When we arrived at the Alpha Meeting's location it was late in the day and I was exhausted. Walking into the hotel, we went to the front desk to check in. "Larry Blackwell and Tate Blackwell." My father huffed at the receptionist before she was even able to look up from her computer to address us.

"Good Evening, sir." She said with a smile, looking up from her computer. "How long will you be staying with us?"

"We will be here at least until Tuesday." He replied.

"At least? I thought we were leaving on Tuesday? " I questioned, while absent mindedly playing with one of the pamphlets sitting on the counter.

"It depends if I say we stay longer, we stay longer." My father was not a very friendly man, with a gruff exterior. Honestly the only person he was truly nice to was my mother, and that was only because she was his mate. And if your Mate is not happy, you will not be happy, so he does anything and everything my mother says. She is the only person who can tame him.

"Oh, great." I commented under my breath.

"Here are your rooms, Larry Blackwell you are in Suite 611 and Tate Blackwell you are in Suite 615." She handed us our keys with a warm smile. "Hope you enjoy your stay. Please do not hesitate to call here to the front desk if you need anything. "

"Where is the elevator?" My father questioned.

"Down the right hallway about half way down the left." She said pointing to the hallway.

"Tomorrow morning we're in Conference Room B for the Seminar. Where is that? " Yes, he called it a seminar, how else do you think we can operate with out humans knowing. We hide right in plain sight, quite comical actually.

"That would be down the same hallway as the elevator, right here on the main floor. When coming off the elevator in the morning take a left and it will be at the end of the hallway, last door on the right. Breakfast will be served as part of the seminar so no need to come down for the continental breakfast. "

My father started walking away without another word to the woman at the desk. I looked here, "Thank you for your help. Hope you have a great night. " I turned catching up to my father, who was already on the elevator. The elevator door dinged and opened, and we climbed inside, my father hit the button for the sixth floor and we rode up in silence. My father and I didn't speak much, in fact we didn't have a good relationship or need of one really.

When we finally got to the sixth floor, I was relieved to be getting away from my father. Being with him every day was just too much. I wanted to get to my room so I could call Allison, I know it hasn't been that long since I left, but I missed her and wanted to hear her voice. Walking into my room I was slightly impressed with the modern and sleek design of the suite. There was a living room with a large flat screen TV, couch and desk. There was a kitchen with white granite counters and a separate bedroom with a king size bed. Not to mention the bathroom that had a jacuzzi tub, not that I would need that without Allison.

Dropping my bags on the floor and pulling my phone from the front pocket of my jeans. Flopping onto the bed I called Allison.

"Tate!" Allison said she answered her phone. "How was your flight?"

"It was good. We got delayed in Denver though, so we should have gotten in earlier. " I said. "Sorry for calling so late. I know you're usually in bed by now. "

"Oh, no worries. I am happy you called. " I knew she was smiling, just by the tone of her voice. She was not one to hide her feelings. "I've actually been cleaning ... And waiting for you to call." She added.

"Really? Waiting on me, huh? What do you miss me already? " I said lifting my eyebrows, not knowing why I did, it wasn't like she could see me, but I was feeling a bit flirty.

"I missed you as soon as you left." She whispered.

For the next couple of hours, we talked about everything and nothing at the same time. At times even not talking at all, the silence just feels natural. As it would be if we were snuggled together watching a movie, we didn't feel the need to speak all the time. At 12:30 Allison finally said, "You know it's late and I know you have to get up early for your first meeting. I'm going to let you go and get into bed. "

"Well..." I said, "Since you are going to bed you could send me a pic or two."

"Seriously?" Allison said. "What has gotten in to you?" Then she chuckled and finished, "I'll think about it."

