The Imperial Wolf Series Books 1-3
Chapter 77

Erick

POV

I take baby Belle with me to my office. I lay here in a small playpen while I work. I let Kate sleep in this morning. I know she is exhausted. We stayed up most of the night, only taking breaks from one another when Belle cried for her.

I am not tired at all; in fact, I feel rejuvenated and in love with my wife all over again. Belle does not fuss; she sleeps while I take care of business for the pack. I only have a few things to do, and then I can be with Kate all day.

I do need to check on Cassie and Austin today. I also need to talk to Meaghan. I want her to help Kate. I know she is afraid of the white and Kate, but I think it would be good for both of them.

Trip has said that Meaghan wants to get out of the house more, and she could help Kate and not have to be away from her son. It would help them financially too. I would pay her well to help Kate. I want Kate to have time for baby Belle and herself.

This house is too big for Kate to tend to it alone. There is no way I would put that burden on her, not while she still has to worry that the white wolf might come back. The main thing is to keep Kate calm, but when he does come back, I want her to be family-centered and ready to defeat him.

I will do everything I can to keep her focused on our family. Maybe having Meaghan around would be good for her if I can talk Meaghan into helping her. I could order her to help her, but I do not want to do that. I just need to suggest in a way to Trip that she will not say no.

I finish up my work. Baby Belle has slept the entire time, and Kate has not come downstairs yet. I guess I can make breakfast for Kate and me. I let baby Belle sleep in my office, and I go into the kitchen to put on the coffee. I hear Kate moving around, and she finally comes down to join me in the kitchen.

Kate comes straight to me and puts her arms around me. "Where is baby Belle?" Kate asks me.

"She is asleep in my office. I am about to make you breakfast," I say to her.

Kate laughs. "I do not think so. I have eaten your cooking, and that is a no-go," Kate says.

Kate starts cooking, and I go back to check on Belle. She is still sleeping. I watch Kate moving around in the kitchen. My beautiful wife, she is so happy. I love seeing her like this.

"I need to make a quick phone call. I only have a few things I need to do today. I need to check on Austin and Cassie, and I need to have a meeting with Trip and Meaghan later," I say. "Okay, I have nothing to do today. I really need something to do," Kate says.

I have to replace something to keep her occupied throughout the day. I do not want her stressed or depressed until we are ready to face the white wolf. This is going to be more difficult than I imagined. The waiting is what is going to be so hard. Waiting for the wolf to come back and waiting for her to fight him.

"I have something you can help with me if you want. It would help me, Kate," I say to her.

"Really, some of the pack business?" Kate asks.

"Well, yes, as Luna, you could take over a few things. It would be good for you," I say.

"What about Belle and the house?" Kate asks.

I go to Kate. I take her into my arms. "I told you, I am getting you help to replace Cassie," I say.

"Okay, sure, if you think that is best," Kate says.

I go into my office. It is really bothering me that she is trying to be the obedient wife. That is not what I want for her. I know she feels like she has things to make up for, but she really does not have to bow down to me. Maybe she is afraid of losing her family. Maybe this is what she wants. I am not sure right now.

I take my cell phone out of the desk drawer and call Trip.

"Yes, Alpha," Trip answers the phone.

"I need you and Meaghan to come to the house as soon as possible," I say.

"Yes, sir, we will be over in an hour," Trip says.

"Good, see you then," I say.

I put my phone back in the drawer and look down to see if Belle is still sleeping. She is starting to stir around, so I pick her up and take her to Kate.

"I will finish cooking so that you can tend to her. I think she wants you," I say to Kate, handing her Belle.

"I am going to change her, feed her and get us both dressed. I will be back down if that is, okay?" Kate says.

"Yes, that is fine. Kate, you do not have to ask me before you make a move," I say to her.

"I am only trying to do what is right," Kate says.

"I love you, Kate," I say to her. I lean over and kiss her on the forehead, and then I kiss baby Belle. She is acting so strange.

"I love you, too," Kate says.

Kate goes up the stairs, and I finish cooking for us. I need to replace a way to let her know that I want her to respect the pack and me as her Alpha without her feeling the need to be obedient.

I set the table and pour Kate a cup of coffee. I wait for her to come down to eat with me. She finally comes down, dressed and beautiful. She sits down with me. I take Belle from her so she can eat. Baby Belle sleeps in my arms while Kate and I talk over breakfast. I love this. I love being here with her like this. I want this to last.

After breakfast, I take Belle with me to the office to wait for Trip and Meaghan. Kate cleans up the kitchen. She seems bubbly and happy. Perhaps she will stay this way if I give her a pack job. We have no one to help the she-wolves. Maybe that is something Kate could do. She could take over the responsibilities that were once Cassie's.

