Accompanied by the dramatic urgings of Darien, they all got out of the SUV. The Alpha’s protection detail had already moved into place, doing what they did best, becoming invisible protectors of the Alpha of Alpha’s. The Alpha of Alpha’s didn’t just have two Elite enforcers, he had a whole troop. Forty-eight of the best trained enforcers on this continent.
They operated in teams of eight, making six groups within the troop that rotated shifts every eight hours. Which meant only three teams would be on protection detail in a day, while the other three were off. This allowed for the wolves to keep up with their necessary training, as well as take care of their own families.
As they started up the walkway to the front door, Alpha Andrew’s phone pinged with a notification. Pulling it out to read it, Alpha Andrew let out a big smile. “Perfect!” he said. “This is excellent news.”
Darien, who was walking behind Alpha Andrew and Alora, leaned forward. “What’s excellent news, dad?” he asked. Kain and Galen were walking behind and to each side of Darien.
“Officer Terrawing was able to expedite the paperwork on Alora. Everything has been approved and officially archived. Now Alora’s status, rank, and title are fully acknowledged by the Supernatural World Council.” Alpha Andrew said.
“When did he leave to get this done?” Darien asked.
“Right after Alora’s fight with Byron Northmountain.” Alpha Andrew told him. “Enough, now is not the time for these questions.”
They were on the front porch standing at the front door. Just when Alora was about to open the door and let everyone in, it was violently pulled open. Bettina’s face was full of fury, her mouth opened wide to start loudly shrieking at Alora. Before a single foul word came out of Bettina’s mouth, she froze, her eyes widening at just who was standing next to Alora.
It was painful, watching Bettina as she forcefully reconstructed her expression to a false one of pleasantly surprised. “Well, isn’t this a wonderful surprise? Please, do come in.” With a wide and blindingly bright smile, Bettina stepped back to allow them in. After leading them to the living room, she turned and smiled up at Alpha Andrew. “To what do I owe the honor of your visit to my humble abode Alpha Moonstar?” Bettina fawned in a high and breathy voice she most likely thought was flattering.
“Thank you for so graciously welcoming us into your home.” Alpha Andrew said. Smiling, he put an arm around Alora’s shoulders. “We are here accompanying Alora as her guests.”
Alora felt she had to give Bettina credit, she managed to keep the wide smile plastered on her face after hearing what Alpha Andrew said. “Oh…well…that was...nice of her.” Bettina managed to say, and it had been a struggle.
“Sorry to inconvenience you with such an impromptu visit Mrs. Northmountain, but I felt it was necessary.” Alpha Andrew said, sounding both earnest and apologetic. “You may want to join your husband on the couch for what I’m about to tell you.”
Bettina nodded, playing nervously with the pearls around her neck. Bettina was dressed in one of her classic outfits. A sleeveless knee length a-line dress with a pleated flare skirt, this one a pale pastel pink. On her feet were a pair of white five-inch arrow toed pumps. Her waist length white-blond hair was swept up into a fancy updo that bared the neck her ever present pearls were around. In her ears was a single pair of large pearl studs.
Bettina, while smoothing the back of her skirt, sat delicately on the couch next to her husband. With her ankles crossed, she placed her laced hands on her lap. The pose was practiced, it was meant to make Bettina look graceful and elegant. However, it looked like what it was, forced and uncomfortable.
Allister was sitting up stiffly, he was pale with a forced smile on his face. His gaze also couldn’t seem to settle on any one thing for more than two seconds. His entire body seemed to hum with nervous energy. Sarah wasn’t in the living room and judging from the faint sound of music coming from upstairs, was unaware they were there.
With a practiced sweeping gesture in the direction of the couch in front of her, Bettina asked. “Please, take a seat Alpha Moonstar.”
Alpha Andrew swept forward and sat in the middle of the couch. He leaned back against the couch, looking deceptively casual and relaxed. However, there was no mistaking the feel of the Alpha of Alpha’s power, the air around him hummed with it. Alora stood next to Darien behind the couch, with Kain and Galen flanking them.
