The Morgan Lore - 7. Chapter 7

The Pack House Extension

Rory drove home in a state of euphoria. The feel of Milan’s touch fresh in his mind. He loved it already, wanted more, and it pained him to wait.

The memory of Milan holding his hand, looking at him with amused beautiful brown eyes left him with a fluttering heart.

Rory parked his car next to his father’s pickup. Turning off the engine, he sat in the driver’s seat for a full minute thinking about meeting Milan at the party tomorrow. He needed to work at not making his need to be close to Milan obvious. There was so much to show Milan, he didn’t know where to start. It was frustrating having to wait, but damn, he loved everything about Milan already.

Grinning like a fool, he got out of his car. The sound of hammering and drilling drew his gaze to the west side of the house he had called home for eighteen years.

Shit! He had completely forgotten about the extension project. That was probably the reason why his father was calling him earlier. A frown creased his smooth forehead, when Jack Bennett, Linda’s son, stepped out of a new balcony on the second floor of the extended section.

“Rory.”

Jack kept his voice low, easy enough for Rory to hear despite the distance between them.

“You need to find Beta Kutler to sign off on supplies. We are almost finished with the bathrooms up here. We need glass for the shower stall in the master suite at the end of the hall, bars for the towels in all rooms, we’re also missing a sink. The rest of the list is with Annie.”

“Got it,” Rory said to Jack and started to the main front door.

“If we keep a steady workflow, we should be done with major construction before ten tonight,” Jack continued. “Then we can all go for the midnight bonfire. You’re coming right?”

Rory gave Jack a thumbs up, though he wasn’t sure about hanging out with the pack tonight. He was already missing Milan. He wanted to see his mate pop the prosecco bottles they had bought earlier. Entering the house, Rory dropped his keys on the table in the hall and looked up to find his father watching him.

“Follow me,” Connor said, going up the stairs to the second floor without waiting for Rory’s answer.

Rory winced at the thought of the coming tirade. He had not spoken much to his Dad since the day he saw Milan. He followed Connor into a private study on the second floor. Closing the door, he turned to find Connor leaning on his desk, arms crossed against his chest.

“So, you’ve found your mate,” Connor stated before Rory could say anything.

Rory could not help his smile.

“Yes.”

“He’s not one of us,” Connor continued.

Rory’s fingers curled into fists, and met his father’s gaze.

“He is still mine,” Rory said, ready to fight anyone who dared say otherwise.

Connor lifted his hand to calm him.

“Rory.” Connor smiled. “The moment you shut me out, I knew you met him. I understand some of what you are feeling. I had your mother once, didn’t I?”

Rory let out a breath, relaxing his stance. Connor rarely talked about his mother, that he would mention her was enough.

“I’m sorry this won’t be easy for you,” Connor said in the following silence. “While you’ve been away, Lechter and the Mayor have been hard at work. Biosense slipped Dr. Ilaria into the hospital through a training program. The doctors in charge say they need the program because of new equipment in the hospital.”

“Ilaria is harmless,” Rory said. “She spends most of her time worrying about my mate. The rest is divided between work, her oldest son and her husband.”

“Well, now that the hospital is aware, her schedule was changed. They’ll manage what she has access to. Dr. Ilaria is not the problem.” Connor crossed his arms against his chest. “Her husband, Kiyo Takeda, is the threat.”

Connor took a folder from his desk and held it up for Rory to see. The thickness of the folder made Rory wary. It was never good when the Sheriff could drag up such a thick folder on a person.

“I’m not going to read that,” Rory said, meeting his father’s gaze.

Rory paced back, then with a shrug, he closed his eyes and sighed. Heart pounding hard, Rory stopped close to the door and turned to face Connor.

“Ok, just tell me what’s in it.”

Connor chuckled.

“It’s not a perp folder. Dr. Takeda is a renowned researcher on genetics, and something to do with blood. Lechter compiled it with help from his millions of contacts. He explained the content, but it sounded like gibberish to me. All I know is that we should be concerned that such a man is living so close to our home. It also says that he has been working on finding a cure for his youngest son. Is your mate ill?”

Rory rubbed his eyes, and started pacing again.

