Chapter 49 Hiding from The Lancasters

(Hope POV)

When Alicia dropped her laundry basket, I knew something was wrong. She was scared of the Lancasters. Why?

"Ah, Luna Hope, Alpha needs you to take a shower before you meet them. Alicia, you know what to do." Alicia runs up to her room.

"Luna Hope, I'm sorry if I can't assist you. I'll make it up to you. Promise." Alicia mind links me.

"Luna Hope, take the side entrance. It will take you to the left wing. Before you cross to the east wing, be sure no one is in front of the grand staircase. Please make sure to wash your hair or if not, place it in a tight bun. This is all I can tell you for now. I, myself, have to take a shower. Now, go Luna," Oliver instructed hurriedly.

It was my first time to take the side entrance. I saw a winding staircase going to the second floor. I tie my hair up into a bun, take off my shoes and run upstairs as quiet as I could. I walk through the west wing of the mansion. It's even bigger in this section of the house. There were so many portraits. I need to explore more of this place. It's awesome.

I get to the edge of the hallway and I hear voices. I put my back against the wall trying to listen to them.

"Damian, my old friend, nice of you to make an impromptu visit," Howard said.

"I heard from Derrick, Alexander has taken a Luna. I was surprised I was not invited," an unfamiliar voice answered.

"Sorry about that. It was done in a rush. We were only able to invite a handful of people. Come, let's talk in my study." I hear footsteps cross to the living room, a door opens, more footsteps and a door closes.

I peek through the corner to see if no one was infront of the grand staircase.

"Hope!" I jumped out of my skin.

"Oh my gosh! You scared me!" I look to find Diane smiling.

"Are you hiding from the Lancasters?" She asked, amused.

"Yes. I don't like Derrick that much. He's so oily." I lied to her. I didn't know if she was in on whatever secret Oliver knew.

"I know what you mean. He asked for you immediately. So, where are you going?" Diane asked me.

"Our room. I need to take a shower."

"Ok. I'll go down first. When you see me wave my hand, run to your room." I nod.

She walks down the stairs quietly. She looks around then signals me with her hand.

I run to my room, open the door, close it and I lean on it. This cloak and dagger business is hard to do.

I take a shower and lather up heavily on my body wash. I knew I had to wash off any of Alicia's smell. I washed my hair. They can wait for me to come down anyway. After my shower, I take a bottle of air freshener and spray the whole room. I sniff. All clear.

I blow dry my hair. I sniff it. All Hope. What about my clothes? Alicia is the one who tends to them. Uh-oh. I walk into the closet. Phew! Alexander has that cedar wood freshener hanging in the closet. I take a short sleeved light yellow flower dress with red and orange flowers all over it. I put it on and the flowing skirt ends right above my knee. To adorn it, I put on a little yellow belt with a bright colorful butterfly buckle. I let my hair flow, little lip gloss, locket and the matching set Alexander gave me as accessories. Nude strappy sandals. I look at myself. Girly. Now, it's time to meet the Lancasters. I groaned.

I walk down the grand staircase, my heels making a clicking sound against the wood. Mark popped his head out from the living room, gave me a smile and coughed. Out came Alexander. He met me halfway, took my hand and guided me down to the living room area.

"Damian, I would like you to meet my new Luna, Hope Alarie-Ulrich. Hope, this is Derrick's father, Damian," Alexander said, introducing us.

"Oh my. I wish I was thirty years younger. I would have given you Alex, a run for your money. " He takes my hand and kisses it. "You smell like a big chocolate cake. Decadent," Damian said, smiling.

"Nice to meet you, Sir Damian." I bow my head.

"No Sir. It makes me sound old. Damian is nice. Most especially when it comes from your lovely lips," he said.

Like father, like son. They might not have the same accent, but they have the same snakelike manner.

"Of course, Damian." I smile sweetly.

"Father, you are drowning her. Look how embarrassed she is. Luna Hope, do forgive my father," Derrick apologized.

"Alpha Derrick, nice to see you again. After you ran out on us, I thought I might not see you so soon." I extend my hand to Derrick.

He takes it and kisses it. "Yes, I would like to apologize once again. Unfortunate circumstances had arose. I promise I will make it up to you." He gives me a malicious smile. Sometimes, it's jerks like these that you wanna punch in the face. I see Oliver at the corner of my eye.

"Oliver can you keep my parents from coming here? They don't know and they might slip." I mind link him.

"It's ok, Luna. They're in the village." Oliver mind links me back.

