Betas Office

[BladeRunner]

The office space of the Beta, many can come here for advice or for even requests of supplies, should so they desire it. The Beta can spend their time here, they can make appointments for the Alpha from the outside world but here they can also contact connections in Spruce Moore. 

Edited October 25, 2022 by BladeRunner

[love_and_poprocks]

Another day another dollar. Being the Beta of a crippled declining pack was surprisingly a lot of paperwork and finances. Stack of papers on a thick oak desk, folders and files organized as neatly as possible. Hell there was even a finished basket, just for the days work mind you. The food that would get delivered to the tribe and the mansion. Water, electricity, clothing and medics. All was submitted properly by paper. While they had the internet, with the weather and how rural there location was it was hard to find a reliable carrier. Hell they even invested in a scanner to alleviate some of the litigation to the desktop on the desk. 

Lawyer, financial advisor, combat specialist; the potential Alpha had to be ready. Though with Austin as Alpha that didn’t seem likely. Still one couldn’t be too prepared, Samara usually with her head in a book or in some sort of motion from the makeshift counsel to help regulate the laws and fairness of the tribes. She barely had time to think about many other things, which was odd considering she wasn’t and a-type personality. She was very lax and aloof when speaking outside of work. It was more a switch that she had to keep on until her work was done. A notorious procrastinator, everything piled up. 

Finally she was getting caught up on the current months issues. And it came up with a few issues that stood out. One was winter training for the warriors, food supplies for the winter heat- aka breeding season. Damn it was that time already? Finally the issue of the breeding season as well. Birth rates at a record low, but it was the same from what the Gamma said of other tribes. Statistically the numbers made sense, but with the overall government making it harder to find housing, lands were being uprooted and torn down; their entire mountain range was under protection laws so that was to their advantage. The world was a dark and scary place, who would want to bring and rear young in this climate. Their accounts were full from generations of laborers of all creeds. Many of the adults in the tribe were tradesmen and had businesses in town and online stores. This also filled the banks via taxes that the citizens could take out as they needed. Most of the time it just sat there building it’s wealth over generations. 

“Fuck me…” long fingers raked through ebony curls as she looked over the papers. Setting down the papers on her desk her silvery eyes narrowed as she didn’t know how she felt about what might be decided. She could only advocate and advise her decision was not necessary if the alpha decided to put something into law. She was just there to in-force it and make sure the pack new anything. “I will have to report this to Austin when he gets back.” She sounded defeated and annoyed if anyone listened. The alpha and Gamma weren’t here so she had no one to speak with. Not that she had a very good relationship with either of them. Sure she got along but it was all surface deep. Samara while being born and bred here did not like some of the recent choices from the last rulers of this place. Austin survived and some choices were less than ideal. Samara prefers not to fight as it results in unnecessary bloodshed most of the time. Territory disputes and now with the number sun her face it made her point much more apparent. Leaning back in her chair she spun around to look out the window as the lives that she was helping take care of. 

Edited October 31, 2022 by love_and_poprocks

[love_and_poprocks]

General annoyance with the whole situation she decided to get up and put down the papers. Locking her desktop she  took off her glasses and walked around in a small huff.

 

[Moved to Gammas Office]

[BladeRunner]

The doorknob turned with one click and the door opened revealing a rather large but cozy office. It was old fashioned much like the Midnight Mansion and could also act as a library for historic records in some sense, both about the pack itself and surrounding one's. There was a receptionist-like desk that had two oak rolling chairs behind it. The main room led down a hall to the right which had five rooms in total: three bedrooms, a main office, and a secondary office for the Beta's. This was how Austin invisioned it, originally the Beta and Alpha shared the sane room which after a year, Austin realized their own space was required... Not that he didn't mind Samara, he found her attractive and loved the personality but... They were friends. 

"It's been awhile since I have been here myself," Austin states to Brigita,closing the door behind her, the room was warm thanks to the small fireplace which had two small couches around it and plenty of pillows, there were also plants- soft leafed vines abd blossoming vine flowers of various types that spanned the whole room, Honey Suckles included, "We recently had to place plants in here... You can see how that went. This is the office for all Beta's, only three mind you, and they also have bedrooms in thie space instead of standard rooms like everyone else here. To add, you're near my Wing, so in case of an emergency I'll be right there." 

