Chapter 472

Nathan

“Now, onto matters of the open borders between the southern and the northern packs…”

I forced myself to maintain a present expression even as stifling boredom threatened to suffocate my soul. Maybe I had underestimated the true scope of the Alpha association’s seemingly endless administrative affairs.

As of this moment, we were poised to spend the entire afternoon reviewing proposals for inter-pack travel agreements of all the tedious things. At an ungodly before-dawn hour, no less.

I sighed inwardly, fantasizing about the cozy bed I had reluctantly left that morning. A tiny twinge of guilt churned inside my stomach as I pictured Olivia alone back home managing the house and the twins all by herself.

But this was necessary; I had promised to attend this three-day-long conference, and I couldn’t afford any mistakes so early on in my career.

Especially not after that first check came through. It certainly felt good to hold it in my hands. Soon, there would be more—as long as I continued making a good impression.

“You see, the south is in the midst of an economic change,” one of the Alphas said as he flicked through a presentation on the screen. “Perhaps an increase in travel could benefit the north, too…”

Just then, my cell phone buzzed to life from its discreet spot balanced on top of my thigh beneath the table, where I was keeping it in eyesight just in case Olivia needed me. Shooting a furtive glance at the council members, who were still droning on about open border policies, I stealthily peeked under the heavy oak table.

My screen displayed a new message from Olivia—with an attached video file.

I quickly hit play, my heart rate rising. Had one of the twins already fallen ill in my absence?

But instead, delightful squeals and toddling footsteps emanated quietly from the device speakers. My breath caught as I realized what I was looking at: Aurora’s first steps.

A surge of pure wonder and heartbreak swelled in me all at once. My vision misted helplessly even as my face split into an involuntary grin.

In what felt like just days, she had already grown from timid crawling and using the coffee table to pull herself to her feet into her first steps; and directly into her beaming mother’s arms by the video’s end.

My little girl was already forging her own path, it seemed. I was so proud of her, and yet… I had missed it. For what? A meeting?

No amount of professional success could possibly make up for missing my daughter’s most precious life events, I realized with startling clarity.

I swallowed, wondering if I should cut this trip short so I could return home to my family. Surely even these tradition-obsessed Alphas would understand—

“Is there something you would care to share with the group, Nathan?”

Dan’s gruff tone lashed sharply across my daydreaming. I jerked my eyes up to see the entire association eyeing me with clear irritation on their faces; they had seen and heard everything.

Instant heat flooded my cheeks as I realized that several long seconds had passed since anyone had spoken. They must have heard the video and were watching me this whole time. I straightened hurriedly in my seat. “I ah, apologize sincerely. Just viewing a family matter, nothing council related.”

Dan’s expression remained stony. “I gathered that much. Care to elaborate on what was so engrossing that it couldn’t wait until our recess in thirty minutes?”

The thinly veiled warning in his demeanor spoke volumes: tread carefully, youngling.

I cleared my throat, willing a steadiness into my voice that I didn’t feel.

“Of course, sir. I just received a notification that my younger daughter took her first unassisted steps today.”

Unable to restrain my pride, a small grin broke across my face again. “She’s just shy of a year old, so it’s quite the accomplishment.”

My words were met with silence. Dan’s eyes flashed across the table; another warning. “How charming,” he said slowly and deliberately.

I swallowed again. “Would the council mind if I stepped away briefly? This is very important to my family, and the fact that I couldn’t be there to witness it myself—”

Dan’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Son, your personal affairs will simply have to wait. You should know by now that Association duties supercede such… trivial matters.”

“But sir—”

“You knew very well the commitment that was expected of you when accepting this post, youngling,” Dan interrupted. “Perhaps you should have considered that before having a young family so soon, eh?”

Low chuckles echoed down the table at his words, but my heart was lodged bitterly in my throat. I could scarcely fathom the tradeoffs some of these archaic Alphas had evidently made in service to the council.

But before I could come up with a retort, Dan slid a thick folder in my direction. “Back to the agenda then. Let’s resume our discussion of border regulations…”

With my jaw still clenched, I slipped my phone back into my pocket with one last longing glance at the screen.

…

The meeting ran long; way too long.

It was over an hour later when Dan finally called the meeting adjourned. Most of the other members seemed to share my eagerness to exit the stuffy chambers after that marathon overview of riveting economic policy.

As they brushed past me, already chatting about dinner plans in the hotel restaurant, I wasted no time; I slipped into the hall, glancing over my shoulder once before quickly tapping Olivia’s contact to call her back.

My leg bounced impatiently as I listened to the line ringing endlessly. Why wasn’t she picking up? Hopefully she wasn’t upset with me.

“Hi! You’ve reached Olivia....” Damn. It went straight to voicemail. But before I could even begin leaving a message, my wife’s breathless voice suddenly answered.

“Nathan! Oh my god, did you get my message?”

“Yes,” I breathed. “I’m so sorry. I was in a meeting, and… it doesn’t matter. I just can’t believe she’s walking already.”

Olivia giggled. “I know. It seems like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant with the twins, and now…” Her voice trailed off, and I heard a choked sound come through the phone.

“Liv? Are you okay?” I asked.

“Yeah.” She paused, and I could hear her clear her throat nervously. “It’s just… I wish you could have been here to see it for yourself.”

I swallowed around the lump that suddenly became solidly lodged in my own throat. “I… I know,” I murmured. “I wish I could have, too.”

Olivia was silent for a moment longer before I heard a wry chuckle. “That damned association. I hope the benefits are worth it.”

Her words gave me pause. I knew that she was trying to be funny, but… it wasn’t funny to me. Because it was true. If being on the Alpha association meant missing out on pivotal moments with my family, then…

“Just a few more months of probation,” I whispered. “Just a few more months, and—”

“Ford.” Dan’s voice suddenly came from close behind me, startling me so much I nearly dropped my phone. I whirled around to see him standing a few paces away, his jacket on and his briefcase in hand. He had a stern look on his face. How much had he heard?

“Alpha Dan,” I said, “I was just speaking with my wi—”

“Come.” His tone was a demand, not a request. “It’s time to join the others for our nightly gathering.”

“But my—”

“Now, Ford.”

Dan’s tone brooked no arguments. I opened and closed my mouth once, unsure of what to say; but there was nothing to say. Nothing could get me out of this. On the other end of the phone, I heard Olivia’s confused voice: “Nathan? Everything alright?”

“Sorry, Liv,” I said, feeling the weight of Dan’s judgmental gaze on me. “I’ve got to go.”