My Alpha Mate's Christmas Gift novel Chapter 92

　　Can we talk?

　　“What do I do now?” Asher thought to himself.

　　He had accepted his father’s condition since there was no other choice, but he didn't know how he would go about it. Of course, he could try using force to make her comply, but that wouldn't work. In fact, it would backfire in the worst way.

　　He could try to appeal to Rita and Dax for assistance, but they seemed to tilt toward Roxanne in terms of support. Unless he used his authority as Alpha, they wouldn't help him. However, doing so would be shameless of him. The easier way was to just talk to her like Melissa and Dax advised, but he was certain Roxanne wouldn’t give him the time of day.

　　However, he had no other option left. He had to talk to her himself… Their second conversation after the disastrous first encounter… Asher shuddered at the thought.

　　“Do you really have to leave now?” Roxanne asked.

　　Rita, Roxanne, and Melissa were already at the edge of the village, with Melissa all dressed up for departure. After they had finished their meal, Melissa informed them that it was finally time for her to go. Though Rita knew of this, Roxanne was still surprised that it was so soon.

　　"I still have a lot to learn, though… What about wolf training? I’ll need to learn how to control my new self, right?” Roxanne protested, hoping this would allow her mother to extend her stay.

　　“You don't need me for that, Roxanne. In the first place, I'm not qualified to do that for you. That is the role of another, and I assure you, you're in very good hands. " Melissa smiled.

　　“B-But…” Roxanne muttered.

　　“It’s fine, really. Besides, I still have to take care of things at home, plus I have tons of work waiting for me. I can’t just disappear, you know? I don't have a winter break, unlike someone here" Melissa chuckled.

　　Roxanne knew Melissa's words rang true, and she was right. She couldn’t be selfish at home with her mother down. Well, there was also the fact that Asher would not like her mother staying in the village, and that would cause a skirmish.

　　But, somehow that made her want Melissa to stay even more, even if it was to spite Asher for a moment. She would have his attention then.

　　“Oh, what am I thinking!” Roxanne groaned within herself.

　　She found herself thinking more about Asher as time went on.

　　“I understand, mom. I’ll be seeing you soon, right?” She asked with an expectant smile.

　　“Weeell… That depends on a particular person. Let's keep our fingers crossed," Melissa said.

　　Yeah, she knew quite well, but she pushed the guilty party out of her mind again.

　　“Okay then. My regards to Damien, okay?”

　　“I sure will!” Melissa answered, walking away from Rita and Roxanne.

　　Roxanne waved at Melissa and watched her disappear into the woods. She could feel a slight pain in her heart, but she comforted herself. Her mom leaving was something she knew would happen soon, anyway. However, after her Awakening, she felt even closer to her mother than before, making it even more difficult to say goodbye.

　　Since their business was concluded, Roxanne and Rita retreated to the latter's home. As they walked, Roxanne remembered Larry and Lenard, and since Rita was with her she decided to raise the issue.

　　“Rita, do you know a man named Lenard?” Roxanne started.

　　“Oh? You mean Larry's father, don’t you? The woodchopper, right?” Rita answered.

　　Roxanne nodded.

　　“What about him?” Rita furthered.

　　"I was just thinking about him… I don't know if it's because you have seen no other Omegas apart from him and Larry, but doesn't his work seem too much for him to bear? Even so early in the morning, he keeps…” Roxanne explained, telling Rita how she truly felt about his situation and her wonder if the other Omegas had similar treatment.

　　Rita patiently listened to Roxanne's words and after she finished, she spoke.

　　“Roxy, I understand what you’re saying. But, there’s something you need to know. I don’t know the details myself, but Lenard chose to take on that job all by himself.” Rita revealed.

　　“What?!”

　　Roxanne couldn’t believe this. Sure, it seemed like he had a lot of pride in his work, and even said he voluntarily did it… But to think he was the one who chose to be responsible for it, Roxanne was stunned.

　　“B-But why?!” She let out.

　　"As I said, I don't know the details… But that was his wish. Roxy, we're a pack, a society. And in a society, there must always be labourers and there must also be leaders, as well as those in the middle. If it’s not Lenard, then someone else will take it up, such is the nature of the pack.” Rita explained.

　　“The reason we give roles is to maintain order, not to impose anything unreasonable on anyone. If a werewolf is dissatisfied with their role, they can appeal for a much higher one, so far as they are capable. If they are not able to do so but still do not want their role, then there is no place for them in the pack. Everyone needs to have a function. If they do not have a role, then they serve no purpose. If that is the case, they can leave the pack…" She added.