Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2021 21:37:31 -0400
From: Just Forfun <jst4fun2nyt@gmail.com>
Subject: New Reality 10

This is my first story, so your input is extremely welcome. Email me at
jst4fun2nyt@gmail.com and tell me what you like, what you don't like, and
even where I mess up continuity or details. My focus is the story, not the
sex. There will be sex, m/m and m/f, and some m/m/m/f but it will be tame
compared to some stories.

The story is fiction, and any similarities to people, living or dead, is
purely coincidence. STDs and Corona don't exist in my fantasy world, so
they don't use protection. You should use protection, always!!!

Many of my characters are underage, and they will be having consensual sex,
both with other youth, and what some consider adults. If that offends you,
find another story. If reading this is illegal where you live, don't break
the law!

I'd like to find an editor, or a Beta reader at least. If you're up for
that, contact me.

I'm also open to suggestions on where you'd like to see things go, although
I'm already 30 chapters ahead of where you are now.

Don't forget to DONATE to NIFTY so you can continue to hate me for any
cliffhangers. https://donate.nifty.org/


******************************************************************************


I had just sat at my desk when Frederick came to the door "A Mr. Campbell
has come to pay his respects Alpha, shall I show him in?"

"Yes Frederick, and stay by the door afterwards please."

"Of course Sir. Mr. Campbell, may I introduce Alpha Gregory Warnick." as he
led the other Alpha into my office. He was short, about Billy's size but
muscular with a graying crew cut. He reminded me of a Marine drill
sergeant.

"Alpha Warnick, I am Frank Campbell, please know that my intentions are
entirely peaceful. May I speak freely?"

I nodded and he continued "I live in Buffalo and have since we built the
canal, my pack is small, but anything that happens west of Syracuse happens
with my consent. We are neighbors and I like to get along with my
neighbors. Your father and I had a gentleman's agreement that we would
respect the state line and I've come to promise you that I will continue to
respect that, if you wish."

"Thank you, Mr. Campbell, and yes, I'm happy to respect boundaries. As you
probably know I'm new to this and would appreciate your help. I was unaware
of this and don't want to offend others, can you tell me might there be
others I should make this same assurance to?"

"Please, I'm Frank. Anything this side of I-81 is yours. Alpha Rizzo has
eastern PA and southern NJ. Your father took NYC and most of New England in
the early 1700's, and south Chicago in the 1850's. New York, between the
city and me, is shared by several small but powerful packs, I can email you
a list of all of this. I don't know your aspirations, but feel free to ask
me for other names in other areas. I know you know Prince George, he's got
the west coast as far east as Denver."

"Thank you Frank, my friends call me Greg. You're aware I'm also in
Seattle?"

"Thank you Greg, yes. And I've heard you'll be Europe shortly?"

"I might be, is that an issue?"

"No Sir, I'm just curious if you're familiar with the term Super Alpha?"

"I've heard it but not entirely familiar, I'm always open to learning."

"Super Alphas are, well the easiest way to explain it is in business
terms. They're like holding companies that control lesser Alphas, leaving
them some level of autonomy. The Alphas become managers answering to the
Super."

"And you bring this up because...?"

"I don't want to give up my Alpha status but I'm not strong enough if those
in the east continue their ways, they've allied themselves and are upset
that I'm not wanting to join them. I'd be open to serving a Super."

"And you're suggesting I should do the same?"

"Oh no Sir, I'm asking if you would be that Super Alpha."

"Why not Rizzo? I'm guessing he's a powerful financial force?"

"He is, but he's old, almost as old as Prince George, and there are rumors
he's trying to convince his son to take over and let him live a few lives
in retirement, then pass on. The son is weak so Rizzo's stuck if he can't
teach the boy and get him to phase. And it's obvious Prince George has
great respect for you."

"Give Billy any information I'll need to make my decision. I can't decide
this today, but you'll hear from me by the weekend. My mate and I are to be
wed on Sunday. I hope you'll attend?"

"I would be honored Alpha. Until you decide, my pack is at your disposal
for anything you need."

"Thank you Frank, I look forward to being, if nothing else, good
neighbors. Is there anything else I can do for you? Have you had lunch?"

"I have, thank you Sir. My driver is anxious to get home, his wife called
and is in labor, so you'll forgive me but we must rush home, it's their
first and family is my priority."

"Mine as well, please give them my regards, and be safe. I'll see you on
Sunday then." and I stood and shook his hand before Frederick showed him
out.

"Billy, make sure we're not stepping on his toes if we buy that auto group
in Youngstown."

"On it. While it's on your mind, do you want to call Alpha Rizzo?"

"I probably should, call and see if he'll speak to me."

Billy dialed and after speaking to someone, handed me the phone.