“Yes. Something is wrong with him, even though I don’t understand it yet.”

“Rory—

“I’m not willing to walk away,” Rory cut in before his father could continue. “I’m not able to, Dad. I can’t.”

“I wasn’t going to ask you to,” Connor said, a slight frown creasing his forehead. “Though, I have to remind you, loyalty to the pack is cardinal, Rory. The town’s safety is second to none. Your mate’s status needs discussion by the Council.”

Rory stopped pacing to look at his dad.

“What happens when Lechter refuses to accept him?” Rory asked, aware that Chancellor Lechter was too paranoid to make concessions. Lechter would vote against Milan, and his family, that was no secret.

“You’re jumping to conclusions.”

“I’m not, and you know it, Dad.” Rory shook his head. “Lechter hates humans. Are you telling me it won’t seep into his judgment? Milan won’t even get a chance to prove himself.”

“Milan,” Connor smiled. “He has a nice name.”

Rory returned his father’s smile, his thoughts on Milan.

“He’s so handsome, and lively when he’s feeling well. I can’t wait to introduce him to you. It’s killing me not being able to meet him and hold him. If this goes south, I don’t-, I can’t even-, this—

“It will be fine, Rory,” Connor said, pushing off the desk, coming to place a gentle hand on Rory’s right shoulder. “We’ll find a way through it together.”

“Is this what it was like with you and Mom?” Rory asked, holding his father’s gaze.

Connor’s dark blue eyes turned stormy and he squeezed Rory’s shoulder. Rory saw pain slash through his father, and bit his lip hard for having dredged up painful memories.

“It was complicated,” Connor answered, his voice thick with emotion, “but that is a story for another day. When you’re ready, bring Milan to meet me. For now, we’ll delay the council hearing for as long as possible. Or until we better understand Kiyo Takeda’s work. Alright?”

Rory nodded, relief flooding him for the small leeway from the Alpha. Now, all he had to do was meet Milan officially, get their bond to grow to the point that breaking it would be too cruel. The council could not sever a mated bond, no matter the situation.

“Now that we have that cleared, stop shutting me out,” Connor said, squeezing Rory’s shoulder before he let go and walked back to his desk. “You’re still under my rule, Rory Morgan. I have duties for you to carry out.”

“Yes Sir,” Rory said.

“Starting with finishing construction on the west-side extension. You pushed for the start of that project, finish it and on time. Looks like it won’t be just Topher and his mate who need privacy soon.”

Rory grinned, excitement filling him at the thought of moving in with Milan. He gave Connor a nod, then hurried out of the study room heading downstairs.

Rory hurried down a hallway that would lead him to the back of the pack house. A section of the back was reserved for pack matters. He entered a mini reception, already occupied by three women and a couple who sat on the waiting chairs. The secretary behind the desk glanced up from her screen and treated him to a smile.

“Rory. Back from town?”

Rory leaned on the counter.

“Yep. Jack says you have a list for me.”

“I do,” she handed him a clipboard with a neat list of items.

Giving it a once over, Rory smiled at Annie.

“Thanks.”

“Are you coming tonight?” Annie asked him, her gaze hopeful.

She wasn’t the first to give him that look. Bonfire nights were like open season among his people. Willing partners who had not found their mates found comfort in each other’s arms. He had lost his virginity on a bonfire night.

Now, knowing there was Milan, Rory found Annie’s gaze irritated him.

“I might stop by for a few minutes,” Rory said, ignoring Annie’s frown when he didn’t say more. “Is Beta Kutler in?”

“Yeah, sure,” Annie said, with a short nod.

Rory thanked her for the list and hurried past her desk to a short hallway with six doors, each belonging to an official in the pack. Pack businesses was conducted in this dedicated space. His father had once told him that running the pack was very much like running an official organization. There was treasury, the secretariat, pack welfare, and security offices. Each one with complete staff sourced from the pack members.

The other two doors were the Alpha’s office and the Beta and Third’s office. Each one handling different aspects of the pack.

Rory had spent most of his teenage years learning the duties of each office. Six years of hanging out here and he could navigate the insane bureaucracy that was pack politics like a pro.

