The Alpha - 4. Preparations

“Stupid, fucking idiots. Too absorbed in politics to do what needs to be done.” Dorian growled as he picked up some paperwork in the logging company offices.

Levi was slightly amused by the outburst. “Care to fill me in on which stupid, fucking idiots you’re referring to this time?”

“The survivors on the council. They’re too busy trying to best each other for who’ll take over. As if any would be strong enough to lead. They aren’t doing their fuckin’ job to honor the life and memory of Alpha Wagner.”

“Not much we can do about it. Politics is politics. We’ll just have to wait ‘til they work out who’s in charge. Then the fun begins on seeing how they lead.” He shook his head after hearing his friend kick a file cabinet. “Don’t go doing something to get yourself in trouble.” He recognized the sigh he heard. “Oh, shit. What did you do?”

“I got so fuckin’ pissed when they suggested the Hunter Corps was responsible for the deaths. I kind of got in Boxner’s face and grabbed him by the throat.”

Levi spit his coffee across his desk, slowing turning towards his friend. “You did what?”

“Yeah, I know. I didn’t rip his throat out, so no real harm done. I did tell them full honors would be shown at a memorial for the dead tomorrow at sundown. It’s disrespectful to the luna to not proceed with this.” Dorian dropped into a chair and took a few deep breaths to calm himself. “Do you have the number for the lookout tower handy? I can’t find it and I need to let them know there is going to be a fire visible tomorrow.”

“Wait? Backup a minute. They listened when you told them to do it tomorrow?”

“Yeah, they said ‘Yes Captain’ and started work on what I demanded.”

“Interesting. Might have to start calling you alpha soon.” Levi teased.

“Don’t even joke about that.”

Levi considered his friend for a moment. “Just saying. You took control to get things done. It’s the same thing you’ve done here and in the Corps. Here’s the number you wanted.”

Dorian glared at Levi for even making the joke. After collecting his thoughts, he finally called the tower. “Scott. It’s Dorian Jackman at Wagner Logging.”

“What can I do for you, Dorian? Planning on taking the last few trees on my mountain?”

“I wanted to let you know there’ll be a controlled burn tomorrow at sundown, northeast of town. Out on the flats by the river. It’ll be visible to you and will be going for most of the night.”

“Thanks for the heads up. I take it you already have your permits in order? Funeral pyre isn’t it?”

“Not yet, but I will before we light it. And yes, it is.”

”If you need any help with the paperwork, ask for Tony in the Burney office unless one of your guys is working. I expected it already, so we’ll give you whatever help you need to make it happen.”

“Thanks. We may not always get along with you fly boys, but I appreciate the consideration. Invites will be going out to most of our neighbor packs. If you think your flock would like to send a representative, I can try to arrange it.”

“What do you mean? How many times have my boys or I been to your house for football parties? I’ll call our leadership and ask them. Also, I’m going to make sure the other towers know about the fire. You know what they say about eagle eyes. With that many wolves around for an alpha’s funeral, it might not be the best time for a few birds to show up. But if the invitation is made, I know they’ll send a delegation. If nothing else, maybe a ceremonial flyby.”

“Thanks, Scott. I’ll try to make sure they at least send your flock an invite. I’m a little frazzled trying to get this done by tomorrow.”

“I know you’ve got things to take care of, so I’ll let you get back to it. Thanks for the call. Best wishes for you and the pack in all this.”

Dorian hung up and sat in quiet contemplation. It was Levi who finally broke the silence. “I could never understand why we let them in the territory. The few bears around here are one thing. I’ve never been comfortable with anything that leaves the ground or doesn’t have fur.”

“You’re just jealous you can’t fly. Besides, with their eyesight they can spot a fire better than us or any human. They also like it up on that dead volcano, enjoying the view and solitude. Our guys don’t like spending that much time alone.”

