Page 21 of The Alpha: Part Three
Talia has decided that they're ready to go back home. Luca is sturdy enough for travel, and Talia is ready. Devon is a little bit past ready, but I get the feeling that he's not happy or satisfied no matter where he is. He isn't even a little satisfied with the fact that Brandon will be going back with them, and even less happy about him staying in Seth's old garage apartment; but he's dealing with it. Much more quietly now that Talia has given him the “mom look”.
Brandon isn't happy with their method of travel. He doesn't think they should fly. He says he'd feel a whole lot better if they were on the ground.
“It would take much longer to drive across the territories, kid,” Alex explains. “A few hours in a plane with three toddlers and a newborn is much easier and safer than driving for days with a ton of stops along the way.”
“They'll stay in their car seats, though, right?” Brandon reluctantly asks. “They won't be running around the plane?”
Corso jumps in. “They will be in their seats until the plane gets into the air, and then they will be able to sit with us if they want. We would never allow them to run through the plane. They will likely flock to you.”
Brandon nods and looks into the bag we brought him. He has things here. Somewhere. I don't know where he keeps them, but Desie insisted that he needed new things for his new life. So we bought him new stuff. And a new bag to put it in, as well as a new phone of his own that we will pay for. We wanted him to be able to call home whenever he needed to. It's already programmed with all the numbers he'll need and some pictures of Cody and Joseph. He might be rough around the edges, but he's as anxious as he is determined. We wanted to help where we could.
“We'll leave early in the morning,” Talia chirps. “You'll stay here tonight so we can get to the airport in time. What time do we need to be at the WCC this afternoon, Seth?”
Minos wanted to have a big, fat meeting before Talia's pack went back east. He said it wasn't a huge deal, but he wanted our pack and as much of Talia's as they were comfortable sending in attendance. Desie, Talia, the kids, and half of her pack will stay here while the rest of us, including Jasper, attend the meeting. Nobody wants Jasper to go, but he said he'd get there whether he went with us or not. We believed him so he's going with us. And he'll just have to be mad about us keeping him in the middle of all of us. He's a lot of intense and interesting things, but he's still an omega no matter how strange the energy that rolls off of him feels; and omegas will be protected whether they like it or not.
“He said 2pm.”
She nods. “And he hasn't mentioned what it's about?”
Seth shakes his head. “No. He just said it was important and to get everyone that I could to come with me. I don't like it. Why would I need to put your pack at risk if it was something good? I don't like it at all.”
“I agree, Pratchett,” Reid says. “If it was nothing to worry about, then he wouldn't have requested extra support.” Reid is having a much more difficult time than anyone else right now. There is no way for him to be here with Talia and at the meeting with Jasper and he obviously feels very much like he needs to be in both places. “Are you sure I can't persuade you to stay back, Jasper? I would feel much better if you and Talia were in one location.”
“She could come with us,” Jasper suggests, raising his eyebrows. “The kids will be fine with Desir'ee; and Alex, Nathan, Kaleb, and you will keep everyone nice and safe.”
The sour look that Reid gives him makes him smile.
“I want to go, Reid,” Jasper says. “I probably won't be able to see anything, anyway. You know they'll guard me to the point of suffocation.”
“They better,” Reid grumbles and stalks out of the kitchen.
Once we get to the WCC building, everyone straightens their shoulders and puts on their best go-fuck-yourself expression as we walk through the door. A secretary leads us upstairs to the boardroom and asks us if we'd like water or coffee. None of us are inclined to accept any drinks inside this building, regardless of how safe Minos assures us we are. Especially with Jasper with us.
The anxiety flowing freely between us amps up when the first council member through the door is Alpha Aceves, and it tightens uncomfortably when he's followed in by Alpha Urwin. Neither are upstanding citizens and both are corrupt council members. One or both of them were ring-side more often than not when Michael and I were being held by Flores. This is the first time we've seen them since The Back House and if either of them are surprised to see us here it doesn't show on their faces.
The other council members file in and Minos walks in one minute before the meeting is set to begin. Everyone stands when he enters and waits until he's seated to sit back down. The only one of our group sitting at the table is Seth. Me and Michael are standing directly behind him and everyone else is fanned around us with Jasper safely surrounded in the middle.
“Are we ready to begin?” Minos asks, looking around at the people seated and gathered. When everyone nods, he continues. “Thank you all for coming today. I understand that it is time consuming with travel and whatnot, but this is an all hands situation. You're all aware of the passing of Ernesto Flores?”
I don't miss the quick look exchanged between Urwin and Aceves. The way Michael's head tilts in their direction tells me he saw it, too.
“We called a meeting to talk about that asshole?” Alpha Estrada asks, lifting her brows. “Surely he isn't worth an entire council meeting.”
Several people laugh, but not Urwin and Aceves. Michael and Seth aren't hiding the fact that they noticed. Devon and Corso have also noticed, which means everyone is beginning to notice.
“Not him specifically,” Minos replies. “Just the aftermath. I've been watching him closely for some time now. I've learned a great deal about him and the company he kept. I've learned so much, in fact, that a council meeting has unfortunately become necessary. Would you all like a big, official speech? Or would you rather me just get to it?”
“Get to it, Minos. I have a birthday celebration to get to,” Alpha Estrada says. “And nobody wants to sit through one of your speeches today.” She smiles and looks every bit like a proud grandmother.
Minos nods. “Very well. You all know Alpha Pratchett by now. I've asked him to join the WCC.”
Shock and outrage spreads through the room, but there are a few who look pleased with the news; including Alpha Estrada.
“That's unacceptable, Minos,” Urwin spits. “He isn't from this territory. He has no holding here.”
“Untrue," Alpha Roblado argues. “He has a holding here through his pack. I was the second signature on their registration. Benjamin and Michael are very active in their community, and their omega is a Romero. The late Alpha Romero should have been on the council years before his passing, we all wanted him.”
“Not all of us,” Aceves says. “And he never wanted a seat.”
