Magnus’ p.o.v. Myka was right, Alpha Ferdinand and his family didn't show their faces during dinner. By the time morning came, we had gotten three mind-links from the Squad, twice about the former Beta trying to leave the territory and once about Katreena. Dad wasn't too happy with the wake-up calls during the night, but it comes with the territory. Mom's go-to response when Dad complains about being woken in the middle of the night. I know that in the future they will wake me up and I will have to deal with it the best I can. Again, Alpha Ferdinand and his family avoid the dining room in the morning. Most Pack-members have briefly walked into the Pack-house, but after giving us a look-over, they disappear quickly. “I feel like I am in the zoo.” Myka mumbles through the mind-link as yet another Pack-member walks past the dining room. “I don’t remember if Humans kept Lycans in their Zoos in the old days, but Bears were common to be put on display.” Meadow responds out loud. Myka stops his fork mid-air to look at his Mate, while Makay almost chokes on his food. The rest of us are staring at her, dumbfounded. Meadow continues eating as if she never said a word. An Omega, who walked into the dining room with another pot of coffee, stares at Meadow in confusion.“The same goes for Felines. I believe they even kept Wolves in their Zoos. Seems like we’re in the clear, Magnus.” Meadow continues, before taking another forkful of scrambled eggs. Gilliam is rolling around in my head; he likes the way Meadow is acting and I have trouble keeping a straight face. Dad doesn’t bother hiding his smile and he is going to tell Mom all about this when we get back home. Meadow keeps eating while the rest of us are waiting for another remark from her, but she doesn’t say another word. Once we are finished with breakfast, most of us head to the living room. I watch as Meadow makes a round through the room, slightly opening each window along the way. “How many Pack-members are out there?” I ask her through the mind-link. She will tell me how many Pack-members she saw and how many she can sense out there. “All of them, except the ones on border patrol. According to Captain Miles, many of them were relieved of duty a few minutes ago. My best guess would be that anyone on patrol has a family member here to pass on the news.” Meadow answers. “Elder Chelsea, I don’t see how this will benefit Frozen Star Pack. We have always taken care of the territory to the best of our abilities.” Alpha Ferdinand says as he walks into the living room. Elder Chelsea doesn’t respond to Alpha Ferdinand. Perhaps she knows something or she is stalling for whoever might have that information and maybe there are no answers. She walks toward the sliding doors that open to the patio and pushes them wide open. “Your Pack-members have every right to hear this. It involves them as much as it affects you and your family, Alpha Ferdinand.” Elder Chelsea says as she faces him. I wonder if he will have the guts to object to the doors being open, but one look from the former Beta makes him sigh in defeat. Meadow gives me a side glance; she saw the same thing I did, and I bet she's wondering the same thing I am. Why the hell does Alpha Ferdinand rely on the former Beta? “Landis, yesterday you mentioned that you had no interest in taking over from your Father. Can you explain that to us?” Dad asks. “If I wanted to become an Alpha, then I want to rule with my leadership. I would change many rules this Pack has at the moment and make life easier for the Pack-members.” Landis answers. His answer surprises us all, because that is how any Alpha rules over their Pack. Dad doesn’t say a word; he just looks at Landis. Probably hoping to find out what he meant with that answer. It is a stare that I have received on many occasions during my childhood and it makes you feel very uncomfortable. “Dad doesn’t do a damn thing without consulting former Beta Dresden. He doesn’t take the advice from his Beta or Gamma, nor does he appreciate their input on Pack-related issues. To me, it feels as if former Beta Dresden is trying to run this Pack instead of my Father.” Landis states. Holy guacamole, I hadn’t expected that answer. What the hell does that answer mean? My Betas and Gammas are holding back Alpha Ferdinand and former Beta Dresden. They wanted to interrupt Landis, but my Betas and Gammas knew that we needed to hear the truth and stopped them from interfering. “I have heard Dad talk to his Beta and Gamma a lot, but he never does anything that they suggest and has always ignored any of their concerns.” Landis says, as if explaining to his parents how he came to know. “Is there another reason for not wanting the Alpha position?” I ask him. I have a feeling that there is more to his story. Landis is quiet for a moment, discussing his response with his Wolf. We give them the time they need to make up their minds, because we want them to make this decision on their own. “I have met many Alphas through the years and Karn has consistently pointed out the same thing. Dad is so much weaker than any Alpha we have met, even an Alpha from a small Pack has a stronger aura.” Landis finally answers. I had already figured out that he was weaker, but I still don’t understand why. An Alpha gains the power of the former Alpha and that power grows with every subsequent generation. It is something that every Shifter learns during their education. “Any idea what he means by Alpha Ferdinand being a weak Alpha, Elder Chelsea?” Meadow asks through the mind-link. Elder Chelsea doesn’t get a chance to respond to the question. “Your Father isn’t the rightful Alpha of Frozen Star Pack; he never followed the right path to become the Alpha and therefore, he lacks the power that comes with it.” Elder Josiah says. Okay, now the confusion is complete. How can anyone take over the Alpha title if he isn’t the heir to it? Why didn’t the Pack-members report it to the Elders? Or were they unaware of who the rightful heir was at the time? Even more questions to get an answer to and we haven’t begun with the questions in regard to Zaphara and Milcah.