Chapter 73 - Unexpected guests

Chapter 73 - Unexpected guests
Cathys pov

I held my phone and looked at the picture Hope had sent me. I had probably looked at it a hundred times in the last few hours alone. It was a picture of Callum and James, sprawled out in their respective armchairs, James’s dark red hair disheveled from probably running his hands through it too many times. Had they discussed Low Falls and the possibility of James taking over? If so, had he accepted or declined? I hadn’t spoken to anyone from Great Falls, so I didn’t know…and I didn’t want to know yet.
I put the phone down and started sorting through another pile of papers when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.” I looked as Andy poked his head in, a little concerned.
“What?”
“I think we’re getting visitors, one of the border guards called, Four cars are on their way here.”
“Anyone from Great Falls?” Freespi was immediately interested. Had James said yes and been on his way here to introduce himself to the pack?
“No, it doesn’t seem like that…”
“And they were just ignored like that? Without further ado?” I know the border guards need more training and rules, but this was lame.
“Apparently, one of the visitors is an Alpha, a strong one.”
Who could be on their way here and why? Someone who wanted to take over? It was new that Low Falls was under Callum’s protection anyway, so maybe not everyone knew it because then they wouldn’t have dared to try…
I stood up, wiped my hands on my pants, and took a deep breath.
“Contact Callum and explain what you know.”
“What are you going to do?” Andy looked genuinely worried, which only made him more charming.
“I’m going to receive our mysterious guests.” With that, I passed him and left the room.
Four dark SUVs pulled up in front of the packhouse when I came out. There were only four of them, so there couldn’t be any hostile takeover, they wouldn’t stand a chance.
Freespi growled softly. I could sense a faint recognition from her. She knew who had come.
“Bellissima Cathy! Come un fiore in un paesaggio arido!
Come un’oasi nel deserto!” Alfonzo’s dark voice was as seductive as ever, even his dazzling smile.
“Alfonzo? What in the name of the Goddess are you doing here?” Recovering from this shock would take a while. He was the last person I would have expected to appear on my doorstep. We did not part as enemies, but there were some negative tensions.
“Cathy...il mio fiore...Do I really need a reason to greet the woman who left my heart bleeding?” He took my hand and brought it to his warm, soft lips. Freespi growled menacingly, something his wolf noticed and made his eyes darken even more for a second before he was forced to back away. I pretended not to notice.
“Of course not, but I wish you had told me you were coming, I would have given you a dignified welcome. And bleeding heart…come on, Alfonzo…we both knew there was an expiration date. I nudged him lightly and winked at him. What the hell was he doing here? He relaxed a little and smiled a more honest smile this time.
“Care to fill me in? Who the hell is that?” Andy stormed into my office. We had managed to get Alfonzo and his crew into guestrooms in the packhouse, and after their long journey, they needed to rest and freshen up before dinner. That gave me a few hours to figure out what his agenda was.
“A friend from Italy, or San Marino if I’m being precise.”
“A friend?” I thought I saw a glint of jealousy in Andy’s eyes before he returned to the professional demeanor I had demanded of him in order to stay.
“Yes, I stayed with him for a short while when I was in Italy. He was very welcoming to me, so I expect everyone here to return that kindness. Did you get a hold of Callum?”
“No, I spoke to Thomas, who was on his way to Reece, and he promised to tell him that it was urgent.”
“Thomas?... Andy, Thomas is a child!”
“Children are easy to handle, he’s a good boy, he’ll do what he has to do.”
“Ghaaa!!!... Okay, leave me alone now, I’ve got a lot to do.”
“Yes, Ma’am!”
“And Andy, can you please do anything stupid? This visit could be important for several reasons, so your best behavior and attitude are the least I expect. Understood?”
“Absolutely!” He winked at me, gave me a crooked, charming smile before leaving the room.
I leaned back and closed my eyes. A million thoughts and questions raced through my head.
