Chapter 25 - A little Chat

The next day, Leo was busy in the kitchen, meticulously preparing breakfast for Alpha Shane, Giselle, and her family. The enticing aroma of fresh coffee, scrambled eggs, and sizzling bacon filled the enormous mansion. He wanted everything to be perfect; the stakes were too high to allow any mistakes.
Leo carefully arranged the food on platters and carried them to the grand dining room, where Alpha Shane, Giselle, Robert, Helen, Jon, and Cindy were already seated, waiting for breakfast. The room, with its high ceilings and large windows letting in the morning light, was a picture of elegance and comfort.
"Good morning, everyone," Leo greeted them warmly as he placed the dishes on the table. "I hope you're all hungry."
Giselle smiled appreciatively. "Good morning, Leo. It smells wonderful. Thank you for doing this."
"It's my pleasure," Leo replied with a nod. "Please, help yourselves."
As everyone began to serve themselves, Alpha Shane looked around the table, his expression serious. "From now on," he began, pausing to ensure he had everyone's attention, "please only accept food that comes directly from Leo. I don’t want to take any risks."
Robert exchanged a concerned look with Helen. "Is there something specific we should be worried about, Shane?" he asked.
Shane sighed, his gaze steady. "There are some within the pack who aren’t happy with my decision to marry Giselle. I don’t want to alarm anyone, but we need to be cautious. Leo will be overseeing your safety personally."
Helen reached out to touch Giselle’s hand. "We understand. Thank you for looking out for us, Shane."
Jon nodded in agreement. "We’ll be careful. We trust you."
Cindy, who had been quietly eating her breakfast, spoke up. "Does this mean we shouldn't go anywhere without Leo?"
Shane nodded. "Exactly. Don’t leave the mansion without either me or Leo. I know it might feel restrictive, but it’s for your safety."
Giselle placed her hand over Shane’s. "We understand, Shane. We’ll do as you say."
The table fell into a contemplative silence as everyone resumed their breakfast. Leo stood at a respectful distance, his eyes scanning the room, ever vigilant. He knew the responsibility placed on his shoulders and was determined not to let anything slip past him.
After breakfast, Shane and Leo met in the study to discuss the day’s security arrangements. Shane leaned against his desk, arms crossed, as Leo outlined the plan.
"I've assigned additional guards around the perimeter," Leo began. "I've also doubled the number of patrols inside the mansion. No one will get close without us knowing."
Shane nodded, satisfied. "Good. Keep me updated on any unusual activity. We can’t afford to be complacent."
Leo nodded. "Understood, Alpha. I’ll make sure everything runs smoothly."
As Leo left to continue his duties, Shane felt a mixture of determination and anxiety. The threat against Giselle and her family was real, and he needed to stay one step ahead of anyone who might try to harm them.
Meanwhile, Giselle and her family were adjusting to their new routine. Giselle and her mother, Helen, were in the drawing room, talking quietly as they admired the room’s opulent decor.
"It's beautiful here," Helen said, looking around. "But it feels so different from our old home."
Giselle nodded. "It does. But Shane wants to keep us safe. I trust him."
Helen smiled softly. "He's a good man, Giselle. I can see how much he cares for you."
Giselle blushed slightly. "I just hope I can live up to being his Luna."
"You will," Helen said confidently. "You have a good heart, and that’s what matters most."
In another part of the mansion, Jon and Cindy were exploring the library, marveling at the vast collection of books.
"This place is amazing," Jon said, running his fingers along the spines of the books. "I could get lost in here for days."
Cindy nodded. "It's like something out of a dream. But we have to remember what Shane said. We can’t let our guard down."
Jon sighed. "Yeah, I know. It’s just hard to believe that anyone would want to hurt us."
Cindy frowned. "There are always people who resist change. We just have to stay vigilant."
Jon nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. "We will. For Giselle's sake."
*****
While Giselle and her older sister Cindy were enjoying a quiet moment in the garden, admiring the vibrant flowers and the serene atmosphere, a servant approached them with a respectful bow.
"Miss Giselle," the servant began, "you have a guest."
Giselle looked up, surprised. "A guest? Who is it?"
Leo, who was standing nearby and always alert, stepped forward, his brow furrowing in concern. "Who is the guest?" he asked, his tone cautious.
The servant glanced at Leo, then back at Giselle. "It is Delta Marlon’s daughter, Miss Trixie."
Leo's frown deepened. He had been aware of the tensions and the potential threats within the pack, and Trixie's unexpected visit immediately raised his suspicions. "Okay," he said after a moment, "let her in."
Giselle exchanged a wary look with Cindy. "What do you think she wants?" Cindy asked, her voice low.
"I'm not sure," Giselle replied, her thoughts racing. "But I guess we’re about to find out."
As Trixie walked through the garden towards them, Giselle straightened, putting on a polite but guarded expression. Trixie’s presence always seemed to carry an undercurrent of tension, and today was no different. She approached with a confident stride, her eyes fixed on Giselle and Cindy.
"Hello, Giselle, and to you sis," Trixie greeted them with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
"Hello, Trixie," Giselle replied evenly. "What brings you here?"
Trixie glanced around the garden, her gaze lingering on the beautiful flowers and the well-kept grounds. "I wanted to see how you’re settling in," she said, her tone almost casual. "And to have a little chat."
Giselle raised an eyebrow. "A chat? About what?"