Levi nodded. He knew he wasn’t going to get anywhere. They’d had that conversation often enough. The flyers were simply too different for him and he felt being around them was a betrayal to the wolves. Dorian on the other hand was friendly with them and even had them over to his house a couple of times. Alpha Wagner had opened up areas of the territory to the avians and in return they helped out with fire prevention and sometimes aerial surveillance. There were some in the pack who didn’t like having their type around.

“I’ve gotta run over to the Forest Service office and deal with the paperwork for the burn permit. I should be back in an hour or so.”

“They do have phones there just like the tower.” Levi joked.

“I know they do, funny man. I want to make sure it’s taken care of quickly. I won’t allow any screw-ups in showing Luna Wagner the respect her mate deserves.”

“The man’s dead. A little longer isn’t going to matter to him.”

“I know what you’re doing and for once it isn’t going to work, asshole. Count yourself lucky.”

******

It only took a few minutes to drive over to the Forest Service office, but it was long enough for Dorian to start feeling better that things were moving in the right direction. Knowing his Alpha would get the funeral he deserved put his mind at ease, though thinking about why there was a delay allowed some of the anger to filter back in. By the time he walked through the door, his mood had balanced enough to take care of business.

A young man popped his head out from behind a desk. “Can I help you?”

Dorian didn’t recognize him. Discreetly scenting the air told him it was one of the human staff. “I need to speak with Mato or Tony if they’re on duty today.”

“They’re both in the office, so one or both of them?”

“Mato, but if Tony wants to step in on the meeting, he’s welcome.”

The young man picked up his phone and buzzed someone. “He’ll be right out, sir.”

Moments later a muscular man came walking out of the rear of the office, the sleeves on his uniform shirt were rolled up. Upon seeing his packmate the man smiled broadly. “Dorian, what can I do for you?”

“Mind if we step into your office? I’d like to talk to you about something.”

“Sure, come on through.”

Mato closed the door and offered Dorian a chair before taking his own. “Now, what’s up?”

“I pushed what’s left of the council to hold a memorial tomorrow at sundown. Just to cover our bases, I wanted to get a burn permit for the funeral pyre. I already called Scott in the tower to give him a heads up since he’ll see the glow.”

“Let me grab the paperwork for it. I’m surprised the council didn’t give me a call yet.”

“They might be taking care of some other things regarding it. I kind of blew up at them and demanded this be done by tomorrow. Whatever I can get out of the way to make it happen, I’m going to do.”

“Well, you letting me know now gives me time to assign the right guys to monitor the burn.”

“I know he was respected by most of the pack. There are still some who resent what happened years ago. I just want this to go off without a hitch.”

“I’ll begin spreading the word through the department. There have been a lot of people asking when it would happen. It’s no secret he took a shine to you after you saved his life and that you were close to him. Are you okay?”

“I think I am. In a way it’s like losing my dad all over again. I don’t like to see the fighting for control or how quick groups have divided to back one person over another. Honor the man first and let the pack start to heal.”

There was a knock on the door before someone Dorian didn’t recognize stuck his head in. Mato waved this new face into the room and introduced him. “Dorian, this is Tony Whitecloud. Tony, meet Dorian Jackman from Wagner Logging.”

Tony reached his hand out to shake Dorian’s. “Nice to meet you. I wish it was during better times. My condolences for your pack’s loss.”

“Thank you. Nice to meet you too.”

“I’ll cut to the chase, Scott let me know you called, and since you’re one of the lead hunters, I wanted to offer our services for tomorrow night. We can patrol the area so your hunters can attend the funeral.”

“That is a generous offer. I’ll have to clear it with our command, but will let you know by the end of today. Given what happened I’m not sure they’ll agree.”

“Here’s my card with my private cell on it. I can’t imagine losing our leader like this, so it’s the least we can do for the kindness Alpha Wagner showed our flock.”

“I’m glad you came in. We’re filling out the paperwork for the burn permit to make sure everything’s covered if any humans call in and one of ours isn’t on duty.” Mato flipped his pen towards the desk. “Stick around so you can counter sign with me.”