Austin looked back to Brigita, he took in her form which couldn't have been more obvious but oy by peripheral. Internally he hoped that this was to her liking, if anything it was definitely a step up versus a few other packs wh truly were more primitive. Austin always aimed for comfort of his own people versus himself, a wood floor with cardboard was all he really needed. 

[love_and_poprocks]

This office was absolutely ginormous. The books the clung to the walls, the windows the lead to the outside, the upper level. God this was absolutely stunning. “Wow, you don’t get architecture like this anymore.” She mumbled to herself as she had sat on the bed. Truthfully she was tired as well. Cross country travel in a little beetle, while classic and stylish, was not comfy to sleep in. But the curiosity got the better of her, so she stood up and would walk past him, a hand rubbing his arms some, just to touch him cause she could. 

Hands behind her back against her much rounder ass as it was hugged in those jeans of hers, she would saunter around slowly enjoying the smells and nostalgia. “Plants are good though. Being stuck in an office all days does lower moral. I’m sure your Beta appreciates the effort.” Samara did but she always found a way to sneak away and spend time this her mate Keiko. She was responsible and trustworthy. So was Brigita, she need to prove how she could help his clan.

Walking over to the honey suckle she would break a flower from its stem and bring the back of the flower to her lips suckling the sweet floral nectar. It was so yummy, she hadn’t don’t this since she was a child, when her and Austin first met. It was at a summit in some other clans woods. She had gotten lost and he found her. He was a teen then but he was surprisingly sweet and showed her the woods secrets. ‘I think that’s when I fell for him. All those years ago.’ She thought to herself as she gave him a glance. She didn’t care that he looked. “So spill the tea Alpha. I must know what’s going on as your new Beta Minor.” She would giggle and more that blonde hair of hers behind her ears. “Wanna chat by the fire instead?” She pointed out as she was wanting the warmth of something tonight, this early morning. 

[BladeRunner]

"Glad you like it," Austin said with a smirk, he could tell the woman was tired just by motion, even the slightest slagging was noticed. She must have traveled far for the Midnight Pack andmay have been eager. But her thanks earlier of giving Brigita purpose was something that certainly dud catch Austin off guard, perhaps she had been through more than he thought, "She does, on her behest she wanted something different than a drab looking library so I planted the flora. All year seasonal,  they grow so wildly vines have to be cut constantly ." 

When Brigita removed a Honey Suckle from its stem he watched her take in its nectar, so many times she did it when she was a kid. Maybe ot was something you grew out of as an adult as life became more complex, Austin understood that much and sometimes missed those days. So innocent was he as a boy, a young teenager, so full of life and vigor. Now he was stoic, tired and full of demons, whatever happened to him? War, conflict, death, sadness, exhaustion, rage, though he had the Midnight surrounding him that's all he ever felt anymore. But he couldn't show those emotions, he couldn't talk to anyone about them, he needed to ve vigilant and strong.  

"I think that's more acceptable than not," Austin nods, moving to the largest couch Toward the lit fire, the one that spoke his name, he sat in it and sighed deciding to remove the heavy trench coat and hat, he was now comfortable, "Ahh yes, the tea. Aside from the recent years of bodies dropping, let's talk about internal affairs. My most recent and now former Luna, an June Riverton, has been demoted for negligence of the pack, recently in the past months five wolves were killed with no investigation on her end, it was a mess I had to clean up,  that'swhat broke tge camels back. Sweet girl nonetheless, emotional, but I cannot act like she did nothing wrong... I can't babysit a Luna and handle a pack at the same time, it's team effort. Samara being Samara is picking on her, that's a given that they have alwayshad problems. Recently we've been having issues with other packs, namely Sun Hill, they're under new and brutal leadership, and twice they've been caught trying to infiltrate the clan, you know how that went. But our budget is through the roof thanks to sources in town, and to help with this seasons breeding I've... Obliged... To partake this time, we need the numbers." 

