Chapter 97
My head whipped to look at him in shock. His body was tense and he looked ready to spring I didn’t realize he had the same feeling I had.
Ituned into listen but there was nothing happening, everywhere was quiet and somehow, I didn’t like it
“I am going to find Charlie.” I said as I stood up
His hand held mine and stopped me, Lumed to look at him
“He is fine.” He said. “Marcel said everything was fine.”
Theaved a sigh of relief, “That’s good to know, maybe I am just being paranoid. They threatened Charlie and it has me on edge.”
“Tell me about it, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”
I rubbed my forehead, “Truth is that, nobody would be able to harm Charlie as long as we are both here. I am not trying to put pressure on you but it is what is. If there is any reason why they want to hurt him, it would be because of me. They want me for something and I am going to find out what that is before they do,”
“I know, I am already working on things here. It has something to do with our history, mostly your father.”
I nodded.
I couldn’t say any other thing, the mention of my father touched something bitter inside me. If I could go through life not hearing his name, I would
“be fine.
“Anyways. I have to go. Leah and I are volunteering.”
“One last time,” he suggested.
I took him up on his offer cause why not?
After my workout with Aragon, I felt like every muscle in my body was protesting, but it was the good kind of pain, the kind that made me feel strong and accomplished. Still, I needed another shower to rinse off the layer of sweat and tension that clung to me. Once I was freshened up. I
decided to find Leah
I was dressed in an outfit that screamed humble and ready to volunteer but also gave off that vibe of don’t mess with me.
Leah and Marcel shared an office near the center of the packhouse, a small but functional space filled with bookshelves, maps, and an oversized desk I knocked lightly on the door, and her voice called out for me to come in. She was sitting behind the desk, reading a stack of papers, her brow
furrowed in concentration
She glanced up briefly, nodded, and said, “Give me a minute.
I nodded back and waited, letting my eyes wander around the office. A large map of the pack’s territory was pinned to the wall, with markers denoting important locations. Beside it was a framed photo of Marcel and Leah with some of the pack’s children. The room smelled faintly of Ledarwood and ink, and I could hear the faint scratching of her pen as she made notes on the papers in front of her
Finally, she set the papers aside, leaned back in her chair, and wiggled her brot me. “50,” she began with a sly grin. “how was your workout with the big bad Alpha?”
I shrugged, trying to keepiny expression neutral, though the soreness in my limbs betrayed just how incense it had been. “It was fine. He wore me
She cooled, her grin widening. “Oh, I bet he did.”
I took me a second to catch the innuendo, and when I did, I felt my face heat up. I rolled my eyes and chuckled. “Not like that, Leal”
She raised her hands in mock surrender, her expression entirely unrepentant. “Sure, sure, Whatever you say.”
“I məran it.” I insisted, shaking my head “Nothing like that happened.”
Her teasing grin faded slightly, and she gave me a more serious look. “You haven
I shook my head “No, we haven’t. Not again.”
She studied me for a moment before standing up, her lips pressed together in thought. “Alright, fair enough. But, you know, prople are going to talk “regardless, right? You people are mates yet don’t act like on,”
“I know,” I admitted, exluling deeply. “That’s why I need to tart taking on more responsibilities in the pack. People need to see me as more than just The Alplari mute, they need to see me as las equal
Leah nodded approvingly “Well, speaking of responsibilities, I have an idea. There’s an orphanage in town that needs volunteers. I told them we
were coming so want to come with t
“Absolutely.” I said immediately, eager to contribute. “Where is it?
“Not so fast,” she said with a smirk. “hni, Huve a meeting to attend, and I think you should come with me.
Hfrowned slightly. “Why? What kind of meeting?”
“In with the otlary worden in the pack, Hu like twice in a month,” she explained. You’re the Alplu fenule now. You need to start showing up to thre thangs. What better way to assert your dominanor
Clupter 97
Her words hit me like a train. A small part of me still felt like that unsure girl from six years ago, hesitant to step into their midst because of fear. But another part of me, the stronger, more confident part was ready for this. Ready to show them who I was. I am who I am whether they like it or nor and I am unapologetic for that.”
