Wait at Home

~Alayasia~

I wanted to watch him walk away. Hell, I wanted to throw myself at his feet and beg him to take me with him. I couldn’t do either of those things, so I kept my eyes on my plate. I was able to stomach a few items from dinner, but it wasn't much to call a meal. I’m going to be hungry later, oh well. 

A throat clears rather loudly at the table. I shift in my seat so it doesn’t seem like I’m not paying attention. “Beta Ala… uh, Alana… Al…”

“Her name is Alayasia.” My head snaps up at my name. It’s the Alpha that came with my mate. My stomach lurches as shock washes over me. It’s rare that anyone actually WANTS to talk to me. I plaster a slight smile on my face and nod my head. 

“My apologies.” His comment is directed toward Luna Olivia, who was nice enough to tell him my name. “I’m not that great at names.” He chuckles, and I feel at ease. It’s a vast difference from how I feel when Alpha Axel ever tries to talk to me, which is, thankfully, rarely. “What pack are you originally from?” He actually wants to know about me?! I’m beginning to get flustered. 

Just talk to him as if you’re talking to me. Take it slowly. Everything will be okay. I’m so thankful for Clover and would hate to see where I would be without her. I sit up taller and clear my throat. I make eye contact with the Alpha, and a calm washes over me. I open my mouth to speak, but quickly close it when a pain shoots through my knee. I quickly glance down to find Maxim with a vice grip on my knee. I feel the tears start to build, but I refuse to cry in front of all of the people. 

“What makes you think that she isn’t from here?” Maxim’s voice is deep and cold. His fingers dig into the sides of my knee, and I’m not sure how much more pain I can endure. It isn’t just that it hurts in the moment, but it will hurt later. I may be a healer wolf, but he doesn’t work that way for me. On top of that, I can’t let Clover heal us as a normal wolf would because that would alert people to the fact that I’m not just human. 

“I meant no offense. I just wanted to pull her into the conversation. She’s been sitting quietly all through the meal.”

“My wife is just fine, thank you.” I don’t need to look at Maxim to know that the look in his eye is the one he gives people before he goes for their throat. I know he would never openly challenge an Alpha, but I’m sure he’s giving him a silent challenge. That’s just the type of mate that I have. 

An awkwardness settles around the table as the incident sets in. I wonder what others are thinking or what they want to say. I’m no one special, so I don’t anticipate anyone coming to my rescue, and I wouldn’t want them to do that anyway. 

It doesn’t take long for everyone to resume their meal and the conversations they abandoned to focus on me. I slowly let a breath out as the pain in my leg lessens by the second. My stomach is clenched tightly, and I want nothing more than to get out of this room. Maxim leans closer, his scent filling my lungs. I've always hated his scent. He smells like that black licorice. I’d imagine that's not really how he smells to others, but that’s what fills my senses every time he’s near. “I think you need to go home. Once you put Zara to bed, wait for me. You know how I want you to be.” Fuck! I almost forgot that I have a punishment waiting for me when I get home. 

I quietly wipe my mouth and place my napkin on the table. I discreetly push my chair back and stand to my feet. I lift my head and look at the far wall. “My apologies, everyone. I’m a bit tired and will be retiring. I hope you enjoy the rest of dinner.” I step away from the table and turn to leave. 

When I get through the dining room doors, I turn to the left to go to the kitchen. I want to get to Zara and take her home. I hope that Maxim hangs out with the other Betas that are here, so I don’t have to deal with him tonight. 

I let my body relax when I escape the dining room, and the limp from my hurt knee sets in. “Are you okay, love?” I turn to find Ronnie walking toward me from a closet. 

“I’m fine, Ronnie. I just came to get Zara so I can get her to bed.” Ronnie moves in front of me, and I follow him to his office. “I hope she wasn’t any trouble.” Ronnie stops and turns to me. 

“Now, you stop that. You know that Zara is a light in the storm for me. She’s an amazing little girl and couldn’t be any trouble if she tried.” I smile at his words, grateful that I have such a great kid and that there are people here who love her. 

Ronnie reaches his office and opens his door. His sharp intake of breath when he looks in lets me know that I have a problem. He turns to me, his face scrunched up in panic. “I… I… she was right here, I swear! Goddess, Alayasia! I don’t know where she would go!” I place my hand on his arm, amusement all over my face. Zara is fearless despite her lack of vision. I know she probably left this office when no one was looking and did so on purpose. She’s good at scaring the life out of those who are set to watch her. 

“It’s okay, Ronnie. This isn’t your fault. Could you send her stuff with someone to my house? They can leave it outside the door.” Ronnie looks surprised, but he nods his head. 

“Are you sure?” I step closer to Ronnie and wrap my arms around him. 

“Definitely. Thank you so much for keeping an eye on her.” I reach up and kiss his cheek before turning to walk out of the service entry in the kitchen. Once outside, I close my eyes and let Clover take over, scenting our child. I know exactly where she is.