Curious, but wary. Sara warred with herself.Do I want to know?
Picking up Sara’s feet and settling them in her lap, Celia began to gently rub her ankles. “Should I tell you?”
Sara’s resolve crumbled, as she knew it would. “Please,” she whispered.
Preparing herself to hear about a life she’d never be a part of, Sara concentrated on the steadying touch of her grandmother’s hands, grounding her.
“Rachel’s now a beta in the Regent’s Hill pack.”
“What?” Sara opened her eyes, shading them from the sun with a hand. “How’s that possible?”
“Alpha Harley bonded with one of his betas, leaving a position open. He chose Rachel to step in and fill it—temporarily—while they find the best possible candidate to take over.” Her hands stilled, and she met Sara’s gaze. “Apparently they all think very highly of her.”
A wave of pride swept through her. “That’s amazing. I’m glad things are working out for her.”
Celia sighed and tugged Sara up into a sitting position. She wrapped an arm around her shoulders and Sara sank into her embrace. “I don’t know if this will help or make things worse, but she is as heartbroken as you. Despite the pack’s easy acceptance of her, she still aches with the same ferocity you do.”
Tears spilt down Sara’s cheeks before she could wipe them away. “How do you know?” she whispered, voice catching in her throat.
Holding her tight, Celia replied just as softly. “Because Alpha Wallace told me so, and she’s been around long enough to recognise the pain of an unrequited bond. And no,” she added quickly, “I didn’t ask her in any official capacity. She took me to one side after the meeting and told me as a friend. This is not council business.”
Not yet anyway. The words seemed to hang there unsaid, and Sara fought the urge to say “fuck it” and contact Rachel anyway. But what of the consequences? Would the council become involved then? If her father found out and attacked the Penwith pack? But how would he know? Who would tell him? Not Rachel.Do I want to disobey my father’s wishes?And to get hold of Rachel, would she have to go through the Regent’s Hill pack? Ugh, the questions swam round and round in her head, and she frowned.
“Have a little patience, Sara.”
When Sara glanced her way, her grandmother had a knowing expression. “Reading my mind now?”
Celia laughed. “It doesn’t take a genius to see the thoughts flitting through your head. I know you long to speak to her, but if either of you initiate contact, it’ll only complicate matters further.”
“But—”
“Trust me. Things have a way of working themselves out.” Her expression gave nothing else away, but Sara couldn’t shake the feeling she knew something Sara didn’t. And with the stubborn set to Celia’s jaw, the likelihood of her spilling any details was zero.
“Okay.” What else could she say?
They sat there in silence and watched the sky change colour as the sun set.
SATURDAY MORNING dawned bright and clear, and Sara opened her curtains to blue sky and early autumn sun. Her smile was immediate.
Celia greeted her with an answering smile when she walked into the kitchen. “You’re up early.”
“It’s eight o’clock.”
The pointed look she got in return was no surprise. “Considering you’ve not been up before nine since you arrived here, I’d say this is early.”
“Yeah, point taken.” She pulled out the chair opposite and helped herself to some tea and toast. “What are your plans for the day?”
“Funny you should ask, actually.” Celia set her mug down with purpose, and Sara glanced up, toast halfway to her mouth.
“Oh?”
“I have a lunch meeting with Alpha Harley of the Regent’s Hill pack.”
Sara choked on her food and took a quick drink of orange juice to wash it down. “What for?”
Meeting her gaze, Celia sat back in her chair a little. “He’s having trouble with some ex-members of the Primrose Hill pack. They’re struggling to adjust to the new joint pack.” She waved her hand. “As you can imagine.”
Sara nodded, more an automatic response than anything else. “And that involves you how?”