“Alright,” I said, nodding ““Let’s do it.”
Leah smiled, clearly pleased with my answer. We headed downstairs. She was driving today cause frankly, I don’t have the strength. My heart pounded as I thought of ways I could get them to accept me but I realized that the time had gone. I couldn’t get them to accept cause they had already made up their conception about me, I was the murderer’s daughter, the one that got away, the sole reason why their choice of Luna wasn’t chosen. The least I could do was demand respect from them. I deserved that
Leah parked in front of the building and we got out. I squared my shoulders to project confidence, the confidence I felt right now.
When we reached the door, Leah pushed it open without hesitation, striding inside with the case of someone who belonged. I followed closely behind her, my head held high.
The room was filled with women, some sitting, others standing in small groups chatting amongst themselves. There was food and refreshments of the table and some helped themselves to it. Their conversations came to an abrupt halt the moment we walked in, and all eyes tumed to us. Or.
rather, to me…
I felt the weight of their gazes as they assessed me. I could see the moment they discovered who I was causing as those gazes bored into me, I felt the judgment wanting from them
They started whispering, and though I couldn’t make out every word of their whispered comments, the tone was unmistakable.
What’s she doing here?”
“should she even be here
“I cant believe she would have the nerve to show up here. She is not needed here,”
“Ugh” What the hell is she trying to prove?”
The words were meant to cut, and I knew they would’ve succeeded if I’d been less sure of myself. But instead of letting their whispers intimidate me, they only fueled my determination. I lifted my chin higher, meeting their stares head on, and walked to an empty seat as if I had every right to
be there because I did.
nd leaned in to whisper. “Ignore them. They’re just shocked.”
Leah, noticing the tension in the room, placed a reassuring hand or my arm and
1 nodded subily but didn’t respond. Loould feel my pulse quickening, mot from fear but from anger. How dare they question my place here! Howe dare they assume I didn’t belong?
Leah took her place at the head of the table and cleared her throat, communding the room’s attention. “Alright, ladies, let’s get started. First of all. 1 would like to formally introduce Sapphire to this meeting. It’s long overdue but she will be here for some of these meetings moving forwand”
1 could feel their disbelief when she announced that, “Why?” someone asked from the crowd.
Leah shrugged and tumed to me, “Would you like to answer that or should 11”
I smiled and channeled my best impression from my cutthroat persona I had developed when I was talking to my investors.
I stood. “Thank you for having me, it’s an honor to be amongst the strong women’in this pack. Your contributions here are well appreciated.”
I heard a scoff from the background and tried so hard to keep the smile on my face You are not welcome here,” a voice called out.
“Why?” asked
A woman stood up with that glare on her face as she pointed at me, “We haven’t forgotten what you did years ago. What makes you think you can just waltz in here and everything would be fine”
Ichuckled. “What makes you think I give a fuck about what you think?” I shot back.
I heard gasps and the reeled back, I scoffed. “It’s good that you haven’t forgotten what I did. But what is it that I did? That I left for my peace of mind? After you people punished and bullied me?”
“Your father was
I lifted a hand to silence her, “My father not me, and frankly this tale is getting old. You had no reason to hate me or treat me like you are doing now or even then. You are just following the crowd because you do not live a backbone. I am done talking about this,” I turned to the rest of the crowd,
“I get that you people dont want me here but you will get used to it. I am your Alpha’s mate whether you like it or not and I would not be treated Lethan I deurre Lambre to stay so suck it up.”
I put down with a buff Leah sent the a reassuring smile and I returned i
She clapped her hands. “Now that we are done with all of that, let’s begin.”
As the meeting began listened intently, taking mental notes on the topics bring discussed. Most of it revolved around upcoming events, pack
ared ways to improve our community Troubuted when I coudil, careful not to oversirp
By the end of the meeting the atmosphere lud slutted slightly. Whale some of the women still regarded me with thinly veiled skepticism, others
and to warm up to me, nodding in agreement whris Lapoke or offering small smiles of encouragement
When the meeting adjourned. Leah leaned over and whispered, “You did great
“Thanks” I murmured feeling a small surge of pride
