Chapter 46: Spending My Time

Stephano

What is going on?

I am so confused!

After the event of Charlie's kidnapping when I had to threaten Richard's mate to force Ezekiel to return the boy to his father, I fully expected a war to break out between our two packs.

I am working double time to get my pack ready for war. I have been upgrading our security systems, putting all the warriors to work or training, suspending all vacations of everybody - not a popular decision, let me tell you - and overall have been bracing myself for the worst that was yet to come.

I even organized a blood drive in case our hospital needed to restock its supply in order to treat the warriors who would be wounded in the war. I have been going the extra mile to get our force into fighting shape. Though they have always been a top-tier force to begin with, I want to be clear about it.

Now it's the third Thursday of December and I have been called to Phillip's office because there have been some developments. He was looking perplexed to even relay to me the message he received earlier this morning.

"I answered a call from Richard today." He started speaking to me inside his office with closed doors.

"Apparently, his father and he had a heart to heart and he was persuaded to rethink his actions. He apologized to me for the incursions on our pack and told me that he was going to leave his son alone for now. But he hoped that in the future he would be allowed to visit Charlie." Phillip continued, speaking slowly to make sure I understood his words. I am utterly shocked to hear that Richard had a change of heart.

"Really? So, he is not coming for us to wage war and try to retrieve his son?" I was baffled to hear this as if it was a fairy tale.

"Not anymore, no. His father had a serious talk with him and made him see the light. He was very honest about it and went as far as to apologize for his actions before. He even left an apology to be relayed to your mate." Phillip replied, perplexed by the turn of events. It sounds almost too good to be true.

"And you believed him?" I asked Phillip, suspiciously.

"I have no reason not to. He was very sincere!" Phillip responded, sounding convinced of his honesty. I am legitimately gasping for air right now. I am so shocked by this.

"Great. I never wanted a war to begin with. All I ever wanted was for my mate to be left alone and his son as well. If Richard wants to visit him here in the future, I can live with that. As long as he is supervised, of course. I was not born yesterday." I rolled my eyes at this tale. Now he wants to be a father? After eleven years? Sure, Jan.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, but of course. No one is leaving Charlie alone with Richard. We are not stupid..." Phillip agreed, obviously. He is a father too.

"Perfect. I am happy that we can avoid an all out war. If Richard has seen the error in his ways, by all means, I can forgive and forget if he is willing to do the same. I promise to not send an assassin to his doorstep for having a gun pointed at my mate just a week ago." I said with a dark humor that had Phillip wide-eyed at me.

"Please don't do that. Carlisle is safe and sound. Charles is safe with his father. I am sure that we can all put this behind us." Phillip strongly suggested, trying to talk me off a ledge. Except that I am not stressed about it. My mate remains unharmed. Had anything happened to him, then this would be an entirely different conversation. By that I mean I would not be talking to Phillip at all, I would have sent a Rocket Propelled Grenade to Richard's house.

I said this before already. I am a nice guy, just don't mess with my family. This whole time I've been dancing with Richard to keep my stepson safe in Regency Falls. I haven't even engaged in warfare with him yet. But if he hurts anyone in my family, then all gloves are off. Then he would get to know the real Stephano Pullman Cortez.

I am all about being courteous and respectful, humble and attentive. But if you cross me, then it's your funeral. You don't want to get to know my dark side. You are not going to like that. *ominous voice*

"I am all for it, Alpha. If he leaves my mate and his son alone, then I am all for living and let live. Good for him for having clarity on the issue. I have no grudge against him." I reiterated, not wanting to dwell on the issue. I am far from being someone who wants or needs a fight. I don't need to prove to anyone I am the top dog. I am not an Alpha.

I do not care about who is smarter or more 'macho' than me. I never wanted him to come looking for Charlie, I just dealt with the situation as best as I could. Like I always say: it was not a fight I could ever afford to lose, because if Richard wins, then it's my mate who would be left crying and I just can never allow that to happen. It's that simple.

"Thank you for your hard work, Beta. It does not go unnoticed by me. I've seen all the extra hours you have been putting in at the training center lately. You are a credit to your profession." He complimented me, who has been working my ass off to make sure we are safe.

"It is my pleasure, Alpha. Now if there is nothing else, I need to return to the training center before I break for lunch." I announced, standing up from my seat in his office.

"See you later, Beta." He saw me off and I waved him goodbye for now.

Later that morning, I was relaying to Iris and Clarkson what Phillip had told me. The warriors were either on patrol or training - those who were not on their day off, per their usual schedule.

"And what do you think he is going to do now? Petition a judge to see his son?" Iris questioned me, intrigued by this. Clarkson, the Under Delta, was by her side taking it all in.

"He can't petition a judge, Delta. How is he going to file papers saying that he had a child, with a man, in human court? If he files a custody lawsuit, the National Alpha Council will come for him. That would be compromising our secret nature. It's bad enough that Omegas have to jump through hoops when they get pregnant." I replied in an angered tone.

There are two rules that are universally obeyed by all werewolves on the planet - except for rogues, but even they tend to play their part. If not then they become a target and no rogue wants to become a target. I am sure their life is hard enough as it is.