[love_and_poprocks]

“Smart girl.” A brief approval of her soon to be fellow Beta. It was ironic how things came full circle. A position she had been so deeply connected to finally being her own. Brigita took to the smaller couch just across from him. Only an old bear skinned rug lay between them. Having taken a seat she suck back against the cushions. Seemed they were barely used as it felt new, such a shame. Though it was a great comfort to her tired bones. The fire was warm and banished the chill from her skin. Still Brigita liked it hot and so would keep on her jacket, even though most wolves were more warm blooded than others she always seemed to be freezing despite enjoying the snowy months more than any other season. 

Blue eyes traveled along his body, she wasn’t hiding it there was no point. A history as long as theirs was something that couldn’t be changed so easily. Intently she listened and even crossed a leg over the other as she continued to get comfortable. “No way!” She would proclaim some as she had no idea the Alina had been demoted. She came here to be on her best behavior but now it was up in the air. Brigita covered her lips as she heard of how things changed and what was going on. A Luna being demoted was a rare occurrence. Wolves dying in small bunches was as well considering they usually were close knit. Internal turmoil, power struggles and then the pièce de résistance, he was going to participate in the mating season. That in itself brought both a rouge to her cheeks and worry in her chest. 

“that must be a lot on your shoulders. No wonder you look so worn down. I would have expected you to have bore pups with your Lunas many moons ago.” She pointed this out as he had many under his belt and yet he never did that was worrisome. She had no idea of his personal affliction it was something he never shared, nor was he obliged to do so. She would never pressure him to tell her his secrets if he didn’t want to. some mystery was still sexy no?

“hmm well like I said I’m here to help though… the mating season I’m not sure if I am ready for that.” Her hands moved to her arms as she rubbed them for comfort. Flashes of her own family hurt filled her eyes before she closed them and shook her head. “I will try to participate but no guarantees. Still I know I can help in other places.” Brigita was still hurting from the fresh pain of losing her loved ones. Something they both shared. And the thought of him without a Luna was dangerous. Females would come up to him in droves just to claim the title and to bare his seed. while she may have wished at some point to be apart of it she did not know if his affections were only skin deep or if she could get over the loss that hung heavy on her heart. A determined look came to her features as she grinned to him. “Tell me where you need me you old fart. I’ll make sure things go swimmingly as possible I promise on my wolves skin.” 

[BladeRunner]

"Indeed she is, I feel like a father saying he's proud of his child, Samara has done us well and continues to do so. I know things have been rough with her especially around here but I have feeling after this winter everything will look up," Austin replied pridefully, he also made a mental note of how he really needed to get her a gift... Or gifts for all the Beta Magnus has done, "Without her I think we'd be in a much deeper hole. "

The helped the Alpha feel at ease, he kicked his boots and socks off to allow his feet to air out and enjoy the warmth. But when she mentioned bearing pups Audtij loome away slightly, a low short growl in his throat and a hard expression on his face. Though he admitted it before to Selene, Austin had a reproduction problem that made him not do anything with anyone for sone time. He'd say tonight, but it was already dawn, so last night rather was when he opened up. But then he witnessed a pained look in Brigita's eyes, she didn't have to speak first him to know what it was, something deep, something troubling. 

"Im not expecting nor wish you do so, you do what you must," Austin nodded when Brigita returned her confidence,  but there was that same troubling he gave just moments before. Sighing, Austin spoke carefully,  "After you left I... Had some tests done on me. I cannot bear children, not in the way other males breed. I have lots of semen, yes, but the actual seed count is extremely minimal, rare I'd I manage to impregnate anyone."

It was clearly a sensitive topic, though Aidyom did open up in tge springs about it even then, "It's shameful.  A one on a billion chance they say, as long g ad you try that's all that matters. I'll die an old age before I have children, it's another reason why some male Gammas in my past has challenged me to take role as Alpha. When a pack looks at their Alpha or Luna who have no children,  what do they think? Hmph... Nevermind that though, I'm still here to lead us to greatness once more and now we have an invaluable member returned to us."

