When we finally broke from our ‘hug,’ Anthony gave me a soft, tender kiss. Then, he said, “I guess we need to talk about Uncle Vladimir’s position, huh.”
“Yes, I guess we do,” I replied softly to him.
“So, after Clark rejected you, you wanted to give Danny the Delta position but your Dad talked you out of it. Do you regret it now?” asked Anthony.
“Kind of. I mean after the rejection I wasn’t in the right head space for the Delta position. Danny and Rebecca found out that they were expecting Hunter. I just knew that he would be more stable for the pack instead of me because I was mateless. Then, Dad and I talked about my special project for the pack. It literally saved my life. Dad said this would be my gift to the pack when I took the Oath of Delta when I turned 21,” I explained.
“I’m glad it did because I got the chance to meet you. I’m so lucky to have you as my mate. I’m sorry you had to go through that heartache but I’m glad your MINE forever and ever,” gushed Anthony as he held me tightly.
“I’m the lucky one. You coming into my life was the best thing to ever happen to me besides Austin that is. I just don’t want to disappoint the pack. Can I even make the decision without informing Alpha Richard?” I wondered out loud.
“I don’t know my love. That’s a good question. Why don’t you ask him via the pack link,” suggested Anthony.
‘Alpha Richard, are you free to talk for a few minutes?” I inquired.
‘Yes, Delta Melanie I am. What’s on your mind?’ replied Alpha Richard.
‘Are you aware of the situation between Daniel and I at the moment?’ I questioned him.
‘Your father mentioned that a decision had to be made concerning who would succeed your Uncle, yes. Why?’ he inquired.
‘Well, we all had a talk about it this afternoon. It seems to be a little more complicated than I thought it was. If I were to give Danny the Delta position of the Brookwood Pack, what would I have to do?’ I asked him.
‘Well, we would have another Oath of Delta Ceremony. It would look exactly like the one we had for you. Why, is that what you are going to do? Are you going to give him your position Melanie? You don’t like us anymore?’ teased Alpha Richard.
‘I would never give up my position based upon something like that. I love working with the pack and the ranked wolves. The situation is complicated. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to share it with you or not. Alpha, I’m divided at the moment on what I should do. I don’t like being in this position. I could use some advice,’ I pleaded.
‘Well, you have always been able to see things from every perspective before coming to the right conclusion. My advice to you is to take your time and really think this through. When you have reached your decision, it will be the right one. No matter what it is, I will support it,’ encouraged Alpha Richard.
‘Thank you, Alpha Richard. I needed to hear that. I needed to hear someone who wasn’t a family member say that to me. I’ll see you tomorrow Alpha,’ I replied.
‘You’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow,’ he answered and ended our link.
“We would have another Oath of Delta Ceremony to transfer the position to Danny and Rebecca. That’s it. Alpha Richard said he would support whatever decision we made,” I explained to Anthony.
“Okay. What have we decided?” questioned Anthony softly to me as Austin began to fuss.
“Well, I don’t see any real choice here do you?” I asked Anthony.
“No, my love I don’t,” replied Anthony.
I picked up Austin to see why he was fussing. He needed a diaper change and it was nearing his time for him to be fed. I laid him back down in the stroller so I could change his diaper before I fed him.
After I took care of Austin, Anthony held me. He felt my anxiety through the mate bond. Also, he felt my headache getting worse. I didn’t need it going into a full-blown migraine.
‘Melanie you need to come back in and take your headache medicine. We don’t need your headache going into a migraine,’ declared Dad in our family link.
‘We are on our way in Dad. I just finished feeding Austin. Where is everyone?’ I inquired as we continued our little trek back into the villa.
‘We are all in the sitting room. It’s almost time for dinner. Vladimir and Freya are here with us along with Daniel and Rebecca. Is everything okay? Have you come to a decision?’ questioned Dad.
‘Yes, we have. I talked with Alpha Richard as well. I didn’t tell him what was going on but I asked him for advice and what the procedure would be in the event. He said he would support us no matter what. I needed to hear his advice,’ I explained as we continued our trek.
‘I see. So, you aren’t going to give me a little heads up on your decision, are you?’ questioned Dad.
‘No, Dad I’m not. I told Alpha Richard I was divided on the subject. I’m kind of still am. I feel like I’m in a no-win situation Dad-like Damned if I do and Damned if I don’t. Know what I mean?’ I asked him.
