Chapter 34 - Magic
Alyssa's POV:
Christmas had come and gone a couple of days ago, but I refused to have the decorations taken down until after the new year. I had planned a few small renovations anyway and figured these could be taken down while those renovations were getting started. Plus, it was super inviting for the pack officials and representatives that would be showing up throughout today as the end of year Northern Region meeting was scheduled for tomorrow and then a ball would be held that evening, and a farewell brunch on the third day.
I was walking through the halls greeting guests as well as giving them their room assignments and coordinating with Omega's on delivering their bags to their rooms. I was busy checking things off my list when goosebumps began to prickle across my skin, the cause wrapping his arms around me from behind and burying his face in my neck.
"Well hello, handsome," I chirped, still looking over my list.
"You look absolutely gorgeous, my love, and you know I love you in heels, but are you sure those shoes are a good idea?" He asked .
I laughed, "well sir, these leopard print heels matched my pink dress far too well so yes, they are a great idea, but I do have a pair of flats stashed in your office if I get to hurting too bad." I checked off another name as well as marking their bags as "delivered. "
"What about food? When was the last time you ate?" I turned around, forgetting the list and wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him deeply as he wrapped me in his arms and pulled me closer.
"You sweet man, I promise you that I am just fine, I ate a sandwich maybe 30 minutes ago. Caitlin brought it to me." I smiled at him, not at all offended by his hovering. As long as he understood I would not be stopping my duties, I didn't mind his questions at all.
Breathing deeply he finally convinced himself that I was okay and went back to his office to finish preparing for the meeting. Anderson and Ryan were also with him, leaving the Beta and Gamma females and I to oversee the arrival of the wolves.
I clicked down the hallway, continuing to get people in and rooms assigned. I was super excited to see what everyone thought of the baskets we had put together. They included a food menu for the next three days, including the times of dining. It had snacks, bottles of water, a schedule of events and meetings, and so much more. I wanted them to feel welcome and so far the feedback had been wonderful.
"Oh, Caitlin!" I hollered as I began to lightly jog toward her, "hey now, no running with the baby! And especially not in heels!" She playful warned, causing me to laugh sarcastically.
"You hush, you're starting to sound like Brent," I said as I playfully swatted her arm, "anyway, have you finished up with the kitchen and made sure we're on schedule for tonight's welcome dinner?"
She curtly nodded, "yes, ma'am and I have also made sure to keep the coffee and snack bar full."
I sighed happily, "thank you so much, I think we're just about done with this rush and then we can go check in with Jess and then head out to get ready for the welcome dinner this evening."
"Alyssaaaaaa!!!!" I heard my name shrieked from across the room, "Oh, don't you look stunning!" I turned and found my sister in mating running toward me, her mate, Alpha Johnson following her closely.
I turned to Caitlin, "see I'm not the only lady that runs with a baby," causing Caitlin to stick her tongue out at me.
"Beth! You're here!" I said as I kissed her check and hugged her tightly. We'd grown very close since Brent's birthday brunch and talked several days a week through video chat.
"How are you feeling? How was your flight?" I asked as I placed my hand on her swollen belly.
She shrugged, "nothing eventful, just kinda long. And of course I had to get up and pee every 5 minutes," she laughed.
"I feel you on that one, sister," I empathized, "Well, we have you guys up in the Alpha suite so go on up and make yourselves comfortable," pressing the special key card into her hand she sighed, "bless you. I am having a hard time sleeping right now and it will be amazing having a more private space when I'm up pacing..."
I frowned, "well I sure hope you find it relaxing enough to actually sleep!"
Yawning she answered, "you and me both, sister."
With one last hug they headed off to rest and get ready for the dinner.
Speaking of, I looked at my watch and realized it was 3:00pm and linked Jess to come to the lobby from where she was making sure all the breakout rooms were set up and ready to go.
She arrived moments later and I pulled the ladies in for one more rundown and thanked them all for their incredible help, and we talked a little more about the tasks we would tackle in the morning. We finally parted ways and headed to get ready, but first I had to go and grab Tenley from Brent's office. The spoiled rotten little girl had her very own desk and took up an entire corner of the office with her "job things."
