FEYRE
I sneak a glance at Asher who is standing a few feet away from where Alpha Zade’s father is. I ask with my eyes what the man is doing here and he just shakes his head, barely, meaning he didn’t ask him. Snapping out of my shock, I muster a smile at the older man and walk further into the meeting room.
“You must be the beta,” the man speaks, breaking the terse silence. I nod, my chest filling with pride from the impressed look on his face.
“Yes, sir.” I cleared my throat hearing how it came out. He studies me, his look is assessing and not probing. I feel immediately dressed down, especially seeing how his pressed and expensive looking suit makes him stand out.
You did this to yourself Feyre. I ignore the voice in my head and try to find a way to end this awkwardness.
“I heard you were looking for me, is there anything I can help you with?” I ask him, moving forward to stand beside Asher. He immediately reaches out for my hand. I smile at him in gratitude.
“First, I should introduce myself.” He suggests and I nod, smiling dumbly because that hadn’t come to my mind.
I’d just reached the conclusion that he was Alpha Zade’s father, although their looks are uncanny, he could be his brother for all I know, or uncle. He definitely looks young enough to not pass as his father. Either way, an introduction would be the best way to start this conversation.
“I’m Alpha Lucien Montgomery, the former alpha of Darkmoon pack.” His voice is smooth, confident. He has that air of authority alpha’s have, although he is not one anymore. I can already spell out the differences between him and his son and it makes me wonder what the hell happened to the latter.
“Alpha Asher, we’ve met before.” Asher moves forward and stretches his hand out for a shake. It may seem like nothing but this is pretty much them waving the white flag. He is not here to cause trouble and Asher respects him for that.
“Beta Feyre,” I want to add something, I choose the easier route and shut my mouth. He stretches his hand out for me to take and I admit I’m a little taken aback. Not a lot of things surprise me but this does. I know I’ve been the beta for a few years now, but I don’t get the respect other male betas do.
The werewolf community is more of a traditional one and they still look at women as the lesser species. Not our pack though, and as much as they had tried to get Asher to find a new beta, he refused. This is my rightful position and although their disrespect sometimes gets to me, I know there is nothing they can do about it and unless I change my mind about being the beta.
“If you don’t mind, I need to talk to you about something important,” Alpha Lucien says, there is that soft tone in his voice but it doesn’t change the firmness of his request. Alpha’s can’t help it.
At least he isn’t as arrogant as his son. The thought comes out of nowhere and I have to shake my head to get rid of it.
I really need to stop thinking of that asshole. We are done and I’m glad and that should be the end of it.
“Oh, alright.” I look around the room awkwardly. My brain is already working overtime, trying to think of what he might want. I come up empty, from the look on Asher’s face, he has no idea too and that makes him nervous, which in return makes me nervous. I’m sure he had met Alpha Lucien at some point in his life, which means he knows the man.
If he makes him nervous, I guess it is only smart that I remain on my guard.
“Please take a seat,” Asher thankfully finds something to say. I’m still trying to stop my running brain from thinking of the worst possible scenario.
He walks coolly, his steps calculated and easy. He takes the first seat closest to him, in the middle of the row. I have a feeling if it was his son he would have found the head of the table. This man is humble, probably the most humble alpha I’ve met in my life. Alphas are known to be arrogant assholes and if I didn’t know Asher, I would have sworn they were all like that. Another man is breaking that stereotype, he immediately has my respect.
“I’ll get someone to bring you coffee, or do you want tea?” Asher is a better host than me.
This is part of the reason I know I won’t make a good luna. I’m better on the field and doing all the muscle work, the technical work. All these things, I don’t fully understand. To top it off, I don’t even know how to make friends or communicate with people well, which is why I barely have any friends. If I was in another pack, I would probably not even have any friends.
“Coffee is fine, black please.” The cool voice pulls me from my trance. Asher is staring at me expectantly so I shake my head.
“I’m good, thank you.” He nods and walks out of his office. His coffee excuse is just that, an excuse, because he could call for it from here. I know he just wants to give us room to talk in private.
Although he would be close by and waiting to hear all that the man said. It isn't just as my alpha but as my best friend and older brother.
I take a seat too, two down from where Alpha Lucien is. He doesn’t say anything about that, he doesn’t say anything at first and my blood pressure keeps rising with every second that ticks by in silence.
“I know you’re probably wondering why I’m here,” I hum under my breath. Turning so I’m facing him. He is an alpha but not my alpha, and whatever I’m showing is purely out of respect for his title. I don’t have to fully bend for him. “Seeing how things ended with my son,”
That makes me take in a sharp breath, the first thought that comes to my head is how does he know. I could have sworn Alpha Zade and I were alone in his office.
He gives me a look and I raise my brow, something I should never do in the presence of an alpha, talk less of directed at him. He doesn’t mind.
“Don’t worry, he doesn’t have cameras anywhere or anything like that,” that doesn’t make me feel any better but I just nod and try to muster up a smile, it looks like a grimace.
