Truth and Lies #9
“Good point,” I admitted. “I think that’s a great idea.” “I’ll volunteer to lead that group,” he added. “Having someone with authority on the outside in case things go south can’t hurt.”
“Are you sure, Oliver?” I reasoned. “It could get dangerous.”
“Absolutely,” he confirmed. “You’re my alpha, and Shade is my future luna. I would never forgive myself if something happened to either of you, and I wasn’t there to try and stop it.”
“All right then. It’s settled. You’ll lead the patrol on the ground,” I agreed. “Dillon and Taffy, I’m afraid I need the two of you to stay here and lead Harvest Moon in my absence. I’m counting on you to hold the pack together if anything should happen.”
“Of course,” Dillon replied without hesitation.
Taffy huffed but nodded. I knew she was disappointed to not be coming along. She cared for Shade and wanted to be involved in her protection.
“I’m sorry, Taffy,” I said. “It has to be this way. I can’t leave Harvest Moon without leadership. You and Dillon are the most senior wolves. I need you guys here.”
“I know,” she sighed dejectedly.
“Once we get to Thunder Moon, I want the warriors in the SUVs to flank the pack house, while those on foot spread out in a one-mile radius,” I instructed. “That should give us the most coverage if Dark Moon decides to try anything.”
“Alpha Butch isn’t going to like that,” Dillon warned. “He’s going to feel threatened that we’ve brought so many warriors. With everything going on with Dark Moon, he may think we’re planning a takeover of our own.”
He’s right. Most alphas would see that many warriors and assume it’s a threat. I know I would be hesitant if an alpha showed up on my territory with a platoon of fighters, even if they were my ally.
“We’ll frame it as a precautionary measure to ensure Sunny’s protection,” I reasoned. “He should be thrilled with that. That’s what he’s been after with this whole thing anyway. Protection for her and his pack.”
“It will make it seem that you’re taking your courtship with Sunny seriously if you’re going to all these lengths to protect her. Which will make it all the more surprising when you leave her ass there,” Taffy snorted.
I couldn’t help but laugh at that.
Both of them are definitely in for a rude awakening tomorrow, but I don’t even feel sorry for them. They made their choices. It’s not right that Shade has had to shoulder the consequences on her own all this time.
“I’ll give him a call when we’re done here and tell him about the extra security measures,” I replied. “I’m sure he’ll agree.”
We spent another hour handpicking the eleven wolves who would be on convoy duty and the thirty-nine that would be on foot patrol with Oliver. I hoped it was enough.
After we convened, I called Alpha Butch and explained the reason behind our extra precautions. At first, he was reluctant, but he eventually agreed like I’d expected, gushing about how important it was to protect his precious Sunny.
I was glad that we weren’t speaking in person because I’d lost count of how many times I’d rolled my eyes during our conversation. I would need to be extra careful about schooling my expression at dinner tomorrow night.
***
We loaded up the SUVs after briefing the warriors about their roles the following morning. I wouldn’t put it past Dark Moon to play dirty, so we’d done our best to prepare for every possibility, including bringing actual weapons.
The eleven in the cars would be carrying guns loaded with silver bullets and darts laced with wolfsbane. And every warrior under my command was a finely honed weapon, all personally trained in hand-to-hand combat.
Shade was by my side the whole time, assessing our operation as we prepared to leave. Her sister hadn’t even come out of her room yet, claiming she had to look “perfect” for our big date.
She’s not even going to see this coming. I can’t imagine her taking it well once I reveal that Shade is my fated mate.
Shade’s hands shook slightly as she rested them on the tailgate. I could tell that she was tense, and I wasn’t sure if it had more to do with the threat from Dark Moon or the dinner with her father.
“You don’t have to worry,” I assured her as we closed the trunk of our SUV. “Everything is going to be fine. We’ve covered as much as we can think of. Dark Moon won’t get close to us.”
“I know,” she replied. “I trust that you and your warriors will be able to handle Dark Moon.”
“And everything with your father will be all right too,” I promised, running a hand along her arm. “Trust me.”
“Now that I’m not so sure about,” she admitted, wrapping her arms around herself in a tight hug.
How many times has she had to do that over the years? How many lonely nights has she spent giving herself comfort because there was no one else around to offer it? Never again. She’ll always know she’s safe and loved in my arms.
“It will. I promise,” I insisted. “You deserve this, Shade. You are justified in wanting to be acknowledged, in not having to hide who you are any longer. What your father has done isn’t right. And quite frankly, it’s disrespectful to your mother’s memory. She wouldn’t have wanted this for you.”