"Ah. Umm. " I stuttered, "I was just kidding." I really wasn't expecting her to say that to me.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow Tate. Good night. "

"Night Ally." I said and then we hung up. I plugged my phone into the charger that I had setup on the night stand, plugged it into the UBS port on the table lamp. I turned the light off and got myself comfortable on my bed. A few minutes later my phone pinged, I picked it up and saw a message from Ally. Opening it up I saw a picture of her snuggled in her bed with her purple unicorn Magic and the message, "Dreaming of you. XOXO. " I quickly replied back to Ally, "Sweet dreams my Luna

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The next couple of days went rather quickly, but slow at the same time. They went quickly because there was a lot going on, Alpha's to schmooze, contracts to sign, all the fun things that go with being Alpha that no one really knows about. Sure, you are on the front lines protecting your pack and making sure everyone follows that pack laws, but no one ever tells you about the politics of it.

Honestly, I hate politics, but here I am a politician for werewolves and all I had to do was be born into it. I will not say that it is all bad, I do enjoy most of the things about being an Alpha, there are pros and cons to everything, these meetings just happen to be a con. But once I took over as Alpha the biggest pro that was going to be was my Luna. I would get to have Allison by my side all the time, nothing in our way of being together.

Finally, at the end of the contract negotiations on Monday, it felt good to finally be done with that. Tomorrow was our last morning there, we had one last meeting to attend but it should be a quick one with the Montanelli Pack, to go over some transfers that they were requesting. As my father and I were heading up to our rooms he told me, "We are going to extend our trip until Thursday. Once we're done with the Montanelli Pack in the morning we're going to be traveling with Alpha Ogden to his pack. He has an interesting new concept that I want to see in action. " My father never looked up from him while he said this to me.

I closed my eyes and eyesight heavily. I wanted to get home. I wanted to see Allison, it was bad enough that she was going to be leaving for school soon, now our minimal time together was just getting cut even shorter. "Got a problem with that?" My father huffed at me.

"No sir." I said, feeling rather low.

"Good." The elevator dinged and we climbed off, walking to our rooms.

When I got to my room, I pulled out my phone and called Allison, I would as well break the bad news to her now. No use delaying it. On the third ring Allison answered her phone, a little out of breath, "Hello. Ughfh ... "

"Hi. That is a heck of a way to answer. What are you doing? " I laughed at this.

"Just getting back in from a run and I flopped on my bed. Unfortunately, when I did that, I also landed on something I had on my bed. Causing the Ughfh. " She laughed at herself. I am sure that if I had been there, I would have seen the redness flush into her checks from embarrassment. "So, what time does your flight come in tomorrow?" Ally questioned me with excitement in her voice.

"Yeah... About that..." I trailed off not wanting to tell her that I was going to be delayed. "Once we are done tomorrow my father is making me accompany him to Alpha Ogden's territory. Something about a new process or something or other that he wants to look at. "

"Oh," I could now hear the sadness seeping into my mate's voice. "So, when will you be back?"

"He says that we will be back Thursday night." Then I quickly finished with a promise that I knew I would be able to keep. "Now, I know that this cuts the last bit of time we have down, but I will be with you every minute until you get on the plane Sunday for school."

Taking a breath in Ally finally said, "Alright, not much we can do about it, right? But I will hold you to that promise of yours. You are mine until the moment I leave on Sunday." And then I could hear the smile in her voice again.

"You know I adore you, right?" I asked her.

"I know, what's there not to adore?" she said back to me. I loved her carefree and fun attitude and how she always came out with adorable comments.

"You know I was thinking about our schedules and when we could see each other?"

"Oh, you were, were you? What were you thinking?"

"Yes, I have had a lot of time over the past few days to figure this all out and how it is going to work. That way we get the most time possible with each other, while never missing any school. I even have a calendar." And just as I said that I had hit the send button on an email to Ally so she would have the schedule I had drawn up.

A few minutes of silence and she finally spoke, "You really have thought of everything haven't you? This is pretty detailed. I love it! I think this could just work for us." I could hear the excitement in her voice.

I was happy that she loved it, after all I had spent hours working on the thing. A few minutes later there was a banging on my door. "Hey, Ally I am gonna let you go, someone is at my door. I will talk to you tomorrow." I said as I was walking toward my door.

