The Two Alphas

Erick’s POV:

“How is she?” Raven asks me.

I am not sure why he is here and what is so urgent that it could not wait until Kate is feeling better. He knows she just had our third child but insisted he must see me right away and that it could not wait until tomorrow. Raven would never bother me like this unless it was urgent. He would have gone to John or just waited until later. This must be very important.

I close the door to the downstairs bedroom. Kate has not been able to make it up the stairs for months now. This pregnancy has been a nightmare for her. Luckily, I had Meaghan helping her. I do not know how I would have made it the last few months without her helping us with everything. Meaghan has been a lifesaver in more ways than one. She helps with the children, the house, and Kate.

"She is fine, and the baby is perfect. They are both resting," I answer, waiting to see if he will spill whatever is so important quickly and leave.

I can hear the baby’s little cries as I walk with Raven to see what is so important that he needed to talk to me right away. We go into my office. Meaghan, who is now pregnant herself, goes in to help Kate. Maybe Kate and I can give her some time off now that the baby is here. Finding someone to replace her will be hard. There is no one that can be as good to us as Meaghan has been over the last few months.

"Good to hear. I hope Meaghan does well. She is nervous," Raven says. I can tell he is the one who is nervous, not her. This is her second child but his first. I remember how nervous I was. Hell, I was worried about the third one.

I laugh. "Is Meaghan nervous, or are you nervous?" I ask.

Raven smiles. "Yeah, I guess I am the nervous one. I am worried about being a father. I want to be a good father and a good husband to Meaghan. I worry about her and the baby constantly. Levi is such a good child. I worry about him too. I do not want him to feel left out or think we love him any less," Raven says.

"You will be fine. She will be fine. I have done this three times now, and I promise you everything will be fine. Levi will be fine too. He is a good child. I think he will be happy to have a baby brother or sister," I say to him, trying to ease his nerves.

"What did you name her?" Raven asks.

"Claudia. Kate said she looked like a Claudia. I agree. The name fits her perfectly," I answer.

Raven looks around nervously.

"Why don't you tell me what is going on?" I ask him. I have never seen Raven this nervous about anything and I know this has nothing to do with his impending fatherhood.

"Well, this really is not the right time, but it is actually Kate that I need to talk to about what is going on, not you, Alpha," Raven says.

I shake my head and take a seat at my desk. "You are right; this is not a good time. She just had a baby. She is exhausted and needs to rest. She does not want to be disturbed, and I do not want to disturb her unless it is necessary," I say.

Raven shifts around. I have a feeling this cannot wait for her to recover. He would never come in here and ask to speak with her if it was not of great importance. Something serious is going on and he is about to drop it on Kate.

"Tell me what it is, and then we will decide if we need to intrude on her," I say.

Raven looks at me. Every bit of color drains from his face. "I should tell you together, but you are my Alpha, so here it is. The Imperial wolves that are here want their own Alpha to look out for their best interest. They feel like they are being overlooked and not being taken care of by you," Raven says.

"That is fine. The Imperial wolves can have their own Alpha. Hell, they can move away if that is what they want. What does this have to do with Kate?" I ask.

I look at Raven. His look says it all. I know what this has to do with Kate. She is their heir. She is the highest-ranking Imperial here. "They chose her to be their Alpha, didn't they?" I ask.

"Yes, actually it’s not a bad idea. She controls the Imperials, and you control our pack. When Belle becomes Alpha, she will control both," Raven says. He is right about that. It would be perfect for Belle, but I am not sure this is something Kate wants for herself or for Belle.

"Two Alphas for one pack on the same wolf lands. The Imperials will take direction from her. They have done nothing but give me hell and use up our resources since they have been here. No offense to your family, but you know it is true. You are the only Imperial that listens to me or has served the pack in any capacity. Well, you and Isabella," I say.

Raven stands to leave.

"Wait, don't you want to tell Kate?" I ask him.

Raven shakes his head. "I can, and I wanted to tell you together, but if you think it should come from you, then I have no problem letting you tell her. She may want to discuss this without me around anyway. What if she does not want this?” Raven asks.

I lean back in my chair. I look at Raven. He is a warrior. He could run the Imperial pack. I would hate to lose him on my end, but if Kate did not want it, maybe she could appoint him. It would be best if he were with me when I told her. Plus, it should come from an Imperial wolf anyway.

"I think you should tell her with me. They came to you, not me. The Imperials trusted you to deliver the message. So, I think you should deliver it," I say.

"They were coming, but I told Liam that Kate was in labor, and they backed down. They respect her and do not want to intrude on her today," Raven says.

