18. Kaylee
18
Kaylee
The party for the pack’s initiation is in full swing, now that the ceremony is over. Everyone in Silver—I mean Ivory Fangs—is here in front of the pack house, laughing and dancing away while enjoying the food the men cook on the grill or that roasted meat from the boar Royce killed a few days ago. I knew that damned pig would be on a fire spit before the end of the week, but damn, was it a pain to prep yesterday morning with the omegas.
Speaking of the omegas, we decided they would also need a break to enjoy this day, and so other than them preparing salads and sides for the party yesterday, the kitchen has been closed. I spy Marco and Royce dancing with a bunch of pups, the little ones entertained by the two goofy warriors.
“Kaylee, have I introduced you to the friend who asked their alpha to allow us to join this pack?” I jump when David asks this question, not realizing that he had snuck up on me while I was watching over my pack.
“Goddess, David, we are getting you a bell!” I practically shout at him, pressing a hand on my chest over my frantically beating heart. David starts laughing at my reaction, apologizing for scaring me, while grinning and leaning against the maple tree I am under.
“And to answer your question, no you have not.” I roll my eyes at David. I know the name of the man that David is referring to, Alexander Carter—David’s friend, and the one to convince the late alpha. He is up at the DJ table, playing the music for the pack to dance to, talking with those who come up to him to socialize, and dancing as well. From what I was told, he is an omega who went to law school, becoming the pack lawyer. He is in charge of the businesses that were owned by the late alpha and Luna, and in a few days’ time, we have a meeting with him to discuss how we will transfer their ownership to Amelia and David.
“Well, I know you are taking a few days off, so why don’t I introduce you to him now.” Before I can protest, David reaches out and clasps his left hand around my wrist, then proceeds to drag me through the dancing crowd. I try to pull away, but David is adamant I meet this friend.
“Alexander!” David calls out as we grow closer to the DJ table. Alexander turns to the sound of his name, a wide grin spreading across his face as he takes in our approach, and I am released as David rushes over to hug his friend.
“I can’t believe you are our Luna,” Alexander jokes, making David growl at him.
“It’s Luan ,” he corrects in annoyance. This time I laugh, gaining a glare from David, who harrumphs in further annoyance.
“I think I agree with Alexander. I like Luna better,” I tease back, elbowing David in the side playfully.
“You be quiet, or I will have Amelia replace you as beta with Marco,” David playfully scolds, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“Anyways, Alex, this is my goddaughter, Kaylee. Kaylee, this is the man that got us here.” I reach out my hand towards Alexander, the large man clasping mine in his and shaking it.
“Nice to meet you, Beta Kaylee. It’s nice to finally meet the she-wolf David would gush about being his goddaughter.” I blush at Alexander’s words, the love I feel coming from David in the familial bond washing over me. I am happy to hear that I am talked about, and know that Alexander has heard nothing but good things about me.
“It’s nice to meet you too, finally. I am sorry about having to push the meeting back, but I need to…take care of something.” My voice cracks as the dam inside my mind pushes back. It is getting harder to control the pain, to push it to the back of my mind. I just need to make it through tonight.
“David told me. Ramos is a damned fool.” Alexander gives me a sympathetic smile, and I sigh. I know David had to inform the previous alpha what made me a rogue, and I knew that would also mean Alexander would know. There was no way we could hide it.
“If you need to push the day back farther, let me know.” I thank Alexander for his understanding and excuse myself. I need to find a quiet place to breathe and force the dam back in place for just a little longer. David reaches out for me, giving me a questioning gaze, and I give him a reassuring smile. He pulls me in for a hug and whispers that it’s okay if I want to leave now. That I have been strong for far too long. The dam cracks in my mind and I pull away, giving him another reassuring smile, and telling him I will stick around for another hour. After that, I walk away before David can say anything else.
Making my way through the crowd, I move towards the willow tree. Its long branches were gently pulled back for the ceremony, but now they hang low to the ground, gently blowing in the wind. I find solace there, hiding under the tree and leaning against the trunk.
“Breathe in, breathe out. In, out,” I mumble, as I try to force the pain back one last time. Just one last time for tonight. I can feel it working. Feel the crumbling dam in my mind become reinforced. Just another hour or two with Ivory Fangs, and then I will escape to my cottage.
“Kaylee?” Opening my eyes I find Marco staring at me with concern, his green eyes boring into mine.
“Are you okay?” His question is my undoing, and I fall to my knees as the pain I have kept back finally unleashes.
The dam broke.