"Mmmkay... night Tate. I miss you!"

"Miss you too, Luna."

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As we pulled up to Alpha Ogden's pack house, I could not help but admire the simplicity and beauty of his land. Pack lands were a source of pride for any good Alpha, so they wanted them treated with respect and care. The lawn was well manicured, with simple clean-cut hedges placed in the front of the house. To the left there was an expansive garden, with a white gazebo placed in the center. From the way that there was open space around the gazebo you could tell that this is where they held many pack celebrations.

The walk way from the drive way to the front door of the pack house was paved with slate stones and was quite marvelous, how it complimented the red brick façade of the house. Before we reached the top of the stairs the white door was pulled open, revealing a tall red-haired Alpha. "Welcome Alpha Blackwell, Future Alpha Blackwell." Alpha Ogden greeted, bowing his head slightly in respect.

Returning the show of respect my father and I also slightly bowed our heads, before responding with our own greetings. Then one by one we shook hands, "Thank you for welcoming us to your home and pack." My father spoke. "I cannot wait to hear about this new initiative that you have. From the little my Beta has told me I am rather intrigued."

"Ah, yes Beta Adams, it was nice to show him this as well. I am glad he gave you good reports on it. This has been a wonderful process, so far, we are showing great results. Many pack members have also commented to me that they are very happy with how things have been going." Alpha Ogden replied.

Tuning them out I began to look around the impressive estate, it may not have been as big as our pack house, but what it lacked in size they made up in décor and grandeur. The entry way of the home was open to the second floor, showing a grand staircase in the center of the room. To the right, there was a den area, scanning further back I noticed that there was a dining room large enough to seat at least a hundred pack members. This must be where they held pack meals. To the left there was another den room, and then a hallway. That must be where the pack offices were, as there were people freely going up and down the stairs, but no one had yet to venture down that hallway.

"If you will follow me, I will show you to your rooms." Alpha Ogden said, pulling me from my inspection he turned and walked up the grand staircase. At the top of the stairs he turned left, a few doors down he stopped and turned to me, "This is your room."

"Thank you Alpha." I said, nodding my head in appreciation.

"You are welcome. Dinner will be in one hour; the pack dining room is down that stairway to the right." He said before turning back toward the stairs and walking away, my father following behind him. "Alpha Blackwell, your room is down this hallway." His voice trailing as they walked away from me.

I turned the doorknob to my room and walked in, thinking about everything going on I was too preoccupied to notice that there was an all too familiar scent in the room. I started to unpack my bag, taking out only what I was going to need for the couple of days that we were going to be here, when I heard her voice, "Baaaaby! You are here!" She squealed running over to me, throwing her arms around me. "I've missed you!" As she went to kiss me, I turned my head, so her lips only landed on my cheek.

Now, that scent made perfect sense. Almond and rosewater, "Kimber, what are you doing here?" I questioned. Less than trilled that she was here, pulling her arms from around my neck, I continued to unpack, "And why are you in my room?"

"Technically you are in my room." She blanched at me, "I have been here for the last couple of weeks. My father was checking out this new thing Alpha Ogden has put into place. Something about elevating pack members to be better... blah blah blah. I really never paid much attention." She rambled on in a manner that was just like her. Kimber never liked to deal with anything, never paid attention, always too caught up in herself and her own desires.

"Why did they put me in a room with you then?" I deadpanned.

Ignoring the obvious distaste in my words she replied, "Because I am your future Luna. Why wouldn't they? And I asked. I haven't seen you all summer! I have missed you." She again put her arms around me, this time I was not able to get out of her hold before her lips met mine.

"Listen Kimber," I said, pulling her arms from me again.

Cutting me off before I could finish what I had started. "Why don't you finish getting unpacked and take a shower before dinner." She said walking toward the door.

