Chapter 5: Familiar stranger

A light tap on my door nearly startled me. “Umm, Eliza. I've got to go but send the schedule to Amara and I will handle the rest.”

“But Thalia-” Eliza whines, right before I cut the call. Whoever it is on the other end of the door knocks again but his time I'm there to open it.

My assistant stands on the other end, a tablet in hand and yellow roses in hand. “From Keir.” she grins, placing the flowers in my hand.

Kier is my boyfriend, we met when I was college and had one night stand since then he has not left me alone. I didn't think I could get into a relationship after leaving Flame Valley but with Kier, I'm good its what I deserve. The only thing bigger than his dick is his ego but I can live with that.

I take the flowers from her, and peek at the note in the flowers. 'Pretty flowers, for my pretty girl.' I read the card in his voice, a neverending apology. “Amara, do we have something planned this morning?” I frown, shocked to see her in my house so early. Surely Keir didn't wake her so early just to bring me his apology flowers. Amara has been my assistant for a year now and as good as she is at the job, even she can make an error on our busy schedule.

Her hand goes to my forehead, and I frown. “Are you okay? It's two thirty in the afternoon and your bed is still unmade?”

“Two thirty?” I snap, tossing the flower bouquet to the wall before rushing to my bathroom. “Amara, I have a flight at three!”

“I know.” she seethes, walking right behind me as I strip my clothes, carefully setting them in a neat pile on the bathroom floor.

“Fill me in.”

Amara nods, looking down at her tablet. “Your 9am client's hearing was moved to next week Tuesday at eleven, and oh, the meeting with Alpha Ezra was cancelled because he went to see his nephew. You have four new client's, they've been on the waitlist for seven months, and yes I've don't the background checks and they're not trivial cases.”

I nod, stepping into the bathroom. My career has been built on me not taking easy cases, I don't like easy wins because of the thrill I get from wining cases I have no shot at. I didn't even want to be a lawyer, I was going to be a pediatrician when I came home but my mother thought I wasn't stable enough to work with children and so pushed me into law school. My heart was still aching, all wounds raw like they are this day but I had to move on for Mother. I enrolled in the best law school and gave it my best, I took extra modules and within two and a half years I graduated top of all my classes.

“That's all.” Amara grins, after reading to me three pages worth of updates while I shower. “Are you packed? I'll pack for you.”

“Would you? Thanks, you're the best assistant to an assistant ever.”

Amara sighs, a feigned response. “I know, that's why I upgraded your ticket from business class to private. So take your time, Attorney Laurel.”

I finally relax, letting the hot water massage my body. I can't believe I nearly missed my flight. If not for Eliza's call I would have missed my girls trip. We've been planning the trip for over a year now and as much as I don't want to travel, I promised I would be there. My friend and favorite client is getting married, I will miss her destination wedding but I can't miss the bachelorette party too, I've had my schedule cleared for this very event.

Amara has packed my suitcase by the time I'm done with my bath, and she's laid out a two piece suit for me to wear but she's nowhere in sight, with only her tablet on my bed to alert me of her presence somewhere in the house. I make quick work getting into the outfit Amara has chosen, the skirt sits above my knees, exposing half my thighs paired with a white tank top and matching jacket. The look is not court room appropriate but it's perfect for the bachelorette party.

“Finally.” Amara appears from my walk in closet with heels in her hand. The fact that I don't even sense she could be in the room is a reminder of how large my bedroom is. “I've booked you an unber, rented a pink Mercedes for you to drive if needed in the three days you'll be away.”

“Thank you.” I settle on my bed, taking the heels from her.

“It's my job.” she shrugs, “Plus I love raiding your closets, I got myself a pair.” she grins looking down at the heels on her feet. She's a size bigger than me and so are the heels she's wearing. “Love my job.”

“Did Keir say anything when he sent the flowers?”

She shakes her head, “Only to make sure that you got them.”

I sigh, Keir and I had a fight before he left for his shoot because he wanted me to go with him and I couldn't abandon my plans just because my boyfriend is acts green-eyed whenever I'm not in his sights.

THALIA

My flight landed two hours ago and within the first thirty minutes of me landing, I was dragged to the nightclub where the bachelorette party is being held. My first drink was on the limo and I haven't stopped drinking since then.

Cassidy may not make the right legal decisions often but one thing she's unfailing at is having a good time. The bachelorette party was well planned out, from the choice of venue to the activities keeping us busy. It's like a sorority party, except here all the vibes are pure, I love it. I'm floating on air without a single care because in two days time I'll be back to being attorney Laurel, chasing after my wining streak.

“So, how is that handsome snack you carry on your arm?” Sarang one of bridesmaids grins, watching me touch up my lipstick in the bathroom mirror.

Keir, she means but honestly, I have no inkling about where or how he is because I've been overlooking his text and calls until I have enough sanity to reply.

“I thought we weren't mentioning our men tonight?”

Sarang sighs. “Right, let's go.”

I stash my lipstick in the pocket of my jacket before following right behind Sarang. Sarang makes a joke about the last time we had a party like this one which led to me, Sarang, Cassidy and two others getting arrested for misconduct. I'm giggling at the memory when Sarang gasps. “Oh my God. It's Victor! And the groomsmen.”

“Aww, he crashed her bachelorette party, that's so cute.”

“Rose, Sarang!!” Cassidy yells over the same when she spots us.

Sarang and I move close, and my full attention falls on the groom. “Victor, you're blushing.”

“How could I not, do you not see how sexy my wifee looks?” Victor grins.

Cassidy holds out her hand and points to her ring finger. “Fiance Vic. Hold on, let me introduce you to the rest of the bachelor party gang.”

“The hottest alpha's, beta's and zetas.” Sarang swoons, “Wait till you see Flame Valley's Alpha.”

“What?” I swallow, my voice merely a whisper.

Flame Valley's Alpha? No, I must have heard wrong. It can't be, it's such a cursed coincidence. He can't be here, I didn't smell him, I still don't smell him. Not until Cassidy taps the tall man leaned against the wall of our section of the bar.

“Alpha.” she calls, and with that my stomach sinks.

It's him, it's alpha Knox Winslow. My mate, my deceased daughters father, my villain, my hero and right beside him Ryan, his beta. I swallow the huge lump that forms in my throat when his eyes meet mine, glaring with the same animosity as the day I lost our daughter. Fighting hard to not recall every insult, taunt and atrocity he's uttered to me since four years ago I gulp once again.