UNCLE LOUIS' CARE

After Ki presented the perfectly pitched introductions, he graciously stepped back for the Alphas to talk.

"Ah, yes. Very good." Uncle Louis said, "Alright."

What?

But Uncle Louis was in full agreement with himself, "Good, good! I'm glad you're here, Sam."

"Thank you." I said because I was brought up well like that. I didn't quite get it, but I guess it was a good thing that my uncle was his usual self (as far as I could tell.)

So the fact that I smuggled Grandma Luna's ring out of his Packlands, or that Dad didn't return the human child slave he sent to our Packlands to steal the ring, but instead adopted her as his daughter... None of this seemed to have ruined his love for his niece.

I guess Uncle Louis wasn't a bad guy or anything, even after what happened. Because it all happened just like in the Original Timeline - like almost word for word. Was this the hand of fate? I'm sure Wolfgang or Perry would be able to discuss how the strands of fate would come together blah blah blah.

I wondered if their theories would include a fate that had lots of loose ends flying away in every other direction? Why did everyone assume fate would always do things like run a full circle or flow towards the same sea? Did they think Fate had a good beta like Harvey around all the time? Did they know our goddess wasn't the detailed administrative type?

Normally, when I got distracted by my own internal thoughts, I would have missed some parts of the conversation, but not with Uncle Louis because while I was wrapped in my own thoughts, he was… I had no idea what he was doing, but he wasn't talking. We just stood there for as long as I was thinking stuff.

Normally, someone would call my attention back to the discussion at hand, and maybe make a comment about how distracted I was, but not with Uncle Louis because I was actually the one who snapped out of it first.

I glanced up at my betas, but they all looked like they were in deep concentration too.

I looked back at Uncle Louis who was still just standing there. Maybe he was on mindlink. I decided to give him space and advert my gaze to look about the room - anything really.

I wondered if I was so awkward whenever I got distracted too. Ah well, sometimes my dad would frown as he stared into the distance. If it were his thinking frown, he would just be thinking (and not displeased - even though some of our wolves would believe so.)

Uncle Louis didn't frown, although his eyes would look a little unfocused and for some reason, I just noticed that they also looked kind of bulgy from this angle. Like his eye balls were a little too large for his eye sockets.

Anyway, Beta Larson kindly (and politely) cleared his throat, and this somehow woke Uncle Louis from his reverie.

"Yes, yes…" Uncle Louis nodded and it would look exactly like he was agreeing with whatever I just said, except that I hadn't said anything so I just stood there.

I WANTED to say, tongue in cheek, "Really? So you're going to <insert something ridiculous here>."

But I managed to press my lips together so as not to.

"Your Delta Felicity was here with the team earlier." When Uncle Louis realized I wasn't going to continue speaking, he decided to provide some general information. He looked over at Beta Larson, "They are still out and about?"

Beta Larson nodded quickly and like a good beta, quickly furnished us with the details, "Yes, Alpha. Oscar is accompanying Delta Felicity and the GAP Analysis team around. They will be studying some of our key industries in depth and are at the moment rounding up the tour of the wineries."

I imagined bubble-bath loving Oscar trying to lead a particular other kind of bubble loving Delta Felicity around where they make alcohol and felt sorry for the guy. Even if there were no alcohol involved, Night Leaf Elders were not easy wolves to deal with in any timeline.

Boo had quite different opinions, {Fun.}

"They have been informed of their Alpha Princess' arrival and are returning immediately to greet the princess." Beta Larson reported.

"No need." Boo immediately waved it off, "I'll go over to where they are."

I glanced over at my entourage fully expecting to see raised hands, but they were standing silently behind me calmly. It was Beta Larson who immediately looked worried and Uncle Louis who raised a brow and started shaking his head, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Yes… until you asked that question. Actually, the moment my Uncle Louis asked in that tone, I was pretty sure he didn't think it was a good idea.

"Why not?" I asked anyway.

Uncle Louis continued shaking his head, "That's dangerous. I'm afraid I can't let you go gallivanting out and about like that."

This puzzled me. I was just going to meet Delta Felicity and her team, right? If we were back home, I'm sure I would be told it was dangerous too, but my wolves would be referring to Delta Felicity.

"There are many kinds of fear," Tim had ever said, "And my Mum is a kind of fear all on her own."

And the rest of us only nodded because even though Tim was half joking… we all knew that the half of him that was serious, was dead serious.

I glanced again at my entourage - I wouldn't even be going alone. I was sure Uncle Louis had noticed the strength of the wolves behind me. Honestly, I think I had enough wolf power on hand to decimate a small pack. The thought shocked me a little. Why would I even think of doing such a thing?

{Because I can.} Boo never shared the same conscience with me. In a way, I could see how Boo and Bell would potentially get along. They were really a match made in hell.

But because that was not the future I wanted for my world, there was NO WAY I was going to ever let Boo run wild. You know how Mum always told me that my wolf and I were the same person? It's what all our lycan literature said too. Really powerful wolves, old tygers, and me - tell me what was different?

"The rebels have been causing all kinds of trouble." Uncle Louis was still shaking his head. If I used his head shaking as a gauge, I would conclude that it was quite serious trouble too, "No, no, no, Sam. I'm afraid I can't let you go. If anything happened to you, how would I answer to your father?"

"You are his daughter and heir." Uncle Louis continued his head shaking, "No, no, Sam. It's too dangerous for a girl to be running out and about right now. Stay in the estate, leave the excursions to your wolves. I'm sure their expertise is more than enough to handle the survey."

"But Dad sent me to help them." I argued, flaring a little. I wasn't just my Alpha Dad's daughter and heir. I wasn't just a mascot…

Uncle Louis shook his head harder, "No, no, Sam. Look, even your Dad isn't taking any chances."

He gestured towards my guards, "I can see he spared no expense and had dispatched the best of the best to keep you safe."

Actually, those were MY warriors.

"Tell you what." Uncle Louis decided, "Stay in the estate for today. Tomorrow, I will be attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony of our pack's new school building. You can accompany me for that."

They had a school here? Well, I supposed that would only be natural. I'm not sure why it surprised me. My only excuse was that I usually only came with my family during the summer breaks - My cousins studied in Black Forest Academy (because they were the Alpha's children) and the only other pups and teens I saw would probably be the ones working their holiday jobs I guess.

"Okay, cool." I agreed, but because Boo was way too out on the surface, I ended up saying, "I'll go with Delta Felicity today, and I'll come with you tomorrow!"

"No, no, no…" Uncle Louis said.

Boo gave him my wide smile, "Okay, then it's agreed."

"When did I agree?" Uncle Louis was surprised enough to stop shaking his head.

"We compromised," I explained. 

"I certainly did not!" Uncle Louis protested, "I cannot compromise on your safety, Sam."

"Thanks, Uncle Louis. I appreciate your care." I stood up to take my leave, "Don't worry, you said so yourself, I'm running with the best of the best."