7 - Bad News

Lucy:

Mr. Shaggy shook my hand first, letting me know that he was Liam.

Leon followed suit but followed up with a question.

“You’re the assistant in training my dad was telling us about?” he asks.

His question was laced with doubt, but I didn’t let it show that the words kind of hurt me.

Both had looked at the pack mark on my wrist to confirm whatever question they obviously had in their mind.

“The one and only. I will be sure your things arrive in your respective rooms. Alpha Leander is expecting you in his office. Please follow me,” I stated firmly.

“We know where his office is; we don’t need you to escort us,” Leon retorted in an irritated voice.

“I have no doubt you know your way around the pack house you grew up in Alpha Leon. I am following my orders. I’m sure you can respect that and would have the same expectations of your assistant once you’re running the pack. Now follow me.” I wasn’t going to let my age or size let anyone intimidate me, not even my future Alpha and potential “boss”.

Liam chuckled at my response and gave me a smirk and a nod.

Damn, they were cute, even Mr. Attitude.

I had an inkling he knew what his father wanted to speak to them about.

Leon seemed without words, so I smiled and turned toward the pack house pacing quickly to Leander's office.

I had expected Leander to assign me another task, but he requested that I stay present.

Both of his sons sat down in chairs across from their father, so I took a seat on the couch to the right of his desk.

“Tomorrow, we will be hosting the first of a series of mating galas. You both will be turning 24 soon and the pack will need you to lead with at least one Luna at your side. The Blue Moon Pack and the Silver Moon Pack will be arriving tonight and joining us for the gala tomorrow. I expect both of you to be on your best behavior and mingle with all the unmated she-wolves.” Leander spoke with great authority.

He continued to talk, but my brain faded out of the conversation after it sunk in that my father would be arriving here tonight.

My heart started pounding out of control and my vision was quickly blurring. I hadn’t realized that my breathing was out of control until I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Lucy, are you okay?” the voice spoke softly. I blinked my eyes rapidly, trying to control my dizzy vision.

“Breathe slowly; it’s okay,” they said reassuringly, rubbing my arm.

I started to steady my breathing with my eyes closed.

The numbing feeling in my hands started to fade when I opened my eyes, and Liam's hazel orbs were staring back at my ice-blue eyes.

“Have you always gotten panic attacks?” Liam asked, his eyebrows furrowing together with concern.

Panic attacks weren’t common in wolves.

It was something I had developed after the physical and sexual abuse.

Of course, I wasn’t going to say that.

“No, I’m sorry I don’t know what came over me. I didn’t sleep well last night is all.” The lies I told were piling up, but I couldn’t help it.

“Perhaps all the planning for this gala so soon has taken a toll on you, Lucy. Why don’t you get some rest?” Leander's voice was music to my ears, but I didn’t need rest; I needed a plan.

I needed some way of getting out of greeting my father upon his arrival and avoid him at the gala.

Everyone was now staring at me, and I realized Liam's hand was still resting on my arm.

I cleared my throat and glanced at my arm.

The sensation of his hand on me and his proximity to my body was making my skin crawl.

I didn’t like to be touched; it was a constant reminder that my body was once used and abused.

He quickly pulled his hand back to himself and stood up.

“Thank you, Alpha. Please don’t hesitate to mind-link me if you need anything. I will be in my room,” I said before standing up.

Being a part of the pack made communication between us much easier, and I am especially grateful for this right now.

My legs were wobbly as I stood up, making me sigh.

“I will walk you to your room,” Liam said, putting his damn hand on my arm again.

What is with this guy?

I shook his hand off of me and moved towards the door as he followed behind me.

“Thank you, son. Leon, stay. We aren’t finished talking,” Leander said firmly, his voice growing smaller as the door shut behind me and Liam.

I looked over at Liam who was now walking next to me.

“So, are you excited to find your mate? Your brother doesn’t look impressed,” I said, trying to avoid the awkward silence.

“Yeah, I’m excited but nervous. I hope she isn’t disappointed. Leon is just worried. Beta Seth's mate rejected him. She didn’t want the responsibility of being mated to the Alpha's Beta and had already fallen in love with another wolf who had lost his mate. She ended up choosing the other wolf as her mate and it messed Seth up for years,” Liam explained, his voice growing solemn with each passing word.

I had wondered about Seth’s mate since I had never seen him with any female, but I never had the guts to ask him.

I was happy I hadn’t asked him after what Liam had shared with me.

Before I could respond to what he had said, he asked me how old I was.

“I’m 17. I know I’m still young, but I promise I will make a great assistant. I’m dedicated and I owe your dad everything. You don’t need to worry,” I rush out.

I wanted to prove myself.

My response was probably defensive, but I didn’t want anyone to doubt me.

I had only ever known doubt, and I needed my fresh start to be different.