In The Beginning, Chapter 80
Upstairs in the cottage housed two nice sized bedrooms, both had small but fully functional bathrooms, and the master bedroom even had a small fireplace. Though there wasn’t a bed, I could picture where it would go, and the small balcony would be wonderful to sit out on during the summer months. Hyacinth made a quick inspection, and after declaring it all perfect, we were once again off, leaving the cottage behind we traipsed back along the path, out onto the street we had left the car on. As we approached it, I noticed a large van parked behind it, and two men were unloading large crates onto the sidewalk, they stopped when they saw us, and bared their necks to Daniel, while sending furtive looks behind him at Hyacinth and me.
“Were you able to get everything on the list?” Daniel asked the men, who began nodding, one of them pulled out a crumpled looking sheet. I saw over Daniel’s shoulder it was a printout of the list from the emails, with handwritten ticks alongside each item. “And you will be done before the warriors arrive?” He asked, and the men looked at each other before one found the courage to speak.
“The families? Yes Alpha, but the couples in the apartments... We don’t have enough vans! Alpha, sir.” He lowered his eyes to the ground; I could see from his wince he was berating himself for arguing.
“And the second wave of warriors? They will not arrive until this evening, when are their deliveries going out?” Daniel asked the man, ignoring his outcry, much to the man’s relief.
“As soon as we finish delivering to the first wave.” The man nodded, and Daniel handed him back the sheet of paper, which he folded and placed back inside his coat pocket.
“Good, make sure every team goes to the meeting hall for a hot meal before they begin the second wave. Carry on.” Daniel informed him, as he held the car door open for Hyacinth and me.
“Yes Alpha. Thank you.” Grasping their opportunity, the two men grabbed three of the large, stacked crates each, and scurried into the house we had left earlier, while Daniel closed the door behind us and climbed in beside Bailey.
“Second wave?” I asked, and I saw Daniel’s lips curl up.
“We don’t tend to use the word shift, in regard to a set amount of time, it gets too confusing. When we talk about our work schedule, or needing to break up our day, more often than not, we use words like wave, or we would say due at a place, rather than to have a shift there.” He explained, and it made sense.
“The overnight guard duty in the warriors has been the sunrise watch for as long as anyone can remember.” Bailey added, and I saw Daniel shoot him a look I couldn’t decipher.
“Hmm, I remember Thomas always called them Sunrise watch, early watch and late watch.” Hyacinth added. “It wasn’t particularly inventive, but it worked.” She added, and I couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped my mouth.
“I suppose if it works.” I shrugged, and she smiled in response before Bailey slammed on the brakes, sending us all lurching forward. Bailey threw the car into reverse, as I struggled to see what was wrong. “What’s happening?” I cried as Bailey spun the car around. We were on the road that cut around the majority of the town, but Bailey’s sudden direction change now had us speeding towards the centre of it.
“There was something in the road... to make us stop.” Daniel grunted through gritted teeth as we sped through the streets.
“What do you mean?” I asked, but my voice may have been drowned out by the two sheriff cars that sped past us.
“There was a baby carrier in the road. It's a ploy we were made aware of.” Daniel seethed.
“You are due at the meeting hall soon to welcome the warriors, but the protocol states I take the Luna back to the pack house.” Bailey muttered, but I was sure it was for my benefit as he took another sharp turn. “We aren’t being followed.” He informed us, looking in the mirrors as he slowed the car down.
“You said you needed me with you today, please don’t make me go back to the pack house alone? Not when I gave up work and training for this.” I almost prayed through the link, hoping he would understand. For several minutes Daniel said nothing, to me at least, aloud or in the link, I could tell he was talking to someone though, and I felt another pang of jealousy.
“You will take me and Charlie to the meeting hall, return Hyacinth to the pack house.” Daniel finally informed Bailey, but I could tell he wasn’t happy about it. “Hyacinth? You will have to curtail your shopping to online only for now, but I will provide you with a few potential Iotas to carry anything you can get delivered today.” Daniel grimaced, clearly displeased with the situation.
“I quite understand dear.” She patted him on the shoulder affectionately.
“I fear I have been a poor host.” He replied sadly.