I made it up to the 8th floor, where the ranked offices were, and made my way into his office, setting a coffee and a muffin down on his secretary's desk as she sighed with relief and took the steaming cup in her hand. I knew she'd been working her tail off and I wanted to give her a small olive branch. I winked at her as I walked past and pulled Brent's door open, noticing that he was in the middle of a meeting and whispered a , "sorry" as I walked over to Tenley.
"Never apologize for interrupting, my love. Let me introduce you to some of the Alpha's in our region. Gentlemen, this is my Luna and mate, Alyssa O'connor. Alyssa, this is Alpha Maks, Alpha Jones, and of course you know Alpha Johnson already."
I smiled, "it's so nice to meet you both, Philip I hope Beth was able to rest well enough to fall asleep?" I asked, turning my attention toward my mate in law.
He nodded, "yes, thank you so much. She used the lavender bath soak from the welcome basket, and that along with the chamomile tea you sent up, she was sleeping soundly when I left."
I beamed at hearing Beth had been able to relax, "gracious I am so glad. Hopefully she will feel refreshed enough for tonight's dinner, speaking of, I must be going. I have to get myself and this tiny future Luna ready and that is no small feat." I walked over to her and grabbed her hand, kissing my mate and bidding them all a farewell.
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Brent's POV:
As soon as the door latched on the soundproof door I jumped right back to our conversation.
"Now, as I was saying, we need to be on alert these next few days. I am getting closer to figuring out exactly what Maci did and with that my Luna needs additional protection. There is no telling the lengths she'll go to to keep this from getting out. You all are my most trusted Alpha's, do I have your support and can I count on you to keep this under wraps for the time being?"
They all readily agreed, "good, now to brief you. I have it in good faith that Maci used a black magic witch that cast a spell. The way it was explained was that it would cause her and I to be mates. Which in turn blocked my bond to my true mate. This usually has a counter curse and it appears that it caused Alyssa to be given the polar opposite of a mate. This resulted in her being placed in a gravely dangerous position and Maci will pay." I growled out the last part.
My wolf had been on edge since I'd found this information out after the Christmas feast. The only two who knew the full story were my Beta and Gamma. They were both spending the day setting up additional surveillance and security checkpoints. I had also increased Alyssa's security detail. I hadn't told her any of this yet for fear of stressing her out and she didn't need that right now. I could protect her. Especially now that I had the three Alpha's of my three largest packs on board.
Philip spoke up, "where did you get this information, Alpha? I believe you of course, but I am floored that anyone would stoop so low as to mess with a fated destiny?"
I cleared my throat, "I was under the same impression until I started noticing some major inconsistencies between my mateship with Maci and my mateship with Alyssa, again polar opposite. I couldn't wrap my head around it so I got curious and my curiosity led me to my source, who wishes to remain anonymous until Maci is prosecuted."
The men nodded slowly, trying to wrap their minds around what I was telling them, "this remains here, do you understand me?"
"Of course, Alpha," came from one, "Yes, Alpha," from another, and "I won't say a word, Alpha," from the last.
I let out a deep breath, "very good. Go ahead and get ready for the welcome dinner."
Sounds of chairs scraping the floor met my ears as the men filed out, leaving me, once again, with my racing thoughts.
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Alyssa's POV:
I smoothed the front of my dress over my bump. I was wearing a simple, baby blue body con dress with a cream sweater to cover my shoulders. The soft knitted fabric felt like a dream against my skin. My hair released from the slick bun I'd worn all day now framed my face in soft curls. My feet were still in house shoes and I wouldn't be putting real shoes on until the minute it was time to go. I would never admit it, but my arches were screaming at me for wearing heels for so long today .
I padded down our stairs toward Tenley's room, she had been able to nap and thank goodness because she had been quite sour before I laid her down.
"Hi, sissy let's get you dressed now, okay?"
"Okay, momma!" Yep, much better.
"You look beautiful mommy! Can I match you?" She excitedly asked.
I smiled brightly at my girl, "aw thanks, baby girl. Surely you have something in here that matches. Let's see."
I walked down the rows of clothing and stopped at a cute little blue t-shirt dress and a white cardigan, close enough I thought as I pulled the items from her closet.
"What about these?" I asked, holding up the clothing items for her to see.
"Perfect!" She squealed and snatched the dress and cardigan and quickly changed. She would be 5 years old in May and her independence was soaring. I couldn't believe that soon I would start the baby stage over again, the thought making me both excited and emotional.
