Chapter Thirty-Four
Six months later…
“Good morning Alannah!” I swung into the office and let the door slam behind me, startling our poor omega. But the swish of bags had her hopping up and coming around the desk.
“Amy, what’s all of this?” Alannah rushed to my side and pulled the bags from my hands.
“These are your birthday presents.” I squealed as I pushed her to her desk.
She stumbled over her feet, and Rick mosied out to see what the commotion was. “What’s going on?”
“It’s Alannah’s birthday!” I screamed as I pushed her back into her chair.
“I know.” Rick smirked and turned back to his office.
Alannah sat confused as the bags sat at her feet. “Amy, I can’t accept these.”
“Of course you can. You have been my secretary for a few months now, and you never mess up my lunch.” I smiled big and then leaned in with a whisper, “and don’t think I don’t know about the extra attitude you’ve been getting from Brandon.
He’s been in a mood recently and I know you’ve had to take the brunt of his aura when he comes in here swinging. ”
She looked up at me with tears in her eyes. “It’s my job.”
I shook mine. “It’s your job to serve, not to be abused. And I know I haven’t been the one abusing you, but my boyfriend has.” I nearly gagged at the words. “But it is my job to apologize for him.”
She shook her head. “You have been amazing to work for. This is all too much.”
“Well, then you probably won’t like my present either.” Rick came in with a bag in his hands and dropped it at her feet. “Happy birthday Alannah.”
She looked at the pile of bags and then back at us. “I don’t know what to say.”
“There is nothing to say. Just open the gifts.” I pulled out a chair and slid it to Rick. Then I pulled another and sat down. I picked up one bag and handed it to her. “Open.”
She sniffled and nodded. “Okay.” She opened everything one by one. “This is amazing and way too much.” She looked at the gifts on her desk. I clapped happily. “I’ll take one and then you guys can return the rest.” She went to grab the sweater I gave her, but I shook my head.
“You will take everything we gave you. You deserve it.” I pointed to the pile of things.
“Each one of the gifts is something you or your mate need.” Her head snapped to mine.
“You thought I didn’t notice, but we aren’t stupid.
” I pointed to the clothes. “You always wear the same clothes to the office. So we got you more options.”
“The ring?” She turned to Rick, who blushed.
“We overheard Ternen last month.” He looked away as Alannah turned away.
“Hey now.” I grabbed her hand. “Don’t look away. And Goddess, please do not feel like you or Ternen have to be ashamed. Rick and I talked it over. You both deserve this.” Rick nodded. He pointed to the man's ring in her gift bag from him.
“I took Ternen ring shopping. He picked out his ring for himself. You just have to give it to him.”
Alannah wiped her cheek. “You took him ring shopping?”
Rick nodded. “When I met my mate, I couldn’t afford a ring for our mating ceremony.” His eyes grew misty. “But Shelly didn’t care. She loved me just for me.” He looked back at Alannah. “I was exactly like Ternen. And it took a male smarter than myself that smacked some smart into my brain.”
Alannah looked confused. “What do you mean?”
“I started down a dark spiral because I felt like I wasn’t taking care of my mate properly because I couldn’t give her everything she deserved.
Sound familiar?” She nodded and looked down at the floor.
“It took my Alpha.” Rick looked at me. “Your father.” I felt my face freeze.
This was news to me. “He took me to the mall, and bought me rings for me and Shelly, and then he laid into me.” He chuckled.
“And I did the same to Ternen. I smacked him a little and gave him some good advice. Hopefully, he will do exactly what I did with it.”
“What was that?” Alannah asked.
“I got over myself, asked for a little bit more help, and I went to school. Ternen is a smart kid, and he has a ton of potential. I made a life for my mate and my pups. He will too.” Rick turned to me. “Your dad saved my life, and I hope you are exactly like him.”
I smiled. “I try to be.” He nodded and then went back to his office, leaving Alannah and I to our thoughts.
I was deep into programming a new firewall when there was a tentative knock on my door. I looked up to find Alannah standing there, looking a little lost. “Are you busy Amy?”