"Since Luna Hope is already here, why don't you tell her why you're here." Howard takes hold of the meeting. He looks at me with an apology written on his face. I smile at him.

"I would like to apologize for our sudden appearance. It was rude of us to call unannounced. However, we decided to make a spontaneous visit after we had heard of Luna Hope's heroic rescue," Derrick said, bowing his head in respect.

"Luna Hope, we come here to ask you to put up protection charms around our territory. I will reward you well." Derrick said the last part like I was a gold digger. Humility apparently is something Derrick doesn't have.

They were all looking at me to answer. "Sure. No problem. It's just I thought each pack had Priestesses or someone who could do this stuff."

"Priestesses are few, Hope. Of those few, you are the strongest and you are only beginning to unlock your potential. I feel you will be even stronger than your mother." Alexander sighs. "I expect more packs will be coming to us, to you, for aid in this arena."

"Well, if it's protection charms, no problem. You just have to drive, fly or ship me wherever. Of course, there's the added security and secrecy. Only a few should know when I'll be going and how I will be arriving," I tell them.

"Of course, Luna Hope. You can trust us. I will not put you in harm's way," Derrick assures me. "And payment? Your mother always asked for gold or diamonds."

"I'm sorry. She what?" I was surprised my mother asked for so much.

"Luna Adella always asked for diamonds, rare gems, jewelry and gold," Damian answered. "This is why Crescent Moon was predicted to become the wealthiest of all packs. It was because of Adella. Have you not spoken to the High Elder about the riches of Crescent Moon? I know Adella had put it in his custody until an heir was found."

"We will talk to the High Elder regarding Hope's inheritance soon." Alexander patted my hand.

"As well as Davis's investments and trust fund. It has been eighteen years. I would think those investments are worth quite an amount of money. Adella and Davis did not leave their daughter penniless," Damian said, matter-of-factly. "I will not be surprised if Luna Hope here is one of the richest among us."

"Well, if this is true, and I have money tucked away somewhere," I laugh nervously, "I will do what all of you need me to do for free just as long as I know how to do it." Wow, if it is true I'm rich, I'll probably give some to my parents, my aunt, give a portion to Alexander's estate and open a trust fund for my future children. Plus, I can go to med school without ever thinking of tuition.

"Hope, you'd do it for free?" Alexander asked me.

"Sure. Wouldn't you do it for free?" I asked him.

"Actually, no," Alexander replied.

"How about this? Now, I'll do it for free since I'm still learning. Maybe when I'm considered an advance Priestess, then I'll start charging people, wolves..." Everyone nodded in agreement.

So, I'll expect you in Blue Moon Territory? Soon I hope?" Damian asked, hopeful.

"Expect us within two days. I will not say the hour of our arrival or our mode of transportation as stressed by Hope," Alexander answered.

"Thank you, Alexander. I am very happy for you. You have found a bright and generous mate...of course, beautiful as well." Damian bowed his head.

"Dinner is ready. Please join us for dinner Damian, Derrick. We have the guest house ready for your stay." Howard concludes the meeting with an invitation for dinner.

"Thank you, Howard for your generosity. We will leave at first light." Damian shakes Howard's hand. They all walk into the formal dining room.

"Luna, your parents want you to have dinner with them." Oliver mind-links.

"Alexander, I need to have dinner with my parents," I whispered to him.

"You're going to leave me with them? Can't I come with you?" Alexander looked like he was begging.

"Me too sugar. Can I come with?" Amanda shows up.

We all laugh. We'd all rather be somewhere else.

"What are all of you doing here? Dinner. Dining room. Now!" Diane points.

"My parents want me to have dinner with them," I tell her.

"Mama, I'll have dinner in my room. Just say I don't feel well," Amanda said.

Diane looked at Alexander. "You have no choice, Alpha."

Alexander sighs. "Save me. Please." He looks at me.

"I'll go to my parents' house and tell them what's going on. I'll have dinner with you. Save me a seat." I exit the mansion with Oliver. Mark stays behind with Alexander.

No one likes the Lancasters that's for sure.

_______________

(Damian POV)

I was excited to meet the daughter of Adella. According to Derrick, she was very beautiful even more beautiful than my Adella.

I look out through the window of Derrick's BMW as he drove. Derrick's mother, my mate, is not my fated mate. When I first met Adella, I fell in love with her and she fell in love with me. Unfortunately, we were both mated. We would meet in secret when she visited the territory to place her protection charms or whatever we asked of her. She was well paid by all packs within the country who required her skill. As for Davis, he learned how to invest their riches. They handled their money well and the development of Crescent Moon was proof of this.