Why had Alfonzo come? Was he just passing through and wanted to visit an old flame? Had he heard that Low Falls was without leadership? If so, did he want to take over himself and by what means? Violence? Money? Negotiation? But what would he do with a pack here? He had one of the strongest in Italy… I rubbed my temples when the phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Cathy, it’s Callum.”
“Hey, what’s up?”
“That’s my question. I got a message that you had an unannounced visitor, and it sounded like you were worried!”
“Ah, Thomas is apparently a bit more mature than I thought…”
“Huh?”
“Never mind…there is no problem, I had an unannounced visit and was a bit worried, but everything is sorted out now.”
“Who was it?”
“Who was what?”
“Cathy, who came?”
“It doesn’t matter…I have it under control…”
“Cathy!!! Who?”
“Alfonzo…and a few more.”
“Alfonzo? San Marino Alfonzo?”
“That’s the one…”
“But…Why? What does he want?”
“I don’t know yet…”
“And what does sorted out mean to you? Does he want to take over? Has he been threatening? How many people does he have with him? I can be there before you can answer if you want.”
“No, please, calm down, Callum. He’s been a gentleman as always. I don’t know what he wants, he might just be passing through. I’ll find out more during dinner.”
“How many are they?”
“Twenty.”
“Twenty…not a takeover at all, unless he has more waiting somewhere else…” Fuck, that thought hadn’t even crossed my mind.
“I don’t think so, Callum…I didn’t get that impression, but like I said, I’m going to find out more, okay? Just keep calm until you hear from Andy or me! And whatever you do, keep James out of here!
“But…why?”
“They’ve met, and I don’t think his knowledge of Alfonzo being here would lead to anything good or productive…please, just a couple of days? Let me find out what he wants, okay?”
“Okay…James wasn’t planning on going over yet anyway, he’s waiting for his friend Hitch, whom Zandra is going to try to help. And for some girl…Sasha, I think her name is.” 
It started to boil inside me right away. He was here to take over, but not without Sasha, whom I could now assume was his chosen Luna.
I don’t know why this made me so upset. He did exactly what I asked him to do. He let me be, let me find my own path to happiness…so why couldn’t I be happy that he did the same? Freespi growled and whined in my head…this hurt her more than me, if possible. I did everything I could to push James out of my mind and tried to focus on Alfonzo and his reason for coming here. But the harder I tried, the harder it became. James’ face, his dark red hair, his sun-kissed skin with the dark brown freckles…Andy?...Andy’s charming crooked smile, his tight butt in the camouflage pants…
“What the fuck?!!!” My own voice made me react and my thoughts clear…somewhat, anyway. What was that about? My need to have a man available?... Goddess, please help me!
“Luna!!! Luna, come quickly!!!” A shrill voice in the courtyard caught my attention. Luna? Was that me? There was no one else here. Had Hope arrived?… I got up and went to the window. A couple of the border guards were standing below, shouting at my window. So, I guess the Luna they were shouting for was me. In front of them was a person, kneeling, hands tied behind his back, and with a hood over his head. A prisoner.
“WHAT NOW?!” I roared. Frustration bubbled up inside me. Hadn’t I had enough to sort out for today? Both Freespi and I growled dully as we left the office and hurried down towards the main entrance that led out to the courtyard that apparently held a tied-up prisoner.
The guards had expressions of mixed nervousness and pride as they waited for me.
“What is this?” My voice reflected my mood, irritated and impatient…satiated.
“We caught him at the border, he said he wanted to meet you, so it wasn’t a big confrontation, he came along willingly.”
I looked at the hooded man in front of me. The muscular, taut thighs were highlighted by his kneeling position. The dark skin contrasted with the beige short-sleeved t-shirt that sat tight on his upper body. The many black dreadlocks that stuck out from under the hood that covered his face… It couldn’t be?...
I took a step forward and grabbed the fabric that hid the man’s identity, and with a jerk, my day became even worse if possible…
“Gora?...”