Chapter Seventeen
Shane purposefully asked Paul to host the next meeting, more as a show of respect for his new beta than the practicality of space.
However, the apartment he and Trent shared was hardly capable of accommodating the remnants of the pack.
John and Chelsea let a babysitter take care of their children, and Shane promised the meeting would not take longer than a couple of hours.
The last time they had gathered like this, the vibe had been casual, even a little festive, with their potluck cookout and outdoor firepit.
Now, a heavy expectancy hung in the apartment’s living room.
The sprier of the pack sat on the floor while the rest crowded onto the sofa and in the chairs pilfered from the dining room.
They all knew what Shane had done to Andy, and what Cody and Thea chose to do in response.
They would have all felt the pack bonds cut and the open air that hung in their place.
Shane wasn’t sure who else had a mind to leave, but he had to do what he could to mend the trust he had broken.
First, discussing where he intended to take his pack.
Just as Kimberly and his gut insisted, he needed their input on whether Oakfield was a good fit for the pack.
He rubbed his damp palms against his jeans and took a fortifying breath as they waited for him to start.
“So, a few housekeeping matters,” he began, then nodded to Paul. “Paul and I talked, and he has graciously agreed to be our beta. From the beginning, I know he’s always considered what was best for the pack, and he’s helped straighten me out in the last couple of days, as a true beta should.”
Paul gave him a nod of appreciation for the kind words and everyone seemed to approve of Shane’s choice.
Shane then went into exhaustive detail over what he found about Oakfield, both from his scouting trip and his research.
Every matter that had been brought up before was addressed, and every point of contention was put to rest. The pack listened, exchanging looks with their neighbors occasionally, but didn’t say a word until their alpha was finished.
“I feel Oakfield will be a good fit for the pack and meets everyone’s requirements, as well as their preferences …
That being said, I am ready to make the financial proposal to Dominic to get us a leg up in our new place.
Security deposits, savings buffers, moving expenses, stuff like that.
Originally, I thought I’d make the proposal and then give you all a moving date …
but the circumstances in which I made that choice no longer apply.
” Shane rubbed his hands together as he deliberated over the words.
“What I mean is, I haven’t been the best alpha for the pack lately.
I wasn’t seriously considering your needs, and I wasn’t operating with a mindset of compassion and understanding like I did in Warrington.
None of that was fair, and I apologize for that.
I won’t make excuses, and I won’t try to play it off like my behavior wasn’t a big deal.
It was, and no amount of excuses will earn my forgiveness, nor do I expect it.
I’ve made some poor choices over the last few days. ”
He glanced at Paul. “And I’ve been made to realize that I wasn’t being a true leader.
All I can do is atone for my mistakes, make adjustments, and move forward to make better decisions that will help to rebuild the trust and respect that I lost recently.
” Shane leaned in his chair, making the wood frame creak.
“Therefore, if anyone has absolutely any opposition to Oakfield, I am all ears. Everyone will be heard and respected. We are trying to find a new home, not shoehorn you into some place you’ll hate.
Everyone deserves to feel happy and safe.
If Oakfield doesn’t do that for you, we will find somewhere else.
I don’t care how much time or effort it takes on my part. The pack matters more.”
Wanda, who sat next to him, shoved a playful fist into Shane’s bicep. “Look who’s getting all introspective.”
A few chuckles bubbled up from the pack, including one from Shane.
“We know you’ve been through a lot,” Chelsea said gently, like a mother would, even though they were close in age.
“We all have,” her husband added. “We’re all bound to act out of character. Things definitely aren’t smooth in our house.”
“It’s like our wolves all feel out of place,” Becca remarked, wrapping her sweater tighter around her. The cold-natured shifter never left the house without a jacket, even during summer. “I’ve been out of sorts for the last few weeks.”
“Me too,” Trent said eagerly. There was a five-year age gap between them, but Trent was fooling no one. He was sweet on Becca. “I’m so glad I’m not the only one.”
“We get it,” Wanda said. “I, for one, forgive you for being an asshole. Andy always rubbed me the wrong way, and Cole leaving was like the trash taking itself out. I’ll miss Thea, though.”
By the enthusiastic nods, Shane started to feel better but knew it was too soon. “Regardless, it wasn’t the right way to deal with things.”