"Kim, we need to talk." I said, but she ignored me as the door closed behind her. Letting out a growl of frustration, I grabbed my clothes and walked to the bathroom. This was going to be a rough couple of days, I was missing Allison and could not wait to be back home so I could wrap my arms around her.

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We were sitting in the dinning room finishing up dinner when Alpha Ogden stood up and addressed the pack. I would like to say that I remember what he said, but I was honestly not paying attention. I was focusing on the fact that Kimber was all over me and not taking a hint that I did not want her hanging off me. Suddenly she was sitting in my lap, "Seriously Kimber" I seethed at her quietly, before hoisting her off my lap and back into her own chair.

"Why are you not paying attention to me?" She whined in my ear.

"This is not the time or the place to be acting like this. You are being rude." I snapped at her.

"Fine! Be that way." She shot me a look that would normally have had me running behind her asking for forgiveness, but this time I did not care. As soon as she realized that she was not going to get the reaction that she wanted she got up and stormed out of the dining room.

It was so like Kimber to overreact like that. She really made herself look like a child. As the door slammed behind her, my father turned in his chair to glare at me. He then leaned back and whispered to me, "Whatever is going on between you two fix it. I will not have you two embarrassing me or our pack. Am I clear?" By this time there were many pack members watching not only the exchange with Kimber, but also my father speaking to me.

Gritting my teeth, I responded, "Crystal, father. I have no idea what that was about."

"Well, figure it out." He snapped returning his attention to Alpha Ogden.

Getting up from my chair I made my way out of the dining room to find Kimber. She was in an office with the door slightly cracked. I could hear she was talking to someone, but I didn't care to who, so being the respectful person, I said loud enough for her to hear me, "Kimber, who are you talking to?" before I popped my head in the door.

Kimber answered back with a sickeningly sweet voice and a smile on her face, "Oh no one baby, I will be there in just a minute."

I mouthed to her, "I will be waiting out here. We need to talk." And I pointed to the den on the opposite side of the house. And walked away to leave her to finish her call. Whoever it was she obviously needed to talk to them.

After several minutes I finally got sick of waiting for Kimber to finish. I wanted to talk to her now, maybe we could go for a walk and clear the air. So, I walked back to the room where she was, "Kimber we have to go." I said with a little more authority. Letting her know that I was getting sick of waiting, it's an Alpha thing you only have patience for so long.

"Coming baby!" she said back to me "Just getting off the phone now." I rolled my eyes and walked away again, letting her finish her call.

It was only a couple of minutes later that Kimber came out of the office she has been in, "Are you better now?" I questioned lifting my brow at her.

"Much! Just needed a little girl talk. Sorry about earlier." She sniffled at me. "I have just missed you and want to be close to you." She said snuggling up to my side. Feeling a bit guilty, I half heartedly put my arm around her. Even though Ally is my mate, I had been with Kimber for a long time. She deserved to be treated with a bit more kindness than I have shown her since I arrived here.

"Come on. Let's go back and finish dinner. They haven't served dessert yet and the pastry chef they have is absolutely amazing!" Kimber's eyes lit up, she sure did love her desserts. "We can talk afterwards, okay?" She said. I just nodded my head and followed behind her as she pulled me back to the dining room.

We took our seats, and as if on queue dessert came out and was placed in front of us. I reached for my fork and then Kimber said, "Hey Tate, is that your phone?" She questioned pointing to the floor.

"Umm..." I patted my pocket where I thought my phone had been. Not feeling it, I reached down and picked up the sleek black Samsung from the floor and hit the screen bringing it to life. "Yeah, I guess it is." A bit stumped. Shrugging I finished, "I thought it was in my pocket."

"You must have put it on the table without realizing and knocked it on the floor?" Kimber replied with a shrug, "You have it back now, so it is all good." She finished.

Clicking the screen back off I slid it back into my pocket, still a bit perturbed that it had been on the floor. I just could not remember taking it out of my pocket. Letting the feeling go I turned my attention back to the chocolate dessert that was on the plate in front of me.