Chapter Four

I was pulled from sleep, the dream slipping away fast the more coherent I became, by the sensation of gentle kisses being placed on my bare shoulder blade and warm calloused hands rubbing along my back and sides. I smile and hum in content, burying my face more in my comfy pillow. A warm chuckle sounded before one of his hands patted my butt.

“Time to get up little wolf. Supper is soon and I have to sneak out of your room and you have to take a shower to get rid of my scent clinging to your skin.” Jas said softly as he stood from the bed and tugged on my ankle gently.

I grumbled under my breath and stood up, a scowl on my face as I stretched. Immediately after, Jax pulled me into a rough, searing kiss, one hand encompassing my neck, slight pressure on my throat while his other hand fisted in my hair, crushing me to him. I panted, breathless, my lips red and swollen from a kiss that left me seeing stars. He smirked down at me before picking up his shirt and slipping out my door.

I shook my head to try and regain my senses and moved to my bedroom window, pushing it open, and letting fresh air into the room, hoping to get rid of Jax’s smell as quickly as possible. I grabbed fresh underwear from my dresser and a pair of clean dark red leggings, and a long-sleeve white crop shirt. I hopped into the shower and blasted the warm water, scrubbing my skin with my mint and sage body wash, erasing his scent from my skin.

I washed my entire body and hair twice before I was satisfied that his scent was gone. I stepped out, dried off and dressed quickly before leaving my room. My hair was damp and showing my natural waves, bouncing around my shoulders as I walked down the stairs, following the tide of people into the packed dining room. I stood in the doorway for a moment, looking over the room before grinning as I saw my feisty red-headed friend standing on her chair and waving her arms madly at me. I chuckle and weave through the people, coming to a stop at our table and dropping into a seat beside Torrance.

“Well hello, beautiful. Ooh! I love those tights on you! That deep red suits you. Oh and that strap detail at the waist makes your hips look fine as hell.” Torrance exclaims as she checks me out, snapping one of the straps at my waist, giving me her stamp of approval. I laugh and shake my head at her, motioning to her pale green pleated skirt and white crop tank, her long legs on display and her midsection bare, showing her belly piercing and her skin dotted with freckles.

“You babe, are a vision. So jealous of your amazing legs.” I tug on some of her wild red curls and move them away from her face, her green eyes sparkling from the compliment. She scrunches her nose playfully at me and pushes a can of pop across the table to me.

“I heard Alpha gave you the rest of the day off. What did you have to do to score that?” she asked with a raised brow as she opened her drink and took a sip, her freckled nose wrinkling from the fizz.

“Nothing you’d suspect. I took notes during the meeting because Clementine was going on a date or something, I dunno. Anyway, in the end, he was being his normal self and I was refusing like always when he just stopped and let me go.” I explained. She looked at me open-mouthed in shock. “I know. That was pretty much my reaction too.”

“Wow. He never lets anything go when it comes to you. I’m surprised. I’m sure it won’t last long, however.”

“It never does. Do you know who took over the laundry?” I ask as I look around the room for the other members of our party.

“I think a few Omega took over.” she shrugs softly as I groan, feeling guilty. The Omega’s of the pack are the lowest of the low here. They already have extensive workloads and I hate that I added to it. Most in the pack ignore the Omega’s or treat them like shit. I always found it stupid as we need them to function, we rely on them.

“Well shit. I’ll have to find them later and thank them, and also apologize that they had to take over in the first place.”

“You really don’t. It’s their job.” Torrance shakes her head as she catches sight of the rest of our group and waves them over. I love Torrance, but sometimes she’s completely oblivious to her privilege. I shake my head but smile as the twins drop down across from us, flashing us identical sly grins. I narrow my eyes and scrutinize the two of them. Ezra and Echo are almost identical in every way, 6’4”, muscular, with strong jaws, long black hair that they always push back with their fingers, nice mouths that are always in a smirk of some kind, overall, very good looking. The only way to tell them apart is that Ezra has blue eyes, while Echo has grey eyes. Right now they are grinning like the proverbial cat that ate the canary. Amusing to think about since they are rather large werewolves.

