** Donovan POV **
Donovan entered the conference room as Patricia, Lorraine, Avalynn, Wade, and Marcus waited around chatting. In his hands, he carried his printed agenda.
"Alpha Donovan," Patrick greeted.
"Thank you for rescheduling the meeting," Donovan said, taking his seat. "Take a seat."
Donovan didn't go into details. He was sure they knew what had happened.
"Will the Luna be joining us?" Lorraine asked.
"In a bit," Donovan replied. "She's getting changed."
Wade gasped. "Don't tell me Captain Luna already started training? I wanted to join her."
Donovan kept his silence; he needed to speak to Wade and kindly remind him that Keira was his mate and he didn't like how close and comfortable he was getting with her.
'Are you jealous?' Nolan asked.
'No,' Donovan replied immediately. 'But I know you are.'
"I hope I'm not interrupting," a lovely voice said from the doorway.
Donovan looked over and saw Keira walking in with a plate of snacks.
"Captain Luna," Wade greeted. "You started training already? Can I join you?"
Keira put the large round platter on the table and took a seat next to Donovan.
"There are other things that are priority," was all she said.
"Good morning, Luna," Lorraine greeted. "My name is Lorraine. I don't think we had a chance to meet when you arrived."
"Hello," Keira said.
"I'm Patrick," Patrick introduced himself.
"Nice to meet you," Keira answered.
After the brief introductions, Donovan began the meeting.
"First on the agenda is the financial situation. It has come to our attention that there has been fraudulent activity occurring on the pack's account."
"I remember you mentioning it," Patrick said. "Have you learned anything else?"
"I went through the accounts activity and found that someone has been siphoning off money from the account for the past two years," Donovan explained. "It began with small purchases, and as time went on, the amount that was siphoned began to grow, which leads us to our current situation.
"I've spoken to the bank and opened a new account while an investigation is taking place. All of our future deposits and income will be deposited under the new account. Keira stepped in and added an alert to the hacked account. If the people responsible for the siphoning try anything, we'll be notified."
"That is good news," Lorraine admitted. "We've been struggling for so long and couldn't figure out what was happening. At least now we know."
"I'm hoping we can recoup some of the lost funds," Keria added. "At this point, we'll just need to keep an eye on the account and make sure the people involved don't know we are on to them."
"That'll be great," Patrick agreed.
"Who would do such a thing?" Wade questioned. "There are only a few people who have access to the pack's account."
"We think it was an insider job," Donovan admitted. "The investigation is still ongoing."
Donovan made a few notes on his agenda and moved on to the next thing on his list.
"Next on the list is the housing situation for the pack," Donovan stated. "We have six houses built and completed, but they require furnishing. Before we moved, we had everything go into storage containers. We still hold the lease to the land and houses already built on the old territory."
"We need to get those houses furnished as soon as possible," Lorraine said. "That would help ease the financial burden of the hotel cost."
"Instead of buying new furniture," Keira asked. "Why aren't we furnishing the houses with whatever furniture the pack already has? We can always get new furniture and appliances once the financial situation is figured out."
Donovan slowly nodded. She was right, their main priority was to get the family with kids and older pack members into housing as soon as possible.
"Wade," Donovan said. "Call the storage company and have them deliver the storage containers near the completed houses. Once they arrive, anyone who wants to help unload and furnish the houses is welcome to help out. But make it known that the families with children and older members will get housing first."
"Yes, Alpha," Wade replied.
"Besides the six completed houses, there are at least 7 more houses that need the interior completed. Insulation, the electrical and plumbing," Donovan continued. "Once those 7 are completed, we can reevaluate who else needs housing."
"Is there any housing for the single pack members?" Keira asked. "I suggest building a type of apartment building or dorm rooms for the single people, and once they begin their families, we can take a look at adding new houses."
"Most of the single pack members stay at the pack house," Avalynn added. "They are the extra security we have in case of an attack."
Keira nodded.
"We'll be getting our funds from the King in a few days," Donovan reminded them. "Once we have the funds, Patrick, call the companies to have the houses finished."