"They respect, or are they afraid of her?" I ask. The Imperials know Kate has special powers that they do not have. Even our children are exceptional, but Kate…she is extraordinary. They want the power she has and her authority.

"Hell, I am afraid of her temper," Raven says, laughing.

"Yeah, me too," I say. Kate does have a temper and is not to be messed with, that is for sure. She is kind and loving, but she will set a wolf straight in a second.

I get up from my chair. I go out of the office and walk to the downstairs bedroom. I peek inside the door. Claudia is sleeping beside Kate. She is awake and glowing. I smile at her, and she smiles back. I go into the room to see if she will see Raven.

I lean down and kiss my sweet Luna. "Are you feeling okay?" I ask her.

"Yes, I feel fine. What did Raven want that was so important you had to leave me?" Kate asks.

I look back at the door. "He needs to speak with you. He has a message from the Imperials, and it is very urgent. You can say no, but I think you should see him," I say.

I can tell Kate is not pleased. She wants to rest and spend time with Claudia, but she always puts the pack's needs above her own. She nods her head in agreement to see him.

"Send him in. This message better be important," she responds.

I open the door and motion for Raven to come into the bedroom. He walks over to Kate. He admires Claudia for a moment. He is nervous. I am not sure why, but he is shaking.

"I am sorry to intrude, I really am, Kate," Raven says.

"It is fine. What do the Imperials need from me?" Kate asks.

Raven looks over his shoulder to me, almost begging for backup. No sir, this is on you. Have at it. I am anxious to see her response myself.

"Raven, I do not bite. What is it?" Kate says, jokingly trying to hurry him up so she can return to spending time with Claudia.

"The Imperials want their own Alpha. They feel left out by Alpha Erick. They feel they need someone to look out for them and their best interests, Kate," Raven says.

Kate breathes a sigh of relief. "I think that is a wonderful idea. Any candidates for the position?" she asks.

"They already voted and chose an Alpha. I was asked to come here and deliver the news to you," Raven says slowly.

"That is wonderful. Who is it?" Kate asks.

Raven kneels before Kate. "It is you, Kate. You are the Alpha of the Imperials now," Raven says.

Kate does not say anything. She looks over at me to see my response. I step forward and put my hand on Raven's shoulder. He is pledging his service to her. His mother was an Imperial, but I did not see that coming. This pledge is why he was so nervous. He did not want to abandon his post with my pack, but his heart is with the Imperial wolves. I understand and do not blame him.

"I will stand by whatever decision you make, Kate. If this is what you want, then I support you. We can work together and get this pack back on track and working together instead of with so much division between the two," I say to her.

Kate looks down at Claudia. She holds her tightly. I do not see any fear in her eyes, only a moment of thankfulness, and maybe pride from being chosen. I have no idea what she will do. For the first time in a long time, I cannot read her. I can always tell what she is thinking and her mood, but she is in deep thought right now. I wait, almost as anxious as Raven. Kate reaches out and touches my hand that’s resting on Raven’s shoulder. She will accept. I can see it now. Her mind is working overtime and going through the emotions of family and pack. I remember that feeling when I became Alpha.

"I will serve under you, Kate. If you accept," Raven says.

Kate looks at me, and she smiles. "I accept. For our children's future, I accept this honor as the Imperial Alpha," Kate says.

Raven stands up. He kisses Kate's hand. "I will inform the council. I pledge myself to you and the Imperials on behalf of my mother who bravely served before me," Raven says.

Raven walks past me. I touch his shoulder as he walks out the door. He looks back at me. "I am sorry, Alpha. I have to do what my heart tells me. I will serve Kate from now on. Thank you for everything you have done for Meaghan and me," Raven says.

I shake my head and pat him on the back. "I understand. I can think of no better person to look out for my wife and her best interests than you," I say.

Raven leaves the bedroom to deliver the message to the Imperial wolves. I sit down on the side of the bed with Kate and Claudia.

"Are you okay with this?" Kate asks me.

"Yes, Mrs. Alpha. I am perfectly okay with this. You have been Alpha of the Imperial wolves five seconds and you’ve already stolen one of my best men," I jokingly say to her.

Kate smiles at me. I can tell there is something else bothering her, but right now, I will not push to see what it is. It could be fear. I had so much anxiety when I became Alpha, but I know Kate can do this. She is strong-willed and brave. She can lead a pack.

"I love you, Erick," Kate says softly.

"I love you too, but if you try to steal John, I am going to be furious with you," I say.

"No worries. I promise not to steal John from you. I will need an office," Kate says.

I look around the downstairs bedroom. "Well, I guess I can convert this into an office," I say.