"Alpha Rizzo, My name is Gregory Warnick, Greg to my friends. My father has
given me his pack here in Pittsburgh and it has come to my attention that I
should pay my respects. Forgive me but he is out fishing with my son and
can't give me the information, so I want to assure you that I will honor
any agreements he has with you and would look forward to working with you
in the future."

'Thank you Greg, I am Antonio, but please call me Tony, I had heard some
news but assumed you would be busy. I was going to make this call later
this week. I'm also happy to continue things as they are, your father has
been a friend for 300 years. I hope to say the same of you in the future.'

"I'm sure you're busy but we should get together when I return from
Europe. My mate and I are having our wedding on Sunday and you're more than
welcome, though I ask you to save business discussions for my return."

'My wife and I will be there Greg. I look forward to meeting you, the
little I've heard has all been good. Until then, stay safe my new friend.'

I hung up and looked at Billy "Get me the book and find Super Alpha, I need
to study. Contact Alpha Rizzo's people and make sure you get Regent to have
a car waiting. Book the Holiday Inn Express, the Hampton and the Fairfield
for next weekend. Every room they have left, then tell me how many you
have, we might need more elsewhere. Call Frank and ask for the name and
number of every Alpha in the country that I should invite. Major cities at
a minimum. I'll start making calls at 3. Until then I'm reading."

Scott brought the pups in and we held them as we sat and read about Super
Alphas. The boys were both squirming so we put them down on the rug and
soon they were both crawling and babbling to each other. They were headed
to the door when there was a knock and Mary came in, snatched them up and
laughed. She asked about dinner and I told her we'd be eating dinners as a
pack in the dining room from now on. Breakfast and lunch in smaller groups
as we came in. No one is required to attend dinners unless I asked for
them. Then I remembered and told her to get with Leonard and share her
thoughts about kitchen needs and layout.

At three Billy gave me a list of Alphas, their location, territory, and
phone number and I started making calls. I made calls until Scott came to
say dinner was ready. We ate and just enjoyed each other's company. This
wasn't a pack meeting, it was a family dinner. Mike and David had stayed
and Mike was telling us about a disastrous dinner in Paris just before the
revolution that almost cost Benjamin Franklin his life. Leonard said he
thought Ben was a fat old fool and history had him all wrong. Mike agreed,
I just laughed. I asked Mike to join me after dinner for a minute and
filled him in on Alpha Campbell's offer. He said never refuse power that's
offered for free. I pointed out that there was no price mentioned and he
said if there was no price asked, there was no price. He did advise that
the standard tribute was 20% of net but that, like most things, was
negotiable. I thanked him for his advice and sent him home with a smiling
mate with orders to get some rest and hit their offices tomorrow.

I went back to my calls for another hour, then went to find Brandon asleep
in Jack's lap with the pack spread around the family room watching 'Toy
Story 2'. I picked him up and headed to our room. Scott had just put the
pups in their cribs so I laid Brandon down then we lay down wrapped around
him and fell asleep. Billy joined us a bit later, I think he liked the
movie.

At breakfast on Tuesday Dad and Jack asked if they could take Brandon and
go hunting. When I questioned it, Dad explained one would be with him while
the other demonstrated. He'd never be alone and he wasn't ready to hunt or
change, but watching was good for him. It would help him understand when I
took him out in a year or two. I consented and they took off promising to
be back for lunch.

I continued making calls and by noon our wedding was going to be attended
by 25 Alphas and two Super Alphas, Prince George, and Prince Sam Houston
from Dallas/Fort Worth, and he made a point of saying he had the name
first. Sam controlled all of Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana as well as the
gulf coast over to Pensacola. Henry Lewis in Columbus and Bruce Wright in
Charlotte both gave hints about being a serving Alpha. I told them both
they were welcome to visit this week to talk business, but the day of the
wedding there would be no business talk.

At lunch Brandon excitedly told me about his day hunting. To hear him tell
it, there were thousands of deer on our property. After his nap he was
going to teach Dad to play pool. Tommy told me he would pick me up out
front in 5 minutes. When I asked what for, Billy told me to shut up and do
as I was told. I trusted them so I didn't argue. When I heard the door
behind me open and Scott came out I had an idea of what was up so we went
along with it. When we pulled up in front of Tyler Daniel's I realized I
was wrong, but this was good too. She had tuxedos ready for a final
fitting, and Frederick came walking in with shoes for us from Freddy. We
left there with the tuxedos in garment bags, headed home.

When we pulled up, Frederick and Sarah were there to greet us. I got out of
the car and I scented him, but I didn't tense this time. I asked Sarah to
take Scott and the tuxedos to our room then Frederick, Tommy, Billy and I
headed in. An Alpha was seated outside my office door so I entered and
asked Frederick to show him in and introduce us. Alpha Henry Lewis had
driven in from Columbus and after assuring me that he and his driver had
been fed, he asked if he could get to the point of his visit as he had a
long drive home and knew I had things to arrange for my wedding.

