Landon

After a moment, I walked past Lourdes' office and she was not there. I thought it strange because she's usually always there to welcome me in the morning, but maybe she went to the bathroom. She's pregnant and I heard that makes women pee a lot.

I entered my office and focused on my paperwork. Of course I'd love nothing more than to take off for the week with my mate, but I need to pick my battles wisely. I'm sure there will be plenty of times when I'll need to take a day or two to be with Harry when he is away in Houston.

At least right now he is here. And I couldn't be happier that he is.

It's 9h30 and I'm already starting to get worried for my secretary. She's never late for work. I hope everything is okay with the baby, for the love of Goddess. She waited to have this pregnancy for so long...

Since it's Monday, I have a standing appointment with Delta Saunders for my mandatory training session. But before I went, I walked past my mother's office and alerted her of Lourdes' absence. She too was worried for her.

When I arrived at the training center, I looked around for Kyle, her mate, but he was nowhere to be found. I'm this close to mind linking her, but I don't want to sound like a naggy boss who reprimands an employee just because she was late for the first time ever, though I'm genuinely worried about her.

All the warriors bowed their heads to me as I made my way inside. Ares isn't here, naturally, but neither is Rhiannon for that matter. What is going on right now? Is there something in the water?

"Good morning, Delta. Can you tell me where Kyle Levy is, by any chance?" - I asked him in a troubled tone.

"His mate had a doctor's appointment today, so his shift doesn't start until noon. Is there a problem, Alpha?" - He informed me and I breathed out a huge sigh in relief.

"Oh thank Goddess!" - I gasped. Kurt was looking at me weirdly.

"No, there isn't any problem. It's just that his mate never showed up for work today, so I got worried for her." - I explained, feeling relieved and a bit embarrassed that I didn't know about her medical appointment.

"I'm sure she'll bring you a doctor's note later." - He deadpanned. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"That's not even remotely what I was worried about." - I grunted. Kurt Saunders is almost never in a good mood, but today he seemed detached. Colder than usual and that's saying something.

"Is everything okay with you, sir? You seem off today." - I asked him, equal parts intimidated and intrigued. Though he is nothing like my father, I grew up being trained by him, so I have the deepest respect for this man. He has been on the force for longer than I have been alive.

"Ares has quit the force." - He replied and I gasped in shock.

"What?!" - I shouted, which instantly got everyone's attention. We already have sensitive ears, so any shouting and people will stare right at you.

The head warrior was NOT happy about this fact. I swear I didn't see it coming.

"I just saw him earlier and he said he was on vacation! Why would he lie?" - I legitimately was baffled by this. I'd never think he would be brave enough to abandon his career that he and his father have spent so much time preparing [him] for.

"I don't know, Alpha. My guess is he doesn't want to spook Spencer by springing this big decision on him. But he told me he didn't want to be separated from his mate when he returns to Houston next week." - Kurt said, moping about it.

I'm gobsmacked by this. I never thought Ares would ditch his job to follow his mate along, though I can certainly see the appeal. Spencer has years ahead of him of studying. I guess he really is putting his mate first.

"Damn! I didn't see this coming..." - I'm really shocked. Not gonna lie.

"I think it's safe to say that he joined the force because of me. I put him through it. But for the past years it became more of a coping mechanism than a career for him. Now that he finally has a mate, his priorities lie elsewhere. Unfortunately, I have to respect that. I raised him to be his own man." - Kurt spoke, proudly though still saddened.

"I understand, sir. I kind of envy him a little for being so bold." - I admitted, mildly uncomfortable. But a bit jealous of him, not that I'd ever give up on being Alpha.

"Yeah, but we still have plenty of warriors. There's only one Alpha. And now it's time we train." - He declared, looking deep into my eyes. I can see today's session is gonna be a heavy one. This is going to hurt... *sighs*

Two hours later, I'm leaving the locker room showered and looking for Mr. Henderson. Since I'm here, I'm curious as to where his daughter is. Is it her day off? Or did she quit too?

At this point, nothing surprises me...

"Hello, Alpha. She cashed in her vacation days." - He informed me once I asked him about her.

"Her too? Man! What is up with these mated people?" - I gasped in shock. It's not like her mate is on vacation from college. He's still 40 minutes away from here, last time I checked.

"To be honest with you, I think she's having a crisis of faith. I can tell her last trip to the Blood Moon pack left her rattled." - He spoke with a worried expression. I can feel he is concerned about her state of mind.

"Right. I'm sure the rejection must be weighing on her. I never rejected anyone, but I know first hand the toll it takes on a mate." - I agreed. I also know she and Aaron had sex for the first time recently, but I'm not bringing this up right now. And especially not to her father of all people.

"Exactly. I don't think being separated from her Goddess given mate is doing well for her. She probably thought it'd be easier, but as the clock ticks the bond remains strong. If not stronger." - He pondered in a somber tone.

"I'm confident she'll make the best decision for herself. I'll be sure to check in on her, see if I can be of any assistance." - I said, worried about her. I'm going to text her soon, maybe stop by her house if she's up for it.

"Thanks, Alpha. I'm sure she'll be happy to hear from you." - Mr. Henderson spoke, smiling at me.

