4. The Adelstones

Samantha, followed by the couple hand in hand, approached the table where Justin and Eric were seated and the stood up.

"Mr. and Mrs. Adlestone have arrived Sir" she said looking at Justin's chest, afraid to look at him in the eyes.

Justin nodded "Hello Mr. Adelstone, Mrs. Adlestone. I'm Justin" shaking there hands one at a time. "And this is Eric" he said pointing to his brother.

"Hi" Eric said shaking their hands as well.

"So nice to see you boys" Mrs. Adlestone said, as the four of them took their seats. "You sure have grown up from those two little boys I remember running around the pack house with our kids." A slight hint of sadness in here eyes.

"Well, it has been 20 years." Eric replied

"So, you are both working your Dad's business I hear." Mrs. Adletsone said

"We are, I graduated 6 months ago, and Mr. Angry over here brought me in and started showing me the ropes." Eric said with a smirk looking over at Justin who just shook his head.

"I bet you guys have fun working together." She smiled

Eric laughed "My brother isn't much for fun, it's all business to Justin."

"You talk too much." Justin sneered

Mrs. Adlestone smiled, liking seeing the back and forth between Just and Eric.

A woman in a white button up shirt and black slacks approached the table. ""Welcome to Russo's, I'm Judy" she said handing them each a menu. "If you know what you want to drink I can go ahead and get that for you" she said with a smile on her face.

"I'll have water with lemon please" Mrs. Adlestone said. "I'll have the same" replied Mr. Adlestone. "I'll take a sprite" said Eric. "And water for me as well" said Justin.

"OK I'll be right back" Judy said, and turned and walked away. 

The four sat there awkwardly for a moment before Justin spoke up breaking the silence. "I was surprised when you secretary called Mr. Adlestone. After all, like Eric said, it has been 20 years since we've heard form you."

A sad look swept across Mr. Adelstones face. "Please call me Amos. We shouldn't have waited 20 years to get back in contact with you boys, I'm sorry."

"Why did you decide to reach out now, after all this time?" Eric asked

Amos looked at his wife and grabbed her hand. "Boys, we shouldn't have just abandoned you back then after everything that happened. We honestly feel responsible, like it was our fault, and in our own grief we couldn't face you."

Justin looked at them with a terrible scowl on his face but said nothing. Just then Judy walked back with their drinks and placed them in front of them.

"Have you guys decided what you'd like to order yet?" She asked

"Um, We'll both just have the spaghetti" Amos replied.

"I'll take the chicken fettuccini alfredo please." Eric smiled

"Steak medium with vegetables" Justin sneered.

"I'll get your order in. Let me know if you guys need anything else." Judy said with a smile.

Again they sat there in silence for a few moments. "Boys I'm so sorry. I know how grief stricken you must have been, losing both your mom and dad on that dreadful day, and being so young. If I could go back and have a do over, I would make sure to be there for you guys, to help you get through it" She was trying so hard to choke back the tears trying to burst from her eyes. "I loved your mom, she was my best friend. And after losing our son and our daughter that day. The thought of coming to see you guys just mad me think if them. We tried once, about a week after the last attack. We got to the end of your driveway and just broke down, so Amos turned around and took me home. As time went on it just got harder and harder. I....I...." She couldn't hold it in any longer tears fell from her eyes and she buried her face in her hands.

This made Justin very uncomfortable he didn't know how to act with crying women around.

Amos placed his hand around her shoulder and puled her into him, hugging her and kissing her on the forehead.

Eric frowned "I know it was the worst day of your life too." he said giving Mrs. Adlestone a knowing smile and she nodded at him.

"But why now, after 20 years of zero contact are you reaching out to us? Our lands border each others, we're practically neighbors." Justin asked

"We need your help." Amos replied

"HA! THATS RICH!" Justin sneered. "Nothing for 20 years and then you come asking for help!?"

"It's not just help for us, its a warning as well and it could possibly involve you. We've been hearing rumors of my brother attacking packs in Europe. Killing the Alpha and his entire bloodline, then taking over their pack as the new Alpha. We think that was his plan here 20 years ago, but he wasn't successful, as his army of followers wasn't strong enough."

"What does that have to do with us?" Justin asked.

"A few of the members of the attacked packs got free and fled here to the US. From what we're hearing, Asher left America and fled to Europe, taking what little Army he had left with him. He's been infiltrating packs over there to get information and using rogues to build up a new Army. He's been taking his rouge army, along with some of the members of packs he's been able to use to infiltrate. Then killing their Alphas, taking over and building up his Army even stronger. The fled packs members are saying his plan is to return to America and finish the job he started 20 years ago."

Fear spread across Eric's face, as he looked over at his brother who remained angry as always.

Judy approached bringing them their food. "If I can get you guys anything else, don't hesitate to ask." She could feel the tension between them and got out of there as quickly as she could, 

The four of them dug into there food and remained quiet for a few minutes.

Justin looked up from his plate after finishing his steak. "So why did you come to us? What do you need from us?"

"I would like to talk to you about forming an alliance between our packs again. Your dad and I were good friends, and had a strong alliance together. Our two packs in an alliance together, could reach out to other packs and bring them into an alliance as well. If they see us being allies again, they may be more likely to join us. We lost so many the last time he attacked and he is stronger now. We will need good alliances in order to fight him this time." Amos said

"I don't know." Just replied shaking his head, clearly not happy about everything going on. "You're going to have to give me some time to talk it over with my pack. I wasn't expecting this at all, and I need to get input from some of the pack members that were there last time, and remember what happened."

"I understand Alpha Justin. I expected as much. I definitely wouldn't expect you to make any decision right away, without talking it over" Amos replied

"I'm headed out of town on business tonight, some emergency up in Indy, but when I return, Eric and I will visit you and let you know our answer."

"Very well" Amos replied "We will see you then." He stood up and shook both of their hands. "You've grown into a fine man Justin. You're dad would be proud. I can tell you are a good Alpha, who cares about the well being and what's best for his pack. The future of our pack is unknown right now, with both of our children gone, we had no one to step up as our Alpha. I'm already to old to be an Alpha anymore, but here we are, I wish Samuel was still here to tale over." He said with sadness again in his eyes. "Without this alliance, I don't know if our pack can survive another attack from my brother."

Justin nodded "I understand. Give us three days. I'll finish my business quickly and Eric and I will come visit you Monday evening with our answer."

Amos nodded.

"It really is good to see you boys." Mrs. Adelestone said

Eric smiled at her. "Thank you Mrs. Adlestone, its nice to see you too."

"Oh please call me Dahlia dear." She smiled back at him.

"Ok" Eric replied and Amos and Dahlia walked away. 

Judy came back a few moments later. "Can I get you guys anything else? She asked.

"Just the check." Justin sneered

"Mr. Adlestone took care of it sir."

"We'll be off then." He replied standing up and Eric followed him down the stairs and out the door.