"Certainly, although my mate is handling that. What can I do for you Alpha
Lewis?"

"Henry, please Alpha Warnick, I'm sure you read the underlying message in
our phone conversation, so I'll be blunt. I have a small pack, and we're
not wealthy but we're happy. I've heard you're a fair man and you value
family over everything, as do I. Are you familiar with the term 'Super
Alpha'?"

"Yes, I am. Before you go on, I'm not entirely familiar with your
boundaries, would you fill me in?"

"As the only recognized pack in Ohio, we say that the State is ours, but if
I'm being honest, I have all I need in Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. The
entire northern half of the state is open."

"Are you suggesting I should expand there?"

"I am saying that I would have no desire to argue over territory that I'm
not using. As I said, our pack is small and happy where we are. Having a
strong presence nearby would comfort my family."

"With respect Alpha Lewis, you speak of being direct but you are dancing. I
hear the music stopping."

"Well put, then I will be direct. I am here to offer myself as a Serving
Alpha, asking that my pack retain Ohio south of a line between I-70 and
US-30. Before you arrived, I gave your man our financial information."

"I didn't hear a request of me other than accepting your offer, did I miss
something?"

"No Alpha, there are no strings on my end. Forgive me for asking, but what
tribute do you require?"

"I've been told the traditions call for 20%."

"They do Alpha, I will have my attorneys..."

"No, I will not accept that. You will have them drawn up at 10% Henry, I
hope you forgive my dancing after the music stopped but we both had to have
our unspoken questions answered. Mine are, are yours?"

"They are Alpha Warnick. I await your word."

"My word is that I accept your service Alpha Lewis. I would like to meet
your pack when I return from Europe. Please email Billy a list of any
threats to your west and south once you get home. Now, you have a long
drive, safe travels. I will see you Sunday at my wedding."

"I look forward to it Alpha." and Frederick showed him out as I reached for
my phone.

"Alpha Campbell, you will forgive me if I am disrespecting you by doing
this by telephone but I would like to discuss your suggestion."

"I understand you're busy Alpha, I take this as no disrespect. What can I
do for you?"

"We failed to discuss tribute. As you didn't ask me for anything, I am
assuming you want nothing from me to agree to this?"

"You are correct, and I had assumed the standard 20%, unless you are asking
more?"

"I am asking 10% Frank, you have to sure up your position if we're to
protect your eastern borders. I will await your reply."

"You won't wait long. Alpha Warnick, I am offering myself as a serving
Alpha and ask that my pack retain our territory bordered by the boundaries
of the State of New York on the North, West, and South and on the east by
Interstate highway 81."

"I accept your service Alpha Campbell. I will be investing in your
territory primarily in Syracuse and Binghamton, to help sure up that
region. Those investments will be yours to control with a 50% split of
profits between our packs. Billy will email you details as they happen."

"Yes Alpha. Thank you."

"I hope you'll forgive me for being short but I was kidnapped earlier by my
pack relating to my wedding and I'm trying to make up time. I'll see you
Sunday Frank, and your mate and children if you have?"

"My mate passed in an accident 70 years ago, you met my son, he drives for
me."

"Well damn Frank, how is his wife? And the child?"

"Both are well Greg, thank you for asking. If they're able, I'll bring
them. Enjoy your evening, I'll see you Sunday Sir."

I heard the car pull up and enjoyed seeing the surprise on Billy's face as
he scented our visitor. Tom hadn't moved from the side of my desk since
Henry left. Frederick showed our guest in and I danced once more. Alpha
Wright said his pack had been strong until his oldest son and family had
died when a hurricane hit Charleston a few years back and he has struggled
to recover. Now he was concerned that the Atlanta pack was going to take
South Carolina from his control and he needed the tourist income of both
Carolina coasts to provide for his pack. His second son lived in Wilmington
and his youngest in Myrtle Beach and between them, managed the tourist
businesses. He went as far as saying he would give up the territories
completely if not for his sons and grandchildren.

"What is it you're asking of me Alpha Wright?"

"I am offering myself as a serving Alpha and ask that my pack retain our
territory bordered by the boundaries of the States of North and South
Carolina. I offer a tribute of 30% Sir, I am desperate. If we have to fold
under the Atlanta pack, they'll take everything and make us slaves."

"I cannot accept 30%..."

"50% then, please help me save my family."

"Alpha Wright, please, you misunderstand. I don't do this for the money. If
I were motivated by money I would do to you what Atlanta wants to try. Your
devotion to your pack is why I will do it. I accept your service Alpha
Wright, with a 10% tribute, no more. I make you my vow your family will be
safe and never be slaves."

