Chapter 22 - Impressions
Alyssa's POV:
I woke to a familiar pat on my cheek, and I willed myself to open my eyes, my brain feeling as though it was emerging through a fog. My eyes finally cleared enough to make out the figure before me, Tenley. I yawned and attempted to get up, but the arm of my mate held me in place. I looked at Tenley and placed my finger to my lips and slowly slid out from under Brent's arm. Shivering at the loss of contact with his warmer body.
Tenley and I tiptoed out of the bedroom to let the Alpha continue his slumber. I had no clue what time it was when we finally went to bed, our bedroom activities had continued in the shower and we both fell asleep sated and exhausted.
Tenley climbed up onto the bar stool and announced she wanted a cup of chocolate milk. I rummaged through the fridge and cabinet in search of milk and chocolate powder or syrup. Neither of the items presented themselves and Tenley began to whimper. Chocolate milk was serious business to four year olds, especially this one. She drank it every morning while I drank my coffee.
Remembering the large gathering hall from last night, I decided I could at least find my way toward the kitchen without Brent's help, and maybe I could even get back before he awoke. I sent Tenley to her bathroom to go potty and put some shoes on and I quickly, but quietly re-entered our room and slipped into the bathroom. I made quick work of brushing my hair and teeth. I discarded Brent's shirt into the dirty clothes bin and realized I had nothing to replace it with.
I glanced around and noticed two doors inside the bathroom, opening the first I was greeted by the incredible scent of my mate. It was his closet. I let my fingers linger as I walked down the rows and rows of suits and dress shirts and walked back up the other side where his less dressy clothes were stored. Once I was done browsing, I exited his closet and went to the second, curious as to what this one could lead to. Surely Brent wouldn't mind me exploring. I opened the door and my jaw dropped. It was my closet. Dresses, purses, pajamas, jewelry and so much more lay before me. I walked in and took in as much as I could in the short time I had, my parental bond telling me Tenley was currently patiently waiting on the couch, but I knew that could change in an instant.
I eyed a simple, black t-shirt style dress and pulled it over my head, reaching in the drawer labeled "undergarments" to pull on some panties. I decided to forgo the bra for time sake and I had a fairly small chest anyway.
I found the shoes and slipped into some slides. I then successfully snuck out of the room once more. I quickly scribbled a note to Brent and we left the apartment in search of chocolate milk.
Once in the elevator, I looked down at my watch and realized it was only 5:15 am. How early had this child gotten me up I wondered. Gracious I thought to myself as I stifled another yawn, I'm going to also need to find some coffee. I wondered how easy that would be with breakfast not starting for another two hours, I guess we'll find out.
We soon found ourselves on the floor we entered last night and it was still empty for the time being. We walked through the gathering hall and I noticed a set of wooden swinging doors, surely that was the kitchen. I steered Tenley toward the doors and found that I was correct and we began our search as unfortunately there was no one in the kitchen yet.
I sat Tenley up on the counter and opened the humongous fridge and sighed in relief when I saw several jugs of pre-made chocolate milk, Tenley's favorite brand I noticed. I couldn't help but wonder if this was another request from Brent's tiny heir. However, I also noticed my very favorite cold brew and oat milk creamer. There's no way Tenley woud've known this down to the brand. How in the world did he know about this? I was absolutely positive I had never once told him about it and this was far too specific to be a coincidence. I would definitely have to ask him.
I poured Tenley some milk which she hastily grabbed, "careful sis," I giggled, "you don't want to spill that all over yourself."
"Ooops, okay mommy," she sweetly replied as she returned her attention to her much awaited drink.
I turned my attention back to the fridge to begin making my favorite morning beverage. First adding ice and then the cold brew. I made quick work of opening the creamer, far too excited to drink my coffee.
"HEY! What are you doing in here!" A gruff voice startled me and I dropped the creamer, sending it splashing to the floor, soaking my dress and covering my legs. I bent down quickly to pick it up and suddenly I was being picked back up by my hair.
"Ouch! Please, I can explain!" I yelped at the pain of my hair being gripped so tightly. I quickly tried to link Brent, but his block was still up, likely still sleeping.
"MOMMY!" My sweet girl screamed .
"Shut it up pup!" He yelled at my daughter. My wolf began to stir from her own slumber. I willed her down, hoping I could talk my way through this. I didn't want my first impression as Luna being that I shifted and destroyed the kitchen.
"Baby, mommy is okay. It's okay," I shushed.
"Shut up, wolf! You are being detained," he said as he placed silver laced cuffs around my wrists behind my back. Now with the silver I definitely couldn't shift and my wrists were on fire, "the rest of the patrol is on their way to deal with you both," he hissed out.
"Please just let me explain, I -" but I was cut off by the pulling of my hair and a hand coming to wrap its way around my throat, closing off my airway.
"I said shut up!" He roared in my ear, causing my ear drum to throb and ring in pain.
Okay, Alyssa, think...
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Brent's POV:
'Intruder!'
