Chapter 70 #2
Glancing around the room, I realized I had no desire to speak to another soul. I needed a breather. Being in front of the pack like this was not something I was used to, especially since I’d always considered myself more of an introvert, happier to be in the background than upfront for all to see.
I stepped out into the cool, crisp air, taking a small winding path in one of the gardens that surrounded the house. I didn’t go far, just far enough to breathe and clear my mind.
How had Persephone handled all of this with such poise and grace for so long without shattering under the pressure?
It might do me some good to spend time with Persephone.
I was sure she’d be happy to let me tap into her years of experience and wisdom and give me some pointers on how to approach being an alpha’s mate.
The cool breeze caressed my face as I looked up at the moonlit sky, seeking solace in its calming presence.
A sudden shift in the air had goosebumps rising on my skin.
My instincts were on high alert when I felt eyes on me again.
I peered around the shadowy gardens. Night had hidden the gaps in the trees.
The moon wasn’t full anymore, so there wasn’t enough light to banish the darkness of the woods.
I didn’t see anyone nearby. I was sure nobody had followed me out.
Was it my imagination, or was something truly amiss?
I felt extremely vulnerable. I hadn’t told anyone I was coming outside.
After all our talk of Castro being our enemy and being careful to look out for one another, I’d stupidly left myself exposed.
Just as I was turning to walk back inside, a voice I didn’t recognize seemed to resonate directly in my mind.
“You’ll know everything soon,” it said, clear and unnervingly.
My heart pounded in my chest as my head whipped around, searching for the source of the voice. But there was no one here. I was completely alone.
Blood rushed through my veins. The overwhelming fear I experienced froze my chest and made it hard to breathe, but I fought against it, determined to maintain control.
I couldn’t let Ty sense this through our bond.
There was no fucking way I’d let him see me like this, never mind tell him about what had happened here.
Despite my unwavering certainty about having seen a figure from our bedroom window the night before, I was fairly sure Ty thought I’d imagined it.
If I told him I’d heard a strange voice in my head, he’d believe I’d gone batshit crazy, and I didn’t want him to think he had made a mistake in choosing me as his mate, or that I was unable to handle my position as the lady of the pack.
I closed my eyes tightly, taking in some cleansing breaths before opening them again. It was just stress and lack of sleep that was causing my mind to play tricks. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself. It was another matter entirely whether I believed in myself.
Although I returned inside and joined the remaining pack members, I couldn’t shake the fear. Maybe I was losing touch on reality.
When I woke up the next morning, Ty looked down at me with worried eyes. “You all right?”
Hesitating for a moment, I took a deep breath and mustered a smile that I hoped passed for genuine. “I’m fine.” Deep down, however, I was far from it. My emotions threatened to overwhelm me, as if the world itself was closing in on me.
The guilt over not telling Ty nagged at my conscience. He had enough to be worried about with Castro and the pack, so I pushed the events of the previous night in the garden to one side, determined to soldier through the day.
Today marked the first day of launching the next chapter in my catering business, but I was completely out of it.
The incidents of the previous evening weighed heavily on my mind, and I hadn’t slept a wink.
As I trudged along the corridor to my home office, I caught sight of my reflection in a hallway mirror and winced.
No wonder Ty hadn’t looked completely reassured.
I looked like shit. No amount of eye cream or concealer would hide the dark circles under my eyes.
Sabrina arrived soon after I’d made my way downstairs to the office. It was bright and early, which wasn’t exactly her favorite part of the day. She was a true night owl and slept in most mornings.
One of the house staff led her to my office. Sabrina walked in, rubbing her eyes with her index fingers, yawning loudly.
“Good morning, sunshine. I didn’t realize you went anywhere before noon.” I grinned as Sabrina cracked a smile.
“Seriously, though, thanks for showing up so early to help me get everything ready,” I said. “And for offering to deliver the meals until I find a permanent driver.”
“Of course,” Sabrina said enthusiastically. “Anything for my favorite chef and lady of the pack. Doesn’t hurt to be on the good side of the alpha’s mate.” She winked at me playfully, and I rolled my eyes.
We took my menu cards down to the kitchen and set about cooking the meals.
While we carried out our tasks, Sabrina and I chatted about everything from pack gossip to the latest fall recipes we were excited to try.
The laughter that bubbled up between us was a welcome distraction from the anxieties that had been plaguing me since I’d spotted that shadowy figure in the woods.
“Seriously, though,” Sabrina said as she poured batter into a cake pan. “This kitchen is like something out of a dream. It’s got to be the biggest and nicest one any of us have ever seen.”
“I know. I still pinch myself every morning. It’s hard to believe I get to work here every day.
