BXBX NOVEL Chapter 296: The base
The office was silent, and no one came to ask for help - which was odd. Even after working there for a week only, Lara couldn't count the wolves with issues to solve - from little problems to grave situations. But, suddenly, everyone was fine?
She understood what was going on when Nate walked in a little before lunch break.
«Oh, hello,» he said. «I was looking for Roxy.»
«She will be back in a few minutes,» Lara replied. «I left a note on your desk for you. I've finished with the documents. Now I'll work here for a while.»
«A note?» Nate murmured, turning absent-minded for a moment.
He hadn't gone to the office that morning, and he wasn't planning to... But... What if someone got their hands on his note before he could put it away in a safe place?
He had to go back. Be it just for a second. Thankfully, he didn't need to come up with excuses to walk into his own office. And, with Lara in the HR department, he didn't need to hide while securing the note.
«Okay!» he said, nodding. «I have a communication for the company. I'm in a hurry, so if Roxy comes back, tell her we're moving to the base starting this weekend.»
«Base?»
«Packs usually live in common quarters, in houses that are one next to the other. We don't do that. In fact, most of us have our own houses. Yet, we have a place for emergencies. We will move there because it's easier to defend, and we'll stay until the situation with Mayford is cleared. Right now, Mayford is busy with some bureaucratic things, but they'll attack sooner than later.
I don't want anyone to be hurt on the way to or from work. The company will work with the essential personnel only. Oh, just tell Roxy we're moving there. She knows what to do.»
«Has it happened before?»
«Such a crisis? Yes, of course. During the first year after I became the Alpha, things were unstable. We moved in and out of the base something like three or four times. But then, once peace was reached, we could continue with our life like regular humans. It won't be forever.»
«And I also will come with you, right?»
«Of course.»
«It will be safe for the twins, too. And your mother, Samantha...»
«Yes, Lara. Everyone.»
«Oh, good!» she exclaimed. «I guess I'm not part of the essential personnel. Does it mean I get a free vacation?»
Nate shrugged, cornered. Was she waiting for him to agree just so she could scold him for being controlling? Or did she earnestly want to stay at the base with the pups?
«It's not a vacation, Lara. I need you there.»
«Yes?» she chuckled. «What I can possibly do?»
«Deal with the others,» he said. «Roxy is needed in the company because the human Government officers will come here and check all we do is by the law. There will also be investigations about everything. They'll turn the company upside down in search of any clue, so I need Roxy to deal with them in my stead. Like that, the base would be left without someone to run to when things get complicated.
You won't be alone; I'm sure my mother would help you!»
«Oh, so I'll be there,» she said, nodding. «I see... It makes sense. I'm not sure I can do a good job, but I will try. Since your mother will be there, she'll keep things calm until you come back if I lose control, right?»
«You won't lose control,» Nate pointed out. «Just keep calm and make everyone believe we're going to win this.»
«But what about the humans pricking their noses? Why?»
«Oh, that's because I sent them to Mayford. That madman will send them back after dealing with all the accusations. I don't think he has many hidden accounts, so they won't find anything too severe. He'll pay a fee and then call his people at the ministries and send them to us to do the same checks.»
«Ah. You sent... Oh, Nate, you're merciless! Financial investigators are the worst!»
«Oh, yes. I know that, right?»
«My mother hates them, and my father would always pray that they pass by us. My parents would say that, no matter how clean your accounts are, they will always find something you'll need to explain.»
«Yeah... Humans are crazy about taxes. They're the only thing that could keep Mayford occupied long enough.»
While the couple laughed at their jokes, Roxy walked in. She frowned, surprised by that atmosphere. Weren't they the least worried about the war, the incoming battles... Black wolves potentially invading Norwich and their pack dissolving just like it risked five years before?
Oh, but who could think they would actually dissolve? If Nate had managed to guide the pack while suffering because of his mate, how could he fail with Lara by his side?
It was better if those two laughed together. It made the whole pack stronger! Still, Roxy couldn't help but feel like something wrong was on the way. Something she had overlooked and escaped everyone's control...
«We're moving to the base, right?» she said. Whatever it was, she couldn't stop just to wonder. There were many things she needed to do.
«Yes, that's right. We'll also reduce visits from humans to the lowest possible level. Call clients and suppliers, clear everybody's schedule... You know what to do, right?»
«Right, Alpha Nate. I'm on my way!» she exclaimed, turning towards her desk and returning to her job, no matter they were close to lunch. She couldn't afford to waste time.
They had to be ready before the weekend started!