Chapter 11
Eleven
HOLLIS
The wind plays with the stubborn wisps of my hair that refuse to stay in my braid as I cross the parking lot of the botanical gardens. I feel frazzled and tired, clutching my coffee as if it’s my lifeline.
Since Emilia’s call, I’ve been sleeping in my nest with my sound machine, mouth tape, and a knife. I keep having nightmares of her, despite knowing that I can defend myself. She’s like the boogeyman in our society.
I suppose that forcing myself to also listen to her podcasts where she calls me a whore and a madam for omegas who want to spend their heats with alphas due to not having a pack doesn’t help either.
I fucking hate that she’s cheapening what I do, and I’ve begun getting messages from packs on my business account asking how much it’ll cost to fuck an omega.
God, she’s such a fucking bitch. Caelin and Evan came in clutch and said that my security couldn’t be bypassed by either of them, but did insist on adding extra video cameras at both my office and the elevator of my high rise.
Apparently Caelin wasn’t pleased that he couldn’t see me once I entered the elevator.
While I’m grateful for the extra security measures, I also hate having to have them at all. I’m used to being independent and quite frankly, one of the most dangerous people on the street. However, I’m not invincible.
A blow to the head I’m not expecting, getting squeezed until I pass out by someone much bigger than me, or anything of the sort would put me out of commission. These are things that live rent free in my nightmares and why I’m sleeping like shit.
I’m armed with a checklist, spreadsheet, and a plan to make sure I don’t need to come back before the event. I’m limiting how much I am out in the open. I feel suspicious at every shadow. I was so excited for this event, but Emilia is sucking the life out of it.
Did I mention that she’s called me twice more, and I’ve let it go to voicemail? I saved the unknown number as Emilia the Bitch so I’ll remember it’s her.
“Hollis!” Malcolm calls out as I power walk.
Turning, I raise my brow as the guys hustle to catch up to me. I didn’t actually think they were serious about helping. I know I’m being silly, but several days of not sleeping well are wearing on me. I need a nap where I’m not woken up by an anxiety induced nightmare.
Get it together, Hollis.
“Hi,” I say with a small smile as they surround me. Just their scents help put me at ease. I’m desperate enough for good sleep that I want to ask them to come snuggle me after this.
Damn omega instincts.
“That’s a really big cup of coffee,” Remy observes.
“It’s going to be a very long day,” I reply.
“Are you sleeping okay?” Malcolm asks, falling into step as I begin walking again toward the entrance.
I have to meet with Aster to get a map before I can begin my obsessing over where everyone and everything will go. I have room in my budget for food as well, so I need somewhere for the caterer to set up food that people can easily eat while connecting with each other.
You’d think that wouldn’t be as difficult as it was to choose a menu, but my need for perfection is snapping at my heels like a rabid, annoying dog.
“Hmm. Maybe an hour or so a night,” I admit as I walk.
“What? Why?” Felix asks, horrified.
“Guys, I’m exhausted, and I just want to get this done. I can’t do the questions today, please,” I say. God, now I feel like I want to cry.
If I see Emilia anytime soon, she should run because I plan to stab first and plead temporary insanity after.
“Okay,” Brice says sharply. “You heard her. No questions. We’re here to help her instead of bothering her, guys. What's in your bag of tricks, Hollis?”
My lips curl slightly as I feel a wave of gratitude toward the alpha.
“A checklist and spreadsheets,” I say. “I need to be able to tell the tent vendor exactly where they’ll be setting up and where the space heaters will go. I also need to decide where the signage will be placed to help direct everyone as well.”
“Perfect,” Brice says. “Send us in a direction to run and we’ll make it happen. Who is your contact here?”
“Aster Pheris,” I say. “She’s supposed to be meeting me at the entrance.”
There’s a wrought iron gate as you enter the botanical gardens that says Let Nature Be Your Teacher that’s wide open and since today is free admission day, we walk right inside. There’s not many people today due to the cooler weather, which makes it the perfect time to map out the gardens.
A woman with a long flowy green dress and coat over it is waiting just inside for us at a bench, and she stands as she sees us. Her black hair is up in a severe bun, and she pushes up her glasses as she smiles.
“Hollis?” she asks.
“Yes, Aster? Hi! Thank you so much for accommodating me today,” I say with a smile.
I’m exhausted, but determined to not let my face say that I’m anything less than grateful.
