NovelEnglish
Chapter 91
I spend the hour before the start of the ceremony walking the main pack’s grounds.
There are so many buildings in need of updating and repair. There are resources that we need to invest
in order to
structure Pack Roberts for future generations.
A plan begins to take shape.
I might not live long enough to fulfill it but…
My brother meets me at the schoolhouse. It’s a single room building. Seeing it now with the eyes of an
adult, I wonder at how small the structure is and how antiquated.
“You’d think we were Amish,” I mumble.
He laughs.
The door is locked but he whips out a set of keys and lets us in. The room is all whi te and there are
computers along one wall. Maps on the other, chalkboards and a desk at the front.
“Is Mrs. McHenry still teaching?” I ask.
“She is.”
“How old is she?”
“200?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtI chuckle. “No seriously.”
My brother spins a globe on her desk. “I don’t know. At least
80.”
I walk to the desk I used to sit in. Front row. Second seat from the right. I touch the desktop. Time
presses on relentlessly. I feel a gush of nostalgia for the little girl I was and all the things I learned in
this quaint one-room facility.
“Maybe she wants to retire,” I say to Liam.
“Or maybe she likes being of service to her pack and her community.” Liam shrugs. “She’ll be present
tonight. Ask her yourself.” He grins, then his playful mood changes. “Just don’t make too many
changes all at once, ‘kay.”
It’s a warning.
“I should get ready,” I tell my brother.
Without waiting for him, I walk away.
The low sound of music spills out of the mansion. It’s tasteful. The strings of a four-piece quartet drift to
me. I always liked the sound of a cello and violin. I never learned to play.
I’ll never get that opportunity.
The orchestra is no doubt Aaron’s doing. He has a set of wolves that perform at most every event he
hosts.
Tables of food are laid out in the main hall, and would you look at that, someone removed the stripper
pole. I glance quickly at Aaron.
He winks at me.
A servant for this event, also from Aaron’s pack, offers a glass of Champagne. I accept the flute and
then set it back down on his tray. “Is something wrong, Leah?”
“No Luca. Just not in the mood for drinking quite yet.”
Alcohol isn’t good for the baby.
I touch my stomach and whisper a wish and prayer.
My life doesn’t really matter in the scheme of things. But it would be so nice to give this child a chance.
I’m wearing a black pantsuit paired with expensive heels. I
have on earrings and a watch. In the trunk of belongings that Aaron sent over, the giant diamond ring
was also packed, but I didn’t put it on.
He may be helping me tonight, and I won’t resent his presence since it reinforces the ‘peace’ but our
marriage is null.
And given my recent prognosis, I can’t go back to Aaron.
In doing so, I’d be giving him my entire pack.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmI avoid my brother. And Aaron.
Adam stays close. He’s probably worried I’ll faint or something, and I make sure to pause intermittently
to eat and
to drink water.
Then I continue to make the rounds. Reuniting with wolves and packmates. Shaking hands and
hugging. Bowing to elders and kissing the heads of little children.
I feel like a godda mned politician!
Gradually the room settles in and as I’ve made my way at least once to each small group or person
present, I move toward the front of the room.
This is it. The moment to formally accept my position and to
welcome my pack.
I can’t run with them.
I can’t commune with them mind-to-mind.
I don’t think I can compel them.
There are snide comments and arched brows. Plenty of
naysayers looking at me with disgust.
1 take the stairs to the front dais and try to gather my thoughts.
This is my chance to win them over.
Only when I look out at the hundreds of wolves gathered. Me, the only si ck human among them, all the
words I have to say di e on my lips.
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