35. Kaylee
35
Kaylee
Helping Evette bring the last of the salads out to the table, I turn back and smile as I watch the Oak Fur wolves that will be initiated into the pack next week mingle with the Ivory Fangs wolves. They look like a pack already, the two groups happily chatting about training and joining the patrol shift tomorrow to get a feel for the territory. Unfortunately, the cheery atmosphere ends there, as many of the Ivory Fangs wolves that used to be Silver Paw stare at the few Shadow Moon wolves with disdain and hatred, as our guests stick to themselves. I knew tonight would pose a challenge as there was no arranged seating at our bonfires, but to see so much hostility really worries me.
“Kaylee!” Turning to the left, I see Royce, Marco, and—surprisingly—Titus walking towards me, the three looking thick as thieves as they each hold a glass of moonshine in their hands.
“Enjoying yourselves?” I laugh, watching Titus take a swig of the alcoholic drink.
“Very. Who knew your pack knew how to make alcohol?” he muses, a rosy tinge to his cheeks. It seems this visiting beta can’t handle his liquor.
“We didn’t, at first,” I admit, turning to watch as some of our new wolves approach Shadow Moon with jars of liquor, offering them the drink. These are the ones that came from Oak Fur. Amelia knew the original wolves would have a hard time interacting with our guests, and asked those we initiated from our old pack to help smooth things over between Ivory Fangs and Shadow Moon. It was a smart decision she made, as these Shadow Moon wolves tentatively accept the alcohol before opening and chugging the bottles without a glass. I wince, watching as a warrior starts coughing from the strong alcohol, while everyone laughs.
“So how did your pack gain this awesome drink?” Titus pulls me back from watching the terse interaction become friendly, and relief fills me.
“Our pack has grown, and we had a few experts,” Marco answers, sending me a wink. I roll my eyes, but send him a thank you through the link, knowing that the information of Oak Fur wolves joining Ivory Fangs is sensitive. Not just anyone can know about them, for both their and our own safety.
“Well, when you decide to open up a liquor store at the borders of your pack, let me know. I’d love to purchase this.” Titus waves as he waddles over to his packmates, and I turn to glare at my friends. No wolf should be that drunk when we only set out the weaker of the alcohol.
“Marco did it,” Royce instantly rats his friend out, making Marco glare at him.
“It’s only the thirty-five percent proof. Not my fault Titus can’t handle alcohol meant for werewolves,” he shrugs in defense, before excusing himself to grab some of the meat roasting on smaller spits by the bonfire. I send a note to Amelia about our pack intentionally getting Shadow Moon drunk and catch her trying not to laugh as she talks to a few of our wolves.
The sudden feeling of being watched forces me to suppress a shudder. The gaze contains desire, greed, and dominance, and if it weren’t for my own strong blood, I would have caved under the pressure. Turning to where the source of the gaze comes from, I notice Alpha Jordan staring at me, lust clearly shining in his eyes. He doesn’t hide his intentions towards me, and instead smirks when he notices I caught him. Raising the bottle of moonshine in a toasting motion, he brings the bottle to his lips and takes a long swig, not taking his eyes off me. Royce comes to stand beside me, his own anger radiating off of him, and I warn him to rein in his emotions.
“I don’t like him,” my friend states, and I retract my gaze from the visiting alpha and turn to look at my friend.
“Neither do I.” With a tacit understanding, Royce becomes my guard as we mingle with the wolves. By now, the Shadow Moon wolves have become more amicable with the drink and are dancing with the other drunk wolves to the music Alexander plays. I imagine that Titus and Alpha Jordan will be shocked to learn our DJ is also our lawyer tomorrow, and suddenly think that getting our guests drunk was a brilliant plan. It will leave their actions wide open for us to scrutinize at the meeting.
“What made you so happy?” Royce asks as we grab some soda from the cooler.
“I could kiss Marco for his pettiness in getting Shadow Moon drunk,” I giggle out, taking a sip of the Coca-Cola.
“He would like that,” my friend deadpans, causing me to nearly spit out my drink. Deciding to ignore that comment and not open up the discussion to the box of ‘what are we’ that is happening between Marco and me, I tell Royce to enjoy the party, as there seems to be no threat. He is about to leave my side when my cell phone rings, and I take the device from my pocket. Simon’s image shows on the screen, and I smile.
“Hey—”
“Hey, Lilac. I just wanted to let you know I am forwarding an email to you,” Simon cuts me off, using my pseudonym and alerting me that Lucas is in the room. I pause and grab Royce by his arm, dragging him into the pack house and away from prying ears. Another ping from my phone alerts me that I have an email, and I look at the screen for a moment before bringing it to my ear once again.
“Got it,” I state cheerily, in a British accent that makes my voice sound a little more high-pitched than usual. Simon lets out a chuckle before explaining he needs to go, but to share the email with my alpha. Before I can say goodbye, the line clicks off and I sigh. Crisis averted.
“So, what did he send you?” Royce asks as I look at the time on my screen. Eleven at night.
“An email. Want to hide in my office for a bit?” I ask in turn, grinning. Whatever Simon sent has got to be good.
“Sounds like a plan. Should I link Amelia to join us?”
“Nah, let her play diplomat. Shadow Moon’s alpha gives me the creeps,” I shrug, trekking up the stairs. Royce and I quickly make our way to my office, and I instantly make a beeline for my desk. Signing into my computer, I pull up my email and find the newest one Simon sent. Royce and I look at each other when I realize the original sender is Lucas, and I pause. Simon wouldn’t have sent this to me unless it was important.
With a sigh, I click on the email, and the first thing to start instantly playing is a very lewd video that has my jaw dropping.
“Is that…?” Royce asks, as my shock morphs into a grin.
“Yes, it is.”