“I suppose you’re right,” she sighed. “It doesn’t make me any less nervous, but I know she dreamed of a better life for me. I can do this.”
“Good,” I said, smiling as I held out my hand to her. “Come on. Your sister should be out any second. Let’s go meet your father.”
Dead to Him
SHADE
When we arrived at my father’s pack house, Caelan instructed his warriors to stay close but to keep enough distance so as not to alarm any of the Thunder Moon wolves.
My father came bounding down the steps with his arms open wide and a bright smile on his face.
“There’s my girl!”
Sunny raced toward him and jumped into his embrace. “Daddy!”
I stood there, feeling a small pang of sadness as he welcomed her home like a loving father should while ignoring me completely. He turned to the leaders of Harvest Moon and greeted them each with a handshake, still refusing to even acknowledge me.
It shouldn’t have surprised me. I was a background ornament as far as he was concerned. A tool to be taken down when needed and then put away after the job was done. That was all I’d ever been to him.
He’s never praised me for my work. Never thanked me for my sacrifice. He rarely even acknowledges that I’m a person. He only ever speaks to me when he’s giving orders. Otherwise, it’s like I’m invisible.
“I’m so happy that you were all able to make it,” he greeted, showing them up the steps. “Why don’t you come inside? Dinner should be ready momentarily.”
“Are you not going to greet Shade?” Caelan asked, obviously bothered by my father’s blatant disregard. “She’s here as well.”
“I should hope so,” my father chuckled as though trying to make light of the situation, but I could hear the sarcasm dripping from every syllable that followed. “Shade would be failing in her duty if she wasn’t watching over my precious Sunny.”
Without another word, he turned on his heel, wrapping an arm around my sister’s shoulders and leading the way into the pack house.
I could feel Caelan’s anger radiating off him in waves. Luna Maty huffed in irritation, taking the arm of the stoic Alpha Leal as they started up the steps.
“He couldn’t even be bothered to say hello to you,” Caelan grumbled as we brought up the rear.
“It’s okay,” I assured him. “I didn’t expect him to.”
“Well, I did,” he countered.
He grabbed my hand and placed a gentle kiss across my knuckles, reluctantly letting it go with a sigh.
“I’ll just be happier when this is all over,” he whispered.
“Me too,” I admitted as we stepped through the door.
We went directly to the dining room. The table had been set with the pack’s finest dishes and silverware. Even my mother’s favorite crystal glasses were out, ready to be filled with wine for our guests.
He’s really pulling out all the stops to impress them.
As my father took a seat at the head of the table and Sunny took her place next to him, I realized that he had purposely only laid out five place settings. There wasn’t a place for me.
It wasn’t the first time I’d been expected to stand there while they entertained dinner guests.
He’s trying to show that I’m still beneath them. That I don’t belong at their table.
I went to stand against the wall like I usually did, but Caelan grabbed my arm and pulled over another chair.
“Alpha Butch, it seems that we’re missing a place setting,” he pointed out as he settled the extra seat beside his.
“Oh yes! Is Briar going to join us?” Sunny asked, completely missing Caelan’s point.
Briar was my father’s chosen mate. I didn’t care for her. She was obnoxious, forever ordering me around like I was her personal servant with that squeaky, grating voice of hers. Sunny, of course, adored her.
“No. Unfortunately, she has other plans for tonight,” our father replied, quickly dismissing the subject.
I knew he was just making excuses.
The real reason Briar wasn’t at dinner was because she was a power-hungry gold digger who was much closer in age to Caelan than she was to my father.
Caelan was a much more attractive option, and I bet that my father wouldn’t put it past her to jump ship for the more powerful alpha if given the chance.
“I wasn’t referring to Luna Briar,” Caelan growled as he guided me into the seat beside his. “There isn’t a place setting for Shade.”
“Apologies, Alpha Caelan. I didn’t realize she would be joining us,” my father admitted begrudgingly. “Here the omegas don’t dine at such a high-ranking table.”
He gestured for a passing omega to bring another place setting.
“Yes, well Shade is also still a candidate in the choosing,” Caelan reminded him. “This dinner is as much for her as it is for Sunny.”
My father gave a terse nod. It was clear that he didn’t like it, but he was trying to play nice with the leaders from Harvest Moon. He needed their allegiance, and he desperately wanted this mating between Sunny and Caelan.