Chapter 84 MOMMY DEAREST
\-VANCE'S POV
It took considerable time to discuss minute matters. Once we had settled on a course of action, the other three left us when night descended. Our secondary objective was to convince Curtis that the dagger had indeed been effective, so that he would act while we had him in our grasp. However, my concern ran deep within me. Asking Sianna to wield the web of entrapment for her ex-boyfriend troubled my heart.
For one, I despise the thought of her being alone or around him. Next was whether she was able to stand by while I killed him. What will she truly do?
While going to the bathroom and dragging me along with her, the worries of my mind could not settle. We quickly showered together so that Sianna could rest.
"Baby, even though you are not talking, I can feel you slipping into one of those moments where you are shutting your thoughts away from me." Her wary voice commented.
"When I catch Curtis, would you stop me from killing him?" I could not help asking and praying that her answer would not split my heart open. I waited with deadly calmness.
Soft sapphire eyes fell on mine, and she gave a weak chuckle, "I already know that I can't stop you this time."
"But....."
"Wolfie, I am yours," the name she used made my wolf purr, feeling satisfied that she was still our Firecat. "Please let it be quick and short." She paused, "His death, I mean."
I nodded.
As she climbed into bed, I massaged her feet with toe bends, arch rubs, and warmup twists. It was when she lulled into her slumber that I ceased. I tucked her properly into the bed and kissed her forehead before exiting the room and securely placing the baby monitor on the night table.
Heading downstairs, I quickly slipped into the nursery. Perched on the top of the crib where Valen's head laid, was the bald eagle watching over him. It was gracious of Miriam to allow her messenger to be Valen's guardian. She informed me that the eagle would alert us to danger by making territorial calls that resemble high-pitched screams. It will emit a protective circle around Valen from the undesirable visitor until it departs. If it persists, the eagle will pursue the threat on cue until it flees or until they engage in combat.
Valen sleeps soundly as I run my hand over his chest. The eagle watches me cautiously. I prayed that I can protect my family well.
The study was where I spent most of the night. Leaving Sianna in bed was not what I wanted but I did not want my troubled emotions to transmit to her because we were too close to each other in bed.
"Chad," I called out to my Senior Elite Tracker.
"Yes, Alpha," his sleepy voice came groggily through the mind-link.
"Put on hold whatever mission you are currently assigned," I explained, "You are officially to guard your Luna with immediate effect. I want you everywhere she goes."
"I understand," he acknowledged, "I will inform Gamma Blayne of the changes."
"Good," I ended the conversation.
I sat in my executive chair after taking a bottle of Spirytus Stawski and pouring it into the stemless wine glass. This should sedate my wolf as I convince him to trust that Sianna understands the value of our family and will not let Curtis destroy how far we have come. Our love was blessed by the moon goddess, and I will ensure that it lasts for eternity.
A bloodthirsty smirk appeared on my face and I released a pain-filled chuckle. Sianna wishes for me to be lenient and not torture the bastard. My heart suddenly became cold, tightening with abhorrence for the sick son of a bitch.
The violence shaking within had injured me, causing a literal wound on my chest.
\-SIANNA'S POV
Curtis.
The name has a certain distaste on my lips. Why had it come to this? It should be typical for me to wake up in the mornings without seeing Vance in bed. He was the early riser while I was the late sleeper. But my worry was because I knew his temper would be seething until Curtis was apprehended and executed. Though he was expected to maintain composure amidst our visitors.
Vance was with the Alphas and their groups. Today they would be provided a map of the hunting grounds and finalize their choice of weaponry for the event.
I dropped Valen at Rionna's for the day. She takes care of him daily so that Vance and I can complete our duties. As I entered the pack house, I was feeling very apprehensive about those around me. Every male was viewed with skepticism in my eyes.
An ending with Curtis was required for us to live our lives without looking over our backs.
Though it snagged at my heart for knowing his death was near.
Hailey stormed past me and I felt the anger radiating from her. Keisha and Cleo had come into the corridor and watched Hailey run up the stairs.
"What's eating at her?" Cleo asked as she stirred her spoon in her tea mug.
"The in-law," Keisha thinned her lips, "Raj is being a softie to his mother again."
I sighed, "What is she up to this time?"
"She wants to be housed here," Keisha informed us.
All three of us walked into the den to sit. I placed my purse beside me as the ladies took seats that allowed them to face me.
"Wasn't Duke handling Raj?" Cleo inquired.
"Yes, but that woman is stubborn as hell," Keisha noted as she crossed her legs and put some folders on the side table. "Raj believes that she is here for reparations."
An omega came in and stood to the side of the sitting area. Her hands lapped over and her blonde head bowed.
Giving her my attention, I asked, "Yes, Omega?" When she held up her head, I recognized who she was and frowned.
