Chapter 3 • Clumsy Coincidence

Chapter 3

Clumsy Coincidence

Clarissa 

 Our journey was quite brief and by the time the skies were clear, we had arrived in Nightwalker territory. Emissaries came out to welcome us and so did Alpha Damian. The old Alpha was not as strong as he used to be, judging from the guards flanking around him to aid his movements.

 “Gary,” he acknowledged my father, “it is indeed a joyous thing that you have honored my invitation. You are welcome to my territory and I wish you a very comfortable stay. I can assure you that you will find things to your liking. Other guests will be arriving soon.” 

 “Thank you for your hospitality, Alpha Damian. I hope to return the favor later in the future. I would like to have a word with you if that is possible. Oh, pardon my manners. I have not introduced you to my daughter.”

 I cringed inwardly as I felt my father’s palm resting against my lower back. When he increased pressure, I understood that he wanted me to come forward. I obliged him obediently and curtsied before our host meekly. He nudged my jaw, permitting me to look at him in the face and a roguish smile played with his lips.

 “What is your name, beautiful one?”

 “Clarissa, my Lord. It is an honor to be one of your special guests. Your hospitality is legendary, I hear.”

 Alpha Damian broke the ice with a deep chuckle, leaning against a muscled arm. “I am flattered by your praise, Clarissa. You have a diamond of the first waters on your hands, Gary. Beautiful and well-spoken, all the qualities of a promising Luna. I have sent a guard to fetch my son and he will be here soon. Ah, speak of the devil! Over here, son.”

 I swept my gaze behind me in curiosity and my heart nearly stopped at the sight of the male approaching us. Casting my eyes down, I pulled on the reins of my emotions and listened for his footsteps instead. His feet walked past my area of view and I could swear I heard a sharp intake of breath. Kaira stood a step behind me as required, silent in the presence of her superiors.

 “Father,” a deep tenor floated around and I fought to keep my eyes down. 

 “Carlin, we were just talking about you. This is Alpha Gary, the Alpha of our neighboring pack, Black Paw, and his amiable daughter, Clarissa.”

 Carlin, I pondered on his name thoughtfully. 

 “Welcome to our pack, Alpha. Be rest assured that everything has been put together for your comfort.” He and my father shook hands like they had been friends forever and I literally wanted to disappear in a cloud of smoke. 

 “Clarissa, is it?” he uttered, coming into my line of sight. I could see his hands, masculine and hairy under my perusal. 

 “Yes,” I quipped shortly, letting him take my hand for the customary kiss. His lips lingered too long on my skin and the sensations troubling my spine was all too familiar. His eyes lifted to meet mine, a hot flicker of his lashes and my breath hitched. 

 “Pleasant to meet you, Clarissa,” he asserted, standing beside me instead of returning to his father. “Perhaps I can escort you to your chambers?” 

 It was not appropriate to refuse a host but just to be in the clear, I looked to my father for his permission. Kaira shifted from foot to foot, having trouble with our bags. Gently, Carlin took them from her and effortlessly hung them over his shoulder. 

 “Go along, dear. We could talk now, Damian, and give them some time to get to know each other,” Father opined, his eyes too bright and suspicious. 

 “Very well, then. A guard will take your bag, Gary and we shall proceed to my courtroom.” His line of guards took position behind him and Father followed them, relinquishing his bag to a guard. Soon, it was just me, Kaira, the guard, and Carlin. He led the way, gesturing that I walk beside him. Kaira followed immediately and the guard fell behind us. Carlin was constantly peeping at my face.

 “Is something the problem, Carlin? You have been staring at me oddly.” 

 He averted his gaze last minute, barking out a short, humorless laugh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to act awkward. It’s just. . . it’s just that you. . . you remind me of someone.” Mm-hmm, typical.

 “Do you have a sister, perhaps?” he added, tapping his lower lip with his index finger. The action was distracting and soon, I found myself wondering what his lips would taste like. They were shaped in a bow form that stretched upwards when he was smiling.

 “No, just me, no siblings. You?” I deliberately shifted the topic from me. 

 “Yeah, a brother, Threshold. You will meet him soon and my apologies in advance.”

 An unexpected laugh sneaked past my lips at his easy joke and he grinned cleverly, taking a final bend. The tent was made up of new and big branches and the scent of fresh wood reminded me of the similarities at home. Black Paw was home to many variances in trees and I had learned to climb much to my father’s dismay. Carlin bunched up the filmy material that served as a curtain in one hand, still holding our luggage over a shoulder, and moved it to a side.

 “All the comforts of home, hopefully,” he added, his grin now lopsided. “I really hope you like it here.”

 Kaira stood stupidly in awe of the temporary booth that looked so small on the outside but was in fact roomy on the interior. Strips of clothes hung off the wall and the decor was simple but homey.

 “Well?” he probed, almost panting behind me in expectation.

 “It’s not what I thought,” I admitted at first but when I saw the slump in his expression, I gathered that he had misunderstood my words. “No, I meant, it’s so much different from the outside. I like it.” I spun around in my own circle to reassure him and he nodded, taking note. I stabbed a nasty look at Kaira and she jumped, suddenly remembering her place. She took the luggage from Carlin apologetically and wobbling like an injured duck, she stepped around him. 

 “Take it easy,” Carlin cautioned. He had made the luggage seem so light that poor Kaira had forgotten how truly heavy it was and just for a few days. Managing to settle at the end of the room, she, unfortunately, tugged too hard at the bag and it spilled its contents onto the floor. Simultaneously, Carlin and I moved to the floor, trying to salvage the delicate bottles from smashing due to the impact. Kaira muttered her apologies over and over again but I was not ready to think about her punishment just yet. 

 Suddenly, Carlin’s hand touched mine in the bag and we both held up my wooden portrait. My grip was possessive though he was stronger. His forehead furrowed in curiosity and then flattened in disbelief.

 “Clarissa, why do you have an unfinished portrait of me in your bag?”