“You’re not even that old. Why did you retire? I didn’t ask this before, but I’m curious about it,” Maya’s eyes showed her seriousness as she inquired.
“I didn’t want to work with Lucas. He’s the Alpha, and though he’s capable, I hate him from the bottom of my heart. That’s why I used my age as an excuse. I could still work better than his current Beta, Harmis, but I have no interest in doing so.”
“Though your age is catching up too, there’s no denying that,” Lima teased.
“It seems like you both have made up, which is a good thing,” Maya smiled. At least Jackson and Lima appeared to have sorted things out.
Though she and Elk hadn’t reached an understanding, Elk openly talked about what was on his mind, so maybe it was better than before.
“Yes, we decided to be friends,” Jackson answered.
“Just friends? Isn’t she your mate?” Maya commented seriously.
She didn’t understand why they had to be just friends. It seemed quite illogical, because they were mates, and after being foolish for so many years, they had finally gotten things straight.
Now they were already in their older years, and still behaving like teenagers who first became friends and then something else.
“Correct, but we’re starting with friendship first,” Jackson replied.
Maya shook her head, a mix of amusement and exasperation on her face. “I don’t understand you two. You’ve wasted so much time already, and now you want to ‘start with friendship’? Life is short, Why not embrace what you have?”
Lima shifted uncomfortably, her usual bravado faltering for a moment. “It’s not easy.”
Jackson nodded in agreement. “We don’t want to rush into something and mess it up again. This time, we’re doing it right.”
Rish, who had been listening silently, spoke up. “I can understand their caution. The mate bond is powerful, but it’s not everything. Building a solid foundation is important.”
Maya sighed, conceding the point. “I suppose you’re right. I just hate to see you both dancing around each other when you could be happy together.”
“Speaking of happiness,” Lima interjected, clearly eager to change the subject, “what’s your plan now, Maya? Are you going to challenge Lucas’s authority?”
The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. Maya glanced at her children, then back at Lima. “I don’t want to cause trouble, but I won’t let Lucas bully my family either. We need to be smart about this.”
Jackson leaned in, his voice low. “Lucas has been consolidating power for years. He’s got a lot of the pack on his side. We need to be careful how we proceed.”
“True, I agree, Lucas is someone who is just smart and he knows what he is doing, so it won’t be easy at all,” Elk added.
“I think you are right, maybe let’s wait and see what he will do next, so we will deal with things, according to his actions,” Maya massaged her head. “I need to drink something strong, it’s getting in my head.”
Jackson chuckled softly, “I could use a drink myself. Let’s get something to clear our minds.”
Lima nodded, her eyes showing a hint of relief at the temporary distraction. “I’ll get the glasses. Jackson, can you fetch the bottle?”
As they moved to prepare the drinks, Maya turned to Elk, her expression more serious. “Do you think waiting is the right move? Lucas isn’t the type to sit idle.”
Elk pondered for a moment, his eyes narrowing. “Patience can be a strength, but we must remain vigilant. Lucas might see our inaction as a sign of weakness. We need to be ready to counter any move he makes.”
Maya nodded, appreciating Elk’s insight. “Agreed. We’ll wait, but we won’t be passive. We need to gather our allies and strengthen our position.”
Rish, who had been quietly listening, added, “Information is our best weapon right now. If we can predict Lucas’s next move, we’ll have the upper hand.”
Jackson returned with the bottle and glasses, pouring a generous amount into each. “To strategy and strength,” he toasted, raising his glass.
“To unity and resilience,” Maya added, clinking her glass against his.
Lima, setting her glass down, looked around at her friends. “No matter what comes next, hope you all win.”
“Are you not going to help us?” Jackson asked, his eyes twinkling with hope.
“I don’t think so,” she replied, her tone firm. “I’m selfish, so I can’t get involved. I’m a witch; I can help with things within my realm, but beyond that, you’re on your own. I don’t want to be involved in this pack drama. I’ve had enough of it because the late queen helped our queen. That’s the only reason I’m even here. Otherwise, I wouldn’t set foot in a place like this. So, let me be clear, I’m not getting involved in this mess.”
Jackson’s face fell, but he nodded in understanding. “I get it. Everyone has their own boundaries and priorities.”
Maya sighed, feeling the weight of their situation. “We’ll manage with what we have. We can’t force anyone to fight a battle they don’t believe in. And Lima is already doing enough.”
Elk stepped forward, his eyes hardening. “Who will be our allies?”
“For now, let’s just watch and observe. It’s not like there aren’t people who dislike Lucas. We need to gather information, and perhaps Jackson can provide some details,” Maya suggested.
“I’ve noticed a few who aren’t fans of Lucas and don’t want him as Alpha. But since he already holds the title, their options are limited. Still, their sentiments could be useful,” Jackson remarked, taking a sip of his drink.
“That’s good to know. I encounter many people in my work as a healer, so I hear a lot of perspectives. I’ll dig into it too,” Elk affirmed.
“Done then. Since I can’t interact with anyone and need to stay home for Priya’s protection, it’s better for you both to gather information,” Maya suggested.
“Let’s not mention her name here. We don’t know who might overhear and cause trouble. Her safety is our priority,” Levi added, taking a sip of her juice.
It was true; discussing Priya here, under Lucas’s watchful eye, was risky and could lead to trouble, which they should avoid at any cost.