“Yes, we are just so excited for your event,” she says. “The gardens are full of winter flowers. I think it’ll be perfect for you.”
My fingers are crossed that it’ll only lightly snow if at all. I can never tell what the Minnesota weather will be like.
Aster shows us around the gardens and I pull out my checklist. Malcolm easily takes it from me with a firm look, making me realize that I can’t both suck down life saving coffee and use my list. I have to choose.
“Okay,” I growl under my breath. “There’s this beautiful space here surrounded by flowers and lots of pavers. Aster, is this somewhere we could have tables at? I know we need to be careful of the grass.”
Looking around, Aster nods. “We have several areas like this fairly close together, Hollis. This would be wonderful for it. We also do weddings in an area with grass that shouldn’t be too bothered by tents being placed and tables.”
For the next hour, she shows us around her wonderland of flowers as I point and murmur instructions to Malcolm.
It’s honestly so beautiful and romantic, and he makes notes as we walk.
Halfway through he makes a sound under his breath and flips the sheet over to quickly draw out the different areas Aster is showing us.
The notes are detailed and neat, and by the end, he hands it back to me.
“The gate will make it easy to manage the flow of people,” Felix mentions as Aster leaves to go back to work.
I made sure I thanked her profusely for her help, to which she replied that it was her pleasure.
“We can also have Remy handing out bags a few paces from there, set up at a table if possible with instructions on where they’ll all go. ”
“Is the event filled yet?” Brice asks.
“It is,” I nod. “I just finished on Friday. We are all set to start making a seating arrangement. Though, while not everyone will be seated since it’ll be free range chatting, I do have available seats since I know not everyone can stand for long periods of time.”
“Do you think she plans to kick us out anytime soon?” he asks mischievously.
“Ah, no. They’re open until five today. Why?” I ask curiously.
“Let’s knock out where everyone is going to be shuffled to,” he says. “There’s a pavilion over there and benches. Did you bring more paper and a list of people attending?”
Wow. I really need to stop underestimating them. The fact that he’s not only suggesting to help but also taking point, is really fucking sexy.
“I have a sketch book with me,” I say. “I was going to sit later and draw to see if it helps my stress levels, but yes, I have both of those things.”
“Okay, let’s do it, and make sure you have time to destress,” Brice says. “Malcolm or Remy, can you get Hollis some water please? I swear, if you drink any more coffee I’m going to take you over my goddamned knee.”
Remy snickers as he walks away and my jaw drops open. I mean…is that something I’d be into?
“You’re going to draw flies, baby,” Malcolm murmurs. My teeth click together as I quickly shut my mouth, and he smirks at me. “Speaking of water, I’m betting you haven’t eaten yet, have you?”
Thinking back, I shake my head. “I went by Brewed Awakenings for my coffee and Lars made me take a muffin with me. I managed a few bites, which is sad because the man bakes so well,” I sigh.
“I’m jealous of a muffin,” Malcolm grumbles. “I’m going to bring you food.”
I inhale to tell him I’m fine, but a hard swat on my ass makes me gasp. Malcolm grins as he leaves, and I turn to face Brice.
“I warned you,” he grunts. “Move it, Baby Girl.”
Sticking my tongue out because I have no other words, I walk to the covered pavilion to get to work. I’ve never felt so immature in my life, but fuck that hurt. I also don’t know that I disliked it because I feel tingly inside and dare I say it, hungry for more?
Damn these alphas.
Sitting on the bench, I shift with an impassive face, not wanting to show otherwise that I can still feel the warmth of that smack.
“Anything to say, Hollis?” Brice asks.
Felix hides a smile as he takes my sketch papers and tape to make a large chart.
“Who wants to be in charge of reading out names?” I ask, pulling out my iPad. My laptop is bulky, but it’s also in my bag.
I swear, I just schlep everything everywhere I go.
“I will,” Brice says, amused that I’m ignoring him.
“Thank you,” I say, handing him the iPad with the names loaded.
Together, we begin to put together the seating groupings, and I have to also make sure that I don’t seat alphas near another pack that they can’t stand.
“Pack Tribel can’t be anywhere near Pack Nitra,” I murmur, looking over the large canvas I have in front of me.
“What’s their deal?” Felix asks, leaning over the papers.
A bottle of water and a sandwich magically appears to my left, and I glance over at Remy and Malcolm as they sit down.