The packhouse was silent as the lunch hour passed. Lucy and a couple of pack members cleaned up and tidied up the room. Keira sat alone at one of the tables in a world of her own, fingers flying across her laptop keyboard. Beside her, a piece of paper – her to-do list – lay on the table, the topmost item underlined three times: "Choose an Assistant."
This task was not as easy as it would seem. Being new to the pack, she needed to choose someone who knew what they were doing. Keira had come up with a questionnaire to help her get to know each applicant a bit better. But she was struggling to come up with good questions- Antoine would know what to do.
Keira knew she couldn't just appoint Antoine to the position. He was still too new and didn't know how things in the pack ran. Plus, she was sure Donovan wouldn't approve... he looked jealous when Antoine and Montego had come over to hug her.
Keira sighed, rubbing at the bridge of her nose. The screen glowed with a half-finished questionnaire, a testament to her desperate need for help. "Question 1: Describe a time you successfully managed conflicting priorities." Most applicants wouldn't even be put in the position to manage conflicts.
She backspaced furiously, a new question forming. "Question 1: Describe your experience with calendar management and scheduling for a high-demand individual." Better. More universal. Keira chewed on her lip, her gaze drifting to her to-do list- a list that she noticed was longer than it was yesterday. "Approve new hunting territories." "Order more bloodroot for healing potions." "Finalize guard rotations." The list seemed to grow even as she stared at it.
'There are just too many things to do,' Keira thought, writing a few more things she remembered she needed to look into.
As she continued to work through the questions, a shadow fell over her screen.
"What are you working on, Captain?" came a voice. It was Antoine. "Thought you'd be out, inspecting the perimeter or at least setting up a perimeter for this place. When we arrived, it didn't look like this place was even up and running."
Keira sighed again, running a hand through her dark hair. "Can't inspect the perimeter, Antoine, because we don't have one, and I haven't had time to create a perimeter. Several houses still need to be built. The pack's final residential territory isn't finalized yet.
"There are a lot of things we need to take care of."
She turned back to her laptop.
"It's a good thing you have me," Antoine said, taking a seat next to her. "Alpha Donovan said I could help."
Antoine leaned over and moved the laptop in front of him.
"He did?" Keira asked, surprised.
"The Alpha knows he needs help," Antoine replied, typing away. "I'll work on the questionnaire. You need to let everyone know you're looking for applicants."
"I have a list of people I can choose from," Keira replied, grabbing the list that Marcus had put together for her. "What about Montengo?"
"He went to make sure the construction is on schedule," was the reply.
Keira smiled and stood. Now that Antoine and Montego were here, Keira knew that between the three of them, they would be able to stabilize this pack. Keira left the packhouse with a property map and went to set a parameter.
*
The scent of pine and earth filled Keira's lungs the moment she entered the forest that surrounded the property. King Richard had given the pack a good piece of land. Dense trees, a winding river, and a rugged, rocky ridge to the west all provided opportunities and vulnerabilities. There was even a nearby meadow for sale if they wanted it.
The first thing Keira looked at was the river. It was wide, its current strength strong enough to deter casual crossings, but that did not make it impassable. It was a natural barrier but also a potential entry point for someone who was determined to cross.
Wade had mentioned that this area was not under surveillance. This part of the territory would surely need constant patrols or at least security cameras before patrols were established.
Keira followed the river's bank for a good mile, taking notes of sandy stretches where tracks would be clear, and deeper swirls that could conceal someone's approach.
"An observation post here would be beneficial," Keira muttered out loud, making notes on the map. "And maybe we can add some traps, perhaps, for those who are truly foolish or desperate."
Next, Keira headed back to her starting point. She walked through the woods and walked alongside the edge of the property. Keira headed toward the main gates, where an open meadow bordered the property. It offered little cover, making an approach obvious, but also allowed for a fast advance.
"This area would require constant vigilance," Keira continued, "Perhaps even a camouflaged watchtower? This would be a great place for our fastest runners and those with the sharpest eyes. Security would be heaviest here.
"Maybe we should ask the King to sell us the land. That way, we can properly set up traps or surveillance from afar. If we can't, then we'll have to come up with a plan to get this area under surveillance as quickly as possible."
Keira walked through the open meadow toward the western ridge. The western ridge was a jagged spine of rock, almost impassable for a large group, but it was riddled with small caves and crevices. A perfect place for a lone scout, or worse, an enemy spy. Keira left the safety of the territory and began to scale a particularly steep section that bordered the meadow.
The climb was slow, but thankfully, she was about to find purchase on the rough stones. From the summit of the smallest ridge, the entire territory lay beneath her. It was breathtaking.
As the sun began to set and paint the sky in hues of orange and purple, Keira stood on the highest point of the ridge, a clearer picture forming in her mind. The territory wasn't a simple rectangle, so there would be a lot of logistics that needed to be taken care of.
"Montego would know where to begin," Sabelina stated. "He's the best at this type of thing."
"You're right," Keira agreed. "I'll speak to him."
Taking another look around her, Keira headed back as the sun dipped lower. As she was making her way through the meadow, two wolves approached.
"Luna!" they called out in surprise.
They each wore a standard black uniform.
"Hello," Keira greeted, trying to remember if she had met them before.
"I'm Byran," the one with brown hair said. "That's Oliver."
Oliver had blonde hair.
"Is something the matter?" Keira asked as they both looked tense.
Oliver rubbed his neck nervously, "Luna, we weren't expecting you."
"Expecting me?" Keira asked, confused. "Why would you be expecting me?"
"You're our Luna," Oliver explained. "You're not supposed to be out without a guard or someone to accompany you. The territory hasn't been secured.
When the other women was here, she always made sure everyone knew she would be coming around. She always asked for a guard."
Keira smiled and scratched her cheek, "I don't need a guard to escort me around."
"Does the Alpha know you're out here on your own?" Bryan dared to ask.
"You make it seem like I can't walk around by myself," Keira said slowly. "Is there a rule against it?"
Bryan shook his head, "We just don't want anything to happen to you."
"Don't worry, I'm heading back to the pack house," Keira assured them.
She waved goodbye and headed to the office. There were a few things she needed to discuss with Donovan. Did he really expect her to have someone escort her around for safety?!