” I lowered my voice slightly. “I think some of the house staff find it odd that I work in the kitchen. They’re always really polite, but it’s weird hearing people addressing me as Mrs. Keller.
” I choked back a giggle. “When I first heard it, I was looking for Persephone before I realized they were speaking to me.”
“Ah, the perks of being mated to the alpha,” Sabrina teased, nudging me playfully.
“Also, you’re not old, Mrs. Keller. You’re just an old married woman.
” Her tone turned serious. “Jokes aside, Liza, you’re a strong, confident woman.
I can’t tell you how much I admire you. You’ve never let anything hold you back.
That’s why you deserve this kitchen and that man of yours.
You deserve all of this and more. You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are with your business and your place beside Ty.
I’m really proud of you.” She smiled at me warmly before turning back to the oven.
“Is it hot in here or just me?” I fanned myself and winked at Sabrina. “You’re making me blush. Thanks, Sabrina. Your words mean a lot to me. Trust me, I really needed to hear them.”
Sabrina raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you’re concerned about your speech last night. You absolutely nailed it.”
I hesitated, almost telling her about everything that happened—the shadow figure in the trees, the voice in my head—but thought better of it.
The last thing I needed was Ty and my best friend thinking I’d lost my marbles.
“No, I think the speech went over as well as it could have. Most of the feedback was positive.”
“I still can’t believe it all. I mean, Cecily betraying the pack and then getting poisoned?
It sounds like the plot from a fucking soap opera.
” Sabrina laughed as she wiped her hands on a dish towel.
“Honestly, though, I can’t believe she’d do something like that.
I always knew she was a bitch but damn.”
“Yeah, it was a shocker for everyone.” I really didn’t want to talk through Cecily’s actions all over again, so I shifted the conversation to something more positive.
“I may have some good news, though.” Sabrina stopped in her tracks and turned to face me expectantly.
“Ty hired a new informant. Isaiah. He’s working on finding out the details of Castro and Cecily’s relationship and how it came about that she helped him. We’re waiting for his first report.”
“Wow, things are moving fast, huh? I guess the new alpha doesn’t waste any time getting down to business and hiring his staff.” Sabrina paused, then gestured to the large stove. “On a lighter note, can we talk some more about this kitchen? It’s gorgeous.”
I laughed, glancing around at the state-of-the-art appliances and gleaming countertops. “I know, right? It takes me forever and a day to find cooking utensils and ingredients. Maybe I should come up with some sort of cataloging method, like the Dewey Decimal System they use in the libraries.”
Sabrina, with an exasperated expression, rolled her eyes and swiftly grabbed the dish towel that lay nearby. Without hesitation, she playfully tossed it in my direction, aiming directly at my face. As the towel sailed through the air, she laughed and mockingly yelled, “Nerd alert!”
“Okay, okay.” I giggled. “Back to work before Ty sends someone down here to check on us.”
We finished preparing and boxing up my new fall menu items, chatting and laughing together as we worked. The camaraderie between us helped lift my spirits, pushing the crap that happened last night to the back of my mind.
As we loaded up the car, Bryce and Isaiah pulled up to the estate at the same time.
Isaiah got out of his car first. I turned slightly so I could watch Sabrina’s expression as she took in his appearance.
I felt slightly smug at her reaction. She thought he was just as fine as I’d believed she might.
I could practically see the hearts flying around her head. It was almost comical.
“Who’s that?” Sabrina asked, not bothering to hide her interest.
“Isaiah,” I explained, watching as he approached us with a friendly smile.
Isaiah looked Sabrina over but didn’t address her. Instead, he turned to face me. “Liza, I have some information to report to Ty, so I’ll head inside.”
“Thank you, Isaiah.” I smiled and gave a thumbs up, which, in hindsight, was super lame and probably didn’t earn me any cool points with the new informant. “I’ll be up to join you in Ty’s office shortly.”
With a gentle smile, he acknowledged my gratitude before directing a subtle nod toward Sabrina. If he had noticed my dumb thumbs up or Sabrina’s attempts to undress him with her eyes, he didn’t let on.
Bryce, who had been staring after Isaiah, now turned his attention to me with a perplexed look on his face. He squinted, his brow furrowing, clearly taken aback by Isaiah’s sudden departure. “Who the hell was that?” Bryce asked with equal parts confusion and curiosity.
“Isaiah is our new informant. Ty just hired him this week.”
Bryce scowled, clearly not too happy about Ty’s choice in an overtly handsome man for his new employee.
It was possible his displeasure came from Ty not informing him he’d hired his new informant, but I hadn’t been the only one watching Sabrina.
I had a hunch his sour mood had more to do with the way she’d been openly lusting after Isaiah.