The first rule is: We are a secret nation. We blend in amongst the humans everywhere we go. Other werewolves know who we are because they can scent us and they are bonded to us in a brotherhood; regardless of what language you speak or where you come from. It's universal, as I said before.

Those who compromise our secret nation are eliminated from existence. It's that simple.

Remember the speech I gave at my old high school? That is when I brought some pupils with me to get to know the training center and Owen got mated to a high school student. They are doing great, by the way. There are even talks of moving in together after the senior high schooler graduates. Or after college, it's not clear yet.

Any person who compromises our secrecy - intentionally or not - is subject to a severe punishment. The ultimate punishment: death. The law is clear and it must be obeyed.

The second rule is: Don't mess with anyone's mate unless it's self-defense. You are not going to stand by idle if someone attacks you unprovoked. But other than that, don't engage with them. You can shout, but not harm their physical integrity.

That can also carry the death penalty in extreme cases.

So, no. Richard is not filing papers before a human court to see his son. It doesn't work like that for people who have children with Omega males. In my opinion, Charlie is better off without him. Of course, I am biased. But that doesn't make me any less right.

"Is he really going to wait around until Charlie comes of age before he can see him? Or give it some time before he visits him? I am not going to lie, I don't see him coming all the way here just to see his son." Iris commented, doubting his intentions.

"Well, unfortunately for now all we can do is wait and see. But I hope he really meant what he said." I spoke with a hopeful undertone. I do not want this war. Never did.

"What are your orders, Beta?" Clarkson asked me, attentively.

"Nothing has changed as far as I am concerned. My previous orders stand. No vacation to anyone until next year. We can alternate shifts between Christmas and New Year's weeks, but no one is to leave Regency Falls. Until further notice, all warriors are on standby. I don't trust Richard, but if he keeps his hands off our pack until the end of January, then we can start talking about vacation again." I declared, apprehensively.

I am not naive. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst, that's my motto. Trust, but verify. And I don't trust Richard as far as I can throw him.

"Yes, Beta. That will be done. Delta Carpenter and I have been already strategizing a way for us all to enjoy the holidays, but keep an eye open for any danger." Clarkson informed me, glancing at Iris as he said that.

"Perfect. Let me know later what the schedule will be next week because it's Christmas, so I will mostly work from home. If there is any issue, of course I will be available but otherwise, you already have your orders so I don't need to be on your case daily." I declared, considering that the holiday season is upon us.

"Of course, Beta. If you need me, I will be right here. Pregnant and working through Christmas." Iris sulked. She and Clarkson have to alternate between shifts. One of them must always be here at least during the day. At night, Assistant Delta Michaels can take over. Remember Owen's father? He is the third in command among the warriors.

"It's the life of a warrior, my friend. Always on the lookout. 24/7." I sympathized with her, but there was nothing I could do about that. Warriors work around the clock, all day, every day. We can not exactly afford to let our guard down. Especially now of all times.

I know it is a double standard for me to work from home and not her, but that is the job she signed up for. All warriors know that when they apply for the force.

By lunchtime, I returned to the pack house where I took my meal with the Alpha family.

The mood seemed to be lighter now that Richard's threat of war seemed to be avoided. My cousin - the Luna of the pack - was cracking jokes like she always does, poking fun at me. The latest trend is for her to call me 'daddy Stephano' after Charlie did - and the fact that my mate is pregnant.

All is well when it ends well. Or so I hope.

Later that evening, I was telling my mate all about my day while he had been getting busy lately with some Christmas shopping. Recently, he has been emboldened by the 'rich trophy wife' fantasy and has been testing the limitless credit card I gave him.

What can I say? I love the guy. Even if he just traded his old car for a brand-new one.

Now that he is pregnant, he has a whole new set of shopping to be done for the baby.

"You do know that Linda is going to throw you a baby shower, right? You don't need to buy everything now." I cautioned him, tentatively. There are a lot of bags in our room.

"Yeah, I know. I am only buying the essentials for now. Plus, I am taking my son shopping when he enters Winter break from school. I can't believe his last day of school for the year is already tomorrow." He spoke, feeling overwhelmed by how little time we have til the end of the year.

"Tell me about it! I feel like all I do is wait around for Richard to strike. I don't even know what I am going to do now that he has ceased his threat." I breathed out a sigh of relief. Carlisle gave me a peculiar stare.

"My advice? Buy a gun. You never know what tomorrow brings..." He advised me with a frightful expression on his face. I kissed him on the cheek and laughed at that.

"I love that you think I don't already have a gun. I am the Beta of the pack. I have a concealed weapon permit and sniper certification. Hello!" I teased him, humorously.

This is not my first rodeo, my darling. I am always prepared. He doesn't see my guns because I keep them hidden away. But the question remains... what will my life be now that the threat is gone?

I am sure that all there is left is to be happy with my family who I love. Let the games begin!

A|N: BOOM!

Now let's see about a family Christmas. If you think there is no more drama left, you are making a big mistake. Huge. Caught the reference? It's okay if you didn't. I am old. LOL

Next is "Something Good".

Love,

Léo.