Chapter 5

 I was going to be fashionably late, but he was used to it. For everyone else I was usually fifteen minutes early but for my god-brother, I showed up when I showed up. 

Unbeknownst to me the conversation with Humphrey and the higher ups did not go as I figured they would. 

Humphrey sat at the long conference table at the country club as the elders began to file in. Harry walked in and took his place at the head of the table. 

Once everyone arrived and ordered, pack questions began to go around. 

"There is talk of a supreme alpha," Richard broke the ice. "Where the hell does that leave the alphas that are in place now?"

"The alphas will become under alphas in their territories, and some will simply lose their positions altogether," Harry said honestly. 

"How will you cement your position?" Humphrey asked genuinely. 

Harry paused for a moment. "I have chosen a mate, already."

The men at the table stared blankly at him waiting for more information. 

"Whom?" Humphrey asked when no one else had the courage. 

Harry locked eyes with him making it obvious. 

Humphrey realized. 

"Have you…" he began to get angry. 

"No," Harry interrupted him. "I swear. I was going to ask your permission first, obviously." 

"Who? Lilly?" Richard asked. 

"No," Humphrey gruffed not looking from Harry. "He wants Tally." 

Harry continued. "My wolf wants hers, as well." 

Humphrey's mouth dropped. "Your wolves are already mated?"

"They have chosen each other," Harry explained. 

"When?!" Humphrey shouted. 

"Before the first pack meeting," Harry responded.

Humphrey stood and began to pace. 

Richard smirked. "Congrats!"

"Shut up," Humphrey snapped at his little brother and smacked him in the back of the head. 

"This is good news," Richard continued and rubbed his head. "Tally has security and position. And Cavendish is a good looking guy," Richard put in. "Hey, you'll have beautiful grandkids." 

Harry smirked at Richard. "I see where Caleb gets it from now." 

Humphrey settled down and took his place at the table again. "She's my only child, you will understand when you have children of your own. There is nothing you would not do to protect them. Your children will be worth more than your life."

"And it just so happens his children will be your grandkids," Richard smiled. 

"Shut up!" Humphrey snapped. He turned back to Harry. "Does she even know?"

Harry shook his head yes. "It was quite obvious."

"How did it happen?" Humphrey tried to understand. 

"That's the thing. We have a problem," Harry began. "There is something out there, I killed one of them the night I first met Tally. And I think that's exactly why the moon chose a supreme."

"What was it?" Richard asked becoming serious. 

Harry shrugged. "I don't know."

"When will you…." Humphrey began.

"Do the deed," Richard finished his sentence. 

"I promised mother never to kill you, don't make me a liar," Humphrey hissed. 

"I will not push her. She will decide when the time is right." Harry explained. "But do I have your blessing?" 

Humphrey looked at the younger male. "She will do her duty, but I don't want her to be in a match for duty." 

"I love her, Humphrey," Harry was sincere. "Even if my wolf had not chosen her yet, I already had. To put everything on the table, I could have had her last night. But I respect your position as the chief and her father." 

"Will you take her away?" 

Harry shook his head. "No, I would not wish to take her from her family." 

Humphrey sighed. "I'm trusting you, Cavendish. Don't make me regret it." 

"I never would."

When I arrived I noticed the alpha, Humphrey, and the other higher ups having lunch in the conference hall of the club. Humphrey was pacing and Harry looked paler than I had seen him last. 

I sat miserably in front of a large brown male who was perusing the menu. 

"Bad night?" he asked. His black eyes shimmered and his coal black hair was pushed to the side but it would not stay down.  It suited him. 

"It's been a bad morning," I explained grabbing the menu from him.

"Tell me about it." He murmured as he downed a mimosa. He scratched his quickly forming gotee, thanks to his partial French heritage. 

"Tak going off the rails?" I asked. I knew this was a neutral zone to talk. 

He nodded emphatically. "He's unstable. The republic knows this and even the loyalist know it."

"Why?" I whispered. 

His black eye brow raised as he looked around cautiously. He leaned in. 

"The moon has chosen a supreme alpha," he whispered.

My heart dropped. "That hasn't happened in centuries," I whispered. "It always happens during the darkest of times." 

He nodded. His heavy jaw line was clinched as he contemplated what to say next. 

"What else?" I whispered. 

He searched my face, his dark eyes concerned but I could not help but envy his long thick eyelashes. 

