Kirstin’s P. O. V
After months of essentially becoming her right hand and shadow, I could say I knew Brittany almost as well as I knew the back of my hand.
I could predict almost all her reactions to different situations, I knew all her likes – and more importantly, her dislikes- and her true feelings about almost everyone in the pack.
I knew that she was secretly envious of the fact that Harry was next in line to lead.
I knew that she’d never felt an ounce of love for Callum.
I knew she’d never really liked Kylie, even before finding out about her betrayal with Callum.
And above all, I knew that she would move mountains if it meant finally getting her father’s recognition.
We were in the work house, Brittany barking orders at some of the lower ranking higher-ups while I occasionally slinked away to steal information. Over the last few months, she’d managed to claw her way to some actual power, and was now considered more useful than Harry by most of the higher ups. Despite the fact that she’d effectively imposed herself on all his work, Harry seemed to have more enthusiasm about visiting the work house than he’d ever had before.
And I had a sneaking suspicion as to why…
He was almost always in the same room as Brittany and me, his eyes sneaking glances at me as Brittany berated him for one thing or another. His continued sneaking glances posed more than just one problem.
On top of the shivers he still sent down my spine as I pretended not to notice his eyes on me, his attention also meant that I couldn’t do my job properly.
Thankfully, he wasn’t around today. I ignored the twinges of disappointment as I worked in Brittany’s shadow.
I was walking back to Brittany’s side when my I caught a strong scent. Brittany must have noticed it to because she immediately looked up from the papers she’s been pouring over, her back rod straight and eyes wide with tension.
The two others in the room with us scrambled to their knees and something told me I to follow their lead.
Just as I did, he stormed in.
I’d only seen him a handful of times. He normally ate with us when Harry and Brittany’s birthday was near to show face, but he’d been absent this year. And from my time accompanying Brittany to the work house, I’d hear whispering of his escalating outbursts from people grateful for every day he wasn’t around.
And we were about to find out why.
“Why haven’t we destroyed those Acewoods yet?” He demanded.
The Beta, who trailed in after him, answered in a small voice, “We’re close Alpha. All we need is one more visit to put the last nail in the coffin and they’ll collapse. This phase is critical and we need to be careful.”
The Acewood pack was the best pack in the state, and our ally. And as our ally, they were also subject to sabotage. But it was taking a bit longer than usual, since the targets were usually smaller packs where intimidation also worked. It went without saying that the downfall of the Acewoods needed to be meticulously planned.
But Alpha Clark’s impatience said otherwise.
“You’ve been saying that for almost a year, Howling. I want results and I want them now.”
“Yes Alpha, we’ll have it done right away.” Beta Howling said, his frustration expertly supressed.
Alpha Clark waved him off and turned our way, approaching Brittany with a plastered-on smile, “Sweetheart, how are you enjoying your time here? Are you having fun?”
When Brittany had first gone to him to beg to be allowed to go to the work house, he’d refused. “You don’t need to worry your pretty head about what goes on there. Just enjoy your time with your mate.” He’d apparently said, according to her grumbles in a rant about it. Eventually he’d given his permission, but she’d still returned in a mood, griping about how he thought she simply wanted to play with the big boys.
“I’m doing more than having fun, daddy.” She said, presenting what she’d been working on with pride, “I know how everything works now and I’ve been doing a lot of work, even more than Harry. I figured out how we can write off some of our taxes to the Royals and I’ve made a list of seven packs vulnerable enough for us to take down.”
“Yes, darling. I’m sure you’ve been very helpful.” His voice was sickly sweet with dismission.
Brittany pushed, “If you’ll look at the list, there’s a particular pack that’s a bit concerning. It was created just three weeks ago but they’ve got too much land for one so new, and not to mention tiny. The Alpha decided to stay anonymous which shouldn’t have been a problem but our inside person in the Palace wasn’t assigned as his guide and when he went to his room, nobody was there so we don’t know much. I doubt he’s very strong if he’s hiding his identity though. The worst part is that, for some reason, they’ve already gained like seventeen allies. All of them are weak, but if they keep growing at this rate, they may become a problem.”
With my head still bowed, I smirked. I hadn’t heard Brittany talk about this, but it sounded an awful lot like Avarielle had already put her plan in motion. She’d been right to assume that a new pack with too much upward potential would catch their eye, end here Brittany was, taking the bait like a good little fish.
This bit of news seemed to give Alpha Clark pause. I chanced a glance at him, catching his pensive look before he gave a slow, approving nod, “Have your little friend here bring the report to me when you’re done. I’ll decide how we move forward with this.”
I could practically feel Brittany bursting with joy, but her face remained neutral, “Yes, Alpha.”
Done with the conversation, he had Beta Howling retrieve the documents they’d come in for and left.
As soon as they were out the door, the tension in the room eased and Brittany spun to me, positively radiant and vibrating with excitement, “Luna, did you hear that, Kirstin? Daddy said he’ll look at my report. My report! I need to make this the best fucking report he’s ever laid his eyes on. I need to dig up as much dirt as I possibly can on this Vengar Sanguine Pack, whatever the fuck that means.”
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“If you’re putting your all in this, anyone should be impressed…” I said, leaving enough uncertainty in my voice for her excitement wo waver.
She narrowed her eyes at me, “What? You think he won’t be impressed with my work?”
My brows furrowed in careful concern, “I could never think that, Brittany.”
“Then what?” She demanded.
“I just worry that after all the work you’ll put into the report, he’ll focus more on whoever is assigned to handle these Vengar nobodies.”
I suppressed a smile as panic crept into her features, “You’re right… What if he forgets all the work I did after someone else brings them down? I don’t want that.”
