“I know you’ve all met her over our conference calls in the last week, but everyone, this is my mate and Luna, Daisy,” he introduces her. The short, auburn-haired she-wolf moved to hug Amelia, and they rubbed their cheeks together.
“I haven’t said it yet, but thank you for helping us take down Jordan. I’m glad our pack can return the favor and help you get rid of Marilyn and Ramos,” Daisy says with a smile, a hint of bloodthirstiness coming from the small, unassuming she-wolf.
Amelia smiles and promises to discuss our plans tomorrow as David shakes Titus’ hand. Now that the formal greetings of the alpha pair are done, Lucas and I step forward, Titus enveloping me in a bear hug while Daisy moves to hug Lucas.
“Hello, my new little sister-in-law,” Titus greets me, his voice full of laughter.
“I may be a little sister-in-law to you, but I will kick your ass in training tomorrow,” I retort, ending the hug to greet Daisy.
“The pack already has bets on who will end up flat on their ass. You’re the favorite choice amongst the she-wolves,” Daisy states as she hugs me, the two of us rubbing our cheeks together. I can see why she is named Daisy as the scent of oxeye daisies wraps around me. Considering that Titus told me she rejected him, thinking he was just like Jordan and Jordan’s father at the time, I wonder if she, too, can take her mate down in a sparring match.
“Glad to know the she-wolves count on me to kick their alpha’s ass,” I tease, turning to catch Titus talking with Marco and congratulating him on finding his mate. Avery is just behind him, arms wrapped around a burly-looking man with dark umber skin and a clean-shaven head. He notices me staring and waves at me. I wave back, noticing no malice, before looking at the wolves mingling about on the lawn.
Many of my wolves are happily chatting with Growling Heart’s wolves, and I recognize a few who had come to Ivory Fangs months ago when Jordan was still alpha. They ask Ash, who has now joined our group—Devon nowhere to be seen—if our special moonshine will be served today, to which Ash laughs and nods.
I continue scanning the crowd, feeling a sense of peace in the air, knowing that everyone is getting along, and notice that Lucas has gone off to talk with a few Growling Heart warriors. He smiles happily as he laughs with three wolves I’ve never met.
After asking Titus about how close Lucas seems to these wolves, I learn that they helped rescue me by keeping Jordan’s men at bay. Wanting to thank them, I take one step towards the group of four, wanting Lucas to introduce me, but I’m stopped when Amelia announces that dinner is ready and we should all head inside to eat before our bonfire.
Lucas quickly excuses himself from the warriors, coming to my side and wrapping his arms around me.
“Will you introduce me to your friends? I want to thank them for helping to rescue me,” I ask him, melting into Lucas’ side as we make our way into the packhouse and towards the dining hall.
“I will tonight, during the bonfire,” he agrees, kissing my temple. I smile, excited to get to know Daisy, Avery, and her mate this evening. The fun will be over tomorrow, and the grueling training will begin.
44
Kaylee
Watching Lucas chat happily with Titus and David while Daisy reclines by the bonfire with Amelia, Evette, and Avery feels like the calm before the storm. I wish this peace could last.
Dinner had been a fun affair. The omegas who had volunteered for duties were quick to keep the buffet filled, while Ivory Fangs’ wolves came and went to mingle with those from Growling Heart. I spent the time getting to know Avery and Daisy, finding myself laughing so hard that I couldn’t even drink my apple juice without nearly spitting it onto the table. During this laughing fit, Avery introduced me to her mate, Jamal, a beta wolf who had been kicked from his pack in Jamaica for not wanting to give up his right as a beta to his pack for his alpha’s brother-in-law.
He thought coming to Canada would bring better luck for him, as his cousin Daisy was here. He went to see her after exploring the country for a bit, and in the end, he was right. He met Averywhen he found himself in the decoy town Growling Heart owns. At the time, Avery was just a warrior who had been notified by one of the townspeople that a rogue had wandered into town. From what the two told me, it was love at first sight.
Jordan’s father was still alpha at the time. When Avery brought Jamal to his office the next day after marking one another, the alpha accepted Jamal immediately, wanting to use his beta bloodline to strengthen the pack. Add on the fact that he was related to Daisy, and the alpha had no qualms about Jamal. It seems to be the only good thing that alpha did. Avery and Jamal had risen through the ranks slowly but surely until they helped take down Jordan and his men and became the beta pair for Titus and Daisy.
“Kaylee.”
I jump slightly at my name being called, turning to find Royce staring at me apologetically. Behind him stands Ash, a look of sadness hidden in his eyes as he scans the field. Something feels off, but I did say I would talk to Royce later.
“Can we go to your office to talk?” Royce asks, nodding towards the packhouse.
“Sure. It seems whatever you have to say is important,” I agree, placing my glass on the table. I can feel Lucas’ gaze one me, feel the bond hum with worry as I begin walking towards the packhouse again with Royce and Ash by my side.
[Everything okay, baby?] Lucas asks as Royce helps me climb the steps—my heels make it hard to do so without holding onto the railing or a hand.
[Yeah. Royce and Ash want to discuss something with me, so we’re heading to my office,] I answer, turning back to give Lucas a reassuring smile over my shoulder before passing through the doors.
Royce again helps me up the stairs to my office, and my friends are too quiet for comfort. My worry grows until we walk through my office door, where I find Devon sitting on the sofa, patiently waiting for us.
“I haven’t moved from this spot,” Devon says quickly, rising to his feet to bow towards me.
“I believe you. My alarms would have gone off if you tried doing anything in here,” I answer, striding to my desk and sinking into my plush office chair with a sigh. I regret wearing heels.
“But judging by how it’s the three of you, I’m guessing you all want to leave Ivory Fangs and move to Oak Fur if Lucas and I succeed in taking down Marilyn and Ramos,” I surmise, looking at the three males with a narrowed gaze.
Devon lets out a sigh of relief and slinks back onto the sofa while Ash and Royce remain standing before my desk.
