“Alpha Sara called me late last night; you have a meeting this morning scheduled for 7.30,” she said as I opened the door.
I looked down at the cardboard coffee cup in her hand.
“Is that for me?” I asked.
She looked at me, and I registered that it was the first time she ever seemed taken aback. Was there something noticeably off with me?
“Yes, of course,” she answered.
I turned and put on my shoes and jacket, ready to leave.
Harriet hadn’t left her room yet. I wondered if she was waiting for me to leave the house first. Usually, she was out of her room and in the shower by now. Was she willing to be late and face an upset Alan more than she was willing to face me?
“Alpha Sara did not give any objectives for this meeting,” Chloe said as she handed me the coffee cup and we began to walk.
I enjoyed Lucian Hill, the community feel, and the ability to walk to the Pack House.
“Sara asked that you meet her at home,” Chloe said when I turned towards the Pack House.
“At home?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said and paused before continuing. “Unusual,” she commented.
I took a drink of my coffee and chose not to respond to her obvious curiosity.
Chloe was Sara’s doing, handpicked as my personal assistant.
I changed direction for Sara’s.
She said Chloe was necessary, that James, my real assistant, was a general admin assistant, more business-oriented, and that I needed a personal assistant to help with day-to-day scheduling.
It was an excuse to keep an eye on me. Make sure I was playing my part after Hannah left.
What did she expect: that I’d run?
I’d thought about it.
I certainly had enough hidden away that even Sara didn’t know about.
But Sandstorm was my Pack, my home, my family. I wouldn’t, couldn’t, abandon everyone that relied on me.
In the end, I wasn’t even brave enough to face the reality of the situation. Hannah did that for both of us.
“An unscheduled meeting…” Chloe continued as we walked, letting the statement hang in the air, fishing for the reason as to why Sara had summoned me unexpectedly this morning.
I ignored her and took another drink of the coffee as we reached the driveway of my sister’s home.
“You’ve made sure I got here, as I’m sure Sara requested; now go do something useful. Pick up breakfast for Harriet. Get her something she can eat as she walks to the Pack House. A savoury croissant,” I instructed.
“I might be required as a result of the outcome of your meeting—” she began.
“Go. Now,” I demanded.
I couldn’t stand the woman. I was sure Sara was amused by her choice in Chloe.
“Of course,” she answered and walked away.
I pressed the camera doorbell next to the driveway entrance to announce my presence.
