Chapter 4 Chapter 4: No Thanks

Willow

“Do you think they are going to talk to you about your promotion to Commander?” Penny asked.

“I don’t know. They asked me to come and said it was urgent. I won’t know until I get there, Penny.”

“They have to give you that role. I would love to be the first female Commander’s assistant. You have busted your ass for seven years, Willow. You went from warrior to guard to investigator to Sergeant, and now Captain. Becoming Commander only makes sense.”

“Well, I won’t know until I get there. I’ll be back later. Only call if it’s urgent. I’m leaving now,” I said.

I grabbed my jacket and bag, and headed for the elevator. I need to get across the street and meet with the councilmen of the C.I.D. It’s been seven years of building my life. Seven years since I left Blue Ridge, heartbroken but determined to prove everyone wrong. When I left Blue Ridge, I had only three hundred bucks to my name. Enough for a cheap hotel for one week and food. My car was a tin can on wheels. Only one of the four windows worked, and the heater and air-conditioner were both broken. That night, it was humid and hot. When I got to the hotel in the city, I took a shower and then cried myself to sleep. Vana was silent for months too.

When morning came, I decided I was going to change my life. I was going to become strong, capable, and all the things that Dustin and everyone thought I wasn’t. I enlisted to become a warrior for the council. At first, I struggled. Especially in the first three months following the rejection. The Lieutenant training our group pulled me aside one day and said I should pack up and go home.

I told him I had no home and I cannot fail. I told him I was recovering from a rejection. He looked at me, surprised. Why? Because it wasn’t that I couldn’t run the drills or do the work; I was just always last, and it was because I was pushing past rejection pains that take an omega like me longer to get over than a normal wolf.

After he understood my situation, he sent me to the pack clinic to get treatment to help me recover and deal with the rejection pains. I didn’t even know such a treatment existed, but I went. It took a couple of weeks before I was feeling better, and then I went back to training. After that, my Lieutenant saw a difference in me and became my biggest supporter.

From there, I defied all the odds everyone said I couldn’t beat. Now I am a Captain and up for promotion to Commander. As I’m walking through the lobby and going towards the council chambers, Vana starts stirring, a little restless.

I suddenly get nervous. Last time she became restless, it was because she sensed our mate. ‘Vana, tell me this isn’t another mate situation.’

‘I can’t. It’s definitely a mate situation,’ she said.

‘You have got to be kidding me. Now?’

‘Hey, talk to the Moon Goddess, Will. What do you want me to do about it?’

Ugh! Suddenly, I feel myself walking cautiously past people, praying and hoping they are not my mate. Once I finally get to the council chambers, I knock on the doors.

“Come in,” I heard Councilman Pratt say.

I straightened my jacket and collar and gently pushed the chamber doors open. I put on my most professional face and smiled, “Good afternoon, councilmen. You wanted to speak to me?”

“Yes, please close the doors, Captain Ashford,” Councilman Olford said. “Take a seat.”

I sat across the three councilmen, with Councilman Pratt in front of me. Gimlet is on the left and Olford to the right. All three are seated with their hands clasped and with somber faces.

“How can I help you, gentlemen?”

“Have you heard of the high-profile murder of an Alpha today?” Pratt asked.

“Yes. Though there were no details given about which pack was affected,” I replied.

“Yes, that is by design. We are trying not to create unrest, Captain Ashford,” Olford said.

“Unrest?”

“Yes. The victim was Alpha Dustin Birch of Blue Ridge,” Pratt said.

I stopped breathing. Dustin. My ex-mate. He was the one murdered? I can hardly believe it. His rejection was the catalyst for my career. His rejection was the reason I was determined to prove to everyone that I wasn’t weak or incapable. Now he is dead, and I never got to make him regret his words and rejection. Suddenly, I feel angry. Someone killed him before I could make him regret what he gave up.

“Captain Ashford? Are you okay?” Pratt asked.

I snapped back into reality. “Yes, my apologies. I am just shocked.”

“Yes, well, as we just said, because this is such a high-profile case, we need to put our best investigator on the case,” Pratt said.

“Of course. If you are assigning this to my department, I can have Martinez head up the investigation,” I said.

“No. We want you to personally lead the investigation.”

Once again, I stopped breathing. “Me?”

“Yes.”

Before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “No thanks.”

“Excuse me?” Olford said.

I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, council members. I cannot lead this investigation myself, due to personal reasons.”

“Such as?” Pratt asked.

I sighed; I might as well tell them. Then I can move on. “Alpha Dustin Birch was my ex-mate. We were fated mates. When I turned eighteen, we met, and he rejected me for the she-wolf he would take as his Luna, Marian Nunns.”

“How long ago was that?” Pratt asked.

“Seven years ago. It’s why I left Blue Ridge and enlisted to become a council warrior and by way, start my career,” I said.

“Alpha Dustin was a beloved and popular alpha,” Olford said.

I held back a scoff and then seriously looked at the three councilmen in front of me. “Gentlemen, I understand on the surface, Alpha Dustin was a generous and thoughtful alpha. His achievements have never been his own. He loved taking from people and never giving back. I speak from experience as well. Believe me when I tell you that Alpha Dustin’s death has made this world a better place,” I said seriously.

Gimlet, who rarely speaks, spoke up, “Captain Ashford, are you okay with the suspect we have in custody being charged with this crime, despite his claims of innocence and all the evidence pointing too conveniently to him?”

That got my attention. “What do you mean, councilman Gimlet?”

Pratt answered, “Alpha Royce Sinclair of Ashcrest is claiming he is being framed. Any evidence that could clear him was conveniently wiped. He had motive, means, and opportunity; however, he hasn’t resisted. He also asked for a formal investigation, which is within his right as an Alpha. We have to honor the request. With this being such a high-profile case, the people are going to want the best investigator we have. You may not be in that capacity now, but you are the only person the C.I.D. that has ever had a ninety-eight percent close rate.”

“If he is cooperating, then why not compel him with the council command?”

Olford answered, “We believe he may know how to circumvent the command. His pack is known for its masking medication. Especially for she-wolves in heat.”

“You think he has a magic pill to prevent himself from telling the truth under a council command?”

They nodded, and I sighed. “Can I look at the file first and then meet with you in the morning? I need time to look over everything and get my head straight about the victim. I personally want nothing to do with this case, gentlemen.”

Gimlet then spoke again, “We understand your reluctance. However, if you take this case and can close it successfully, then we will solidify your position as Commander.”

My jaw dropped. Solve this case, and I become Commander? They should have led with that instead of saying Dustin’s name. “Will that come in writing?”

“Yes. It will be in your inbox by the time you get back to your office, Captain,” Pratt said.

I sighed, “Fine. I need the file, and I still need to review everything before starting tomorrow.”

Pratt slid a folder to me. For the case that's just starting, it’s already pretty thick. “We look forward to seeing you close this one too, Captain.”

We all stand and say our goodbyes. When I stepped out of the chambers and started walking towards the lobby, Vana started stirring again.

‘Our mate is here somewhere, Will.’

‘We don’t have time for a mate, Vana. I am going to close this case and be promoted to Commander. I’m heading back to the office. I have work to do.”

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