MasukSeren
I started cleaning the guest rooms but couldn’t stop thinking about my reaction to her naming Alpha Duncan specifically and the uneasiness I felt at her plans to trap him. ‘What do you think that’s about, Kara? I’ve never felt like that before, and I’ve overheard and seen so many things that should upset me much more than another one of her plans.’
‘I don’t know for sure, Seren, but I think we need to do what we can to stay hyperaware these next few days. I feel like something big is going to happen, and not just our upcoming birthday and shift. Just keep your eyes open,’ Kara responded, and I mentally nodded and got on with my day.
Once I’d finished the guest rooms, I moved on to Amelia’s suite. If I waited to clean the pack house later, when traffic is minimal, it would decrease the chance of being targeted. I refreshed everything—her linens, her towels in her en suite, anything that I could think she would have an issue with. I pressed her chosen outfits, cleaned her shoes. When I was done, I locked her room and headed out.I looked up and Amelia’s alleged best friend was standing at the end of the hall, glaring at me. “There you are, mutt. I wonder what would happen if something in Amelia’s room went missing after you cleaned it? I’ve been eyeing that new bracelet Amelia bought. I bet I could swipe it, blame it on you, hide it away for a while and then have it for myself,” Jennifer sneered. Before I could say anything, though, someone else stepped in.
“That might have worked, Jennifer, if you hadn’t just been stupid enough to state that out in the wide open where anyone could hear…or record…you,” Kayla stated. I’d never in my life been so relieved to see her. Kayla may have only been an omega, but she was the head omega’s daughter, so she didn’t get pushed around nearly as much as the other omegas. No one wanted to piss off the head omega, because you’d suddenly have issues like cold food, dirty linens, and any other number of unfortunate and annoying issues until she was over her grudge. I looked over at her and tried to show her how grateful I was for her intervention. She glanced at me and winked, her bright red hair bouncing a bit as she turned back to Jennifer.
“I wasn’t actually going to do it, obviously,” Jennifer said with a roll of her eyes, though they flashed with something like frustration. “It was a hypothetical.”
“Obviously. And if this ‘hypothetical’ situation happens anytime soon, then don’t you worry. I’ve got the recording right here to make sure the Alpha knows who actually committed the theft,” Kayla said, using air quotes and waving her phone in the air.
“Ugh. Fine. Whatever,” Jennifer huffed, then turned and flounced away, her brown ponytail bobbing.
“Thank you, Kayla. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t shown up. That would have certainly earned me some major injuries,” I said to her.
“No worries. I overheard her talking to the bitch squad downstairs, so I already knew she was up to no good. I’m just glad that I could catch it. Now, how much more do you have to do and how can I help?” she asked.
“I’m almost done up here. Next is the pack house itself, which I’m going to delay a little so that traffic dies down. I was going to try to sneak into the kitchen for something to eat—meet me down there?”
“Sure. I’ll grab some plates from Mom and head outside. Should be relatively peaceful for you there.” She turned and headed back down the stairs.
I walked over to the large supply room on the Alpha floor and started putting supplies away when I smelled mint and pine. “Oh, no,” I muttered. I knew that scent. I’d sent Kayla away too soon. The alpha’s son was here.
Declan POV
Allie POVThe skirt was so soft. After years of scratchy, basic scrubs that were dirty more often than not, it was like a cloud touching my legs. I felt so…free. Grandma Gwen—she’d insisted I call her that, though it still felt odd to me—had added another three styles to the pile as we’d walked back to the fitting rooms. It felt excessive, but at the same time, I couldn’t deny that I loved all the options. I loved the idea of having a choice. And every one of the selections she picked had the same loose, soft quality, whether it was winter wear or formal dresses. Somehow, she’d instinctually understood what made me comfortable. Which was far different from what Elara was comfortable in. She had looked badass in the jeans and leather, and one-hundred percent herself. She had a spark in her eye that hadn’t been there when she was simply focused on keeping us alive in that hellhole. I hoped that meant she was starting to heal.I was. I couldn’t point to why it was…easier…for me to com
Gavin POVThe women left with the same energy they came in with, except this time they had Allie and Elara in the middle of them. The girls looked a bit overwhelmed, but I trusted Mom and Grandma to see them through it. They needed a day where they were completely spoiled. And they needed the time with other women, with people who cared about them like daughters. The suite was quiet now that they were gone, and I turned to Ross. “Ready to get to work?”He nodded. “Dimitri and Declan should have updates for us. Let’s get to it.”We met with the group in the conference room we’d designated as a sort of headquarters for the duration of the investigation. Dimitri was setting up the projector while Declan was booting up his laptop. The others were looking through paperwork scattered across the desk. Uncle Gideon looked up when we came in. “The women get off okay?”“I think the idea of shopping with a group of females may have terrified Elara more than being strapped to that torture tabl
Elara POVMorning sunlight stretched across my face. The warmth pulled me out of sleep. I'd left the curtains open when I came to bed last night. I couldn't stand the idea of sleeping in a completely dark room again, and the moon had been full and bright when I finally turned in.I blinked my eyes open, the clean white ceiling coming into view. The soft, plush mattress underneath me still felt unusual, but I could definitely get used to it. For the first time I could remember, I slept through the night and didn't dream.I wasn't entirely sure what that meant. Still, I felt rested, clear-headed. And I was already craving a shower, so I tossed the covers back and headed to the bathroom. I hesitated for a brief second before I turned on the towel warmer, then opened the glass door and started the spray as hot as it would go. I stayed under the stream until my fingers wrinkled and my skin was pink. When I stepped out and wrapped one of the fluffy towels around me, I couldn't help the sm
Elara POVThe doctor discharged Allie and me the next day. He still wanted us to come in for regular check-ups for the next month, but he was satisfied that we’d healed enough to be on our own. He’s also set up daily counseling sessions for us both. I wasn’t sure how to feel about any of it. For so long, my only job had been to survive. Now, I had freedom. But what the hell did I do with it? Gavin and Ross were doing their best to give us space to choose. But apparently that space ended at our living arrangements.“I’m not moving in with you,” I said for the third time. “Elara, please. I don’t need you to share my room. But if we share the suite, we can stay in proximity enough that my wolf is satisfied you’re safe, and if something happens and you need me, I’ll be right there. There’s enough room for Ross and Allie to each have their own rooms, too, so the four of us can help each other.”The part of me that had bristled over being told what to do settled a bit with his explanati
Gavin POVThe room got serious quickly. “From what Elaine said, Allie just did the impossible.” I turned to face her. “Can you tell us what happened, honey?”Ross still had her on his lap. She sat up as straight as she could with his arms wrapped around her. “I just…something told me to help him. To try to touch it. I didn’t know what would happen.” She chewed on her lip. “There was a voice in my head. It sort of sounded like me, but not.”‘Wolf,’ Atka said. “Tell us more about that,” my dad prompted. “Um. I was watching the smoke around him, and Elaine said there was nothing she could do. Then, very clearly, I heard, ‘Help him.’ And the black was moving over him, and I could see the bug, and the voice said, ‘Touch the bug.’ So I did.”Mom and Phineas exchanged a look. He cleared his throat, then asked, “Allie, have you ever heard that voice before?”She shook her head. Phineas nodded like he’d expected that answer. “While the original Luminar were created and lost our wolves in t







