Emily’s Last Day

James couldn’t think, and he felt stunned. How could she leave now? They’d only gotten this pack back into a routine and the region’s political atmosphere stable. But how can he say no to her? He knew this was her dream. She’d never wanted to be his Beta. It’d been a stopgap measure all those years ago. 

             This was the last day Emily worked. She’d be leaving in two days to go to her new pack and future mate. She was a little disappointed. With training Evan to take her place, she knew no one planned to celebrate her send-off to the next stage of her life. So much for relatives and friends. James barely spoke to her in the last few days. His words were only to ensure she instructed Evan on one task or another.

             “So this is the website where you order all his coffee and fresh foods. This list is what you should keep in the pantry at all times. This column is a reference to where to buy it from and this column here is how much you need to keep in stock. While I’m explaining food to you. Here’s the list of food for tomorrow’s lunch with the Silver Lake Pack Alpha. Be careful, he’ll bring his daughter and she can be a handful. If she acts out, distract her with someone sweet.”

             “Okay, okay, I get it. I still don’t know how you kept up with everything. This is so much more than what other Betas do for their Alpha.”

             “Well, this Alpha expects it. So, take my advice and follow this, or you’ll have hell to pay.” Emily didn’t like how resistant Evan’s been this past week to doing anything personal for his Alpha. She didn’t understand it. Did he expect to act as an equal to his Alpha? Or receive the same treatment as him? She felt determined to leave, and she’d packed everything. She’d have stayed just to be assured that she didn’t leave James in the lurch. Evan needed to learn and take on the responsibility. At least James had mentioned nothing about being dissatisfied with Evan. For Emily, that was the only thing that mattered now.

             “I’m going upstairs with his coffee and to lay out his things for his shower one last time. Then I’m going to finish packing the last of my things. But everything is here, Evan, and you just need to look at it. Schedule, supplies, and everything else you need to know about. I wish you luck.” Emily walked out of the office that once was hers, effectively handing the reins to Evan. The office keys were on the desk beside the cellphone that bore everything he’d need to be successful.

             Upstairs, Emily entered James’ apartment. Leaving his morning coffee on the nightstand. She set out clothing for his day. Then she followed him into the bathroom and made sure everything was within reach and a warm towel waited for him when he got out of the shower.

             “Thank you. Is everything ready downstairs?” His voice is crisp and almost emotionless. But after all the years with him, Emily could hear his veiled annoyance. What did he have to be annoyed about? Was it because she was leaving? Or because he needed to break in a new beta?

             Emily remembered how annoyed he was with her in the beginning because of the little things she did that annoyed him. From his coffee being too hot, or the wrong coloured pen on his desk. She’d weathered all his frustrations and made things right for him. After a while, he’d calmed down and trusted her. She prayed Evan could weather all that, too.

             “Yes, Evan is making the final preparations, and he has all the directions he needs for tomorrow’s lunch with Alpha Harrison. Now don’t forget you will get more out of him if you’re nice to his daughter. But don’t let her manipulate you into anything you’re not prepared for. She’s a barracuda if allowed free rein.”

             “Oh, I remember the last time I met her, and I won’t let her do that again.”

             “My flight is tomorrow night. I’m taking the red-eye to Phillips. Is there anything else you need before I go? The shipping company will be here in less than an hour to pick up my things to ship.”

             “No, that will be all.” He didn’t even look at her. He just picked up his coffee and took a sip. “Are you sure this is what you want? You still change your mind.” He may have said what she’d wanted to hear for so long, but it was too late.

             Emily couldn’t stand watching him with his string of lovers and flings anymore. The words he’d just uttered rang so hollowly like he said what he felt were the words expected of him, rather than the words that fit his feeling. That cut deep for Emily. Were they truly the lifelong friends she’d believed?

             Well, it was too late for that to matter now. Her plan of action was in motion and in a matter of a day, it wouldn’t matter, anyway.

             “Yes, James, this is what I want and what I am doing. I’ve made a commitment to mate with Damon and bear him pups. Pups I plan to love and care for, for the rest of my life. Evan can be your Beta now. Have a good life James and don’t be too hard on Evan.”

             “Take care, Emily.” James kept his back to her when she slipped out of the room. Emily’s mood was very subdued, and she’d expected to feel an excitement to finally seeing her life’s goals coming true. But she didn’t feel the spark of anticipation.

             She peaked in on Evan one last time to tell him he could expect James any minute. While she was in there talking to him. James entered the office, sat at his desk, ignoring them both and brooding over something. It was now Evan’s problem. Emily needed to leave and so, with a heavy heart, she left the packhouse one last time.

             Emily couldn’t think of that. She needed to be ready for what was coming.

             Emily was sealing up one of the last boxes that would go into the shipping container when her new cellphone rang.