I sat straight up in bed at the sudden announcement from my warriors mindlink. I Patted the bed ,trying to find Alyssa, but I realized she wasn't there and judging by the coolness of the sheets she hadn't been there for awhile. Shit.
I jumped out of bed where I found my discarded sweats from the night before and quickly pulled them on. I walked out of our bedroom and found Tenley's door ajar, further inspection showed that her bed was empty .
"Alyssa! Tenley!" I yelled in the quiet apartment with only my echo in response.
My eyes settled on something on the bar and I ran toward it, "good morning, sweetie, Tenley and I are on the hunt for some chocolate milk and coffee. We love you."
"FUCK!" I Roared. They were possibly out there with the intruder and not in the safety of our home!
I ran to the door and made quick work of jumping into the elevator, slamming my hand over the button, and willed the elevator to move faster. Pain seared across the bond and I feared my teeth would shatter from the sheer force of my clenched jaw. Once the elevator landed on the first floor, I ran out of the elevator and followed the scent of my mate and child, finding that it was leading me to the kitchen.
"Mommy!" I heard my little girl scream as I got to the doors and threw them open. A pack of warriors had gathered in the room, my mate at the center. A growl that halted the entire room left my chest. I walked over to where the warrior had dropped my mate. I picked her up from where she was on the floor, ripping the cuffs from her wrists. I Barely felt the burn of the silver on my palms. I then collected my scared little girl off of the counter, and Anderson quickly entered the room not long after.
"What is the meaning of this!," I yelled at the men in front of me.
"They are unknown wolves, Alpha. We detained them until you could get here," Micah, my top warrior, offered up.
I snarled at him, "look into her eyes, ALL OF YOU!"
My mate bravely faced her attackers, allowing them to attempt to look her in the eye, but they soon found they couldn't due to her station.
They all turned ghost white, "Alpha, Luna, I swear we didn't know," Micah offered up again.
"All of you will skip breakfast, lunch, and dinner today and you will run 30 miles in human form, and will take night patrol for the next two straight weeks," I glowered at them, my voice dangerously low.
"Alpha, Jenny is pregnant and -" I cut him off, not caring for his excuses.
"Then you can tell Jenny that you will not be there to care for her because you attacked your Luna and our child, I'm sure she'll understand," I sarcastically grumbled at him.
"Honey, look at me please," my precious mate wanted my attention and I was happy to give it to her. However, I couldn't help but growl at the handprint shaped mark on her neck, showing me the results of what I had walked into.
I released a low growl, but stayed quiet to allow her to speak, "Brent, they were just doing their job. What if it had been Dalton or even his mother?" She whispered quietly.
"All they had to do was look in your eyes, Alyssa. They do not deserve your pity." I understood she wanted to protect her pack members, any good Luna would, like a mother protecting a child, but I was not giving in on this. They made a mistake and they would pay for it.
She shook her head, "no, my back was to… what is your name?" She said, turning to look at the men.
He cleared his throat quickly and nervously responded, "It's uh, Micah, Luna. "
"Micah," she repeated, "my back was to Micah, he didn't have the chance to look into my eyes." She pleaded with me, but again, not budging.
"Alyssa, my dear, I understand that your heart is pure, but he, along with the others could've also taken a moment to smell you and they would've found my scent all over you." Her cheeks flamed red with embarrassment at my connotation.
She quickly got over her embarrassment and crossed her arms over her chest, "I stand by what I said. They were just doing their job and I am grateful to have such reactive warriors. Besides, what was it you said? I have just as much authority as you do over this pack?"
I groaned at the cunningness of my mate. She was exuding with grace and mercy and I couldn't be more proud, however, they were not getting off scot free. I would reduce their punishment, but I was not doing away with it completely. They were in the wrong and I had a precedence to set.
"Men," they bowed their heads in submission at my words, "your Luna has given you so much grace. However, your Alpha has not."
"Brent -," she warned.
"Hold on, my love."
"Your Luna has softened my heart, but she has not convinced me that you do not deserve any punishment, especially since you did this in front of my daughter." I looked between them all as they lowered the gaze in shame.
"You will still skip breakfast, lunch, and dinner and will run the 30 miles, but night patrol will only last for 5 days."
I looked down at my mate, "that is all I am willing to budge so I hope you can live with that."
She nodded and looked at the warriors, "I cannot disagree that what you did in front of a child, regardless of who they belong to, was uncalled for and I am understanding of the punishment." She looked up at me, confirming we were on the same page.
"Anderson, you will oversee the punishment," I said, glancing at my Beta.
He stammered, "what? Why me?"
I glared at him, because this never would've happened if you had remembered to put their milk and coffee in my personal kitchen!" I roared at him.
"Ooooooh, Andy is in trouble!" The four year old taunted my Beta.
"He sure is, sweet girl," I laughed.
Anderson walked out, grumbling under his breath and I turned to see my soaked mate, "has anyone ever told you how amazing you are?" I asked, kissing her nose.
"Ummmm..." she dramatically wondered, "not today." She smiled warmly at me.
"Well, you are, now let's go get you changed. We need to let the crew in to cook. We've taken plenty of their time and wolves will be down in less than an hour looking for food."