“For you? Not at all.” I saved my progress and sat back. “What’s up?”
She stepped into the office. “There is someone that wants to come talk to you, but I don’t want him too.”
I lifted my brows. “Why not?”
She looked down. “It’s Ternen.”
I smiled. “Send him in.” I leaned my elbow on the desk. “I wanted to ask about his day yesterday.”
“What, why?” Her head snapped up.
“Because Brandon said he was going to give him a new job in the house. I wanted to see how it went.” I watched her body tense and her face fall. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
“No.” I had a sinking feeling. I stood and walked around my desk, grabbing her hand and pulling her to sit. “Sit.”
“I can’t.” She turned to look at the door. “Ternen is waiting.” I pushed her into the chair and walked to the door, opening it.
Ternen stood with his back to me. “Ternen, come here.” He turned, and I saw his face was still molted green, yellow, and light purple.
“What the.” I held up my hand and waved him off.
“Just come here.” I opened the door and allowed him in.
Then I went to grab Rick. “Hey. Are you ready?” His eyes held a bit of confusion, but he nodded.
He slid his chair back and nodded. “Of course.” I went back to the office with him, his eyes landing on Ternen and Alannah. I felt him stiffen, but he didn’t react past that. “Hey guys. How’s everything?”
Ternen and Alannah just smiled. “It’s okay.” His voice was softer than normal. Rougher. Like he screamed for too long. I felt my anger spike, but I pushed it down.
“Since everyone is finally here, let’s go to lunch.” I smiled as I grabbed my bag. Alannah and Ternen looked confused, but Rick nodded.
“Sounds great. The reservation is in thirty minutes.” Rick, the genius of a man, played along. He patted his pockets and nodded. “I’m ready.” He walked to the door, then turned back. “Amy, can you drive today? My mate has our car.”
“Of course.” I smiled widely and grabbed Alannah’s hand. “It’s a birthday lunch!” I bounced, forcing myself to be upbeat as Ternen did his best to hide his face. “Let’s go.” We walked to the door of the main office, but it swung open before Rick got there.
Brandon stood there, almost panting. “Hey.” He smiled widely, but it never reached his eyes.
“Hey baby.” I let go of Alannah’s hands and walked up to him, giving him a hug. Earning a growl from Megan. Sorry. I sent back to my wolf. “What are you doing here?”
“I came here to take you to lunch.” He smiled down at me, but I pulled away.
“I’m so sorry. But I told you yesterday that Rick and I were taking Alannah out for lunch.
” I pouted as I stared up at him. I had told him that I Wwasn’t actually planning on going anywhere, but I just wanted space from him.
Every day, he came to have lunch. I was tired of it, so I lied and said we planned on taking Alannah out for her birthday.
Brandon looked down. “I must have forgotten.” Then he snapped his head up and smiled. “I’ll just tag along.”
I dropped his hand and crossed my arms, pouting.
“If you come, then everyone else won’t be able to relax.
” I looked at him through my lashes. “I have lunch with you every day. You promised me I could go with my friends today.” I sounded like a petulant child.
But somehow, this is the only way I can get what I want from Brandon.
He has to see me as a child. Which, in all honesty, opened a new disgusting aspect to the man.
It’s because he is a fucking child. He doesn’t understand adults talking shit through. Megan huffed as she retreated into the trees, leaving after one final crack at him. He’s just so fucking pathetic. I can’t fucking look at him anymore.
“You don’t want me to come with you.” He tried to pout.
“That’s not fair.” I turned my back to him.
“I told you yesterday, that the omegas in the office won’t feel comfortable around you.
” I turned and pointed. “It took Alannah four months to stop calling me Alpha.” Then I pushed tears into my eyes.
“I know Rick is fine around you but everyone else isn’t. You promised.”
Brandon opened his mouth but Shannon busted in the door. “There you are.” She squealed and then froze when she saw me.
Brandon turned to face Shannon, and I could see the anger just below the surface. “Why are you here?” His words were light, but I could see he was about to lose his mind.
