6

ANNABELLE..

Looking over at the irritated Alpha confidently, "I wasn't listening. Care to summarize all of that to me?" I roll my eyes showing my trepidation.

Scoffing from across me. Alpha Elizer of the Dark Moon pack states rather cockily, "If you weren't daydreaming so much, we wouldn't have had to stop our meeting to outline anything to you."

My brow arches in amusement, "You're as irresponsible as they come, Devirolli, and I think that we shouldn't have invited you to this meeting if you were going to ignore the unsolved problem," he spits out my title like venom.

This bitch.

My eyes harden in a beat flashing black showing that my wolf is trying to take control.

"If you weren't such a fucking pussy, Elizer." I grate my teeth on his name, my tone a little above a growl. "And did your job as required to secure your own borders and have an eye on the rogues. Then, none of this would've happened. And we wouldn't have had to have this conversation in the first fucking place," I fire back, my eyes not straying from his now nervous ones.

My nerves glide to a manageable cessation. "Remember this, you're the one that needs our help. Not the other way around, so, watch your fucking tone."

"And guess what, it's none of our fucking problems, if you're going to ask for help then sure, we'll help but trust me. But if as much as another insult comes out of your mouth. I'm taking my reinforcements back and letting you fucking deal with your own shit, mi capisci?" I add menacingly. (Do you understand me?)

He gulps, his heart beating faster, his pale skin flushing with anger and embarrassment as his eyes avoid looking my way. The motherfucker can't even ask for help in the right way.

He clears his throat bowing his head but not really meaning it as his tone contradicts his words, "I-I apologize for my hasty choice of words and insulting you, Alpha, but you must understand that my pack is at disadvantage right now and I need all the help that I can get," he meets my eyes and moves to glance at the other twelve alphas pleadingly.

As if anyone would look back at him twice. They be able to read through him. He was one of the measly, power-hungry idiots that wanted a position in the Council. And everyone made sure to steer clear of him.

Elizer had illegal dealings all over the Underground and Hell. He just wasn't doing a very good job in hiding it.

Plus the last thing anyone would need is to have trouble with the Council. And Alpha Eliezer was a big red flag that couldn't be ignored.

"I'll send you the details and discuss how many warriors will be willing to help you-" I sigh adding, "After the mating Ball."

The others alphas agree with that and start a conversation about how shitty it is to have the Ball at the vamps'. I sigh leaning back in my seat. I was so damn glad I wasn't the only one.

"I'll be taking my leave now, it was nice seeing you all," I stand up fixing my shirt as I sling my suit jacket over my shoulders.

"Annabelle! Care to join me for a second?" Alpha Jameson announces whispering the last part in my right ear as he shook hands with the senior alphas.

I nod meeting his eyes and feel my smile show at the small quirk of his lips. Biding goodbyes to the others, shaking their hands respectfully. I stroll out and instantly feels Bradley's arms wrap around me.

"I missed you." He mumbles into my hair, faking a sob as I laugh.

I awe at the dumbass and giggle. Pulling us away from the meeting room's door. "I missed you too, by the way, now let's get the fuck outta this testosterone-infested shithole," I grumble the last part. "Damn that was power draining."

He eyes me and chuckles lowly, "Elizer doesn't really know how to properly ask for help, huh? Bruno was begging me to knock him out the second he was being a demanding dickwad," Bradley laughs at his wolf's claim.

Ain't that the goddamn truth. I think to myself.

"I know! Right?" I stifle a loud groan as a sudden thought hits me. "How's Nate and the kids? I missed them. It's been a while since I last saw them," I say dragging his huge form towards the exit, our main destination being our favorite coffee house.

"And by a while, you mean seven whole ass months?" He huffs and links our arms together walking through the vast green grounds.

Shit.

"Amelia always asks about her Auntie Annie and the twins are all grown up now, they had their first shift two weeks ago and they've been bugging me for not convincing you to come," he reprimands, a smidge of sadness clear in his tone.

Goddess, I was such a shitty aunt. And a shitty friend. Damnit.

Bradley is one of my closest friends, he has the most amazing family ever, with his mate, Nathaniel. He had three adopted children. He had a five-year-old daughter, Amelia and the sixteen year old twins, Dario and Dawson. I loved his kids like my own.

"I'm so sorry, Brad. I was swamped in work and with the unsolved shit that Alesso left get piled up all these years for me to solve. I-I was tired and couldn't take the time to attend, but I'll make it up to you all. I promise," I apologize ruefully casting my eyes away from his.

Even in death, he's still fucking up my life.

Thank you so goddamn much, Father.

"Look, Anna I get it. Don't beat yourself out and overthink it. The twins, Amelia and Nate just missed you and I'll hold you up to that, now, let's go and catch up over some coffee, I know that you haven't had yours yet-" he pauses grinning humorously, "Y'know, you almost killed Elizer back there with your glares for keeping us there for too long."

He knows me so well.

"Let's go, we'll take my car. Antonio is already waiting to drive us," I say skipping to get to my car.

We reach the brand new BMW X7. I giggle as he looks over at every nook and cranny of the vehicle making sure to fawn over it. We eventually get in and exchange greetings with Antonio, one of my Deltas and personal driver.

I text Zach letting him know that I'll take a detour before coming home. Goddess knows how much I need it. And with one last laugh at his silly texts, We make our way to Saccharine Bites, our favorite coffee shop in the Southern territory.

Having coffee and cinnamon buns with my bestie to bitch about other people was perfect.

A moment of normalcy before going back home was perfect..