“As you know, Alora turned eighteen several days ago, as such she is now considered an adult to the Pack.” Alpha Andrew said. “Knowing how exemplary she has performed in both our Pack’s grade school and university, I have invited Alora to work for the Pack.”
“You have?” Bettina asked, her smile now showing signs of strain. “What a…wonderful opportunity...for her.” Bettina struggled to come up with a reasonable way to get him to rethink his offer. She finally settled on one she thought would at least cause some doubt. “Don’t you think she’s a little too young for such a…prestigious position?”
“While she is young, her level of maturity is that of someone decades older. That, and with her obtaining multiple doctorates at such a young age, makes her truly of value to the Pack. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity of retaining such an asset to the Pack’s future. Therefore, I made the job offer to her the moment she came of age.” Alpha Andrew explained, continuing to sound earnest and apologetic.
Bettina’s smile was now more of a grimace, blinking rapidly as she became agitated. “Uh…well…” was all she managed to stutter out. Not knowing what to say, her hand fluttered nervously up to grasp and fidget with her pearls. ‘I need to separate that wretch from them and force her to reject this job offer’ Bettina thought.
*“Sarah!”* Bettina mind linked Sarah.
*“What?!”* Sarah demanded impatiently.
*“Alora’s back, I need you down here this instant!”* Bettina demanded.
*“That whore is finally back? She certainly took her sweet time.”* Sarah said.
*“Yes, now get down here!”* Bettina yelled at her through their mind link.
Alpha Andrew smiled widely. “I thought so, and lucky for me and the Pack, Alora immediately accepted the offer. This means she has sworn herself to the Pack through a blood oath to me.”
“She what?!” Allister and Bettina asked at the same time, their eyes wide with panic.
If Alora was sworn to the Pack itself, through a blood oath to the Alpha, there was no way to hand her over to their Clan Alpha’s without drawing attention. They no longer had any legitimate hold on Alora, other than the fact that she lived here. Remembering that fact gave Bettina a small ray of hope. That hope was abruptly ripped away with the Alpha’s next words.
“Now, the job offer comes with an apartment at Moonstar Mansion. We have already had one fully furnished and ready for Alora to move in.” Alpha Andrew told them. “Originally, we were going to wait until after Alora was done with her final exams.”
Bettina felt she was on an emotional roller coaster at this point. Allister was not doing much better than Bettina.
“However, my mate, Luna Ember, is too impatient to wait till then to finally have Alora under her roof. Therefore, we have asked Alora to move in tonight, a request Alora has agreed too.” Alpha Andrew said cheerfully. “I felt it only right to accompany Alora here to collect her things for the move.”
Bettina swallowed before saying. “This….is all…happening way too fast…don’t you think…dear?” Bettina turned her head to look at Allister with a wide-eyed look.
“Yes, just…a little too fast.” Allister said, agreeing with Bettina, after her prompting look.
“It may seem fast, but I have been interested in hiring Alora for several years now.” Alpha turned his head to the side to look at Alora. “Sweetheart, why don’t you and the twins go to your room and pack?”
Alora nodded. “Yes Alpha.” Turning, Alora and the Twins started for the staircase, only to be blocked.
Sarah had just bounded excitedly down the stairs. Sarah’s Expression turned angry at the sight of Alora and opened her mouth to loudly berate her. But, like her mother, she caught herself after seeing all the guests in the living room.
After a signal from Bettina, Sarah’s smile was overly bright. “Sister your home! And you brought such important guests with you. How wonderfully thoughtful of you.” Sarah said with forced cheer.
“Excuse me for a second.” Alpha Andrew said as he stood up. “The necklace around your neck…where did you get it?”
Sarah froze, she had forgotten she had put the damned thing on. She had done it in anticipation of tormenting Alora with her possession of it tonight. The only reason Alora wasn’t going to be chained up in the basement for punishment tonight, was because the evidence of such punishment would still be visible the next day to everyone.