“It might sound weird, but I just know.”
“You are so interesting, Gwen,” Aurelia says. “Everything about you is intriguing.”
“Are you serious? I feel like I am actually quite bland. Dry, you know?”
“Eh, I think you are just more realistic than others and rational. That’s nothing bad.” She pets the alpaca gently. “How are you holding up?” she asks. “With the news about Marina.”
“I don’t think I am coping well,” I mutter. “You know, one minute I try to accept it and make plans to be prepared, but the next minute I shove everything aside and just can’t accept the fact that she is so ill.”
“She didn’t deserve this,” Aurelia says quietly. “Barely anyone deserves this, and I am so sorry you have to go through it.” She puts a hand on my arm. “Coffee? We can have some in my suite. Arden‘s turned into a coffee geek and stocked up on all kinds of coffee beans and even bought some super-special coffee machine.”
I smile. “Coffee sounds good.”
We make it to the packhouse and up to the top floor in silence. I‘ve already seen where Felix’s parents live, but it’s my first time seeing Aurelia’s place. She lives in a luxurious apartment with a lot of open space and barely any doors. “This is amazing,” I blurt out.
“I took it over from my oldest brother,” she explains. “It was Liam’s suite first, as he was supposed to inherit the pack. But then his path led him elsewhere, same for my other brothers, and Dad picked me to take over the pack.” She pauses. “Sometimes it all still feels so surreal.”
“But it isn’t,” I say. “And your standing here is obvious. I have only been in the pack for a couple of days, and I could easily tell.”
“I am terrified but also excited about it,” Aurelia says. “Dad is letting me do most of the alpha tasks now, and I love it! I know it’s a lot of work, and it’s going to have its ups and downs, butI am so motivated. As is Arden. Plus, I have an awesome team around me.”
She sounds so happy when she talks, so full of energy and motivation, I can’t help but admire her for it. It also makes me realize that I need to do something, as well. Felix has thrown himself into working for the pack. Even if he hasn’t truly figured out what to do yet, he is actively working on it.
“You are so quiet, everything okay?” Aurelia asks, handing me a cup of steaming hot coffee.
“Sorry, I was spacing off,” I say. “I have been thinking about what I could do here, in the pack, but also in my life with Felix.”
“You can take it slow. Arrive, settle down and then think about what to do.”
“I know, but I still want to contribute something.”
“I get that,” Aurelia says, and I feel a wave of relief hit me that she takes me seriously. “I believe I would feel the same.”
I take a sip from my coffee, blinking when my taste buds take in the delicious brew. “This is amazing coffee!”
Aurelia laughs. “Arden will be happy to hear that.”
“It’s really good. I worked in a coffee shop before, and we didn’t have such amazing coffee,” I pause, taking another sip. “I need a job,” I finally say. “Maybe there is a coffee shop around that would hire me?”
“You want a job?” Aurelia asks me. “Would you tell me what you are particularly good at?”
“In general, I am good at organizing, budgeting, and planning, I am good with budgeting. I learned all that pretty early, so I’d be able to survive. I guess I am also a pretty good people person, including the annoying ones.”
“How about phone calls and event organization, or preparing folders for a presentation?”
I look at her curiously. “That sounds oddly specific, but yes, that‘s all pretty much up my alley. I am not shy at all.”
“Well, I am looking for an assistant,” Aurelia says, much to my surprise. “And I think it would be great to have you for the job! I know you already, and you are trustworthy, which are two of the most important factors. We can give it a try and see how you cope.”
My mouth drops open in surprise. “Are you for real? Aurelia, you really don’t need to go out of your way-“
“I am not,” she laughs. “Ireallyneed someone. My friends already found their place in the pack; two have become my ranked members anyway, and Tori, one of my best friends, is the gamma female, already working with Arden. I honestly could do with your help.”
My heart almost jumps out of my chest when I think about her offer. She is going to be the new alpha soon. An alpha’s assistant is actually a pretty amazing opportunity. Plus, she is Felix’s sister. Of course, I don’t know how she would be as my boss, but I can cope with stressful situations. That’s actually my strong point!
For once, I decide to shove self-doubt and my guilt aside. “If you really need someone and if you think I would fit, I would love to try!”
“Fantastic!” Aurelia cries. “This might just solve a few of my problems. Can you start next week? I am wrapping up my last college classes and could do with some help then.”