I placed my hand on my chest, earnest, “Personally, I think there’s no one more suited for the job than you. You’re so smart, I’m sure you’ll be able to handle anything.”
“I’ll bet I can even finish them with just one visit.” She said, indignant.
“Exactly.” I smiled, “You’ll prove that you’re even more useful than Beta Howling. His methods waste too much time.”
The thought of showing up her dad’s right-hand man put a calculating gleam in her eyes, “If I’m good enough, they might just make me the next Beta instead of that worm, Callum.” She said in a hushed, conspiratorial voice, then went back to work.
She worked for the rest of the day, combing the WolfNet and shaking down our contacts for any bit of information she could glean. Of course, Avarielle had been careful, so the only things she could find were the fact that they had twelve members, their allies were comprised of our old victims, the general location of their territory, and the fact that the Alpha had apparently told the Royals something so secret that the guards had been required to turn around and use their special ear plugs.
Ten minutes till the work house’s closing, she sent me off with the report, “I’m fucking done. Too many coincidences and not enough information. See you at home.” She’d muttered then stormed off.
I took her report to the Alpha’s office and was about to knock when his door opened. I immediately stepped back and bowed me head.
“What are you looking for at this time?” He demanded.
“I have Brittany’s report for you, Alpha.” I said, presenting them to him.
He took them from my hands but didn’t let go, “You’re her little friend.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“Raise your head.”
I complied, slowly lifting my head so my face was visible. I’d never been able to see him up close before. He had more grey streaks than a Werewolf his age should and permanent frown lines between his brows. There was something very wrong in his eyes that made me avoid their gaze.
His eyes took in my face, then ran down the length of my body and back up again.
I suppressed my urge to recoil.
“What’s your name?”
My voice shook when I spoke, and I prayed he didn’t hear it, “Kirstin Lina Crest, Alpha.”
He cocked his head, thinking for a second before asking, “Kingsley’s daughter?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“You should be old enough for a mate about now. Do you have one?”
Sirens went off in my head at the question and my breath caught, so I shook my head.
He took in the length of me again.
Hanging around Brittany meant wearing next to nothing. I’d grown used to it, and as Brittany’s new right hand, I was as close to untouchable as I could get without having a title. I’d felt uncomfortable in these clothes before, but never unsafe.
Until now.
“Have you been fucked before?” His voice was even, as if he hadn’t just asked me what he’d asked me.
Gracine said nothing, but her panic swelled and melded with mine. My mind screeched at me to wrench my hand out of his and run.
I didn’t.
“I- I don’t… I’m not…”
About two years ago, I’d wanted to experience it, so I’d found a willing participant and we’d gotten to work. It was enjoyable, I’d found, but I quickly lost interest in trying to keep up with the rotating door of partners my friends had had at the time, so I only engaged when the urge arose, and it hadn’t since finding my mate.
“You should practice. You wouldn’t want to leave your mate unsatisfied.” He said, the suggestion that he be the one to help me practice hanging in the air.
“Dad?”
We both turned our heads, spotting Harry at the end of the hallway.
I’d never been so happy to see him.
“It’s late, son. What are you doing here?”
“I forgot my charger.” He replied, then moved his attention to me, seemingly unfazed by the sight of us, “Brittany’s been looking for you, she wants to talk to you about something.”
Alpha Clark released my hand, and I moved away from him as inconspicuously as I could, “I see.” I said, my voice still shaky, “I guess I should get going. Good night, Alpha Clark.” I bowed my head to him then followed Harry as he turned and left.
We stopped to get my things and left the building.
We’d been walking for ten minutes in complete silence till he spoke.
“I’m sorry about him…” He didn’t look at me, keeping his gaze straight ahead, “Avoid being alone with him as much as possible. He can be… pushy…”
I nodded then paused, rubbing my wrist, “When did you leave your charger? I didn’t see you there today.”
“I wasn’t.”
I looked at him, “Then why did you come?”
He shrugged, “I saw Brittany return without you. It’s late so I thought I’d come see if you were okay.”
“Thank you.” I squeezed out around the lump forming in my throat, fighting the tears that threatened to fill my eyes.
He must have heard it in my voice, cause he stopped and looked at me. Before I could think, he’d pulled me into a hug, enveloping me in his scent, his arms, in him. I couldn’t fight the tears anymore and once the first sob escaped my throat, I couldn’t stop.
“I’m sorry.” He whispered, again and again into my hair as I cried, apologizing for more than just this evening.
“I was so scared.” I choked out between sobs. At that, his embrace tightened.
“I’m so sorry, Kirstin. For everything.” He said, almost like a plea.
My chest constricted.
We stayed like that for a while, me tucked into his arms and him whispering apologies. Finally, my tears abated and I took a deep breath, stepping away from him.
“Thank you for today, Alpha.” I began, my eyes looking anywhere but his face, “I appreciate you stepping in, but I don’t think this is appropriate.”
“Kirstin…” He reached for me, but I pulled away and his hand dropped back to his side.
“I don’t think the Luna would be pleased.”
“You know she means nothing to me.”
My heart clenched and I turned away, “She is your Luna.”
“I was forced to choose her. Please understand.” He whispered, sounding defeated and torn.
Understand?
White hot anger flared in me and I faced him, “Really? It doesn’t sound like you were forced to when you fuck her every night.” I spat.
He recoiled at the venom in my words.
Avarielle had been right. I was still weak to him.
“I,” I began. The look on his face told me that he knew was I was about to do and pleaded for me not to. I didn’t listen, “Kirstin Lina Crest, member of the Lightwood pack, accept your, Harry Theodore Lightwood, Alpha of the Lightwood pack, rejection.”
He staggered back, clutching his chest as the brief wave of pain hit him.
I returned to the house alone, not bothering to wait for him to recover.