"Of course, sir. Please excuse me. Have a nice day." - I said goodbye to him and walked to my car parked outside.

Wow. So much news today. I'm equally astonished, starving and a little bruised from today's training.

When I arrived at the pack house, Lourdes was inside her office and I rushed to her side, feeling happy she was okay. I greeted her feeling relieved while she looked at me confused.

"I was so scared when you didn't show up for work. I thought something was wrong with the baby." - I told her, apprehensively.

"I had a doctor's appointment. I put it in the calendar." - She said, surprised I wasn't aware of this.

"You did? Oh my gosh!" - I blushed so hard right now. I walked to my office and there it was: August 14, Lourdes had a check up and would arrive later.

"I hope everything is alright with the baby." - I told her, walking back to her office.

"It's great, Alpha. Thanks for asking. Next time I'm gonna set up an alert on your phone so you don't freak out." - She smirked, poking fun at my nervous state.

"Please do. I'm going to the dining hall for lunch now. Have a nice break." - I said, walking away. She has her lunch inside the kitchen with the rest of the pack house staff.

I entered the dining room to find Ares and Spencer taking a seat. Harry and my family were also taking theirs.

"Is everything alright today at the training center?" - Harry asked me, not particularly curious about it.

"Yes, my love. Lots of news today." - I replied, staring at Ares who gulped uncomfortably.

"What news? Is everything okay?" - He inquired, now curious about it.

"Yes, it is. It turns out Rhiannon is also on vacation this week. Not just Ares." - I said with a poignant look his way. Ares could feel I know he's lying to his mate, but I don't want to openly call him out on it. It's ultimately none of my business.

"Oh really? Why? It's not like her mate is going back to college in a week..." - Harry was puzzled by this, as was everyone else.

"I don't know, but her father looked worried for her. I think I'm gonna stop by her house tomorrow, check in on her." - I announced in a concerned tone.

"You're a great friend, mate. You should do that." - Harry smiled at me.

"Thanks. Maybe..."

Suddenly, I noticed Spencer went ghost blank. He's already a pretty white guy, but now his cheeks have lost their color. I got worried for him.

"Is everything alright, Spencer? You look pale." - I asked him, troubled. Ares turned to him, also looking worried for his mate.

"Your father is mind linking the pack." - He declared, looking at Harry. All of us were surprised by this. Alpha is the only person who has the fortitude to communicate to everybody from his pack at the same time. That's because all pack members are linked through him.

"You get his mind link from here? Damn!" - Harry was shocked, even though the Blood Moon pack is only 40 minutes away by car.

Spencer burst into tears, crying loudly. Ares tried to comfort him, asking what was wrong. It wasn't until some time later that he was able to stop sobbing enough time to tell us:

"Mr. Thompson has died." - He cried out, sobbing at the unfortunate news.

All of us were distraught by this information. Though deep down, I should have known. He confessed to the crime. If Alpha Staedler wouldn't spare Spencer, let alone him. Though I'm sure he was a respected member of their pack.

"Alpha Staedler said Mr. Thompson was confirmed as the shooter and was sentenced to death in a private trial this morning. His funeral is probably going to be tomorrow after the legal and medical procedures are done." - Spencer told us, crying over his death. He looked wrecked. Ares hugged him as he sobbed uncontrollably.

Every pack has its own methods to deal with wolf related deaths. Usually, they have people inside hospitals and police departments. The death is ruled out by the medical examiner as an animal attack - which is true, since he was killed in wolf form.

There are some legal proceedings that have to be done, following human law. We live in a town with a vast majority of human population after all. The Blood Moon pack is no different than us, but they've been doing this for a century now. Their pack is as old as ours.

"I'm so sorry, Spencer. Please know that I never wished for his death. This brings me no solace." - I told him in a sorrowful tone. I can't bring myself to bear any grudge against the deceased.

"I know, Landon. It was not your decision, but Alpha Staedler said an example had to be made. No one can get away with shooting someone in front of the pack house. No matter who it is. He couldn't allow the person to live scot free." - He said, devastated.

As an Alpha, sometimes we have to make extremely unpopular decisions. Heart wrenching ones. It wasn't easy for myself to get around the idea of killing thousands of werewolves, but my grief and anger spoke louder.

On a day like today, the six month anniversary of my father's death, it's eerie that someone died for having tried to kill me. I wouldn't want to make this call, but I have to respect Alpha Staedler for going through with it.

The law is the law.

Ares took Spencer to his room shortly. No one could eat anymore after that, but I did take my siblings to visit my father's grave. It's imperative that we don't forget him, especially on a day like today.

He deserves to be celebrated for the great man that he was. As I'm sure Mr. Thompson will be by his loved ones. I cried when I saw my father's picture on this beautiful tombstone. So did my siblings.

I held Ella in my arms as she sobbed at the sight. None of us deserved to lose our father so soon, least of all her at 9 years old. But I have to remember him for the man that he was. The absolute best father a kid could have asked for. He lives on inside each of us, his children. Gone, but never forgotten.

https://youtu.be/VlbaJA7aO9M

A|N: No, I'm not crying. You're crying.

Ares, liar liar pants on fire.

Love,

Léo.