I was shocked when this 70-year-old man broke down into tears and came
around to hug me. Tommy started to block his path but when he realized the
intentions, he stepped aside. "I will be back Sunday to see my Alpha wed. I
am honored to serve such a man."

"Bring what you will of your family. I wish I could provide better than the
hotels we're using, but we are renovating after the wedding. You are always
welcome here. I'm told you enjoy fishing, my nephew and son do as well."

"I'm just happy I could get a flight to come when you called."

"You flew commercial? Tommy, get Mickey and Ted. Take them and Alpha Wright
to the airport and have them take him home."

"Yes Alpha." he said as he went looking for any of the three.

"Tom will take good care of you Bruce, when we get back from Europe you and
I will sit down and look at your needs."

After Bruce left I went to enjoy dinner with my pack. Mom and Dad had gone
downtown for dinner with friends, and Mike and David were at their
home. Everyone else was there, including the pups in high chairs. Mary made
an awesome venison roast with potatoes and carrots and a garden salad. I
had learned that alcohol didn't affect us and was developing a taste for
wine so we opened a bottle of a California red we had from George.  Brandon
didn't think much of the wine, but what does he know? I thought it
complimented the dinner perfectly.

Brandon wanted to help Mary do the dishes so I left him to that and went to
my office and called George. I asked him if Brandon was typical of vampire
children and their education. He told me that he was actually the average
and many could barely read when they went to public middle schools. Most
families lacked the financial resources for tutors and many were too busy
making ends meet to provide more than the basic reading and
arithmetic. Scott and Billy were the exception rather than the rule. He had
a few schools available in California for his pack but not everyone took
advantage of them, and those not in his pack never asked. This last part
brought up vampires not in a pack and I found that most lived average lives
mixed in with humans their entire lives while others worked in trades or
service jobs and focused on the needs of vampires. Leonard, Tommy and
Andrew were good examples of this, until Tom and Len joined my pack. When I
asked why, he said that many feared the ultra-controlling old style packs
while others just enjoyed the freedom.

After we had talked about all this he said "I understand you've talked to
Bruce, Henry and Frank today."

"Is someone in my pack reporting to you?"

"None of your people would do that Sir, and you know it. I got calls from
all three asking my advice. I told them I couldn't advise them on what to
do but I did tell them that you are a caring young man with integrity. The
rest is all on them and you. I'll be surprised if you don't get call a call
from Joe in Charleston tomorrow also. He appreciated your invitation to
your wedding and was asking about you. You now surround him and he was
concerned. I can't tell you what to do but when I had someone surrounded
I'd call them so they know I'm not a threat. It has odd effects when done
properly."

"Well since you know about it I need to ask, do these men need to ask me
about their businesses? Or am I just skimming off the top? Or what?"

"Totally depends on you Greg, but realize that your word is law in your
pack and members of those packs are now members of your pack, so be careful
making suggestions to these Alphas if it is indeed just a suggestion."

"Understood. Thanks, that's about what I thought as far as business, but
even in pack issues? I thought we lived under Council law?"

"We live under Council law when it comes to interactions between humans and
us, or between those not in a pack. Or between packs. Inside a pack, the
Alpha is the law, period. You answer to the Council if we feel you are out
of line, but that's only happened a few dozen times in the 600 years I've
been on Council. The exception is keeping us secret. That one cannot be
violated."

"James was an Alpha when he changed me, why did Kevin say he was in
danger?"

"Like I told you, Kevin is one of the 27 and he is new. His understanding
isn't complete. James added you to his pack and made a mate for his son, he
was never in danger. And speaking of the Council, you should be studying
that book I showed you, your Super Alpha status will get attention."

"Not in a bad way I hope?"

"It will concern some until they get to know you, you're a new face and
moving fast. That can either be a greedy power hungry boy, or a wise man. I
am certain it is the latter, or we wouldn't be speaking. But I have to let
you go, dinner is ready. Have a great night."

I hung up and called for Billy to tell him what I wanted to do tomorrow. He
was thrilled. We headed to the family room and, as I expected, the pack was
relaxed around the room watching 'Toy Story 3'. Jack had showered and was
wrapped in a towel with Brandon was sitting naked in his lap. Tom and Len
were cuddled into a love seat dressed like my son. My mate had changed to
shorts and was on the floor at Jack's feet feeding Davie Cheerios. Mary sat
beside Jack as he held a sleeping Charlie. Edward and Sarah sat on the
other end of the sofa having a whispered conversation, I chose not to
listen. I took Charlie and sat beside my mate as Billy flopped face down in
a bean bag.

