Page 35 of Alpha Awakening
“Do people know you live out here?” Niev asked.
Luna Charlotte quietly laughed. “Yes, they do.”
“They all have their own theories of why one would choose to live this far from civilization,” Alpha Raymond joined his mate in laughter.
Shyly, Niev looked up, a blush creeping across her face. “Before Blake told me what he was I thought he was part of some kind of cult.”
“When I asked her to meet everyone, she made me promise that she could return home at any time.” Though Blake’s voice was light, and a smile lit up his eyes, she could feel slight guilt in the bond.
Alpha Raymond nodded. “I do see how outsiders would see us as such. Our way of life is very different from the rest of the world.”
The rest of the dinner was spent exchanging stories of how close each pack had gotten to being exposed. It was a light conversation with good food and lots of laughs. Just as Luna Charlotte got up to grab dessert, Beta Fallon walked through the door.
“Just in time for dessert, Fallon.” Luna Charlotte nudged him to sit down while she disappeared into the kitchen.
“With night falling, no other hikers have tried to come closer, but I do find it necessary to keep the patrols up.”
Alpha Raymond noddingly agreed. “We might have to find a new strategy soon.”
“Maybe you two can discuss this after our guests leave?”
Beta Fallon bowed his head slightly. “Of course, Luna.” He sat down and turned his attention to Blake. “Have you had the chance for a run during your visit yet?”
“Kareem took me today. I must say your territory is very different from what my wolf is used to.”
Beta Fallon chuckled. “Yes, it is. Have you been on another hike, Niev?”
“No, I’ve been enjoying the lake the past few days: going on walks and having picnics out by the shore.”
Luna Charlotte set a cake on the table and started cutting it. “Resting her strained body as she should.”
Niev had to remind herself that Luna Charlotte didn’t mean any harm, her words coming from a place of love.
Blake must have felt Niev’s struggle and quickly steered the conversation into a different direction. “Kareem has shown me the western slopes, but we didn’t have enough time to go east. He said he wanted to ease me into the terrain.”
“Yes the east is rougher than the west,” Alpha Raymond agreed.
“But no less beautiful,” Beta Fallon added. “This time of the year it’s much easier to climb through the mountains but as soon as snow starts falling, it gets harder.”
“Does it snow in the valley too?” Niev now tried to picture a frozen lake, maybe even children ice skating on it.
“Not a lot, but it’s still the most beautiful sight you’ll ever see.” Alpha Raymond seemed to picture the snow himself, his mind far away.
“I can imagine it gets difficult to be so isolated when the weather turns bad.”
“That is quite right, Niev. Though we have reserves for those kinds of weather.” Alpha Raymond’s eyes rested on her. Experience and wisdom painted his face as he studied her closely before his gaze traveled to Blake. “I have to be honest with the both of you. I haven’t invited you into my home just to have dinner.”
Suddenly, Luna Charlotte seemed nervous and Beta Fallon too, though he at least attempted to hide it. Blake stiffened next to her, his mind swirling with worry and a touch of protectiveness.
“I’ve invited you here to get to know the both of you,” Alpha Raymond continued. “Your many stories spiked my curiosity, but also hope. You see, I only have daughters, six of them. One of which you’ve already met. Our goddess never blessed me with a son and now that I’m growing old and rusty, my worry for my pack has taken over my every thought. Soon, I won’t be able to protect them anymore.”
Blake’s wolf stirred in his mind, Niev could feel him surfacing more through the bond with each of Alpha Raymond’s words. Though Niev could feel how Blake made sense of the words coming from Alpha Raymond’s mouth, it felt as if Blake didn’t allow himself to believe them. He was holding himself back from seeing where Alpha Raymond was trying to go. Though Niev knew, as did Blake’s wolf.
“Of course, I’ve always known about you. Your father was very proud of you when you were born. Your existence has never been kept a secret. Though through the years, less was known about your life. When I heard you would come visit us, a spark of hope ignited. With the stories that superseded you, that spark grew.”
Before Alpha Raymond could continue, Beta Fallon quickly added, “We didn’t mean to keep you in the dark. Our intentions were never to hide anything. We simply wanted to get to know you before…”
“Before we were sure we wanted to present you with our offer,” Alpha Raymond said, taking the lead once again.