Tapping on the clipboard, Rory paused when he saw Dolon’s family in the security offices talking to June Vadisi, the Beta’s wife and the head of security. Dolon’s mother, a petite blonde, pressed a handkerchief to her eyes. She was crying. Her husband rubbing her shoulders, trying to sooth her.

Rory frowned. He would have stepped in to learn more, but June chose that moment to close the door.

They must be complaining about his brother Chris putting their son in hospital.

Rory smirked. He pitied Dolon’s mom, but the moment that punk Dolon got out of hospital, he was heading back in. Rory had not forgotten the reasons why Chris had raced Dolon. Looks like that family was going to be complaining about the Morgan brothers for a while.

Rory continued on to the next door, finding it open too. He knocked on the door, and entered after a gruff grunt replied.

“Beta Kutler,” Rory said, closing the door, his gaze on the tall man behind a large wooden desk laden with paperwork, and an electric typewriter.

Rumor was that the desk was as old as Portento, which was a couple of hundred years old. His ancestors were said to have carved the desk out of old trees in the original pack homestead. Rory imagined the grannies who had told him that story were exaggerating. No desk, no matter how well preserved, would last that long without parts replaced.

“Rory Morgan, did you come in to stare?”

Rory met shrewd dark eyes and bit back a laugh at the sight of hickory barbecue sauce stuck on Kutler Vadisi’s greying beard. Walking to the old desk, he took a tissue from a box kept by June on the edge of the desk and held it out to Kutler.

“June must have made another delicious barbeque burger for lunch,” Rory said in greeting.

“She does know me well,” Kutler said, flashing him a grin as he wiped off the barbeque sauce. “Why are you here?”

“Supplies,” Rory held out the clipboard. “Before you send me to treasury, remember that this project is not under the pack fund.”

“Right,” Kutler placed the clipboard on the desk before him and sat back to study Rory. “You’re a smart one, Rory Morgan. How did you figure out that TMG could pay for this extension?”

Rory grinned, and sat in the armchair facing Kutler. TMG was an intricate web of companies ran by Kutler outside Portento. Known only as TMG, they funneled energy back to Portento, provided major construction services, and manufactured an impressive list of products designed to keep Portento unnoticed.

Rory had gone through TMG’s accounting files a year ago, after Kutler asked him to sort financial data sent to him in large boxes by the company’s offices. Rory had kept up with the company from then on.

“Simple, TMG needed a CSR project, I created one, you approved it,” Rory smiled.

“Sneaky,” Kutler said, folding his hands against his chest. “You know, this pack house was originally built as it is for a reason. The Alpha, Beta and Third live here with their families to keep the pack stable, Rory.”

“I understand it,” Rory nodded, sliding his hands over the smooth arms of his chair. “I respect what our great-grandparents created, but I’ve walked in on Topher and Maryann going at it in the shared bathroom upstairs at least ten times. He has almost ripped my head off each time.”

Kurtis shook his head with a frown.

“I did not need that image.”

Rory chuckled sure Kurtis was right. Topher was his first born son and the next Beta.

“What do I say if the rest of the pack complain about the crazy renovations you’ve created?”

“You can say you’re helping our family gain serious privacy,” Rory said, watching Kurtis sign the supplies list. “The extension gives Matt, Topher and I much needed space, leaving our current rooms open for anyone who might need their use. It’s a good deal.”

“I’m impressed, Rory. Your father doesn’t have time for numbers, or navigating paperwork like you do.” Kurtis handed him the clipboard. “Keep learning, Rory. I don’t know why, but I have a crazy feeling about your generation. I think it will be great if you also learn how to adapt fast.”

Rory stood and took the clipboard with a short nod already used to Kurtis’s advice session. He always got these little speeches when he entered Kurtis’s domain.

Rory imagined it was the burden of running the huge company Kurtis did, and worrying about the pack’s financial future. He did not envy Topher and the heavy burden of taking up TMG at all.

“Thanks, Beta Kurtis,” Rory said, heading to the door.

“Be at the bonfire tonight,” Kurtis said, his tone not pleading like Annie’s but a clear order. “It will be good for the pack to see the future leaders of the pack around. We need to show strength, Rory. Let Topher and Matt know too.”