When the movie finished all three of my pups were asleep so, after some
juggling, Jack carried Brandon to our bed then said he was taking Dad down
to Mercedes in the morning and headed to bed. Billy laid Charlie in his
crib while Scott did the same with Davie. We all undressed and curled up
with Brandon. Billy casually took care of himself and after I cleaned him
up, we all fell asleep.

Wednesday morning, I woke and started caressing my mate. He responded to my
attention as I had hoped, so as one hand slowly moved in circles on his
chest my other was working his foreskin. I finally moved over and took him
in my mouth and teased him with my tongue until I was rewarded. I sat up to
find Billy watching with his own hand on himself. I said I wanted a shower
and Scott followed me with Billy continuing what he was doing. As we
entered the shower, Scott whispered "Your choice Billy, you're welcome in
here."

Scott was washing my back and I had my eyes closed enjoying the relaxing
caress when I scented Billy with us. I kept my eyes closed and soon he was
washing my chest. As Scott moved to my lower back Billy moved to my
stomach. When Scott skipped my butt and moved to my legs, Billy did the
same and when Scott moved the cloth to wash my most private area Billy
washed a similar place in the front. He was gently moving the cloth and I
was enjoying the sensations when I heard Scott say "rinse off" so I did. He
then knelt and took me in his mouth and pleasured me. I opened my eyes to
see Billy's hand on himself watching intently. I reached out and he removed
his hand and I replaced it with mine and he finished when I did. I looked
through the glass and found I needed to have a talk with Brandon who was
laying in bed watching us. We rinsed and dried off and while Billy and
Scott changed and fed the pups I sat on the chair and motioned for Brandon
to come sit on my lap.

"Do you know what you were seeing baby boy?"

"I saw my father and mom doing stuff like that before. I got in trouble for
trying it with Teddy."

"Well you won't get in trouble for trying it here baby. Do you know what it
is?"

"No but it looks fun, you liked it."

"Do you know where babies come from?"

He proceeded to tell me he knew babies grew in their mother's belly and
knew where they came out but didn't know what made them grow. I gave him a
basic anatomy course teaching him about his penis and testicles and a
woman's vagina, then basic heterosexual intercourse. I then explained that
it felt good and boys could make themselves feel that or someone else
could. Scott and I were mates and it was OK for us. Billy was our Beta and
it was OK because of that. Daddies and sons shouldn't do that with each
other because it can confuse things. He asked if he could with cousin Jack
so I had to clarify that any adult shouldn't do things with him and to tell
us if they wanted to. He asked about making himself feel good and I stopped
to think, then I heard Scott think 'Billy?' and I decided.

"You saw what Billy was doing to himself? And what Daddy did to Billy?"

"Ya."

"That's what you do but I think you're too young to get the really good
feelings. If you want to try, it's OK if we're here or if you're alone but
it's not something you do with other people around. Pop and Billy and me
can talk to you about it and if you're doing it we can tell you how, but we
shouldn't touch, and you shouldn't touch us there, OK?"

"Even washing me?"

"That's different baby, washing can feel good and it's OK but touching just
for the good feelings isn't, got it?"

"I think so. I wanna try it but right now I gotta pee and I'm hungry." and
he jumped up and ran to the bathroom.

While he was in there I looked to Billy "I should have asked you first, if
you're not comfortable..."

"I'm fine Greg. And I think you drew the line perfectly. I do think we
might close the bathroom door next time though." as he blushed.

We headed to breakfast and found Dad and Jack with Mary having coffee. I
wasn't sure I had handled that right so I asked Dad if we could talk. Jack
suggested he and Brandon could eat on the deck and Brandon loved that idea
so once they were gone I spelled out what had happened and how I dealt with
it. I didn't go into details because I didn't want to embarrass him in
front of his Grandma but I did say he was in the shower and we were
'playing'. Mary didn't bat an eye, and Dad asked me three questions to
which my answer was 'no' to each.

"Did any of you touch Brandon?" "Did he touch any of you?" "Did he seem
upset?"

He went on to explain that when he was born, a typical family of 6 or 8
would live in a one room shack, so children were constantly learning about
sex by watching their parents. Those children grew up fine, and so would
ours. He agreed that if the boy wanted to play with himself, we should
allow it and treat it like the normal activity it is. If he did it with us
in the room, or in the bed, it was fine, as long as we weren't engaged in
sex at the time or touching him in sexual ways. And giving him pointers was
just parental advice. He also said that many humans would disagree with his
view and think we were perverted, and for them and their family, they'd be
right.

Mary reminded us that in ancient Rome, boys were expected to have sex with
men until they married, so a little play was perfectly normal. She looked
at Billy as she said "What you do at your age doesn't mean you're gay or
straight. There is no shame if your entire life is serving your Alpha both
in the pack and in bed."