I lay baby Belle down just in time for Trip and Meaghan to come into the house. Meaghan goes into the kitchen to speak with Kate for a moment and then comes back to the office to see why I wanted to see both her and Trip. "Alpha, is something wrong?" Trip asks. Meaghan looks equally worried.

"No, I have some business to discuss; that is all," I say to Trip.

"I can wait outside," Meaghan says.

I stop Meaghan. "No, Meaghan, my business is with you. Have a seat," I say to her.

She looks confused but does as she is ordered and takes a seat in front of my desk. Trip sits behind her. He looks equally worried. Have these two done something to be worried about? "Meaghan, Trip brought it to my attention that you want a pack job. Is this true?" I ask her.

Meaghan looks relieved all of a sudden. "Yes, I would love to serve my pack. I am willing to do anything you need, Alpha," Meaghan says.

"Good, then you can start in the morning," I say to her.

"Great, where do you need me? What time? What is my job?" Meaghan eagerly asks.

I look at Trip. I did not discuss this with him for a reason. I do not want him to object, and I do not plan on letting him object.

"I need you here in the morning at seven," I answer her.

"Here, helping you?" Meaghan asks.

Trip gets ups and moves closer to Meaghan. "No, he wants you to be over the house and be Kate's wolf maiden," Trip says.

"Oh, do you think I am the right person for that job? I will never be as good as Cassie, and doesn't she want to come back?" Meaghan asks. "Feel free to turn down the job, but I will not offer you another one," I say to Meaghan sternly.

Trip steps forward. "She will be happy to do it for you, Alpha," Trip says.

"Is that good with you, Meaghan?" I ask her.

Meaghan shifts in her seat and looks back at her husband. "Yes, sir. I am happy to help Kate and do whatever she needs," Meaghan says.

"Good, then you can go and let her know, right now," I say to Meaghan.

Meaghan gets up from her seat and leaves the room quickly. I wait for Trip to say something, but he does not. "Do you need anything from me, Alpha?" Trip asks after a few moments of silence.

"Yes, if you and Meaghan could stop by and check on Isabella for me, that would be great. I have to go check on Austin," I say.

"Yes, Alpha," Trip says.

I wait for Trip and Meaghan to leave the house before I come out of my office. Kate and baby Belle are sitting outside enjoying the sun. I go out with her.

"I am going to see Austin. Do you want to come?" I ask her.

"I do not think I am welcome," Kate says.

"You are the Luna. You are welcome anywhere," I say.

"It is okay. I understand after what happened. I am trying to come to terms with myself," Kate says.

That is, it. She is trying to make up for everything that happened. That is why she is acting this way. I kneel down in front of her.

"Why don't you and I go on a date tomorrow night, just you and I?" I ask her.

"What about Belle?" Kate asks.

"Are you comfortable with Meaghan watching her? We can go somewhere tomorrow during the day, just you and me," I say.

"Okay, it's a date, Alpha," Kate says. I lean in and kiss her.

"I will be back soon," I say.

I get into my truck and leave to check on Austin. I dreed this. Cassie wants to leave, and she wants to take him with her. I know it would be best for him to go with her, but he is my brother. If Kate is back to normal, we can care for him.

I pull into Cassie's house. Austin is usually on the porch when it is pretty outside. Cassie's truck is gone. I get out of my truck and go to the door. It is closed. That is really odd.

I knock on the door, nothing. I hope nothing has happened. I push the door open. I walk through the house. No one is here. She left. I look around, but it does not seem like they took much. I wonder if Trip knew about this. That is why Trip and Meaghan were acting so damn funny. They thought I knew about Cassie.

I will get my brother back from her. This disrespect will not be tolerated by her, no matter what the circumstances are. She knew we were getting things under control. I leave the house slamming the door. I am angry with Cassie. I cannot believe she did this.

I get in my truck and drive straight to Isabella's. Trip and Meaghan are both still there checking in on her. I wait outside for Trip to come out. He sees me and comes out to talk to me. He leaves Meaghan inside.

"Did you know?" I ask him.

Trip shakes his head. "Yes, Alpha," he answers me.

"And you did not say anything?" I ask him.

"No, Alpha," Trip answer me.

"Be at the house with your wife in the morning at 7. Things are changing around here. I locked up my wife for leaving with my child. What do you think I should do to you and Cassie for kidnapping my brother?" I ask him. Trip does not answer. I get in my truck. "It would be in your best interest to be with Meaghan in the morning," I say to Trip.