“I didn’t think that,” I thought worse, not that he needs to know that.
“I know how my son is, so I keep an eye on him. Someone told me you came back, and left, you weren’t in a happy mood.” He says with a pointed look and I hum. That is one way to put it.“If you’re here to apologize on his behalf, I assure you it is not needed.” I tell him honestly. I want to pretend yesterday and today didn’t happen, I never met my mate, never got rejected and I can move on happily with my life.
“That is not why I’m here, at least not the only reason.” Alpha Lucien sighs, leaning back on his chair. I’m a little confused as I stare at him, seeing the defeated look on his face. “I don’t want to ask this of you, Feyre. Can I call you that?” he glances at me, I nod and he clears his throat. “But as a father, I will do anything for my kids.”
He turns to me this time, mirroring the way I’m sitting so we are now face to face. The look in his eyes makes me hold my breath, he seems to be fighting an inner battle and I’m immediately drawn toward him. Seeing him do this for his child, it is how I imagined my father would be protective of me if he was still alive. I don’t have any memories of him but everyone in the pack has something nice to say about him and my mother.
It is why they fought so hard for me to get his beta position when I got to the age.
“Whatever you need me to do Alpha Lucien, as long as it is within my capabilities, I’ll do it.” I know I didn’t hear what he wants but I just want to get that defeated look off his face.
“Let me just cut to the chase,” he says in a low voice and I think I wasn’t meant to hear, so I don’t interrupt. “I know my son is your mate like I have said, I keep a close eye on him. He did nothing about it, he plans on doing anything about it.” He gives his head a shake, like he can’t deal with this. “Zade is something else now, but he wasn’t like this before. He is a good alpha, a great leader and I’m not just saying this because he is my blood. He is leading the pack even better than I did. He has his issues I know and he isn't easy to deal with.”
Oh no, to whatever he wants to ask. Oh, fucking, no. I should have not have given him the hope that I’ll do whatever he asks, because hearing how it very much involves his son that I never want to see again, I really don’t want to be a part of this. I don’t interrupt his speech, already thinking of the best way I’m going to tell him I would rather be speared with a silver dagger than have to see his son again.
“Every great pack since the first werewolf family wasn't just led by their alpha,” shit. I should have seen this coming. I have heard enough and I want to stand up and leave but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to do that, or even stop him at the very least.
“Zade is good as an alpha, but our pack needs a feminine touch. He needs a luna—”
“I—I can’t,” I cut him off before he could finish. Thank you mouth, for finally speaking even though it is kind of late. “I’m not luna material,” I chuckle loudly, the sound scratchy to even my own ears. “Really, I’m sorry to decline your offer, whatever the offer is but I can’t, I have a job here.”
“I know that, a very important one and that is why it pains me to ask you to do this.” I exhale and shake my head. There is no way I can say yes, I don’t even know where I’m going to start.
If the alpha I was going to deal with was anyone else, literally anyone else in the world then I would have considered. The two times I met this man, he made sure I wouldn’t want to see him ever again. As sweet and respectful as his father is, I can’t.
“I’m really sorry, Alpha Lucien but I can’t help you.” I tell him, getting to my feet. He nods and exhales a heavy breath.
“I hate to do this but there is a price,”
“I don’t want money or anything. I would help you if I could but—”
“Your parents.” That successfully shuts me up. I scowl in his direction. “I know you’ve been wanting to find out how they died. Just stay with him for one month as the luna and I’ll get that information for you.”
FEYRE“What?” I stutter out. Alpha Lucien stands straighter.“I know a lot of people, Feyre, and it would be easy to track them. Just give me your word. Just a month, be the luna and give my son his heir. Then you can leave with your information and my son can have a semblance of normalcy in his life,” I shake my head. It sounds too good to be true.We have tried, multiple times, to bring the killers of my parents to justice but you can’t kill someone for their crimes when you don’t know them. It was like it never happened, and for the longest time, I have wanted to do everything I can to find out who killed them and get my revenge. My parents deserve it. They did nothing to anyone and they got killed. I’ll have to avenge their deaths.But how does he know? I don’t think the details of the murder were broadcasted so much that people outside of the pack knew.He seems to know everything. My inner voice muses and I agree. How does he know everything? I should be extra cautious. Asher’s
FEYREI could have sworn I had no intention of calling Alpha Lucien after he left that meeting room two days ago. Even after my talk with Asher, I told myself it is not a risk I’m willing to take. I’d made that decision and wanted to stand firmly on it. Somehow I ended up dialing the number, like I said I wouldn’t. and I told him I would meet with him today, I didn’t want to do this either but something was pushing me too. Probably my doom.I chuckle a little and shake the dramatic thoughts off. We are just going to talk, I’m taking part of Asher’s advice, not fully since I am still worried about the child bit of the deal. I’m going to try and negotiate the terms. I can stay in his pack for a month and be his son’s luna. Only on my terms though and no children will be involved.I don’t want that kind of complication. Don’t get me wrong, I love kids, so much. They are little angels. I love them even more when I remember I can return them to their parents. I can’t stomach the thought of