“We are at war. I have lived through enough of them to appreciate the little things, and I have found that as long as you have a warm bed to crawl into at the end of each day, you can live without a lot.” She nodded resolutely, and I saw Daniel’s lips twitch as he fought the smile that was determined to spread across his face. We continued on in silence for a few minutes until Bailey pulled up outside the meeting hall. I once again watched Daniel slip out of the car, this time he slowly scanned the area behind us, turning until he was looking into the treeline near to the building. Once he was satisfied there was nothing waiting to attack me, he moved around the car to my door.
Bailey watched us until we entered the building, like a parent at drop off. If Daneil noticed, he didn’t say anything as he led me through the building. There weren’t as many people milling about as there had been just a few days earlier, when the new pack members had arrived, and I found myself a little underwhelmed by the silent hallways. Daniel led me through a door I hadn’t seen before, and I was stood in a small kitchen. It was similar to the other one I had been in, but while that was built to feed hundreds, this kitchen could probably feed fifty people max. I was about to ask what we were doing here, when I saw Kathy talking to Evie Henry, neither woman however had spotted us.
“Kathy!” Daniel called, a little snappier than I think he intended, but she rushed over to us, nonetheless. “You have been overseeing the food parcels?” Daniel asked.
“Yes Alpha. I left Annie at the house to cover things there, so I have also helped prepare a meal for the workers, and there are hot drinks, and snacks. The men set up at the checkpoint will be confirming everyone’s identity and sending the single men straight to the barracks. While the couples and families will come here to receive their keys and be shown to their new homes.” Kathy beamed.
“Excellent, I can always count on you, Kathy.” Daniel smiled, and she turned beet red. “I will leave everything in your capable hands until the first of our guests arrive.” He informed her, and pulled me back out of the room, down a hallway, and in through another door. This was an office or drawing room or something, with dark brown wood shelving, covered in books, a desk of the same wood and style, a thick, jade-green, oval carpet, an empty fireplace, which made the room seem cold, and two large wingback chairs. Once inside he locked the heavy wooden door and moved behind the desk. “Take a seat while I find out what’s going on.” He instructed as he sat. I moved to the nearest chair and watched him as he linked the warriors. Several long ass minutes later his eyes refocused and he looked a little less stressed. “There was nothing in the carrier, no one in the woods, and no trace anyone had been there, but the warriors are doing a full sweep of the pack, just in case.” He said softly, and the cold pit, that had been growing in my stomach evaporated. “So, now we have time before the first warriors are expected, why don’t you tell me what happened earlier, at the house?” Daniel asked, he came around the desk, and kneeled in front of me when I didn’t answer, his fingers lifted my chin gently, as I stared at the floor, embarrassed and ashamed I had been jealous of Maria. “Talk to me.” He murmured against my skin.
“I was just wondering why you didn’t ask for my help... before?” I mumbled, unable to look into his beautiful brown eyes and admit the truth. He sucked in a long breath through his teeth, which made it worse somehow, like he was trying to think of a reason right then.
“I didn’t want to put any more on your plate. You have already had to cut down on your hours at work, and with training with Theia... I just didn’t want to overwhelm you. And selfishly, I didn’t want it cutting into my time with you, we don’t have much, and I treasure every second.” He explained, his lips brushing mine with each word.
“Oh.” Was all I could say, as I sat, pink cheeked and embarrassed even more.
“I promise to ask you next time.” He smiled, as his hands moved up my thighs. Only for him to growl frustrated when someone knocked on the door. “WHAT?” He bellowed, making me giggle.
“My apologies Alpha, but the first of the warriors are entering our lands... you said you wanted to know, but no one could link you.” A young male voice called, slightly hesitant and definitely afraid he had incurred the Alpha’s wrath.
“I will be there shortly.” Daniel replied, before his hands moved to my hips, he pulled me to the edge of the seat, making me squeak in surprise. His mouth attacked mine ferociously, nipping and sucking on my lips until they felt swollen, while he rubbed his scent all over me, finishing the whole thing off with a fresh hickey on my neck. When he pulled away, satisfied with his work, I nearly slipped off the chair, his scent and touch left me craving more of him.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