"Thank you for being so supportive of me," Kate says.

I touch her hand, pull it to my lips, and kiss it softly. "Always, my love, always," I say.

Kate’s POV:

Three weeks after Claudia is born, I have a meeting with the council members of the Imperial wolves. Liam is part of the council. He is a small wolf and a bit of a cocky bastard at times. I am not sure why they choose him to lead the council, but he is easy enough to work with most of the time.

I go into my office to wait for the council members. Erick has made himself scarce to not intrude on us and let me work with them. I do not think he wants to be here. He thinks Liam is a prick. He is sometimes, but he has never liked Erick, and I know the feeling is mutual.

Erick did a fantastic job converting the downstairs bedroom into an office for me. I suggested we just have our offices together, but he felt that was a bad idea, and in all honesty, he is right. He has helped me so much the last few weeks. I have no idea how to be an Alpha, but if my husband and the Imperial wolves think I am the right person for the job, it is my duty to try my best. Besides, I have the best Alpha in the world teaching me along the way.

"Alpha Kate," Liam addresses me as he comes into my newly converted office.

I lay Claudia down in a bassinet next to my desk as the council members file into the room quietly. Liam comes over to look at her and then takes a seat next to me. He is a little smug and looks like he thinks he is about to run this show.

"She is beautiful," Liam says as he looks over at me.

"Yes, and an excellent sleeper. Vivian will come in to get her in a moment. She is my new housekeeper. Meaghan is due any day now, so she is not here. I am getting by with all my new responsibilities, but I will need more help," I say.

"Raven is helping you, I assume?" Liam asks.

"Yes, and he is a lot of help, but I will be appointing a woman as my second-in-command with Raven," I say.

"A she-wolf as your second-in-command? That is a little unorthodox, don't you think, Alpha Kate?" Liam asks.

"Yes. Do you have a problem with that?" I ask him, squinting my eyes at him and speaking in a way that tells him to think before he answers.

"No, Alpha Kate, I am fine with that. I may have a candidate for you. That is, if you want my input," Liam says.

I reach over and touch his shoulder. I smile sarcastically. "I already have someone in mind, but thanks for offering to help me. You know, the helpless female Alpha," I say.

Raven comes into the room behind the council. I am so thankful to see him. "Alpha Kate, do you need me in here, or do you have something else you need me to do?" he asks.

"Yes, I do. Take Liam's seat; he is moving," I say, pointing at the seat beside me that is occupied by Liam. I do not want Liam up here next to me. I have a feeling he wants to be right next to me to try to make me look incompetent. He seems to forget I am a Luna and that I know how things work. This is why Erick thinks having a wolf council is ridiculous. They just get in the damn way of everything.

Liam gets up from his seat. He will not push me around. I hope he did not think he would appoint me and then push me around. I may be of Imperial blood, but I am not sure I can trust any council members, especially him. I feel like there is another motive among the council members. Maybe they need to be replaced. I have this feeling deep inside that these wolves have another reason behind appointing me, and I will have Raven find out what it is.

Raven sits down next to me. Claudia begins to cry. Raven picks her up and hands her to me gently. "It is okay, Claudia," Raven says, trying to calm her. He will make a great father to his new baby. Meaghan is so lucky to have Raven.

"If you need to handle your baby, I can start the meeting," Liam barks at me.

I look over at him. "I do not think you have been addressed, Liam. Wait your turn to speak," I snap at him as I rock Claudia. I will rock my baby, feed my baby, and do whatever I need to do. He and the council can wait one damn minute.

Vivian comes in and takes Claudia. I look over all the council members. "I have children, small children, but I can still lead this pack. If you did not want me to lead, then you should not have chosen me. Do not disrespect me because I am a woman," I say.

The council begins to talk among themselves. Finally, a young council member stands up. "Alpha Kate, we did not mean any disrespect. Please let us have the meeting. Most of us have children," he says.

"If you respect women so much, then why are there no women on your council?" I ask.

Liam hops to his feet quickly. "Your team. Who have you chosen, Alpha Kate?" he asks. He is changing the subject.

The smug look on his face is enough to piss me off. Why did he choose me? He is up to something, and I want to know what it is.

I look over at Raven. "Raven, of course, and when she is recovered, Meaghan will be a big part of my team, and Rochelle. I also want more women on the council. All I see are men. How do you expect to represent the pack without women on your little committee? I think you should take a good look at this council and incorporate the identity of the pack, not just the men and their needs," I say Now the council is talking loudly to each other. I lean back in my chair. Raven leans in to whisper to me. "Well, that was a fast way to piss everyone off," he says, smiling.

I smile at him. "I know. I got to keep them on their toes," I respond.

