“Alpha Wallace offered Alpha Harley some advice on the subject if he should need it, and it seems he’s decided to take her up on the idea. Since it was actually me who came up with the pack bonding exercises she had in mind, I offered to meet with him.”
Narrowing her eyes, Sara set her glass down on the table, surprised her hands weren’t shaking because inside she was a mess. “Pack bonding exercises?”
“Yes. Some alphas like to think they can handle everything by themselves, but that’s not always the case, and a good alpha knows when to ask for help. Cam’s pack is in a delicate situation, one that needs careful handling, and he’s wise enough to let us help him with that. After all, we’d rather prevent trouble from happening than deal with the aftermath.”
“I suppose.” It made sense, but Sara’s heart stuttered at the thought of him being so close. He was a direct connection to Rachel, and the temptation was almost too much to ignore.
“Why don’t you come with me?”
Sara looked up sharply. “What?”
“You’ve barely left this cottage since you arrived.”
“I know, but—”
“Sara. Alpha Harley will be bringing members of his own pack.”
“This is council business, though.” Sara’s brow furrowed. “Surely I’m not allowed to go?”
Celia hummed. “It is council business, but not in the sense where we need to be impartial. We aren’t investigating anyone or arbitrating a dispute between packs. I have permission to bring you along, both from Alpha Wallace and Alpha Harley.”
“You do?” Sara sat up a little straighter at that.
“Of course. I wouldn’t ask you without clearing it with the necessary parties first.”
That made Sara relax a little, but still…
Do I want to go?
She did, of course, she did. Maybe a better question was “Should I go?”
“I’ll want to ask him questions. About Rachel.”
Celia’s smile was fond. “I expect you will. And if it makes you feel better, Alpha Harley will be expecting it too.”
Sara side-eyed her. “How do you know that?”
“Because I’ve spoken to him about it.” She let that sit there, giving Sara time to process it all.
Silence stretched between them as Sara tried to think about things rationally.
In the end she failed miserably. She couldn’t stay behind in her grandmother’s cottage, knowing her best connection to Rachel was a few miles down the road. Looking up, she smiled tentatively. “Dad banned me from trying to contact her, not from asking about her, right?”
Celia smiled back, eyes sparkling. “Exactly. You aren’t trying to contact either Rachel or the Penwith pack or setting foot on their territory. He has nothing to complain about should he find out.”
Sara faltered a second. Had she imagined it, or was there an emphasis on the word ‘you’ at the start of that sentence? Her grandmother remained straight-faced, so Sara shook it off as her ears playing tricks. “Okay then. I’d love to come with you.”
“Wonderful. We’ll be leaving at eleven thirty.”
“Okay then.” Sara looked at the rest of her toast, but with her stomach already in knots, no way could she eat anything else. Standing abruptly, she said, “I think I’ll go and get ready.”
Celia’s eyebrows rose, a smirk playing about her lips. “All right, sweetheart, you go do that.”
Back in her bedroom, Sara sat heavily on the end of the bed. “Fucking hell,” she whispered.
“Language,” Celia called softly from the kitchen, and Sara grinned.
“Sorry!” She flopped onto her back with a sigh and stared unseeing at the ceiling. Questions popped into her head one after the other.Should I ask him how she is, or if she’s mentioned me? Should I give him my phone number to pass on to Rachel?No, that was one of her father’s stipulations. No way could she get around that.Unless I give it to Alpha Harley with no explanation?