Once she was done I sat on the edge of her bed and braided her hair into a single French braid and let her choose which earrings she wanted to wear. Butterflies, of course.
She slipped on some little white Mary Jane style shoes and I left her playing once more while I went and decided what shoes to wear. Brent would be home any moment, or at least I hoped he would. He'd been working so much extra, but these last few days have just been insane. Like two ships passing in the night. I sure hoped we could have some much needed time together once things slowed down. Maybe even a trip before our baby boy got here. Speaking of, my belly seemed to have doubled in size in just a few days, I was in shock. Truly. I was so small when I was pregnant with Tenley and already I feel like I'd swallowed a bowling ball.
I sighed and headed back up those darn stairs, why I hadn't brought my shoes down here, I'd never know.
I entered my closet and eyed my saving grace, some nude sandals with two braided straps. I couldn’t care less if it was 20 degrees outside, no way was I putting my feet back in anything with a heel.
I jumped slightly as our door shut with the entrance of my mate, causing me to almost topple into the floor as I was attempting to get my shoes on when the intrusion startled me.
"Hello, my love," his smooth, deep voice met my ears as he came up behind me to steady me.
"Well hello there," I said as I turned to face him. He held me for a while as I rubbed my hand up and down his back, noticing the dark circles under his eyes. He'd been so stressed lately. Coming in late, just to leave early in the morning.
He pulled back from me, "I guess I better shower and get dressed, you look absolutely stunning," he said as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
I had so much I wanted to say, but instead I smiled softly, letting go of him so he could go into his own closet. I was going to confront this after dinner tonight. There was something he wasn't telling me.
He dressed in silence as I perched myself up on the vanity between the sinks, waiting on him to be done. I checked Tenley's bond and found her in the media room watching cartoons so I stayed put, hoping to offer him some encouragement before we left.
He finally exited the closet, dressed in dark navy slacks and a blazer with a white button up underneath. Deciding not to add a tie since this was an informal event. A welcome dinner had never been done before, but it was no surprise to anyone that I wanted to add one and so far I hadn't heard of any complaints. Tonight would be a BBQ with all the sides you could imagine.
He walked up to me, parting my legs so he could step between them and buried his face in my neck as he wrapped his arm around me. I couldn’t help the question that tumbled from my mouth, "Brent, is everything okay? You haven't been acting like yourself..." He stood to look at me, placing both hands on my belly as he watched his hands rub circles over my bump.
His tired eyes met mine, "I've just been stressed with work, it's been a lot more hectic here recently, but it should slow down very soon. I hope I haven't been too annoying to live with lately."
I silently shook my head, "never, I'm just worried about - holy crap!"
He looked at me stunned, "was that what? There it is again!"
I laughed, tears filling my eyes, "he kicked! Our baby boy kicked!"
Brent knelt down to where his mouth was level with my belly, "well hello there." A kick in response, making him chuckle sweetly. The stress seemed to melt right off of his body and I was so grateful that, for this moment at least, I had my mate back.
He stood, kissing me sweetly and then helped me down from the counter, "ah, I see you're in flats," he taunted .
I swatted his chest and responded, "You leave me alone, I got a lot of compliments on my outfit today, thank you very much."
He grabbed my wrist before I could pull away, kissing the skin just below where his hand held me, "oh, I don't doubt that for one second, you looked delicious, but you know I have to tease you.." the last part coming out in a growled whisper as he lightly kissed my mark, sending tantalizing tingles straight to my core that made me arch further into him.
I shook my head, "we have to leave," I took a deep breath as he kissed me again, "in 5 minutes and you're doing this to me..."
He chuckled darkly, "this is just to prepare you for later, my love."
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Alyssa's POV:
After the baby kicking and the teasing from my mate we both left the house in wonderful moods and now the three of us were entering the ballroom. We mingled around the room for a moment, hearing congratulations over and over again on our pregnancy. Which the both of us were thrilled to accept.
The mood was much easier and lighter than it's been in days. It had given me a spring to my step and my mate seemed to also be enjoying the casual evening. All too soon I was crushed under the gaze of someone I didn't realize would be in attendance, and she was walking straight toward us. I tugged the sleeve of Brent's suit jacket to pull his attention from the Beta he and Anderson were conversing with.
He looked down at me, "what is it, my love?"
And all I could manage to get out was, "Maci."