Dad asked if he could take Brandon with him to get his new car. I said it
was fine on the condition that they drove very carefully and stopped to get
a booster seat. Behind me I heard "There's one in the GLS." and I turned to
stare at Tommy. "What? You think Billy's the only one that can think
ahead?"

"It would seem not. Well, show them how to hook it up, I doubt these two
antiques can handle it." I said as Jack and Brandon rejoined us. I told
Brandon he got to go with Granddad today and he yelled and ran off to get
dressed. I looked at the clock and did the same.

I had just sat down at my desk when Frederick brought in Andrew, Mike and
David. I asked Tommy and Leonard to join us and when they were all there, I
told them my plans. They thought it was a good idea and Leonard started
making suggestions on buildings. Mike said he had three in mind, Tommy knew
several, but it was Andrew that surprised me by asking to speak to me
privately. The others gave us the room, except for Billy of course, and
Andrew spoke.

"My wife and I are raising my sister's son, he's 6 next month, and I was
hoping you could do something for him Sir? Our son too, but Lucas is just
so sad about not having the opportunities."

"How old is your son Andrew?"

"Andy's 4 Sir. He's a devil, just like I was. Anything I can do to make
this work, please let me know."

"It will happen, for both of them Andrew. Do you have skills other than
driving?"

"I was a butler for Lord Sussex back in the 1680's, then after a life as a
coachman I was a butler again for Lord Wellesley , err Wellington from 1820
til he died in '52. Understand I had to work my way up again, but I knew
all the tricks. I did a time as a farm hand, but when the horseless came
along, well, I enjoy service and I like driving and not many people need a
true butler these days."

"Have you ever been in a pack? Or always lived alone?"

"I had an Alpha in London but he thought I was too uppity because I worked
for the Prime Minister, so he kicked me out of the pack. I lost all I
had. Thank you Sir, but I'd prefer not to, unless my boys futures depend on
it. I'll do anything for them."

"Andy and Lucas both are covered and I was just asking for my own
knowledge. I don't run my pack like that anyway. Does your wife work?"

"She's a student at Pitt. It'll be her third time, this one's history, she
could teach most of her classes from personal knowledge."

"You're all invited to lunch, or dinner if you can't make lunch. I'll fix
it with Regent if you can get your wife and the boys. For now, we need to
let them back in and wind this up. I have another guest at 10."

When they came back in, they all had made several phone calls and we had a
list of 15 probable and 2 undecided. That was enough for me. "Mike, if all
else fails, would you or David..."

"In a heartbeat Greg, yes."

"That's it, I want a meeting tonight with all of these, and any others,
find an appropriate location Leonard, preferably one with space to grow but
make sure it's away from human eyes. I'd prefer closer to downtown, but the
security is more important, we can provide transportation."

"Yes Sir. I'll work with Billy."

"Understand if this goes over this well, we'll be doing it in several other
places. Now, I must let this gentleman in, he's been waiting
patiently. Andrew, that invite was not business, or pack, it was personal,
you understand that, right?"

"Thank you Sir, er Greg. I'll let Billy know."

As this group filed out, Frederick brought in a vampire who looked like he
was in his early 70's. I met him in front of my desk and showed him to the
sofa and chair, and asked Frederick for drinks. We both wanted wine. "Thank
you for coming today Doctor, I have two things I'd like to discuss with
you. First my son Brandon will be 5 in July and can barely read and do
basic arithmetic. I don't think he has any knowledge of science, music,
history and I just had to have the birds and the bees talk with him this
morning. Am I wrong thinking he is behind?"

"You are not wrong Alpha Warnick, a vampire child at that age is easily
able to be working at a human 8th grade level. Do you think it's just lack
of education? Or does he have issues?"

"Please, call me Greg. And to be honest, I don't know. Billy? Does he seem
typical in other ways?"

"I'm fairly confident it's simply lack of education Dr Phillips, he's a
typical 5-year-old, well, for the dozen or so I've known."

"I'd also like to augment my own education, as would my mate. I was raised
human until two weeks ago, I was going to be a high school senior in AP
classes. My mate is 8 and seems my equal in most areas. I'd like you to
work with Billy too if he wants. None of us have the time to go to any
standard school. I don't care about degrees, I care about knowledge."

"A wise statement Greg, I would like to meet your son to evaluate him
myself. As to your other issue, I was talking to Frederick while waiting
and he gave me an overview and I am very interested. I've retired and was
planning on refreshing over the summer and moving, but I'd be interested in
staying around for this."

"If this works out you don't need to find new housing, I'll take care of
that. Depending on tonight's meeting we can figure what's
appropriate. We'll pay you what you're worth Dr, not what the job's worth,
I've seen your list of degrees."

"Thank you Greg but I'm set for a few lifetimes, I'm single, always have
been, and my first Alpha invested wisely for the pack. When he passed he
left us all well cared for."

