I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas today. 12/25/2024

October 6-11

We drove to the truck stop and topped off the fuel. "Here, there is a grocery store about a mile up the road. How about we grab food? These are simple meals we can cook inside the RV as we travel."

Maureen says, "I also see a post office. I want to mail a package to my brother since we are not going directly to him. I want to make sure

We were driving to the grocery store when a person's phone rang. We looked around, and it was coming from my pocket. I put my hand in it and pulled out the phone.

I see it says Finn was calling, "Hello?"

Finn says, "Hey, Faye just told me she dropped the phone in your pocket. Frank is chewing out three alphas right now."

"Was that who was following you?"

"No, the struggling patrols in my brother's class found the bag I left behind.  They were in an area Frank told them to stay out of. He was going to set up training there. But that was before he met Maureen.  I had linked him to ask what did he want me to do. He told me to lead him to the rest area but to give him ten minutes to get me down the road.  When I got to the rest area, he had snuck up behind each of them. They were all passed out."

Maureen asked in a concerned voice, "Was he hurt?"

Finn replied, "He wasn't touched. He had sprayed, and the mist caused them all to pass out. He knew who they all were. Those eight were not doing well in the class, so they thought they would find all the items to get ahead. He called all the alphas from the three packs the students belong to, which led to the alphas yelling match with him and them."

Faye said, "My brother finally had it and just knocked all three of them out. He is officially their leader since he defeated them. He is now calling on the council to run the packs. They can decide if they will let them keep running it since Frank doesn't want them. One second." He stopped talking.

"Wow, he told the council he won't be here when they arrive. He now tells them there will be a tournament in six months, and the top three positions will be fought for in each pack. Until then, the council will run and audit each pack."

Lily said, " Those packs are not our concern right now. I just want to know how long until you can meet us, or should we continue driving?"

Finn replied, "That's what I was calling about. Frank said we are leaving in an hour. He said the warrior pups, who are not great fighters but have great hearts to learn, he is sending off to an old retired warrior he knows. He feels this will be a success story."

Lily replies, "We are going into the store a mile from the truck stop. We are going to stock up on easy-made meals. Plus, grab sheets, pillows, and blankets for You, Frank, and Maureen. Text this phone for anything you might need. This will be our last grocery stop. Only gas stops will make up for lost hours."

Maureen said, "Tell your brother I miss him."

Faye replies, "He is now talking to the Betas. He just linked to say, "Tell them when we are done briefing Betas we are taking off to drop the rental car at the airport and then will head to where you are. My guess is four hours at the most. If it is longer, I will call."

She hangs up.

Maureen replies, "There is a laundromat across the road from the store. After we shop, let's wash our dirty clothes and the new sheets and blankets."

We all agreed, and two and a half hours later, we were back at the RV. I marinated the steaks and cut the potatoes to boil for mashed potatoes. Maureen placed the sheets on the bed, and Tanya and Lily put away the clean clothes.

Maureen jumped down from the bed. She ran to the door and threw it open. She looked around the parking lot. She took off running. I reached the door to see her jump into Frank's arms. The bag he had been carrying was at his feet. He returned her kiss. She kept saying, "I missed you." I smiled and was so glad their bond was strong.

I stepped outside and walked toward them, "Hey, you two. There are pups here. Break it up." I grabbed the bag and carried it to the outdoor storage compartment on the trailer. I opened it and threw the one bag in it, and Finn threw the second one in. Faye threw in the third bag. I shut it and locked it.

I turn and see Faye, Maureen, and Frank getting into the RV. We head there, and I see Frank in the driver's seat. He says, " About an hour northwest of here is a campground. We will head there. We will get a good night's sleep and take off in the morning."

Tanya laughed, "I already figured that after today's adventitious day, this would be the plan, though the place I chose is forty-five minutes away. The reservation is under your name. I used your sister's phone to book it. Just hit the start route, and you will get there.

He laughed, "Yes, mam."

Faye said, "Wow, she sounds just like Char."

Maureen growled, "Who is Char?"

Finn started laughing, "She used to be our nanny. The only person Frank trusted us with was when he was at school. She is now his office assistant, or what our tribe calls an organizer. He rarely argues with her. She is the only person who tells him what to do, and he listens."

"I thought your uncle told you."

Faye replies, "He tells us what to do and disciplines us when we don't listen. He tells Frank what to do, and Frank pretends to listen. He will do the task, but usually not Uncle's way. Uncle will skip steps, and Frank will do it the correct way."

Maureen growls, "That jackass takes the credit for my mate's hard work?"

"Sometimes, but our people know the truth. When he tries to claim credit, it is miraculous how any guest hears his servants discussing Frank's hard work as claimed by an uncle."

"Guest knows the truth, but several think that makes him weak. It makes him cunning instead."

Maureen smiles, "only fools would think him weak. When Frank claims his title, he will be kicking ass." She walks over and kisses his temple."

"Don't distract the driver," she giggles. Then she goes and sits back down.

We get to the campground. He goes in. He comes back, grinning. He smiles. We are in campsites 41 and 42. They said the trailer would have to be in its spot. Their camping areas are not long enough for both to be in one. Plus, I was given two keys. One is for a golf cart, and the other is for the honeymoon cabin." Maureen blushes and looks at Tanya.

"You only get one night here. We aim to arrive on Friday at about 10pm or stop and arrange to arrive at about noon. I arranged to meet with Alpha Thompson on Monday at 10am."

Jules replied, "I haven't said I would meet him yet."

Tanya looked at her. " It is under Frank's name. You have until 9:45 a.m. on the 11th to decide. That is when his escort will arrive to bring us there. Now, let us get our meal cooked. Then the new mates can have some one-on-one time."

They all get out to unhook the trailer and finish preparing the meal.

"By the way," Tanya added, "there is a fall carnival on Sunday at an amusement park about an hour from the pack. Alpha Thompson informed me. He said he could arrange transportation for us if we wish to attend. He said he won't be able to go because his mate has their pup due any day. If she is in labor on Monday, he will have his Beta meet us."

Thank you for reading ONE YEAR. I would love to hear your input. This chapter is 1388 words.