What do you think of Lily's decision to move to the packhouse?
I follow Beta Calvin to a room on his floor. It’s nice, but I feel like a stranger in this room. I go sit on the bed with nothing else to do. Nothing in this room is mine. I have no clothes, no toiletries, nothing. The reality of my situation comes crashing down on me. My father was going to sell me to an Alpha to pay his gambling debts. I’ve never felt so lost or scared. I’m nervous for how my father will react when Alpha Patrick speaks to him. Will he yell at me? Most likely. Based on how he responded earlier, he will be furious and try to make this about me being ungrateful. I don’t know how my mother will feel. I can’t believe she knew anything about this. But she does what my father tells her to do. She has always been a good mother, but she never goes against my father. Now that her being a good mother and a good mate are at odds, I’m pretty sure that the mate bond will win. Will she be angry with me as well? Will she blame me for whatever punishment my father receives from Alph
As Lily closes the door, I immediately hear her sniffles and soft sobs. I clench my fists and go in search of Patrick. I’m furious that they didn’t throw her father in the cells or at least make sure he returned home. I find him in his office. I walk in without knocking. He looks up and when he sees it’s me, he sits back in his chair, folding his hands together on his desk. “Clint? Something on your mind?” I should sit down, but my temper won’t let me settle. “I took Lily for a run tonight to get her out after everything that happened.” I look up to see if he’s going to make some smart comment, but he remains quiet, watching me. “Her father was laying in wait for us when we returned.” That got his attention. He sits up, leaning forward. “Where?” “Outside the packhouse. Called her slut, ungrateful and basically blamed her for everything. Then he said something about it all being a misunderstanding and Lily will be moving back home when it’s figured out.” I turn to look at him, my
I’m warm and comfortable when some rude person starts shaking me awake. “Lily, wake up, we have to get back to your room.” That jolts me awake and I shoot up. I’m outside, on the roof with Clint. I fell asleep. I’d been tossing and turning all night and on impulse, I texted him. When he brought me up here, I was ready to stomp right back to my room until he told me I was the only one he’d every brought up here. And then…..I fell asleep, almost immediately. Between Clint’s fingers in my hair and Donovan’s purring in my ear, I didn’t stand a chance. Clint is standing up, holding out his hand to me. “We have to get you back to your room before anyone notices.” “What time is it?” I ask, moving off the blanket and letting him fold it up and put it back where he stores it. “Early, but not early enough. We both fell asleep.” He gets to the slanted roof and carefully slides down before turning, reaching out for me with one hand and putting a finger to his lips. The universal sign to be qu
While I expected Calista to support Lily, it was nice to have it confirmed. As much as I want to be the one Lily goes to when she’s worried or upset, our relationship isn’t at that point yet. She needs the support of her lifelong friend. As we’re pulling up into the parking lot, Calista asks one more question. “So, Alpha Patrick knows what happened, but who is looking out for you? You’re not 18 yet.” “Alpha Patrick has taken over as my parental guardian. My mother could have come to stay with me, but I expected her to stay with my father, and she did.” “Well,” Calista says as we exit the car, “I guess I’ll just have to come to the packhouse to so we can do our homework together.” I watch as she wraps her arm around Lily’s shoulders, and they begin walking to the school entrance. Anders and I walk behind them, almost in a protective stance. I’m not sure what look we have on our faces, but no one approaches us as we walk inside. We split off to go to our lockers. I can see that Lily
Dinner was strange. First, I don’t usually eat in the packhouse. Since my parents have their own house, we usually eat there unless there is a pack event. But Clint insisted that I eat with him and Anders, which meant that I am sitting with all the ranked wolves. If people hadn’t noticed that I had moved to the packhouse before, they certainly notice that I am getting special treatment by eating with our ranked members. When I sit, Luna Olivia and Beta Naomi turn their attention to me. “Lily, dear, how have you settled into your room? Do you have everything you need?” Luna Olivia turned to me. “Oh, Alpha Patrick had my things brought over today. I haven’t checked but I should have everything I need. Thank you.” “If not, please let me know, or Naomi can help you. You are closer to her room if it’s something urgent.” “Thank you both, I really appreciate it. I don’t want to be a burden.” “I was thinking it was nice to have another she-wolf at this table.” Beta Naomi whispers so only
As Calista collects herself, she looks from Lily to me. “This is why. This is why you are spending so much time together.” “Yes.” Lily says to her. I move to Lily, standing beside her. “I’m going to be training Lily and making sure that she is safe. But you know what this means, Calista, especially in light of what we know about her father.” Her eyes go from me to Lily. “You must have been terrified this weekend.” Lily takes a step toward Calista, just as the door swings open. I move to block Lily from whoever is walking in as Andra is still shining in her eyes. “I thought I was clear about the door staying open." Patrick says, walking in. "I’m sorry Alpha, it’s my fault.” Lily says, not turning around. “I needed to show Calista something private.” She turns, showing Andra in her eyes. Patrick turns, closing the door. “Calista, this is a lot of information and it’s dangerous for Lily if this information gets out. I expect that what she has shown you here will stay in this room.”
He kissed me. I watch as he moves away from my window, but I’m so stunned, I can’t move for a moment. When I do, it’s to bring my fingers to my lips. The moment his lips touched mine, it sent a zing through my entire body. I can still feel my lips tingling. I shake my head, getting my thoughts in order and begin changing for our training session. I’m nervous about seeing him, but when I run into him on the stairs, it’s the same as yesterday. He acts like we didn’t just see each other a few minutes ago or sleep together on the roof. I wasn’t sure about texting him again last night, but I was glad I did. Lying in bed alone, I kept thinking about my father, my mother not reaching out to me and Alpha Mahli and what would have happened if he had realized I was a Guardian. Donovan’s purring helps me to sleep well, even on the roof, and I feel more refreshed today than I did yesterday. When we get outside, Clint tells me the plan as we head to the forest. “This morning we’re going to wor
Fuck! I hadn’t meant to scare her. I hadn’t meant to lose control and kiss her like that. But, as soon as I tasted the delicious orange and ginger flavor of her lips, I was lost. And then, when she moaned, holding on to me as if I was her lifeline, I wanted nothing more than to take her, claim her as my mate, leave my mark on her neck so everyone will know she’s mine. ‘At least she’ll smell like us for another day or two.’ Donovan says. ‘Not helpful if she won’t talk to us.’ I retort. ‘She will. She wants to train and be stronger.’ ‘I want to spend time with her doing things other than training.’ ‘Isn’t that what got us into this mess in the first place?’ My snarky wolf says. I grab my shorts and quickly put them on, picking up Lily’s clothes as well. I jog back to the packhouse, sneaking in the omega entrance, before rushing upstairs, hoping no one sees me. I get to my room, setting Lily’s clothes on a chair before taking a quick shower. I get dressed hurriedly before rushing do