Shannon stepped back from whatever she saw on his face. “Amy told me about her birthday lunch, and since we all have become so close, I figured while she was busy, we could have lunch together.” She looked at his face, and winced.
But I jumped at the chance. I stepped to her side and wrapped my arm around hers. “Shannon, that is honestly the best idea.”
She looked at my arms around hers. “It is?”
Brandon’s face morphed into a mask of confusion. “It is?”
I nodded. “Shan is right. I mean, we have spent the last six months working on our friendship. And it’s made our relationship that much easier to go ahead with, knowing that we aren’t going to fight over you.” I smiled up at him and he considered it.
I could see the exact moment he decided to go to lunch with Shannon. The exact moment he figured out he could have a little afternoon rendezvous with his lover, since I give him nothing. I saw the heat enter his eyes and knew I had him.
“Okay. Okay.” I wanted to clap. “I give in. Go have lunch with your friends. I’ll have lunch with Shannon here. Plus, we have things to discuss.”
“I know.” Shannon smiled as she slid next to him. “I mean, your mating ceremony is in a few short weeks.” I felt my stomach clench, but I smiled and nodded. “We have so much to still go over for the ceremony.”
I nodded. “I know. I am so excited.” I leaned in to kiss Brandon’s cheek.
“Soon I’ll get to kiss your lips.” I whispered next to his ear, and I heard him groan.
I sat back with a satisfied smile on my face.
I didn’t want to touch him at all, but teasing him was honestly fun.
“But you are right. We still have a lot to pin down.” I turned to Shannon. “Thank you for helping with it all.”
Shannon smiled, but I could see the hatred in her eyes. “Of course. You are my sister, and Brandon is my best friend. You have everything going on here, so I do what I can.” She gripped her arm through Brandon’s. “You ready to go?”
He looked at me for a second and then back at Shannon.
I could see the exact moment his brain switched off.
He wanted to know what the hell we were going to talk about.
I knew that’s why he came running over here.
But Shannon and the potential for sex turned all that worry off, and that was perfect for me.
“Yeah, I’m ready.” He turned to me and kissed my forehead. Ugh. “I’ll see you after work? We can go over to the bakery to select the cake.”
I nodded. “Sounds perfect.”
They left, and I turned to everyone waiting. I linked arms with Alannah again. “Now let’s go. We don’t want to miss the reservation.” I winked to Rick, and we left the pack house, climbed into my truck and took off. As soon as we turned off the main drive. I pulled over.
Alannah’s brow furrowed. But I turned to Ternen. I pointed to him. “You.” He looked around and then pointed at himself. “Yeah you. What the hell happened to you?”
Ternen looked away. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
I looked around, and I could see it in their eyes. They liked me, but didn’t trust me, not fully. I swung back around and pulled away from the curb. “I know you don’t trust me. And I don’t blame you. So I will ask for a vow of silence before I tell you my secrets.”
All three of them turned to look at me. “You have a secret?” Rick raised a brow as I nodded.
“I do.” I sighed. “But it involves too many others to tell everyone. I need your vow so that you will be forced to keep it. Even if you are commanded by an Alpha.”
Rick turned in the passenger seat to stare at me fully. “So if we take the vow, no matter what, someone won’t be able to force the truth.”
I nodded. “Exactly.” I looked back at him. “If it makes you more comfortable, I’ll take the vow as well.” I glanced at Rick. “I don’t mind and that way, anything we discuss at this lunch will be kept a secret.”
“You wouldn’t be able to tell Vince or Brandon?” Alannah leaned over the seat.
“Nope.” I smirked. “Even if I didn’t take the vow, they couldn’t command me to tell them anything. They are too weak.” I chuckled as the rest of them gasped. “I don’t seem it, because I can keep my aura under control, but I am very strong.”
Rick chuckled. “That doesn’t surprise me. Your mother and father were a pair to behold.”
We pulled into the mall’s parking lot, and I turned off the truck. “Are you ready?”