30. Kaylee
30
Kaylee
Standing in the foyer of the pack house, sipping on a hot cup of coffee, I keep an eye out for the vehicles that belong to the alpha of Shadow Moon. Last night I barely slept, with the news of Lucas being on house arrest. I was right to assume there was another reason why he rejected me but to learn this reason, I would have to meet him face to face.
“Do you need a refill, Beta Kaylee?” Turning to see an omega named Greg coming my way, I smile and hold out my nearly empty mug. He pours freshly brewed coffee into it, and I thank him before taking a sip.
“You seem on edge,” Greg notes, and I sigh, turning to look outside the open doors.
“I am,” I admit, watching pups run outside, chasing a ball. “Between the Shadow Moon alpha and a situation we were just made aware of, Ivory Fangs will be busy for the next few weeks.”
Greg hums as he stands beside me, his calming presence lowering my anxiety.
“Well, whatever it is that is bothering you, we have your back.” With these departing words, Greg resumes stocking the dining hall with food. Lunchtime is almost here, and with a total of eleven new wolves joining us, the omegas are busy preparing everything to be perfect. To show these Shadow Moon wolves that their pack did not break them.
[Kaylee, we are coming in hot with Shadow Moon,] Marco’s voice slips into my mind, and I frown. They are early by about thirty minutes.
[Got it. Amelia is still in her meeting, but I am at the pack house.] I quickly down the rest of my coffee, and place the empty mug on a side table by the door before making my way outside. Pack members have begun to gather as Royce jogs over from goddess only knows where. He gives me a nod in greeting. We wait patiently for the arrival of Shadow Moon and spot their vehicles just emerging from the tree line ten minutes later. The cars are surrounded by warriors and hunters from Ivory Fangs, the wolves making sure the drivers stay on the designated path. Marco is the one leading them, his russet-brown wolf form just ahead of everyone else.
[Clothes are in the first-floor bathroom for you,] I link him, as Marco reaches the pack house first. He rubs against my leg, making me laugh as his fur tickles my side before he enters the pack house. My wolves slowly come to stand on either side of the crowd, their fur slightly raised as unease fills them. I let them be, knowing that the men exiting the vehicles are the very same ones that killed their friends and family.
Men and women of various heights step out of the vehicles, forming two lines of five and standing at attention. A man with long black hair tied loosely with a ribbon is the last to exit, with another man whose blond hair is cut short. I study these two, and send a link to Amelia that the alpha brought another person that I assume is the beta, judging from the power radiating off of them. She tells me to behave, and I hold in my scoff before the link closes.
“Welcome, Alpha—” I begin, stepping forward and holding my hand to the man with long hair.
“Alpha Jordan. It is a pleasure to meet you—” He takes my hand, giving it a firm shake and I hold in an eye roll. He is squeezing my hand harder than necessary.
“Beta Kaylee. Alpha Amelia is in a meeting right now, as we did not expect you to be here so soon.” I squeeze his fingers just as hard as he is squeezing mine, and relish in the slight wince Alpha Jordan tries to hide.
“Well, we wanted to make a good impression after what my father did.” I hum in acknowledgment as we release each other’s hands, and smile when I feel Marco come to stand behind me.
“This is our head warrior, Marco. He was one of the original wolves when this pack was known as Silver Paw.” I motion to my friend, who steps forward and shakes Alpha Jordan’s hand, a look of unease crossing the new alpha’s face as Marco stays silent and returns to his spot just behind me.
“This is my beta, Titus.” Alpha Jordan introduces the blond man who stands just behind him. He steps forward and I shake his hand, feeling a little hostility coming from the man before me.
“He was just made my beta two nights ago, and since we were celebrating, I forgot to send word of bringing him along.” The lie flows smoothly from Alpha Jordan’s lips but I decide not to call him out. Right now, we need to gain some perspective on what these men really want.
“Congratulations, Beta Titus,” I praise, as we release the handshake and step back.
“Our omegas have created a nice welcome lunch for your arrival, if you are hungry.” I smile as friendly as I can while keeping an eye on Marco and Royce. I am worried these two will be the ones to cause a fight, and right now we cannot afford to deal with the fallout. Ivory Fangs is still growing, and we just got a bus full of people escaping Oak Fur yesterday to sort out.
“Lunch sounds great right now, Beta Kaylee. Lead the way,” Beta Titus answers, his grim look becoming a full smile. Trying not to appear taken aback, I lead the Shadow Moon wolves into the pack house, telling our guests that after lunch, we will show them to the guest house to settle in.
Thankfully, Amelia is waiting in the dining room and introduces herself to Alpha Jordan and Beta Titus, apologizing for being late due to a meeting with an ally pack. She gives me a smile as she takes the alpha to our table, while I pull Royce and Marco aside.
“I need you two to behave. We have a situation with Oak Fur, and Amelia will fill us in with what Kurt told her later,” I whisper to the two, watching their hands clench and unclench.
“I don’t like them being here,” Marco grinds out between clenched teeth, and I wrap my arms around him. He buries his face into my hair, taking in my scent and calming down.
“I know you hate them, but what they are offering us is a good deal,” I remind him, pulling away and giving Royce a hug as well, figuring my friend needs one.
“We know, Kay. We will keep our opinions to ourselves, and work on keeping the pack in line while you and Amelia play politics,” Royce voices as he releases me. I sigh with relief and thank them, promising them that they can come and vent to me or go for runs if need be before I make my way to the buffet and load up a plate.
Joining Amelia, David, Alpha Jordan, and Beta Titus, I take my usual seat to the right of Amelia and take a sip of the water that David hands me.
“So, Miss Kaylee.”
“Beta Kaylee,” I correct Alpha Jordan, watching his smile falter for a moment before it returns as if nothing happened.
“My apologies, Beta Kaylee. Do you have a mate?” he asks. Looking around the room, his eyes land on Marco. I can feel his hostility towards my friend, and nearly let out a growl. Yes, things between Marco and I are not normal, I am closer to him than anyone else I have met in Ivory Fangs, but having a wolf show their hostility to him, even discreetly, pisses me off.
“I do, actually,” I admit, my tone frosty and causing Alpha Jordan’s gaze to snap back at me.
“But he rejected me for another, and so I am happily single for now,” I continue while scooping potato salad into my mouth. My eyes watch a flicker of greed flash behind this young alpha’s eyes, and the suspicion I have for him grows.
“Oh. What a shame. Clearly, your ex is an idiot,” he shrugs before taking a bite of his burger. I can tell there is a hidden meaning to his words, but ignore it for now.
“Alpha Jordan, how long do you plan to stay?” Amelia asks, her tone short and curt like the businesswoman she is.
“Five days. It gives your lawyer time to go over the contract I brought, and for me to see if my mate may be in your pack, if that is alright with you.” Alpha Jordan smiles sweetly at Amelia, and David and I give each other a knowing look. It seems we will be able to help Kurt and avoid Alpha Jordan finding out about them.
For now, that is.