Then she was killed along with Davis that night of the Summer Solstice eighteen years ago. I was so consumed with grief, I started to drink heavily. I just couldn't accept I would no longer be able to look into those golden eyes of hers ever again.

I almost caused the ruin of my pack. After one bad investment after the other, I went bankrupt. I didn't listen to the other Alphas who were investing their money with the High Elder. I was sure I could do better than them without ever being indebted to the High Elder. Derrick was still in University when this happened and I knew I had to make money in any way so I could keep him there.

I was in New York looking for a man who owed me money when I bumped into Leia. I was at a bar having a couple shots of scotch, contemplating pawning the only remembrance I had of Adella when she tapped me on the shoulder. She had dropped out of University and was "modelling" or that was what she made people believe. Her father cut her off financially so she had to work, but her spoiled brat self didn't get a lot of gigs and since rent was high at the Upper East Side, she found herself becoming a high paid heroine and cocaine courier for her boyfriend who was part of the drug syndicate. She would travel to Florida where they would smuggle in the drugs and travel them all the way to New York. She was being paid well and already had money put away to buy herself her own place when the time was right. I told her about my money problems and she happily got me in as her alternate. I just needed to pay her a percentage of what I earn as her commission for being my handler.

The bosses in the drug syndicate found me a better drug courier than Leia. It was all about appearances and I looked more of a law-abiding citizen than Leia. They started giving me other routes around the country. After a couple of months, I had enough to make new investments while paying for Derrick's University tuition. As for Leia, I would pay her her percentage each time. She never complained so, I thought all was good at her end. She still lived in her posh apartment at the Upper East Side and every time I saw her, she was in good spirits.

I was a drug courier for over a year. I vanished from the drug syndicate when my new investments started flourishing and I had enough money in the bank to take it easy. Leia was sad to see me go because her rent came from me, but she understood. We parted ways without any hard feelings. I told her she should start investing her money so she could get out of the syndicate. She told me not to worry, she'll be getting out soon. That was the last I heard of her until I saw Derrick's Beta on the floor, dead.

I know Leia's vendetta is with Derrick and not with me, but finding someone dead in your home is frightening. News had quickly spread of the daughter of Adella and how she stopped the forest fires and saved Alexander's life so, Derrick decided to drive to Dark Moon to ask her to place protection charms over our territory. I knew he didn't want me to go with him so I jumped into the car when he was about to leave giving him no choice to allow me to accompany him.

When we arrived at Dark Moon Territory, I was expecting the daughter of Adella to welcome us, but all we got were men. Howard and Alexander are gracious hosts no doubt, but I was only interested in seeing the daughter of Adella. When Diane finally appeared, she said the daughter of Adella was taking a shower after being out in the sun all day. She'll see us when she was ready. She was ready after twenty minutes of waiting.

She was worth the wait. She was every bit as beautiful as Derrick said. She had long white and black hair with curls that bounced at every move. She was tall and pale just like her mother. And those beautiful golden eyes. When I looked into her eyes, I melted. It felt I was with Adella once more. Hope. That is her name. Hope.

Alexander is a lucky man. He found her. Hidden in plain sight and raised by humans. Wealthy as well. My accountant who also does the accounting of the High Elder divulge the information regarding the account of the heir of the Brandt fortune. The heir would never have to work a day in her life; the investments will do the working for her.

I sat across from Hope and studied her. She didn't speak as refined as Adella, however she was more charming. Hope loved to smile while Adella rarely smiled. Hope had a fondness for humans given her circumstances, while Adella couldn't stand them. Hope was willing to help without payment, Adella rarely did anything without a downpayment of diamonds or gold. The daughter was a complete opposite of the mother. Like I was in an alternate universe.

I glanced at Diane. Diane was Adella's bestfriend and was loyal to Adella without limit. I saw her fondness of Hope in her eyes.

As for Derrick, I see the envy in his eyes. Hope is what he wants his mate to be- beautiful, rich, charming and with a good heart. Unfortunately for my son, if he doesn't change his ways, he will never find a mate with the same qualities as Hope.

I saw how Alexander looked at his mate. He looked at her like he had the most precious thing in his arms. I felt a tug in my heart. That's how I felt for Adella. Now she is no more.

At least I get to see Adella's golden eyes once more and maybe ask her for her forgiveness. I'm sorry my love. I have made bad decisions. One too many.