ALPHA ZADE I’m sick of my father sticking his nose in my business. He is no longer the alpha, I make sure to remind him but he never listens. The height of this is him calling back this woman to my pack. ‘She is our mate,’ my wolf growls angrily. ‘Not anymore,’ I responded, equally angry. All women are the same. They are sneaky little creatures who just get in your pants and think they own you and can control you.“What do you mean what is she doing here, son?” he asks, like I’m the one who is crazy. “She is to be the luna of the pack and I think a pack’s luna should live there.” I grit my teeth so hard I’m surprised they don’t break. I fight the urge to yell, trying to not let my anger show. Well, it is so fucking hard when my father goes and does things like this. I take a look at the damned woman, who is standing beside him, looking innocent and all. I see through her and I know she is just like the others. She wouldn’t be the first to try and manipulate her way into this pack
FEYREAgreeing to stay without having anything to do was a bad decision. I didn’t know that till much later in the evening when I got tired of looking around the room, looking out the window and checking out every nook and cranny of the room. The room is quite large—okay, very large, much bigger than mine back at the pack. Not that it is a surprise, Darkmoon pack is much bigger than ours and they have more members. It is only sensible that their pack house is large enough to fit all their members.At least I’ll be very comfortable for the month I’ll be here. The thought still makes the hairs at the back of my neck stand at attention. I didn’t expect Alpha Zade to even act like he knows I‘m present, he hasn’t disappointed because since our stare off earlier before he stormed out, I haven’t laid eyes on him. It is all good though, it is not like I want to see him and what would be better than him ignoring me for the duration of my stay. That will just make my job easier, so I hope he k
FEYRETalking to Dylan was easy, he was welcoming and friendly. I didn’t bring up Gracie for a reason I can’t explain and we ended up talking about many different things. We have a lot in common, not just our titles and jobs and speaking to him about pack stuff, while being careful not to let any information slip, was…fun. Extremely fun might I mention, I didn’t know how or at what point I ended up sleeping but when next I woke up, it was pretty late.I didn’t bother checking the time, just making a rough estimate in my head and thinking I must have slept for more than a few hours. Dylan is sprawled on the floor beside the couch we’d been sitting on while we played games, I don’t know how he ended up there either but seeing how I can’t remember when I fell asleep, I’m not surprised.Moving quietly, I get to my feet and head to the door, walking on just my toes. I open the door with a bated breath, it opens easily without any noises and I’m very grateful for that, nothing happened and
FEYRE“Thank you,” my face heats at the compliment and I thank her, for that and the seat she said I should take. I haven’t realized that many people know about me. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only female alpha in the world though, maybe just the most popular because of our pack being healers.“I’m Gertrude, the cook.” She motions to the stove and I chuckle, settling into one of the bar stools around the counter, again making sure I’m not facing the man at the end of the room.“Everything smells great,” I tell her and she laughs, the sound airy and free. Someone clears their throat and grumbles, Alpha Zade gets up abruptly, Gertrude looks at him questionably and he mutters something I don’t make out. He carries his plate that is still half full and makes to dump it in the sink but a loud voice stops him, making him hold the plates suspended in the air.“What do you think you’re doing?” Gertrude shrieks in horror. The sound reminds me of an old widow, who always knits and yells at kid
FEYREAfter Alpha Zade left, I got up and sat back in my chair, trying to look as normal as possible. Gertrude gives me a look but I shoot her a smile and dig into my pancakes. I moan on the first bite and give her a thumbs up, she finally smiles and goes back to looking normal.“You don’t seem to like the alpha very much,” she observes a few minutes later, taking the seat next to mine. I stare at the last bite of my pancake and lift my shoulder in a shrug. She seems to be his fan and I haven’t studied her enough to know how she would take that. “I know he may seem like he isn't the nicest person, but he has a good heart.”I shrug again because really, what can I say to that? She doesn’t know what is between us and if what happened a few minutes ago says anything, it is that we aren't going to get along at all.“Are you staying here for long?” I purse my lips, chewing slowly and give her a nod then I shake my head.I swallow a little and mumble. “Not really. I’m not sure.”Her lips br
FEYRE“I’m not going anywhere, what are you talking about?” I ask him, sitting up and bringing my legs down. If he didn’t look like he was serious, I would have said he did that just to get me to bring my legs down from his desk.“What do you mean, ‘what am I talking about?’ you’re going to be there for long, how do you want to work as a beta and a luna?” he gives me a look that suggests I’m crazy when he is literally the one spewing rubbish.“It is just for a month!” I retort pointedly. Asher still gives me that look and I huff. “It is the deal I made with him, I get to come back and deal with my beta job because I’m not uprooting my life just for that asshole,” he opens his mouth and I already know he is about to argue so I don’t let him speak. “And besides, you can’t get a step-in beta. Jerry is busy with his gamma work. You can’t do this alone especially with all the plans we have for the new trainees. You need me here.”I was born a beta. The role was tailor-made for me and he kn