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"Well, as the alpha's mate, you are the second-in-command. It wouldn't be unusual for the others to go to you for help if necessary," she explained, seeming more than happy to give me pointers. "Normally, nothing too major goes on when Levi is gone, but it doesn't hurt to have a backup anyway."
"I suppose so," I managed, feeling the looming presence of that expectation. It sounded like a big responsibility for someone who didn't know how to lead anyone.
It was hard for me not to shy away from the idea, even though I should've known that. Even still, it came as a surprise.
"I know it seems like a lot to handle, but everyone here values your opinions and insight. I'm sure you'll handle it without any problems," she offered. "If you need any help, I'm not too far away."
While I wasn't new to being in a pack, I was completely ignorant of the issues others went to alphas and their Lunas about, and more specifically, how to fix them.
Since it was my new responsibility, I didn't want to mess it up. I wanted to prove myself, even if it left me feeling a bit uneasy.
"If you don't have any questions, then I'll leave you to it."
"Wait, actually, I do have one," I exclaimed, recalling what I had seen when I went to visit Ivy's new place.
Brows lifted in interest, Nati lingered at the door. "Yes?"
"The building next to Ivy's apartment, what was it?"
After a brief consideration, she lit up with recognition. "Oh, that used to be a bookstore before the pack was even here, but it was abandoned, and everything inside was left to sit. I don't know what made the owners leave in such a hurry, but it was included in the sale of the apartment building, so Levi owns it."
"Interesting," I murmured, letting my thoughts go wild with the possibilities. "I was curious when I saw the books inside."
A knowing smile moved across her lips and reached her eyes. "Getting some ideas?"
"I might be, but I don't know if Levi would go for it. Is there a library around here?”
Nati shook her head. “It’s a small town, and I don’t think there has ever been much demand for one. Why don't you run it by him anyway? You never know."
"I think I might just do that," I hummed, glad to have Nati's encouragement.
***
Without anything else to occupy my time, I decided to find Ivy, and we went for a walk around the neighborhood. She had grabbed us some coffee from town, and we spent the first little while taking in the sights around us and discussing how different both packs were.
"So far, I haven't witnessed any pointless challenges or bloodshed, so I'd say we're off to a good start," Ivy said with a quiet laugh.
"It's so peaceful here. It's hard to believe I had to defend myself from people like Riley not that long ago."
"I'm so glad neither of us have to deal with that anymore," she hummed, taking a deep breath. "But I do feel bad for the more innocent people stuck there still."
"Me too. I just hope Levi comes up with a way to protect them."
"Excuse me, Luna?"
Caught by surprise, we both turned and found a young woman approaching us with a wicker basket in her hands. Her dark hair was pulled back in two braids, and her pale cheeks were dotted with freckles. She gave us a modest smile.
Remembering my new title, I urged myself to stand up straighter. "Yes?"
"I was hoping to give you these. I grew everything myself, and I'd like to gift them to you," she said, green eyes twinkling in the sun as she handed the basket over.
I didn't know what to say as I looked down at the basket full of various fruits, vegetables, and pretty flowers.
"What a surprise, thank you," I managed to say, afraid of not sounding grateful enough. "You really didn't have to."
"That's all right, I just wanted to show my gratitude for having a kind Luna like yourself. Many of us have been dying to have someone to spoil."
I could hardly believe it. I was so used to being ignored and outcasted that I couldn't understand why anyone would want to bring me gifts for merely existing.