"Good morning, madams," She curtsy and acknowledged all of us. "I am here to serve you, Luna. May I help you with anything?" At least this time she knew her place.
"Now that you mentioned it, I am in the mood for some bacon-wrapped dates with ice tea." I craved some salty finger food as I had a light breakfast.
"Would Beta Female Keisha and Gamma Female Cleo desire the same?" Her timid brown eyes barely looked at any of us.
"Yes," Keisha responded, giving the omega her attention.
"Sure," Cleo added, "But I would take a smoothie with mango, strawberry, and pineapple."
The Omega nodded.
"Wendy, please add extra for one person with another smoothie," I told her and waved my hand for her to leave the room, "I will message Hailey to join us."
Taking out my phone, I sent the message, and based on her glum mood, I hoped that she would not blow me off.
Keisha took up one of the folders and spoke, "Bullying across the schools has been reduced by fifty percent. The Social Services Division continues to have its representatives in the schools and upholds its measures for dealing with the offenders."
"Great! Remind me to commend them later. I could meet with them sometime next week." I browsed through my schedule on my iPad for an available slot. "Cleo, how is the construction
coming along?"
"It's on the way. The divisions of the lots have begun and the roadway landmarked," She smiled at the accomplishment. They had further to go and soon her people would be in their
neighborhood.
"Have you decided where you will reside?" Keisha asked while making notes on her documents.
Cleo bites her lower lip and ponders, "Blayne and I have not decided on that one. I mean, he might not want to be here, at the pack house. But he does not want to be too far away either."
They are making decisions together, just like a loving couple, and it is so adorable. Even when speaking about her mate, she exudes warmth and glows.
"Then why don't you both buy a lot that puts you at the center of them and the packhouse?" Keisha suggested.
"I'm sure that Vance would permit it if you found a great house or land that could accommodate a close commute," I mentioned.
She beamed up, "I will let Blayne know," and commended Keisha, "It's a great idea."
"And how is the job placement?" I wanted to hear only good news.
"The seniors have begun to get their welfare while the adults are employed," Cleo informed.
"I know that the job positions are lower than most of them might have expected, but it is up to them to work hard to be promoted." Doing a quick and rough calculation in my head, I added, " There are certificate classes at the universities here, and if a substantial number of your people are willing to build their qualifications, we could look at some educational program to enhance
their skills."
Moved by what I had said, Cleo whispers "Thank you," almost teary-eyed. I smiled.
Wendy returned with the dates and we ate to our delight. Then Hailey's depressive cloud filled
the room as she joined us an hour later, slouched on the couch beside me, and said nothing.
"Hello, sunshine!" Keisha greeted with sarcasm.
Hailey growled and I rubbed her head gently. She leans down her head on my shoulder,
whimpering.
"What's wrong?" I asked her. She had commanded all the attention in the room.
"Raj and I were supposed to head to Venice this weekend and he has postponed it for his Mom, Nitya," Her eyes glazed with sorrow as they caught mine. "He says that she is an emotional mess so it would be best for him to be close to her." The harshness scratched at my heart." Once again, she gets to lead our lives!"
We all suddenly held expressions of regret for her.
"Hailey, you must find a way to be clear about your feelings with Raj." Cleo gently advised.
"What else could I possibly say to make him understand?" She spoke with her palms bouncing
in the air, and shoulders hunched.
"I think that you should invite her here so that we could meet her," I hoped to create some calmness through the chafed situation.
"I do not want her to feel welcome. We should toss her out and chase her away," As she spoke, she frustratedly ran her hands through her blonde hair.
The remark earned chuckles from us. "Then we would be no better than her," Cleo pointed out while she drank her smoothie. The sympathy passed through her eyes.
"I'm worried that Nitya will be a nuisance and it will cause a rift between us again," The
venom in Hailey's voice showed her discontentment.
"All the more reason for her to see that this is our domain and that you are protected here," Keisha said calmly as the big sister, "Duke will not let anyone hurt you again."
The sliding doors knocked and Omega Wendy strolled in as our eyes landed on her, "Forgive
me for the intrusion, Delta Raj requested for Delta Female Hailey to come to the Alpha's
office." Hailey scoffed, "What now?" She rose and went out the door. The lousy attitude was apparent in her strides. The rest of us were a few feet behind her.
In the office, we discovered Vance, Nitya, Raj, Duke, and Blayne waiting for us. We took the
regular position on our mates' laps, except for Hailey who stood defensively. My intuitions hinted to me regarding what this was about. However, I remained quiet.
Raj extended his hand to touch Hailey's but she flinched at his gesture. He sighed and offered her a seat while he stood behind the chair that his mother sat in.
"We are here because Nitya wishes to join our pack," Duke paused and held his sister's glare as
he informed her.