"I hope it's not impolite of me to ask, but didn't he have an heir to the
Alpha?"

"His son died with him, the Beta was a fine Beta but not Alpha material. We
all agreed that going our own ways was the best option. This was 1918 and
I've been on my own since, and rather happy."

"Thank you for your candor Doctor. And I think I just heard my father pull
up with my son. Let's go see Dad's new car and you can meet my son."

We walked out front to find Dad lifting Brandon from his new red Mercedes
SL 550 Roadster. Did 500 year old vampires have midlife crisis? It seems
so.

"Dr Phillips this is my father, James Warnick, and this little angel is my
son Brandon Charles Warnick. Dad, Brandon, this is Dr Richard Phillips. Dr
Phillips wants to chat with you some Brandon, is that OK?"

"Sure Dad, nice to meet you Dr Phillips. Would you like to sit while we
talk? If we go through to the deck, we can enjoy the weather and stop by
and get a drink."

"I think that would be nice Brandon, lead the way" and they were off.

Once they were inside dad said "Awful big gun to tutor the boy. Last I
heard, he has 9 doctorates."

"I have other irons in the fire Dad, including tutoring Scott, Billy and
me."

"Well, if you can't learn from him, you have issues."

"True, now, what is this? And what did it cost me?" I said the last part
with a grin.

"Hardly any of the money I gave you Alpha" he said Alpha with a sarcastic
twist "it's a going away gift. I'm going away and I got a gift."

I laughed as I looked over his car. "If you decide you don't like it, call
me, I might buy it. This is beautiful, and in West Palm Beach, yeah this is
perfect Dad. What's Mom think?"

"She picked the color, so she's happy."

"Sorry Dad, Billy needs me. Dinner will be early, I have to be downtown
later. See you there?"

"Not sure yet, we'll let you know."

I went back to my office to find Billy and Leonard looking at a building
online. It seemed too big for what I wanted.

Billy said "Follow my thinking before you say no. We need to hide what's
really going on, and any building actually designed for this will stand out
and cause questions from interested humans. I know you don't want an office
downtown, but we own the building Mike's in, and it's half empty, we put
Warnick Industries on the building, put corporate offices on the top
floor. All of that is expected. We also put WI on a floor, or two, and we
have the space we need, and the traffic can be disguised."

"Mike has a conference room that will hold 50, and there's a meeting room
down the hall that's empty if we go over the 50 we can move there real
quick."

"I like it Billy, it covers everything. Tell Mike to set his room up for 50
and the other room for 100. I can't imagine that many this quick, can you?
Let's do this at 6? Or 7?"

"That's a tough one, people that work downtown don't want to come back, and
the ones that work and live farther out don't want to come in that
early. And I bet we end up in the larger room, and full."

"Get word to everyone, I want to be there at 5. We'll have an open house
rather than a set time. Nothing's set in stone yet so we can give and take
and learn what the needs and interest level actually is. We'll eat on the
way, or do pizza. Let your Grandma know dinner will be a catch as they can
thing tonight. OH, call Andrew. I invited him to lunch or dinner. I don't
want him to show up and there's no one here. Promise him...something, I
don't know."

Frederick came to the door "Sir? Andrew and his family are here?"

"Yes, show them in, I invited them for lunch. Who's hungry? Get a head
count so we know dining room or kitchen."

I heard Billy mumbling names then "I count 10 for sure, we better do the
dining room unless you want some of us to eat later?"

"No, the dining room's fine. Frederick, please go tell Mary."

"Andrew, please introduce me to this lovely lady."

"Alpha Warnick, this is my wife Amie. Amie, Alpha Greg Warnick."

She kept her eyes down until I said "Hey? I'm up here." and she got the bad
joke. "Andrew knows better than to introduce me like that. I'm Greg, I
don't want to hear lots of Sir and Alpha and all that, OK?"

"Yes Sir... er, Greg. But forgive me, for the boys..." I nodded "Lucas,
Andrew... This is Alpha Warnick. Alpha, this my nephew Lucas and my son
Andrew, Lucas and Andy."

Lucas smiled and whispered "I heard you Greg, but for her" nodding towards
his aunt, and then said louder "Nice to meet you Alpha." That got him a
laugh from me and a poke in the ribs from Amie.

"My dad says you're a really nice man Mr. Alpha." which got a huge laugh
from everyone and even more giggles when he looked at his mom whispering
"What? That's his name, right?"

I knelt down and told him "YOU can call me Mr. Alpha if you want, but my
friends call me Mr. Greg, and the special ones call me Uncle Greg."

Brandon came running in so I introduced everyone around, then Scott came in
with Davie and Sarah carrying Charlie and we did another round of whose pup
is whose. I asked Billy to take the pups, and show everyone in to the
dining room so Scott and I could have a moment with Dr. Phillips.