Liam approaches me. "Kate, do you think women can serve you and this pack? Women have responsibilities to their homes and children. How will they serve?" he asks.

I stand up from behind my desk. I walk around to face him. I have a good four inches on his little self. "It is Alpha Kate, and yes, little Liam, I think women are perfect for serving this pack and my intentions," I say, talking down to him.

Liam backs away and turns to leave. "I think we are done for the day," he says.

I look at the other council members. They do not budge. "I did not dismiss you, Liam," I growl at him.

Liam stops and tucks his tail between his legs and returns to his seat, eyeballing me the entire time. He is pissed off, and I love it. He thought he would talk down to me and run this meeting. Little Liam has another thing coming if he thinks Alpha Kate is a pushover or a pawn for him.

"Council members, I realize that you each have some grievances, but as the Luna of Erick's pack, I also know the things each of you have done to hinder a unity between the packs. That stops today. I will appoint a few she-wolves to represent the council, and I will have Rochelle and Meaghan here, if possible, for a meeting this Friday. Now, the fighting and belittling will stop today. We need to work together. If you have any problems, come to Raven or me. You are dismissed," I say sternly.

Liam is the first out the door. Raven waits until everyone leaves before addressing me. "Have you talked to Meaghan about this position?" he asks me.

"No, but I want her on board with me, Raven. How do you feel about that?" I ask him.

"I think she is perfect for anything you need. Meaghan is smart and strong-willed, just like you. I think the two of you could make a lot of difference in the pack. This is not the way the Imperial wolves were when my mother was on the council," Raven says. Raven is so much like Erick. He supports Meaghan and dotes on her.

"I would not ask her if I did not think she was the right person, you know that, right?" I ask him.

"I know. I worry about her with the baby coming so soon," Raven says.

I touch Raven on the shoulder. "I will always want her to put her family first, then the pack. I will look out for her just as she has looked out for me," I say.

"She will always put her pack first. You know that, Alpha Kate. That is what we do, pack first. I do not want her to feel like she has to choose between family and pack," Raven says.

"I will never put that kind of choice on her, I promise," I say.

"Thank you, and I know you would not do that to her. We only want to get the Imperial wolf pack back to what it once was before Alexander and the vampires. Before all hell broke loose and destroyed us," Raven says.

Raven begins to walk out the door. "You know, Raven, men serve all the time. No one worries about their family. Women can serve the pack just like the men. I know my father has a lot to do with everything that went wrong with the Imperials and my brother, but I will not destroy this pack. I want us to work together in unity, both men and women. I am Erick's wife and the Luna to his pack, but I am the Alpha of the Imperials, and I want to see this pack prosper," I say.

Raven shakes his head. "I know, and I am happy to see you push that. I think you are exactly what we need, and that is why I chose to serve you and step down from Alpha Erick," he says.

Raven starts out the door. "Wait, shut the door. I have something to ask you. I was going to wait, but I have something I want you to do for me," I say.

Raven closes the door and comes back to my desk. "Yes, Alpha Kate. What is it?" Raven asks.

I put my hands on my hips and huff. I am about to ask him to do something that might upset him. "I think Liam has an alternative motive for voting for me to be Alpha," I say.

"I think you are right. Liam is the one that was pushing this the hardest. He wanted you and did not want to even think about someone else having this authority," Raven says.

"I mean, Raven. Why me? Why not you?" I ask.

Raven looks stunned that I would suggest him. "I do not want it, for one," Raven says. He is telling the truth. I can tell he does not want this job.

"It is just damn bizarre. I want to know why, and I would be grateful if you could find out everything about Liam and the council that you can. I want to know what they do, where they go, who they see. I want to know if they have friends outside of the pack, you know, like vampire friends," I say.

Raven smiles a devious little smile. "I will find out everything, Alpha Kate. I will keep a close eye on Liam and his family," Raven says.

"Not just Liam, all of them. If you have any suggestions for she-wolves to serve on the council, I want your input, please," I say.

"There is one she-wolf. She is a warrior. I want her for me, for the security team. Andrea, and her sister is brilliant. She went to law school and then came back when their mother got sick. Jacklyn, she would be great for the council," Raven says.

"Noted. I will go out and meet with her today," I say.

Raven waves his hands. "No, Alpha Kate. She should come to you. You are the Alpha. I will send her to you," Raven says.

He is right. I should have her come to me. "Have them both come to meet me. I will discuss both positions with them, Raven," I say.

"Great! I will go check on Meaghan, and then I will send them over," Raven says.

"Thanks, Raven. I am thankful for you," I say.

Raven leaves.