Rory gave the pack’s Beta a nod acknowledging the order and hurried out of the office before more orders came his way.

His afternoon raced in a whirlwind of activity, all of it to do with construction. Driving his father’s truck back to town, to the only hardware, he got the supplies Jack needed. He drove back home, working with Jack to help the crew finish up all major work on the extension of the house.

“Looks real good,” Topher said, entering the master bedroom in the corner suite on the second floor late evening. “Now you just need help with the cosmetics.”

Rory smiled with pride as he finished screwing the last towel bar. He straightened up, swiping sweat off his forehead with his bandanna. Leaving the master bathroom, he adjusted the tool belt around his waist and looked around the empty master bedroom.

This was his suite…a smile tagged his lips…no, it was his and Milan’s. His mate would live here with him soon.

“You’re grinning like a lovesick fool,” Topher teased from the balcony. “I’m kind of jealous. I miss those first days with Maryann. That first intense connection, I didn’t think I would ever get used to it.”

Rory stretched his arms above his head and walked to the balcony to join Topher who was leaning on the rail watching pack kids in the huge backyard behind the house.

“Thanks for pushing for this extension,” Topher said after a minute. “I mean, it’s nice to stay close to our parents, but it was getting...weird.”

“Weird,” Rory said at the same time as Topher.

“Yeah,” Topher smiled. “Sometimes it’s nice to have space just to be ourselves. You’ll understand when you and Milan are together.”

Rory closed his eyes thinking of Milan, his chest aching.

“How long is that going to take?” Rory murmured, looking in the direction of Milan’s house, the forest separating them thick. “I don’t even want to think about everyone’s reaction to this news. You should have seen Linda today at the grocery store. Her eyes were gleaming with excitement for this brewing storm.”

“It’s your own fault for rushing over there. You're lucky she knows how to keep stories under wraps.” Topher grinned, shaking his head when Rory shrugged. “I can’t believe you pretended to bag groceries. Linda started a rumor about you losing a bet with her."

Rory leaned on the railing not sorry about his actions. The gossip was worth talking to Milan, and hearing Milan call him a handsome tall man. Brown eyes smiling at him, making Rory want to pull Milan into his arms and kiss him senseless.

“I want to see him tonight.”

“It’s new year’s eve,” Topher said, watching him. “Your duty is with the pack tonight. You can see him tomorrow.”

Rory sighed and shook his head, resenting his duties for the first time in his life.

“Hey,” Topher moved closer to place a hand on Rory’s shoulder. “You’ll get to see him tomorrow afternoon at the party Linda’s planning.”

Despite Topher’s assuring words, Rory found his longing grew wider thinking of the great divide between now and tomorrow’s afternoon. His heart clenched hard, unable to bear that long a separation.

***

Later that night, Rory perched on a log, drinking amber ale from a plastic cup as he watched Connor, Kurtis and Lechter take their places of honor as Alpha, Beta and Third. Their backyard was filled with pack members. They had driven in from all over town. They sat on logs laid out along different sized tables in the open space. Food made in the pack house kitchen filled the tables: delicious platters of meats, fruit, sweet foods and delicacies brought by the pack members.

An indie band started by Topher’s younger sister, Jade, when she first joined high school, played a mishmash of covers under a tent. The band’s voices had matured and they sounded better than when they first started. They had attracted the younger crowd to the tent.

Chris, Matt and Jack had built a huge fire pit in the middle of the yard for the bonfire. Their college friends were roasting marshmallows on long sticks on the open fire, and drinking.

Rory watched Matt throw a bottle of beer into the burning flame, making it flare up. Topher jumped on Matt’s back. Matt started running around the pit, both of them screaming like crazy idiots. Rory shook his head, looking up at the dark sky.

It was almost midnight. Rory drank deep from his cup, wondering what Milan was doing with his family.

“Alpha Rory,” a shy voice said his name, and he turned to his right to find Annie from reception standing a few feet away.

She looked pretty in a white short dress. Her brown hair loose around her shoulders.

“Will you dance with me?” she asked.

Rory stared into his cup, unwilling.

“Sorry, Annie. I don’t feel up to it.”

