"Gentlemen, if I may be so rude as to interrupt your presentation? You'll have to pardon my confusion, but I assumed you were the Gamma Council, yet this feels like a board meeting."
Shrugging, John, a blond dude in his mid-thirties, loosened his tie. "You're not wrong, Alpha. The four of us all hold executive positions. The winery is our primary job in the business of running this pack. There aren't many personal issues. Our members keep to themselves and solve their own problems."
The man next to him, a slick Italian guy named Tony with a prominent New York accent, nodded in agreement. "What he said. Yo, we don't worry about what they do in their own homes. We care about whether or not they do their jobs and the product gets handled. And since every pack member has a share in the winery, getting the people to work isn't a problem."
Miguel, the oldest of the group yet still somewhere in his forties, raised a hand with a mild-mannered smile. "Perhaps I can shed some clarity on the situation, Alpha. We're simply doing our jobs as required by Alpha Macklebee. He felt the winery took precedence. Each of us were chosen for the council based on our educational background and ability to manage the business."
I glanced across the conference table, making eye contact with the youngest person in the room. Despite staring me down like he had something to prove, he hadn't had much to say as of yet. Either that, or he wanted to impress me. Hard to tell, especially with a guy who looked twenty-five if he was a day. I figured I'd keep an open mind and a watchful eye since his attitude could go either way. I held his gaze long enough to remember his name before speaking.
"What about you, Ramon? Are you happy shuffling papers, or would you like to be more involved in running the pack?"
Ramon's eyebrows shot up. "Seriously? Alpha outlined our positions himself. I mean, yeah. I wouldn't mind getting out of the office, but not if you want me to start supervising out in the field or working in the warehouse. I'd be down to host one of the tourist groups in the tasting room, but anything else would be a demotion."
Puffing my cheeks out, I cleared my lungs in a loud burst of air before standing and walking around the table. As I moved, I let the Alpha pheromones fly and made a point to touch each of them on the shoulder or cup a hand over the back of their necks while I better explained myself.
"Gentlemen, I've heard enough. While the winery is important, and I have to say you have a real nice operation going here, it's not your primary job. Here's the problem—you're running this place like humans. Where are your wolves? Where are those lupine sensibilities demanding pack?"
Tony lifted his chin, his eyes flashing with annoyance. "Caring about the business supporting us all doesn't make us less of a wolf than you. Maybe if you read your contract, you’d see you have just as much interest as we do in keeping things running smooth. As Alpha, you automatically own forty percent. What do you think paid for that nice-ass house you're moving into today? Don't put us down when we're lining your pockets too."
In three steps, I was at his side, gripping the back of his neck with a snarl. "I'm an easygoing guy, but even I won't allow a pack member to disrespect my position."
Instantly, his head tilted to the left, baring his neck in submission. "S-sorry, Alpha. I didn't mean no rudeness, truly."
"Thank you, Tony." Releasing him, I took a step to the right and knocked on the table a few times. "Pay attention, gentlemen. Today is when we start fresh. The day we remember we are a pack first and foremost. The business, while important, can only ever come second to the pack. I'm going to be making a lot of changes around here, so prepare yourselves. Together, we are going to rediscover the kind of pack with a sense of humor who named their winery so appropriately. The Drunken Wolf? I love it. Help me find those people, the ones who didn't take themselves as seriously."
Scratching his head, John looked puzzled. "How can we hold a place of leadership if we have no sense of decorum?"
"Good question." I smirked, tapping my forefinger against the side of my head. "It's all about moderation, John. You'll see, and in a few months, you'll be glad I saved you from spreadsheets and pie charts. I don't care if you guys want to maintain your positions here in the winery, but I'm going to require a more hands-on approach to other pack matters. I'm also going to institute required pack runs and open my home for a weekly potluck. Small changes will get us started. Before we know it, the people here will be pack members rather than shareholders."
Raul had been surprisingly silent up until now. So much so I'd almost forgotten he was there until the sound of a slow clap got my attention. He was grinning like a mofo. "Allow me to be the first to extend the wrist, Alpha. As Beta of the Tehachapi pack, I am both proud and pleased to accept you as my Alpha. Gamma Council, I don't think we need a vote, but if you need one, mine is aye." As he spoke, he got out of his seat and walked over to the open area beside the table. Hitting his knees and bowing his head, Raul extended his arm with his wrist held up for my bite.
The Gamma Council came to life, reeking of excitement. Hell, the air was so charged, I was tempted to open a window. They shared a quick glance before nodding without any discussion. Proudly looking me in the eye, Miguel proudly delivered their verdict. "Alpha Lucian Smith, we the Gamma Council of the Tehachapi Pack accept you as our Alpha.” They surged to their feet, rushing over to join Raul and assume the same positions.
I'd never felt more touched in my life. Swallowing and blinking back some allergy-related moisture, I walked over to stand before them. "Thank you, gentlemen. I know your official acceptance is required by tradition and mostly ceremonial, but I appreciate it. As for your personal submission, words can't describe how much your actions have touched me. Together, we're going to build something special here. You have my word on it."
As I took a moment to bite each of their wrists, my body buzzed with the pack connection forming between us. Once I finished here, I'd have to see about sweet-talking Essie into my weekly pack potluck. Food was always a good place to start when forming a family, at least in my book. Hopefully, she wouldn't kill me for announcing it to the gammas before discussing it with her.
Hopefully.
Four
Lucian
Present Day
After a month, my new pack was finally starting to feel like one. The weekly potlucks and setting up a rotation of deltas had gone a long way. The Gamma Council had visited Matt's pack over in Lucerne Valley and were acting more and more like pack leaders than winery executives.
Altogether, I was happy with the way things were going. Tonight would be our second official run, another thing to help cement our fledgling pack consciousness. And the reason I was racing home like my ass was on fire.
Honestly, I shouldn't have even gone for a ride today. It wasn't like I'd needed a break or anything, but my wolf demanded it. For the last several days, he'd been on edge. Since tonight was his chance to run free, I’d hoped he’d chill out, but no such luck, so I tried distracting him.
Goddess knew I’d needed to feel the road under me anyway; it had been way too long since I’d been out.