"Emory," I pushed. 

"They may vote to exile Tak," he finally came out with it. "And appoint me as leader of the republic, even if I'm a half breed." He threw in jokingly.  

I scratched my forehead. "You have to say no."

"I can't."

"Bullshit," I snapped. Maybe a little too loudly. 

"Tally, I want to say no. I can't."

"Lilly may end up marrying Harris Cavendish," I explained. "I can't have you leading the resistance. It would kill me to lose you."

He seemed confused. "Things may be different after today," he explained. "Lilly has thrown her lot in with Tak." 

My stomach churned. "Does Harry know?" 

"Harry?" Emory cocked his head to the side. 

I saw the men stand from the table in the conference room. They were getting ready to leave. 

"Don't speak until they are gone," I put the menu over my face to idly pretend to read it. 

The men, however, had to walk past our table to leave the club. 

Humphrey kissed me on the head before he went by. I smiled up to him and Harry stopped behind my father.  

"Alpha," I smiled sweetly. He did not say anything to me, his eyes were on Emory. "Oh," I noticed both men required an introduction. "This is Emory Eagle Horn," I said to Harry. "Emory, this is Harris Cavendish."

"So this is the Harry you were talking about?" Emory realized. 

"That sounds ominous," Harry smirked. "Hopefully she said only good things."

"Of course," Humphrey and I said in unison. 

"Only good things," Emory reiterated. 

"Good," Harry seemed unconvinced. "We have a busy day of paper work so I'll say goodbye," he leaned down to me and kissed the top of my head. 

Humphrey seemed pleased and said goodbye following Harry out of the club. 

"Well, if Lilly doesn't want him, I have a feeling he will not wait long for another bride," Emory murmured. 

"He's pretty," I admitted. "But he's far too political. He will do whatever possible to tie up loose ends."

"Meaning?"

"Last night he asked me to dinner and then back to his place," I looked down at the table. I felt like an idiot. "This morning I found out it was some type of reconnaissance to get close to Lilly."

Emory took my hand. I looked up at his face. 

"Don't pity me Emory," I pulled my hand back. "I'm angry because I feel stupid. I'm not used to feeling stupid. It would be like Lilly feeling week. It's not in us." 

He nodded understanding. "So, let's have a great day and forget duty."

"Summer is ending," I began to agree. "It would be a shame not to enjoy what little is left." 

And enjoy we did. When I came home that evening, I realized how much I needed the distraction. Humphrey was in the living room talking to Harry when I entered the foyer. 

"Tally dear?" Humphrey called for me. 

I slinked into the living room wearing only my bikini top and cut off shorts. 

Harry's brow furrowed at my attire. 

"We went to the beach," I explained. 

"What beach?" Harry was confused. 

"It's a lake," I explained. "I wouldn't have been back in time for dinner had we gone to Vancouver." 

He nodded understanding but still annoyed. 

Humphrey cleared his throat. "Tally, I was wondering if you could ask Emory to come by my office tomorrow."

"You're his god father," I pointed out. "Why don't you just ask him?" 

"He may do it if you ask him," Humphrey explained. 

"Emory is very fond of you, isn't he?" Harry said cryptically. 

I nodded. "He's my best friend." 

Harry nodded accepting that response. 

"Bit old isn't he?"

"He's your age," I tried to shut Harry down. 

"Emory made a fealty pledge to Tally when she was born," Humphrey explained and it seemed to settle Harry's worries. 

"Can I go with Emory tonight instead of going to the pack dinner?" I asked Humphrey. 

He did not like my request I could tell. 

"Why?" Humphrey asked. 

"Because I'm not needed at the dinner. Lilly is the reason for it."

"We all must show a united front, Tallia," Humphrey explained. 

"We know where Tally's loyalties lie," Harry stuck up for me. "She doesn't have to go tonight if she'd rather enjoy the last few days of summer." 

I smiled. "It's always nice having an ally." 

He raised an eyebrow humorously. "I do what I can." 

He would be a good big brother. It would take some getting used to, but I could find the positives in it. 

"Fine," Humphrey gave in. "But don't be out so late."

"If you are referring to the other night," I began. "It's his fault." I pointed to Harry. 

Harry shrugged. "Guilty. But like Humphrey said, be home early, please."

"Aye, sir?" I smirked. I was getting my way so I knew I shouldn't push my luck.