“What did you two do?” I ask suspiciously, moving my drink as Omega’s from the kitchen start placing dishes of food on the tables. The twins just grin bigger and start filling their plates.

“I have no idea what you are talking about dear Kara.” Ezra replies, the grin never leaving his face as he looks at me.

“Frankly I’m insulted that you would be so suspicious of us.” Echo replies, a rumble of laughter to his voice. I glare at the two of them as I fill my plate, my stomach growling from the smell of roast, gravy and mashed potatoes, fresh rolls and steamed vegetables. Torrance scoffs and points her fork at the two of them accusingly.

“Come on. Spill it. What has the two of you smirking like that?” Ezra and Echo glance at each other before looking back at us, their grins getting bigger.

“We heard some interesting gossip going around the pack today. Something about the pack actually attending the Annual Alpha Summit.” Ezra informed with an eyebrow wiggle.

“No way! The Alpha Summit?! We never get invited to that. That’s the biggest pack gathering of the year. All packs go with a minimum of 30 some wolves, including their leaders. It’s a chance for the mateless to find their other halves and for packs to forge alliances. I’m so excited! Maybe I’ll find my mate!”

I raised an eyebrow at Torrance’s outburst of excitement, a few people nearby looked to see what was going on, before chuckling at her dreamy rambling. The Alpha Summit was a big deal, to be given an invitation was an honour. As far as I knew, Richmond Pack had not gone in years, about the time Orso took over the pack from the last Alpha. Years before my time on this earth. It would be interesting to go this year if I was lucky enough to be chosen to attend. The last time I had gone was the year before my pack was destroyed. I was little but as the Alpha’s only child I needed to attend.

"What do you think Kara?” Echo asked around a mouthful of food. “Gonna try to go?” I shrugged softly and swallowed my mouthful of food before responding.

“Maybe. It would be cool to go but I’m sure my pack ranking isn’t high enough to qualify. You two are mateless high ranking warriors,” I motioned between the twins, “ and Torrance is the Gamma’s daughter. So you’ll all be able to go. I’m middle of the pack. I seriously doubt I’ll be able to go.”

“Puh-leeze. The Alpha has a weird obsession with you. Of course, you’ll be going.” Torrance quipped as she sipped her pop, causing Ezra and Echo to snort in agreement. Just as I was about to retort, a loud  Whistle rang out from the front of the room.

All heads turned to gaze at the head table, where Orso was standing from his position at the centre of the table, calling for everyone's attention. He waited with a furrowed brow till the room hushed before he spoke.

“I’m sure by now that the news has spread through most of the pack, but for those who aren’t aware yet, this year we will be attending the Annual Alpha Summit.” He waited while a few people throughout the room exclaimed in shocked and excited whispers before he continued speaking. “It’s the first time in years that the Richmond Pack will be attending. As such I will be exceptionally particular on who is allowed to attend.”  A few people broke out in hushed and worried whispers as the Alpha Summit was a very prestigious event and so many mateless wolves were able to find their mates. Not being able to attend for some would mean they might never find their fated mate.

“I will post a list tomorrow night of those that have been selected to join myself, our Beta and Gamma as well as our families. I will also be appointing some of you to be in charge while the rest of us are gone. I expect everyone left behind to protect and care for this pack. Failure is not an option. My eldest son, from the  Riverstone Pack and his Beta and Gamma will also be attending the Summit. As this is an honour, I expect all those attending to act in a way that reflects well on our two packs. That is all, enjoy your dinner.” 

With that Orso sat down and the room erupted into loud and excited chatter as everyone discussed the summit and the potential wolves that would be chosen to go, all of them hoping they would be chosen. I frowned as I gazed around the room, my mood immediately soured with the mention of his son and the Riverstone Pack. That vile Alpha was sitting on my pack lands and had the audacity to rename my pack. Ravenfield was a much more fitting name to my pack than Riverstone. At the head of the table, I could see Orso and Dorin talking with Torrance’s dad, Derrick the Gamma of the pack, no doubt going over preparations. I could also see the Luna, Ava, who was talking with Dorin’s mate, Nora who was his fated, papers strewn in front of them as they most likely were starting on the list of those chosen.