"If you can't get the companies to come and finish the houses, let me know," Keira added, glancing at him. "I know a few small mom and pop shops that need the work."
"Yes, Alpha," Patrick said.
Donovan nodded, understanding that he had to accept the help Keira was willing to provide.
"The financial issue and the housing accommodations were the top priorities that needed to be discussed," Donovan announced. "If there are any other issues that we need to discuss, go ahead."
"We've been getting applications for member additions," Lorraine began. "Some have the approval of the King and Queen. We've been getting several inquiries about when they can join the pack. I'm not sure what else I can say to appease them before they go to the King and Queen with complaints."
"See if we can get construction started on the dorm room building or the apartment building," Donovan replied. "If anything, have them prioritze these buildings before building new houses. Let's focus on the houses we already have and get the families' situation out of hotel rooms."
Lorraine nodded.
"What about security and training?" Wade spoke up. "There are a lot of places, our pack hasn't been patrolling and no one has really trained since we've moved. I understand there are more important things that we need to focus on but with the Task Force disbanded, our pack is in charge of handling rogues in the area.
"We just aren't equiped to handle a rogue attack."
"We're looking into that," Donovan replied. "I assure you we'll get the logistics all ironed out."
"What about Victoria?" Avalynn asked. "She's in a coma without any signs of waking up. We should get her out of here."
Donovan quickly glanced at Keira, gauging her reaction.
"We can send her to the medical facility at the castle," Keira suggested. "They are equipped to handle special cases."
Donovan didn't want to move Victoria until she woke, but he also knew that Victoria staying wouldn't help his strained relationship with Keira.
"Call the facility and ask if we can get a transport sent to move her," Donovan decided. "She was one of the few people who had access to the pack's accounts, and we need to question her when she wakes."
Avalynn nodded in agreement. Once everyone had a chance to speak up about the pack's issues, Donovan dismissed the meeting. Everyone had their orders.
Donovan stayed seated as everyone cleared out. Now that they had a plan in place, he hoped things would go more smoothly.
"Wade," Donovan called out.
Wade paused, a slight frown creasing his brow as he turned fully. "Alpha?" His tone was questioning.
"Stay for a moment, if you would."
Wade nodded and took a seat in one of the empty chairs.
Donovan took a deep breath. He met Wade's gaze directly.
"Wade, you are a valuable member of this pack. Your loyalty, your strength, your… thoughtfulness, are appreciated." Donovan let the words hang in the air, a genuine acknowledgment before the more difficult conversation.
A faint flush rose on Wade's cheeks at the compliment.
"And your interactions with Keira," Donovan continued, his voice softening just a fraction, "have not gone unnoticed. You offer her comfort and support when I couldn't, and for that, I am grateful."
Wade scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
Donovan's gaze sharpened. "However, Wade, there is a line. A boundary that must be respected." His voice hardened.
The alpha in him rising to the surface. "Keira is my mate. Your luna."
Wade's eyes widen at Donovan's implication. "Alpha, I… I wouldn't presume to disrespect that bond. Never."
Wade's voice was low, looking down at his feet. "I only meant to be a friend. Captain Grace has been someone I've admired for a really long time. My parents have always spoken highly of the Grace family."
"I believe you, Wade," Donovan said. "But intentions, however pure, can sometimes be misunderstood. Or, they can lead to situations that could be misunderstood by others in the pack."
He paused, letting the unspoken implication hang between them. "I need there to be no misunderstandings. Especially now."
Wade finally met Donovan's gaze again. "I understand, Alpha. Consider it done. There will be no further… misinterpretations." He slowly stood. "My apologies, Alpha, if I caused you any concern. It was never my intention."
Donovan simply nodded, a silent acknowledgment of Wade's promise. He watched as Wade turned and, without another word, left the room.
'It had to be done,' Nolan reminded him. 'Our bond with our mate is already fragile. It can't take any more tension. Otherwise, it will break.'
'I know,' Donovan agreed.