feeling like a complete failure, I got in the truck and drove back to Oliver’s. I needed to talk to Sydney first and break the news to her. I owed her that. I was sure she was going to regret having bonded with me and I felt terrible for going through with it knowing what I know now. Even an unresolved bond would have been easier to live with than this.

When I arrived back at the house, I didn’t see Sydney’s car out front. Then again, there were a ton of cars and it was dark already.

I let myself in and found a team cleaning up diner dishes.

“Hey,” Peyton said when she saw me. “You okay?”

---