‘I know what you mean. It’s not fair to you or Anthony. You shouldn’t be in this situation but here we are,’ stated Dad sadly.
‘I know. I feel like I’m letting the pack down,’ I replied to him as we walked into the sitting room.
“There you two are. We were beginning to wonder where you were. Your father said you took a walk in the garden. Everything okay?” asked a concerned Uncle Vladimir.
“Yes, everything is okay. We had some things to discuss and then it was time to feed Austin. And you know the garden is one of my favorite places to be Uncle Vladimir. I simply adore your garden,” I gushed as we came to sit down on the available loveseat.
“Yes, well it is always a favorite of everyone who visits for sure. How are you feeling? You look a little pale,” inquired Uncle Vladimir.
“She has a headache. When we eat dinner, she will take her headache medicine so it won’t go into a migraine. Won’t you my love?” cooed Anthony as he kissed my cheek gently.
“Yes, my love I will. I need something on my stomach before I take it or else it won’t stay on my stomach very long. I guess Dr. Wyatt and Dr. Adams will have to add it to their records-I still get migraines when pregnant. Yay me,” I stated sarcastically.
After I said that, everyone just looked at each other like what’s next? They were waiting for us to make the announcement. I wasn’t ready to make the announcement just yet. I was dreading it but I guess we could put them out of their misery. Wrong choice of words-our misery-gives them their joy.
‘Dad, does Uncle Vladimir know that we are supposed to make the decision right now?’ I asked him.
‘Yes, he does. I think everyone is on pins and needles waiting for you to announce it,’ replied Dad.
“Anthony and I talked while we were in the garden. Also, I talked with Alpha Richard since my decision would affect him and the pack. He knows that we will be making a decision but does not know the reason behind it. I didn’t feel comfortable telling him the ‘why.’ So, as we said earlier, we have no problem moving to Europe and taking Uncle Vladimir’s position. I will hand over the Delta position to Danny,” I announced to which Rebecca actually squealed with delight.
I couldn’t believe it. She squealed like a two-year-old child. I know I wasn’t the only one who was sitting there stunned. Danny had to shush her and remind her how inappropriate it was to act that way.
“Rebecca! Get ahold of yourself! Melanie is making a sacrifice for us. Thank you so much Melanie and Anthony for doing this for us. I can’t believe that you are so selfless to do this for us,” gushed Danny as he got up to hug me.
“You know I’d do anything for you. I’d walk the ends of the earth to help you, you know that. If it means moving to Europe and taking over the Second-in-Command position so Rebecca can remain closer to home, so be it. I get it. Family means a lot. You have to make time for her family Danny,” I reminded him. ‘I love you so much. This is the least I could do for you little brother,’ I told him in our link.
“I love you too Mellie. You have always made sacrifices for me. I don’t deserve you as my sister,” gushed Danny as he continued to hold our hug.
“Oh, stop it,” I admonished him. “That’s my job as your big sister. My job has always been to take care of you. Always has, always will be. I won’t stop now,” I gushed as I released Danny from our hug and kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you, Melanie and Anthony, for doing this for us,” Rebecca meekly thanked us.
I think she was afraid to approach us after the way she reacted. I opened my arms for her to receive a hug. She hesitated for only a moment before she accepted my hug.
“You’re welcome, Rebecca. Now, just make sure to make time to visit with your family,” I stated.
“I will,” she promised as she released me from my hug.
“What did Alpha Richard tell you Melanie?” inquired Dad.
“Well, I asked him what would happen if I took over Uncle Vladimir’s position. He said that we would have to have another Oath of Delta Ceremony to turn the Delta position over to Danny and Rebecca. It would be exactly the same as it was for me. That’s all it would take. Also, he would support our decision whatever it was,” I revealed.
“Okay, so this is good. Now then Melanie, we can talk later about you succeeding me in a year or two. Does that time frame, work for you?” smirked Uncle Vladimir.
“Yes, I believe it does work for me or rather us. Don’t you agree Anthony?” I beamed as Anthony wrapped me up in his arms.
“Yes, it does,” agreed Anthony with a kiss on my lips.
Aunt Freya announced that dinner was ready and we all made our way into the dining room. I couldn’t believe that our lives were changing yet again. This time, we were going to be moving to Europe. But we had time to adjust, we had at least a year to get things in order.