“Come on, please?” Annie pleaded. Rory looked up to find her on the verge of tears. “I just want one dance. I’m not asking for anything else.”

Rory wanted to offer her the comfort she needed. She looked lonely. She was a member of his pack. He should worry about her looking so sad…but, the thought of touching her while Milan was so close by. Not that Milan would know, but—

“Annie,” Matt said, coming out of nowhere. “Look at you, how beautiful you are! Dance with me.”

Annie blushed, turning ten shades of red, as Matt wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Before Rory could comment, Matt was already leading Annie toward the tent filled with dancers.

Rory sighed in relief, but then groaned when a hard slap landed on the back of his head. He turned to find Topher settling beside him.

“What was that for?” Rory demanded, rubbing the back of his head, his dark hair tangling in his fingers.

“Letting all the ladies think they can have you during parties. You’ve been such a slut, Rory Morgan.”

Rory scoffed, searching for Maryanne and finding her playing guitar in Jade’s band.

“Look who is talking. You were with me when we turned fifteen and you thought Trinity was hot as—”

Rory didn’t get to finish that sentence as his mouth was filled with a burger bun. He chuckled and took a big bite of the burger, looking at Topher.

“First rule of fight club,” Topher said, sipping his beer.

Rory burst out laughing, turning away from Topher before he could spray bits of burger in his face.

“Okay. You don’t talk about my party nights from now on either,” Rory said, though he knew at some point he would need to tell Milan of his crazy antics.

In time, he decided. When they were together a long time and Milan would forgive him without being hurt.

“Deal,” Topher said, with a short nod, holding out his fist to Rory for a fist bump.

Rory bumped his fist to Topher’s and was going to take a sip of his drink when a small brown wolf ran too close almost making him spill his drink. He shifted in time to avoid three others following after the first in a race.

Rory grinned when the young wolves all ran around the pit fire, playing and rolling on the grass, their excitement infectious. Their enthusiasm seemed to spike the party up a notch as the music seemed to get louder, and conversations bloomed, laughter filled the night air.

Rory reveled in the joy of being part of this most unique and huge family, one that he would protect with his very life if asked. As they ushered in the New Year, Rory’s only wish was that he wanted Milan to sit next to him on the next New Year’s Eve. He wanted to see Milan Takeda accepted into this great family.

***

On New Year’s Day, Rory dragged a sleepy Matt, Topher and his mate, Maryanne, to the town party planned by Linda. The town hall was buzzing with activity when they arrived. Linda had everything planned, down to three violinists playing on stage, setting a classy mood, compared to the crazy party the night before.

Rory walked through the laid back crowd, his gaze searching, listening, and seeking the sound of that lyrical accented voice belonging to Milan.

“Maybe they are late,” Topher said, when they still hadn’t found them halfway through the room.

“Ilaria doesn’t seem like the type,” Rory said, filled with anxiety.

Then he heard Ilaria’s jovial laugh, and elation flooded him. He turned in the direction of her laugh to see her standing next to Ayu, as she talked to Linda and Mayor Lisbeth. Ilaria looked beautiful in a lilac dress, her hair held back with a shiny clip. Beside her, Ayu wore a nice grey dress shirt with white slacks. They looked elegant and classy.

Rory frowned when he didn’t see Milan.

Linda met his gaze. As though sensing his confusion, she winked at him as she turned to Ilaria.

“What about your youngest? I met him last time. Milan?”

Ilaria’s smile slipped, her fingers tightening on her glass. The shift was subtle, but hard to miss.

“He is at home with my husband. The weather is hard on him and he starts school tomorrow. We thought it better that he stay home so that he is at his best.”

Linda nodded, steering the conversation to Ilaria’s work.

Rory couldn’t believe Milan hadn’t made it. Disappointment flooded him and he placed the glass of juice he held on a table, ready to leave.

“Wait,” Maryanne stopped him.

She hurried off to the long table on the side laden with dishes brought for the party. She came back holding a pecan pie.

“It’s rude to show up without a gift,” she said. “You can at least say Linda sent you to welcome him to town.”

Rory took the pie, not waiting for more instruction. He ran out to the parking lot determined to see Milan.

***