[love_and_poprocks]

Brigita would smile some as he complimented his Beta. It seemed things were in good hands for the time being. And now she had extra help. This was an exciting prospect for them all to get along and run the clan as needed. Strong foundations. “I’m sure what ever you choose her she will enjoy. You are thoughtful when you want to be.” A playful jab to try and get him to smile. This talk was very somber and serious. 

watching him relax some she would follow suit, but only to the point of taking off her shoes. Green socks stayed on as she brought up her legs to curl under her as she faced him sideways. An arm on the back of the couch for her to bring her fist to her face to rest as they continued their discussion. “Thank you I appreciate that but I am able bodied and for the right person willing…. But only if that condition is met. I’m sure you heard about my husband and my sons?” She asked as her voice became devoid of emotions. She had spent so many years that they no longer fell from her cheeks. It was acceptance of her situation and she was going to be honest with him. “They died, and for me to fall pregnant would be painful as I’m sure you are aware.” She paused some for affect and sighed not happy to hear anymore negative news.“I’m sorry for your predicament though to be fair many suffer. Maybe it was something from the previous war but that’s no weakness.” 

Brigita would give him a soft smile before pointing to his crotch. “Just needs a very fertile womb to plant inside that’s all.” Having given birth before and immediately getting knocked up right afterwards she was a prime candidate however she couldn’t tell if that’s what he truly wanted. He always seemed to prefer his freedom of such obligations despite his soft spot for family and pups.

“Anyways let’s think a moment about the positives. You still have a pack. They seem to be working on that procreation aspect, and your family is here. Oh yes and I’m here. Things are looking up for you Austin. Take the win and just enjoy. The more you worry and thrum through your negatives the more you will bring it into existence.” Brigita was a peculiar one with her universe mumbo jumbo but she was right; he was blessed and he should be looking to the future not his detriments. “Besides if you are participating then you will have the pick of the crop. Hell new tail every night would be nice no? Now that you are unclaimed.” Positivity seemed to radiated off her tired face as she enjoyed her time with her dearest companion once more.

[BladeRunner]

"Hmph, when I want to be," Austin didn't smile but one could hear the amusement in his tone, "I feel they don't worship me like they should, they don't deserve niceness afterall." 

When Brigita spoke of her family it made Austin silent. There was that sting of loss, something he was familiar with as well but she seemed more in control of the situation than how Austin dealt with his. She was always the more reasonable ahd calmest of the two. He still had her, he still had the pack, that's all that mattered now, and Brigita was here for a purpose, what exactly that was he didn't know but as a Beta she'd get to see Austin more often. 

But then there were talks of positivity and fertility, which he shifted at and sighed, "Yes... Those are good indeed. But with mating... It's not the same. When I'm with a woman there is desire and need, but only for the time of that moment, it's not like when I was younger I crave... Feeling. Not just physically but on an emotional level as well, I want to share pain, love, joy, anger with them,  a mate for life. Many have come and gone through Midnight, I've tried looking for that one but I'm just too damn tired to care anymore."

[love_and_poprocks]

His comment made her feel cheeky in that moment as she continued to give that grin of hers. “Does the Alpha want to be worshipped? Well I will lead by example then.” Without warning she stood up from the couch she was in and scuttled over closer to him and closer to the fire. The early morning sun beams glowing behind the clouds that loomed in the sky making a dull light showing more in the dark room. “You should be kind but stern. A good leader can balance both and with your main forces women sometimes being soft is your biggest asset. This Samara person sounds like a loyal friend and someone who helped you a lot. I hope you are at least acknowledging her work. That can be so taxing on morale.” She nestled her way into his side, something she did often in the past.

Nothing changed, well that’s not true many things have changed. Many unpleasant things but they found each other again. curled up with her back against him, she hugged her legs to her chest. They would sit like this when one or the other needed comfort. The body contact was the best thing for lonely hearts, and Brigita preferred a more upfront approach than just playing games about would he or wouldn’t he. She knew Austin, the old Austin albeit but she knew him and figured he could use more of her reassuring charms. 

Patting his thigh she would then take his jaw in her grip making him look at her, not that he fought it. Fingers slipped through that beard of his and she softened her smile. ”I feel you need to hear this and I say this with much love... I know it can feel that way, it’s exhausting looking. Sometimes it’s best just to let things come to you instead of looking. Like a bear upstream waiting for salmon; they wait patiently for their catch. The same applies for this connection you want. Might be closer than you think.” Brigita said these words not thinking she was a possible candidate for him. It had been ten years, and while her heart fluttered and swooned in his presence she couldn’t make such assumptions. That being said she couldn’t deny that recently she has been thinking about him much lately, in less than appropriate ways. 