“It’s the way your dad would have,” John said.
“That’s the problem,” Shane lamented. “I’m not my father, and I don’t want to be the kind of alpha he was.
I never did. I lost sight of that in all the stress of finding a new home and trying to be the kind of alpha who could hold things together.
I forgot that taking care of the well-being of the pack was more important than controlling it. ”
“And that’s the first step toward change.” Paul looked at him with pride, and Shane returned it with a shy smile of appreciation.
“As for Oakfield,” Chelsea said, “it sounds nice.” She took John’s hand. “As long as there’s plenty of opportunity for work, it’s good for us.”
Becca beamed. “Same. And it sounds like you really listened and did your research.”
“I’m glad the college offers the major I want,” Trent said.
Wanda crossed her arms. “The gym sounds nice. Plenty of classes and the rate is reasonable.”
They looked at Paul, and he gave his nod of approval. “Good fishing spots and I’m a happy man.”
Like air being let out of a near-bursting balloon, Shane relaxed.
This went better than he could have ever hoped.
The next steps were to get the financial help, then submit all the necessary applications in Oakfield.
Jobs, apartments, and college for Trent.
With this final green light, they could make plans to leave Tolstone.
Then, the deflated bubble in Shane’s chest became like a heavy stone that crushed his lungs.
Leave Tolstone.
Leave Kimberly.
While his pack chatted excitedly over the prospect of Oakfield, Shane might as well have been sinking into a deep mudhole.
Kimberly still hadn’t called him back. No call, text, or smoke signals. It had been four days since their fight, and he knew it was wishful thinking to expect any word. That didn’t keep him from wishing for it with all his soul.
Bolstered by the approval from his pack, and a positive direction of where to take his new role as a leading alpha, Shane knew he had to win Kimberly back somehow.
If they were going to leave Tolstone, he wanted her by his side.
He needed her to keep him steady. Just as Dominic and Erica found their way together, Shane was sure he could find his way to being a better alpha and a better man with Kimberly as his mate and alpha female.
He just needed a plan, the right words, the right grand gesture to convince her that he was worth a second … a third chance.
His phone vibrated, and when he saw Kimberly’s name and the secret picture he took of her during their trip to Oakfield, he nearly knocked over his chair when he rose to his feet. It was like fate, like the Universe heard his intention and brought it straight to manifestation. Here was his chance.
The pack all paused and turned to regard him with worry. He waved off their concerned looks and excused himself out of the apartment and into the hall.
“Kim?” Hasty excitement colored his voice.
“Hey.” In the same way, hers was a rosy shade of timidity. “Is now a good time?”
“Always. Did you listen to my messages?”
“Yeah … Multiple times.”
He couldn’t judge if that was a good thing or a bad thing. He groveled in each one, trying to make up for his massive mistake.
“How are you?” he asked. “How are holding up with your parents?”
“Good, actually. Dad has … He’s really turned around. It makes being here weird, but tolerable. He’s not like he was.”
Shane blinked and began pacing an ambling, slow path up and down the creaky hall with his free hand in his pocket. “Wow … A good change?”
“I think so. He’s much more laid back. Not so hard ass. More sympathetic. Like I said, it’s weird, but I think it is good.”
“That’s good … So, I guess you’ll be staying a few more days?”
“I’m actually coming back tomorrow. That’s why I wanted to call you.”
Shane let out a breath. “Okay.” He tried not to assume they were back on good terms, or that they could go back to the way things were when they were in Oakfield before the monster in him took over.
“Maybe we can meet for ice cream. Not starting over, but … starting slow, like you suggested in your message … You really hurt me, Shane.”
“I know I did and I’m—”
“I’m talking.”
Shane clicked his teeth together.
“You hurt me,” she said. “You knocked me back to square one, like all the work I’ve been doing in my head to get myself back on track was thrown out the window, like it never happened.
You gutted me, Shane, because I lost all the will to fight the lies you said, the lies I’ve heard for most of my life.
But I realized that’s what it had been all along … Lies.”
Kimberly then went on to explain what her dad had confessed. Shane could have clocked the bastard for what he did to her, but it sounded as if he got his own portion of punishment for it.