Chapter 375
Chapter 375
42 – Elara
“Can you explain something to me? When was I supposed to be told that I was assigned a new Beta without my say?” My voice edges toward irritation, but at least the anger sharpens my focus on him.
“Honestly, I have no clue. I only found out myself when I stopped by Silver Crescent. Alpha James told me he’d sent all my belongings here and that my brother would be taking over my place p>
“That doesn’t bother you at all? You were basically pushed out and dropped into a pack barely hanging on by a thread.” I inhale slowly, holding the breath just long enough to savor the tightness building in my chest. As I exhale and turn around, I find him standing close, arms folded, waiting patiently for me to continue. “You realize this isn’t going to be a quick fix or an easy one. Why put yourself through this p>
“First off, I didn’t choose this. We came because a neighbor needed help. My Alpha appointed me as the liaison p>
I roll my eyes and head toward the kitchen, needing something to eat. He’s certainly not making me feel any better about myself. I decide to switch gears. “Tell me about these witches. You gave Jax and Dev some pointers on detecting magic, which is great, but we still haven’t found who’s casting spells. How do we catch them? We need to shut this down fast. I haven’t seen any drug issues since you left, and I don’t think Junior has either. Either they stopped selling-which seems unlikely-or they’ve figured out a new way to slip past us p>
I step into the spacious kitchen, and Melanie immediately jumps back from her spot at the island where she’s prepping something.
I approach and wrap her in a hug. Her arms hang loosely at her sides, hesitant. I can feel the tension in the air around her.
“I’m so sorry. There’s no excuse for how I’ve treated you. Losing my parents and everything else has made me a little unhinged. Can you forgive me?” I whisper into her hair. Behind me, Ben hasn’t made a move, but I know he’s listening.
“Of course, Alpha.” She steps out of my arms, still uncertain but trying to be sincere. “I checked the entire kitchen, and only your mother’s tea was affected, I’m sorry.” She looks down, takes a breath, then meets my eyes again. “But I know who the supplier is. A few people in the pack think all Omegas are stupid.” She rolls her eyes, and I chuckle—this is my house manager showing her true colors. “There’s only one shop that stocks the brand your mother preferred. So the tampering happened either before it got here or during packaging p>
“Do you know where it’s packaged before it reaches the shop?” Ben asks before I
can.
“No, Beta, but I can find out if you want. The shopkeeper is a nice woman, but her mate is a terrible man.” That raises my hackles. How did I not know something so basic as where my mother bought her tea? And how did we allow a possibly abusive mate to behave that way?
“Hey, Melanie, we’ve got a few things to take care of today. Can you make sure all our meals get to the Alpha’s office? We’ll let you know if we need to leave so you’re not chasing us down p>
“Of course, Beta.” She smiles at him, and my stomach twists. I don’t like this feeling at all. What the hell is going on with me? For origınal chapters go to.net
I turn and push him out of the kitchen, and the jerk laughs. I can’t hear it clearly, but
I can feel the vibration through his body beneath my hands.
“We need to sort a few things out, then I should probably show you around the pack now that you’re here for good.” I shove him through the office door and walk past him without meeting his gaze. I’m quick-tempered, easily angered even at the best of times. I blame my red hair gene-and my father-for that. But I’ve never experienced jealousy before. I hate this feeling.
I shake my head. “Alright, we’ve got Jeff and his rogue buddy locked up. The warriors have been having their fun torturing them, but we haven’t gotten any useful information yet. Richard and Sebastian are on lockdown at home for now. I want to believe they had no clue about Jeff, but there’s no way they didn’t suspect something. I haven’t been able to bring myself to talk to them yet. We need to figure out this magic stuff and find the caster. I know my guys aren’t as attuned to it as you and Jason seem to be, but figuring out how they’re slipping past us would help. Morale is low; the pack is scared, and I have no idea what the hell I’m doing.” I rub my face, keeping my eyes fixed on my desk. I hate sounding weak, feeling weak, and useless. So far, I’ve only proven my doubters right. I take a deep breath and pace behind my desk, letting my thoughts spiral. That’s all they seem capable of doing these days.
“What about your parents?” Ben’s deep voice pulls me back again.
“What about them p>
“It’s been a week since your dad was attacked. You need to hold a ceremony to send them back to the Goddess, together. It might not ‘boost morale,’ but it’ll give your pack some closure. It’s a start p>
“How do you stay so calm all the time? It’s like nothing ever shakes you p>
“You’re not the first to ask me that. Honestly, I don’t have a good answer. I don’t see the point in throwing things, crying, yelling, or pacing around. It feels like wasted energy to me, so I don’t do it. Doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings—I just don’t express them the same way most people do p>
“I wish I could shut it off like that.” That thought almost slipped out loud, but I caught myself.
“It’s not an on-off switch. If an outburst will help, I use it. If not, I don’t. It’s like any other tool or skill. Now, back to your parents.” He crosses his broad arms over his chest. “You need to get that organized and done in the next couple of days. Want help p>
“No, it’s okay. I can handle it p>
“Alright, what about the rogue and Jeff? Want to keep questioning them, or should we just take out the trash p>
“I can do it p>
I hear a low rumble from his chest. “The shopkeeper who had your mother’s tea p>
“I’ll handle it! Damn, you’re so bossy p>
He stands, then leans forward on my desk, hands planted firmly. “I’m not bossy. You’re just stubborn. Give me a task, or I’ll take one without your permission. Also, you need to formally induct me into the pack. I’m your Beta now. People need to get used to that p>