“I see why you wanted our thoughts. We don’t want him to know everything about our security measures. You’re right, we need to add something new or recreate another center. But what would we add that could counter what is already there?” mused Alpha Richard out loud to everyone.
“Dad, who do you suggest I talk to at our company to inquire about this predicament?” I asked feeling completely out of my depth at the moment.
“Well, since you brought it up. I’ve already texted one of my division chiefs for some ideas. He should be getting back to me soon with some ideas,” noted Dad with a smirk.
“Okay, but what do we do in the meantime? Should we relocate the Thermal Imaging Cameras to new locations along with recreating a new Command Center?” I questioned my Dad.
“Do you think it’s really necessary to start from scratch again? I mean that’s a lot of money to be wasting,” observed Anthony.
“I’d rather start from scratch and recreate everything and have peace of mind than worry if we missed an explosive device. Doyle Kessler wants my Dad dead. I won’t give him the satisfaction of helping him by using a building or equipment he installed,” I declared vehemently.
“Melanie, I think you just answered your question. I think we need to recreate the Command Center. Why don’t we go ahead and pretend to use the one already in existence until the new one is ready? Then, switch over when it’s time,” suggested Alpha Richard.
“So devious Alpha Richard,” teased Gamma Jacob.
We all laughed at the comment because of the way Gamma Jacob said it. It was hilarious.
“Where would you like the new Command Center to be located? Would you like it to be in the pack house or be in a separate building like the other one?” I questioned Alpha Richard.
“Would it be too much of an inconvenience if we moved it to the pack house or to the training center?” questioned Alpha Richard.
“Not at all. In fact, I believe it wouldn’t take very much to make it happen in either location. Just let me know which location you want it in. I’ll get it started tomorrow. I’ll re-order the equipment for the Command Center when we finish with our meeting,” I announced to everyone present.
“If we put the Command Center in the training center, where would it go?” inquired Gamma Jacob to no one in particular. “I’m just curious as to where we would place it.”
“Well, if we put it in the training center, I thought about the extra space we had on the top floor. We have all that extra space that we could build into the command center. What do you all think?” suggested Alpha Richard.
“If we used the Training Center for the Command Center for our security, it would be inconspicuous. No one would think twice about us using it as our hub for security measures,” mused Dad out loud.
“I think we just decided where we are putting our new Command Center,” declared Alpha Richard to everyone in the room.
“Okay, which rooms?” I inquired to him.
“Let’s take a walk everyone to the training center. Shall we?” insisted Alpha Richard. “This way I can show you which rooms we can use.”
We all followed Alpha Richard to the Training Center. The Training Center had five floors of which four were currently being used. We all went to the fifth floor to see what Alpha Richard had in mind. He showed us the three rooms we could use right away that didn’t require us to knock down or create any walls. The space would work perfectly for us. All we had to do was create outlets for the equipment. Problem solved.
“Melanie, what do you think? Will these rooms work for the Command Center?” inquired Alpha Richard with a smirk.
“Why yes I believe they will work out just fine Alpha,” I cheered as I looked around the rooms. I was so happy to have the project back on track. I was positively giddy.
“While we are all here, Melanie and Anthony, we need to discuss your living arrangements. Delta Troy has told me that you don’t want to live with him. So, we have found you proper living accommodations befitting our next Delta pair. When we get back to the pack house, you will need to follow us in your vehicle to your new house,” commanded Alpha Richard.
“Yes Alpha Richard,” we answered him together.
With everything that had been going on today, I had totally forgotten about asking Dad about our new living arrangements. Once again, we all followed Alpha Richard out of the training center to go to the pack house. Once we were there, we got into our vehicles and followed him to our new house.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting but I wasn’t expecting to wind up on the same street as I already lived on. We went two houses down from where we were already living. I guess I looked surprised when I got out of our vehicle because Alpha Richard explained that this house had been vacant for about six months.
“Melanie, why do you look surprised? This house has been vacant for about six months. I thought after the Robertson’s moved out that we would keep it open for you when you became Delta. I knew you would meet your mate soon and would need a place of your own. So, we kept it just for you,” explained Alpha Richard. “Would you like to come in and see it for yourself?”
“Thank you, Alpha Richard. Yes, we would love to come in and see our new house,” I exclaimed as Anthony wrapped his arm around my waist to escort me into the house.
We went into the house to see what it looked like on the inside. It was absolutely beautiful. Dad had already ordered furniture for the house and had it delivered. He even had someone stock the kitchen and laundry with everything we needed. All we had to do was move in with our clothes and personal items.
“Thank you, Alpha Richard. This house is perfect. I don’t know what to say,” I gushed as Anthony held me close to him.
“We are just so happy Melanie that you were given a Second Chance Mate. This is the least we can do for you. Now, I believe the only thing that is left to do is for you two to get the keys. We had people move your belongings already so, you can move in today,” announced Alpha Richard with a huge grin on his face.
“Again, I don’t know what to say but thank you very much,” I professed as I continued to look around in awe of everything.
“We will leave you two to get situated. Enjoy your evening Melanie and Anthony,” declared Alpha Richard.
“Goodbye Alpha Richard,” we chorused as they started to walk toward the door.
My Dad walked over to us and said, “Your Mom is on her way over here with Daniel and Rebecca. We have dinner for you so you don’t have to worry about cooking anything for dinner tonight. We wanted it to be a surprise,” he announced as he wrapped me up in a hug.
“Thanks, Dad. You really are the best,” I said as I released him. No sooner had those words come out of my mouth than Danny, my Mom, and Rebecca came walking into our house holding containers of food.
“Surprise!” they all yelled together.
“Come on in everyone. Make yourself at home. Welcome to our home!” Anthony exclaimed as he took the container of food from my Mom and was helping to set the table.
We spent the next few minutes getting everything ready so we could sit down for dinner. To say I was surprised to be moved into a new house today was an understatement. Now, I am sitting down at the dinner table eating dinner with my whole family, in my new house, with my Second Chance Mate, and loving every second of it. It’s moments like these that make the trials and tribulations of the world worthwhile. These moments are … priceless.