[BladeRunner]

Austin watched as the woman before him stood avd walked on over. The fires light fliching off her skin reminded him so much if the old days, he tried to think about why exactly he still had feelings for Brigita, why after all this tine and all he's been through the past ten years he couldn't get over her. Much like Amanda, there was still something there that made Austin feel the same love for her as he did that time ago. But they were perhaps too much different these day, and much has changed. Ten years is a long time. 

When Brigita nestled herself to his side and curled up beside him, Austin couldn't help but shift himself to where her back was against his torso; he hesitates at first clearly not trusting his instincts or what she would do in return, but he wrapped his large arms around the woman softly to provide better comfort. There were almost tears welling I'm his eyes but he swallowed them up, swallowed the pain and joy up, and the more she talked the more it helped break the layers. He was so tired and needed real sleep,  not sex, not for the moment, but to simply lay beside someone he cared for. 

Maybe Austin was too stoic, maybe he was too patient or it was he stopped looking. Austin exhaled through his nostrils, unspoken words needed to be spoken and Brigita's was the truth he felt,  something he needed, "Perhaps... It is within this mansion, something that's been lost but has been found. These years have been unkind, fighting constantly, always remaining vigilant, too busy being the Alpha that I sometimes feel my Humanity slipping. Brigita, I'm happy you're here again, I don't know what I can do to help you heal but I want you to know that I'll be there for you. Life will not be easy here, and I can't guarantee you happiness at all times but I can promise you'll be done right by people who can care for you. I must be honest with you, I still love you, have been since we were children... I... Can't..." 

There was a sudden slump to Austin's grip, slow but sure. His frame fell back slightly against the couch arm, total unresponsiveness at all, one would have thought he died. Until there was a soft but deep snore, Austin's eyes were closed and the exhaustion could be seen on his face. For once in all these years he actually looked peaceful,  comfortable on a couch smaller than him and holding a woman he had feelings for. 

[love_and_poprocks]

Brigita noted that he said nothing for a while. Large arms soon wrapped around her and a soft chuckle came from her throat followed by a closed smile. She stared at the fire, getting lost in the flames. The birds chirping in the early morning and things began to settle. His breathing was heavy and staunched with something that lingered on his tongue. Still she gave home time to speak. Austin never ceased to amaze her. 

His voice grumbled with the need for sleep. Words soaked in honey oozed into her ears as he spoke to her, comforted her. Her body eased into his some more as her hands laid on his forearms. She hadn’t felt this warm and comforted in so long. Even she was brought to tears lingering at the edges as she was touched and hopeful for the future she referred to. Petting his forearms, she continued to listen until his body went limp but his hold still warp and tight. The snore of a leader heavy and lorn with responsibilities too burdensome to do on his own. Brigita felt even more urgency to help him rest his head easy as well as have peace of mind. 

“Oh my big wolf. You shouldn’t have said such a wonderful thing.” She knew he was only in the beginning thralls of slumber so maybe he would hear her and even if she didn’t she was still going to answer regardless of acknowledgment or response. “Your words comfort me. My wounds may be deep and I’m broken, but that will not stop me from helping you and the clan thrive to the best of my abilities.” Brigita wondered if she could even do it.

She choked some as her bottom lip quivered. Damn she didn’t want to cry but being in his arms left so many emotions unattended to that they flooded through. Still she spoke tenderly though shaken. “I will promise to bring you the same. You deserve to be happy and whole. I love you so deeply it hurts knowing I let you slip away all those years ago. I should have just… I shouldn’t have left. You needed me, and I needed you. Maybe fate brought us together again to make things right. We will prosper I’m sure of it.” Kissing his forearms with an affectionate touch she cooed in a hushed whisper. “I’m here for you when you need me. Always big guy don’t forget.” Lashes dewed in tears she laid into her Alphas arms and slept soundly into the morning. 
 

(To be continued…)