I follow behind them, trying to will myself into being invisible. As we walk to the center of the glade, Father’s three goons pull in behind me, making me feel like a prisoner.
“Alpha Shawn!” Melanie says, hurrying over to grab his arm. “So good to see you. If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know.”
“Well, we’re in need of some supplies at the house. Can you take care of that for us?”
“Of course!” she answers, leaning against him. “I will see to it personally. Does your luna need any help around the house? She shouldn’t be lowering herself with common duties.”
I stand and stare at Melanie in shock, almost unable to absorb her words. When she turns and gives me a wide, sweet smile, I almost fall straight on my ass.
“You’re very kind,” Shawn says. “Please ask Sara if she wants help with anything. It’s entirely up to her.”
“Whatever you say, Shawn,” she says, fawning at him. “I can call you Shawn, can’t I?”
“Of course,” he says, patting her hand where it rests on his arm.
I look over at Father, expecting him to be furious, but instead, he’s beaming his approval.
The slimy old bastard will use any tactic he can to gain power!
“Careful, Luna,” Bruce says from beside me. “Don’t trip out here in the field. Let me help you.”
He grabs my arm, and I yank it out of his grip, stumbling a little.
“I’m fine,” I snap, my voice coming out harder than I wanted it to.
“I’m sorry,” he says, his face a picture of concern. “I was just trying to help.”
Great! Now he looks like a nice guy, and I look like an unhinged nutcase.
“Yes, dear, be careful,” Melanie says, giving me a steady look. “You wouldn’t want to fall, would you?”
“No,” I say softly. “I wouldn’t. Thank you, Melanie.”
She turns around, going back to fawning over Shawn while Father talks loudly on his other side about how great their partnership will be. Other families approach to have their first meeting with the alpha, and some of the women break away from the main group to come towards me.
I should have expected this. Now that I have power, suddenly everyone wants to be my friend.
As the other women surround me, Father shoots a nasty glare my way over his shoulder. His meaning is clear.
He is still in charge here. At any moment, he could remove me from my place and throw me to his dogs—and not a single person here would stop him.
Chapter 9 - Shawn
Something is seriously wrong here.
While I nod and smile, keeping Jackson by my side, I look around at the other people in the park, and my unease begins to spark into a fierce rage.
Some of these people are on the brink of poverty. What the fuck is going on?
I desperately want to talk to Leah or any of the other older pack members, but Jackson keeps me firmly in his little circle. I’m pretty sure Leah isn’t here, but there are a few older people sitting in the shade at the edge of the park, and I try to figure out a way to go to them.
I wouldn’t be able to ask them any questions in front of Jackson, anyway.
As he and Melanie lead me across the park with Sara walking behind us, I notice the cut of their clothes, their shoes, even Melanie’s makeup.
There’s no way any of this is homemade. What the fuck are they playing at?
“Come and sit down,” Jackson says, leading me to one of the tables. “We have a little picnic set up here as a welcome for you.”