Once we were alone, I asked "So what is your opinion?"

"I'm certain it's education, or the lack of, that is the problem
gentlemen. That boy is amazingly bright. I feel I can have him caught up by
the end of summer if I work with him daily. And beyond that, I'd put money
on the boy working on undergraduate work two years from today."

"I never thought about it but how young do you start teaching? And
testing?"

"There are tests for infants but usually only in cases of delayed
development. And teaching has already started. Don't 'baby' talk to them,
talk normally, and try to use your hands to point and describe things. An
example, I point to the bookshelves and say books... or I get closer and
say green book, and teach two concepts at once, then he learns that the
item is the book and the color is green. The more descriptive you are early
on, the better their language skills. Or, to boil it down, talk to them,
early and often."

"So, you're saying if we want our infants to develop to their ultimate
potential, we shouldn't let them sit in the crib and just play, we should
sit with them and constantly say 'orange block' or 'green ball' or
whatever, is that right?"

"Essentially, yes. The attention is good for them, and they learn."

"Well thank you Dr, now we'll introduce you to the babies we were asking
about." and we led him into the dining room and introduced him around. When
he met the pups, he assured us there were no signs of either boy being
delayed. Dr Phillips also spent some time in conversation with Lucas and
Andy and afterwards spent a few minutes with Andrew and Amie.

Whenever they weren't talking with Dr Phillips, Lucas and Billy were lost
in conversation. It seems Lucas has interests in business as well and asked
how people were reacting to him in his role due to his age. Fortunately,
his dealings were with vampires so his age wasn't an issue, and he could
drop my name if he met resistance. I reminded everyone present that our
little project was having a get together at Mike's office starting at 6 but
I planned on being there at 5. I double checked that Andrew and his family
would attend and he said they would find something to do for a few hours
and then attend.

"They can swim here for a while Dad, and I can teach them pool."

I explained that we swim in the lake and the boys might not like that but
both were begging to stay. When Amie said they had nothing to wear Brandon
said "That's what we wear!" which got a laugh and an agreement that they
would spend the afternoon here and follow us down.

"Amie, are your boys good swimmers?"

"I used to teach infants and toddlers to swim, so Andy's been swimming
since he was 2 months. We got Lucas when he was 11 months and had him
swimming in a week."

"Really? I'll happily pay for your time if you'd come teach our pups to
swim."

"I can start today if you don't mind my being naked around Brandon."

"Mom didn't wear clothes around the house Ma'am, it won't bother me."

"And I've been known to not have much of anything when I was raising Billy
so he's used to it as well." Mary added

"Greg? Can you spare me a while? I'd like to swim with them if I may?"

"No Billy, I'll need you" and his face fell but he stayed silent so I added
"to carry my towel to the lake." which got me a punch in the arm.

"My math says we can spare an hour, no more. Andrew, Amie, Billy can show
you the shower room downstairs where you can clean up before we
leave. We'll leave the two youngest boys, unless you wanted to go Mary?"
she shook her head "So Greg , Brandon, and I with Billy in the GLS, the
Scott's in their car, Dr Phillips? You live closer to downtown I assume?"

"I'm downtown Greg, I'll head down now and meet you there."

"Frederick? Do you have a desire to go?"

"I can if you need me but I have no need."

"That settled then, let's hit the water! I have one phone call to make then
I'll catch up."

Everyone headed to undress and find towels as I made my way to the office
to find the number.

"Alpha McQueen, this is Alpha Warnick, we spoke the other day about my
wedding... no, no changes but I wanted to talk a second if you have
time?... I've been asked to Super Alpha some packs around you and I wanted
to reassure you that they approached me and that I have no hostile
intentions. We are neighbors and friends and I know if I were suddenly
surrounded by an unknown Alpha, I would be concerned.... Yes, I figured you
were aware, like I said, I don't want you concerned so I thought I'd give
you the courtesy... Yes Sir, you have a great afternoon as well."

I went to our room, hung my suit, and headed for the dock. When I got there
I almost had a heart attack. Charlie was in the water laying face up
kicking his legs and Davie was face down doing quite a good crawl. Amie was
within reach of them both and was encouraging them. I was amazed. Billy and
Lucas had paired off and were racing from random point to point while Andy
and Brandon were having a game of tag with Andrew, Leonard and Tommy. Our
time ended too soon for everyone and we headed up to shower. Billy asked if
Lucas could shower with us and when I looked to Andrew he nodded then
Brandon piped up asking if he could shower downstairs with Andy.

I lost track of who was where but when Tommy drove the GLS, we all ended up
at Mike's office at 4:45. I was surprised to find a table with drinks and
sandwiches and chips. I wasn't sure who got the pat on the back so I just
accepted that my team was great.