"Oh, no! Yes we better get out of here. Do we need to clean this up first though?" She asked.
"Not your mess so you're not cleaning it up. I've already linked Anderson to have the warriors come back to clean it." I grabbed her hand to pull her from the room as staff began to fill the kitchen, hastily cooking due to loss of time. I made a mental note to pay them time and a half for their hastened breakfast shift.
"After we eat I am taking you both on a ride around the grounds. My sister will be coming up today as well and wants to spend the rest of the day with you girls while I get some work done. I think she said something about a spa and shopping." I grinned as she and Tenley squealed in excitement.
Freshly showered and all of us changed, we walked into the now bustling hall. I walked to the table and began to make Alyssa and Tenley's plates. Alyssa protested, but I was making a public statement that she and Tenley were cared for and protected by me.
We took our seats at the front of the room with the other ranked wolves including my Beta, the Beta female, my Gamma who was not yet mated, and other pack officials. The chairs belonging to my warrior officers were empty due to their earlier escapades.
We sat down and I laid the plates of my mate and child on either side of me, Alyssa on my left, Tenley on my right. Anderson, who had been sitting at my right for years, had moved down a seat as my heir naturally had higher status than my Beta.
I picked up Alyssa's fork, sinking into a bite of watermelon and held it out for her to take, the room falling silent at my offering.
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Alyssa's POV:
I stared at the fork in Brent's hand. By offering to feed me before himself, he was publicly showing that I was above him. That my needs were higher than his, and that everyone in this pack should follow suit.
I leaned forward, slowly opening my mouth and took the juicy fruit from the fork. I closed my lips around the watermelon and pulled back just as slowly, never losing eye contact with my Alpha. His pupils were blown with lust and adoration. My acceptance of his offering would be seen as a public sign of respect to my mate. I had given him, and his wolf, great honor by accepting this gift.
He leaned down to kiss me once I swallowed and was off to get his own plate.
Anderson made eye contact with me and jeered, "well wasn't that sexy."
My cheeks flamed with heat at his jab, Brent quickly returning to my side at the change in the bond, "What? What's wrong?
Brent questioned as Anderson rolled with laughter.
I smiled up at him, "it's nothing my dear, Anderson is just jealous he's not your favorite anymore." I quickly stuck my tongue out at the Beta who was faking a shot to his chest with dramatics that pulled wild giggles from Tenley. His mate also laughed and bowed her head at me, "hello, Luna, I am Jessica, but I go by Jess," She smiled.
I returned her smile, asking that she call me Alyssa. This earned me a look from my mate, but I squeezed his tree trunk of a thigh to reign him in.
"Well, Alyssa, I hope we can become friends, not just anyone can put my mate in his place for his antics." She poked Anderson in the side causing him to turn to her and tickle her until she was squealing .
"Don't listen to my mate, the pregnancy brain has her delirious." He grinned like a school boy as she hit him on the back of the head.
"Anderson! We were going to wait and tell!" She shrieked at him. "Alpha, I am so sorry that my mate isn't more sensitive to your situation," she embarrassingly apologized to Brent.
He shook his head, "not only can I smell the pregnancy on you, but I am elated to have a niece or nephew. Congratulations to you both," he said as he reached over to Tenley and clapped Anderson on his shoulder.
"See, I told you that Alpha nose of his was scary good," he smiled at his mate and kissed her on the cheek. I suddenly longed for that moment between Brent and I, the announcement of our own pup, but I quickly pushed it out of my mind not wanting it to seep into the bond and hurt his feelings. I echoed Brent's sentiments and set in on eating my food.
When we finished breakfast Brent walked us out to the lobby. I realized that I never did get to have my coffee and as if he had read my mind Brent handed me a to-go cup full of cold, creamy liquid gold. I hungrily grabbed it, causing him to laugh loudly.
I took a long sip and remembered I still had no clue how he knew what my favorite coffee was and that I loved oat milk creamer. I asked him this and he told me that we could discuss it once we were in the ATV.
We arrived at the sporting garage and as the garage door lifted I saw the most incredible collection of ATVs and four wheelers. I made a mental note of each one I would be eventually driving, and quickly realized it was almost the entire collection.
"Alright, Luna, what will your chariot for the morning be?" Brent asked as he held his hand out to the fleet in front of him.
I sarcastically rolled my eyes, "I'm not sure, I think I need a few more options," faking un-amusement as he shook his head at my joking. I loved that we could joke like this, it was so refreshing.
I glanced around, but nothing caught my attention quite like the red and black four seater and I walked over to it and immediately lifted Tenley into the back and buckled her in, "I think this one will do!"
He nodded and grabbed the matching key from the locked cabinet and a helmet for Tenley. I eyed him suspiciously, "do you plan to drive like a crazy person?"
"I plan to drive perfectly safe, thank you very much, but just in case I want her to wear this," he shrugged.
I smiled and kissed his cheek as he got in, "I was just giving you a hard time. I completely agree we need to protect our little girl. Now let's ride!"
"Is that an order, Luna?
"It sure is, Alpha."