"Shit. You're not wrong. We have to get something figured out and fast. Hard decision, though. On the one hand, I think mixing with the pack and getting socialization would be good for the boys. Human kids need it too, but wolf pups thrive on it. I would've been lost if I hadn't been able to go to school. But we also have to think about their security. I don't want to be like your dad and hide them away at home or start tunneling an underground city. I suppose we have deltas to keep them safe, though. They can patrol the school easily enough."
I was mostly thinking out loud, but security was an equally important aspect to consider. Especially since an outsider knew there were young omegas in our pack. "I never should've risked bringing Bart here. Sure, his pack can be a good line of defense if one or more of the city alphas decide to head our way, but I'm not convinced it was worth the fallout."
Resting his head on my shoulder, Elisha rubbed a hand over my chest. "You were doing your best, and finding allies was a good idea. Don't let Bart's disgusting question make you second-guess yourself. We each have our strengths, remember? I like focusing on pack needs, like educating our young, beautifying the community, and making sure everyone’s happy and well fed.”
He paused to kiss the underside of my chin. “But Matt? Safety is paramount, and the sole reason I'm free to relax enough to handle my jobs is because you made me feel secure. You've made the choices you have so far for safety. Besides, it's not your fault those stupid city alphas want to chase you down because they think you're some young punk who won't see them coming. If they do attack, it'll be because they've underestimated you. And finding allies, whether you like them or not, is further proof you're on top of our security needs."
"You're so good for me. I don't know how I ever existed without you, little wolf. I didn't realize how big a job I was taking on with this pack, but I don't regret it for a second. Not only because I feel this is where I'm supposed to be in my bones, but getting to be your mate is worth whatever I have to do. And I don't have any doubts we're building a strong pack and a good community here."
Elisha lifted his head to give me a soft, sweet kiss. After he pulled away, he sat up straight. "I might have a solution. Since the schoolhouse is going to need repairs after sitting so long—I know as much without checking the place out—what if we held school here in the community room? I'll need to get to work on this right away. But I'm willing to take the lead on the project if it's okay with you. I can meet with Christina and Brenda and whatever other educationally minded people we have in the pack. Get some suggestions, run a few ideas around, and then I can touch base with you before I proceed. Although I would need a budget."
Groaning, I rolled my head back to stare at the ceiling. "And now we're back to money." I was chuckling as I looked back at him. "Remember, you have to attend whatever budget meetings the Gamma Council requires for it, but yes. Please feel free to make this your pet project and run with it. All I need is a promise you won't hesitate to ask for help if you need anything." Resting my hand on his belly, I rubbed a gentle circle while I held his gaze. "And don't overdo it. Take a lesson from Paula and learn to delegate. She wears herself out because she has to oversee everything."
"I'm a step ahead of you, Matt. I've been doing a lot less since the boys arrived, anyway. I wanted to spend time with them and reconnect. And I know once the baby comes, I'll want bonding time. My plan is to get people on board who know what they're doing and let them handle it. I'll stay on top of everything, but our family will always take priority."
"You know what you need? A Jared." I held up a hand at his startled laugh. "I don't mean another beta—Jared would never allow it anyway. But in addition to everything he does to keep track of the pack, he's a valuable assistant, and I’d be lost without him. Yes, this is exactly what you need, and I'm going to see about getting you some help. Hell, how about I mention it to Jared and let him make it happen?"
Elisha hesitated before smiling as the idea grew more appealing. "You don't think I'm too young? Because I can think of a lot of things an assistant could do for me to make life a lot easier."
"Age is nothing but a number, or so they say, and has nothing to do with your workload or need for help. You're doing so many things around here, and you've proven yourself more responsible than half the adults I've come across. So… are you saying yes?"
He grinned with a mischievous look in his eye. "Yes, but let's have Jared do the interviewing. He knows what I’m looking for." I chuckled at his subtle payback for the nanny fiasco. The funniest thing was I knew Jared would love handling it.
Right on cue, a tap sounded on my door, and Jared poked his head in. "Sorry to interrupt, but I have an interesting situation requiring your attention."
Elisha lowered his leg as if ready to get up. "Did you need both of us, or should I give you privacy?"
Stepping in and closing the door, Jared looked as excited as Noah on pancake day. "No, please stay. The deltas called me to the main checkpoint when a guy showed up in a big moving truck with a small caravan of cars behind him."
Okay, my interest was piqued. "I take it there wasn't anything to be concerned about?"
"Not at all. When I got there, I met a man named Diego Rodriguez. He's a strong wolf and educated. The rest of the party includes his mate and their pups, along with his mate’s parents and siblings. Altogether, two families with a total of nine people are petitioning to join our pack."
Pausing, Jared looked directly at Elisha. "You might know them. The mate grew up in Newberry Springs. She moved after meeting Diego in college. Her name was Isabel Rosen."
"Isabel’s a good wolf, from what I recall. Her whole family left the pack when she did. Her sisters are my age. Their family wasn’t happy after my papa died, and there was nobody to intervene when Dad got out of control. The last I heard, they’d moved to San Diego."
Jared bobbed his head in agreement. "She told me the exact same thing. The family was in the process of moving back east where Diego was offered a job. Diego heard about all the changes here through the grapevine, and when he talked to Isabel about it, she urged him to stop here on the way. If we don't accept them, they'll head on out to Oklahoma."
I wasn't understanding his excitement, beyond growing our pack. "If we have housing, I say go for it. As pack beta, you have the authority to bring new pack members in if they meet with your approval. Do you want me to come meet them now and officially add them after they bend the knee?"
He'd been hovering near the door, but he finally came closer and sat down. "I've already approved them and invited them to dinner tonight for you to accept and add them to the pack. But I haven't told you the best part! Diego is a doctor. He's a general practitioner licensed to practice in this state, and there’s more!”
My hand automatically went back to Elisha's belly. "What's the best part?"
Rubbing his hands together, Jared looked downright gleeful. "Diego ran his own clinic with Isabel as his nurse and office manager. Plus, he has all his equipment on the back of his truck. He's prepared to set up a clinic without any delays. As soon as tomorrow, we could have our own doctor. Isaac isn't going to be thrilled—he thinks the only healer necessary is an epsilon. But I disagree. Our human sides often need human medicine."