***[POV: Full Mate-Mode CEO]***
When I turned around, the look on Luca’s face had become
pure confusion
. Like someone who wanted to ask if you were
joking
- but knew you didn’t do that about some things.
I understand. Hearing that the Lunar Goddess actually
allowed
something like that... well, my understanding is different from his, as how
validated
I felt cannot be expressed in words.
"Why didn’t you tell me yet?"
"I needed time. I wasn’t sure she’d accept it. I still don’t know if she will."
He looks at me like none of the answers are all that
acceptable
. Part of me wants to growl and
assert
that I didn’t need him to
approve
of
my reasons
.
"She’s pregnant with another werewolf’s child, Ky. And you still want her."
"I do. If you meet her... I think you’ll understand."
After a
suspicious grimace
, the kind he makes when he
isn’t telling me something
... Luca ran a hand through his blonde hair. Something he only does when I’ve given him a
monumental task
.
"Goddess help us."
"I don’t need her divine intervention again, Luca. I need your support."
I moved back to my desk and began writing.
Exactly
what I want to say. Exactly the way I want to
say
it.
"I’m refusing their request. In the strongest possible terms, short of telling them to eat sand."
"...They’ll challenge it. They’ve probably already sent this same thing to the other Alphas of the local council."
"Let them."
He waves the message that caused all of this haste in me,
but I just keep writing
. Until I finally spin it around and push it his way.
"A rejected mate’s child is as much a rogue as the woman herself. This is my stance. As such, tell the father that both of them are in better hands now. If he steps into my lands, I will deal with him personally."
He looked up at me, after reading this out loud. Like he was looking at a stranger. Like he looked at me the
one time
I agreed to go
drinking
with him.
"That’s... provocative. For you."
Hearing him speak it aloud, I agree. But he also didn’t say the phrases
like I would have
. Or
growl
. I took the paper back and sat it on the desk, setting my pen over it.
"It’s clear. To them as well as the council. Add your signature."
"Look, can we just-"
"Add your signature, Luca. Please."
He
held my gaze
for a long moment. Even though I know they are
glowing bright orange
. I can see it
reflected
on my monitor.
"For what it’s worth, I still think this is crazy. But their traditional pack laws have always been bullshit."
He
whispered quietly
as he signed.... and the intercom buzzed before I could say anything back to him.
"Kyrie? Victoria Whitecrest is here. Again. She claims it’s quite urgent. Again."
I exchanged a look with Luca. Sometimes it feels like she is a
magnet
... drawn to my office
whenever he comes in here
.
Sitting down quickly, because
looming
over people as an Alpha tends to make them
clam up
... I count to ten.
"Send her in."
The well dressed werewolf strode into my office with the
confidence
she usually had, at first. Her eyes flickered to Luca, then to the message on my desk - and a
smile
spread across her face.
"I see you’ve heard the news."
"Victoria. What news would that be?"
I greeted her coolly as always, and her smile
faltered
at my tone. Or perhaps it’s the fact that I don’t have my eyes quite...
in check
. Despite counting, like usually helps me
normalize
.
"About... the Duskpaw rogue. The one you’ve been so... accommodating of, lately."
"What about her?"
Victoria’s expression turned
smug
and I felt my nails turn to claws. I don’t know how yet, but I know something
about this whole situation
is her fault.
"She’s pregnant. With another of those awful Duskpaw as a father. Someone saw her at Silverton Clinic getting a checkup."
Barely, listening, I’d counted to a
quick ten
again before I leaned back in my chair.
Affecting
mild interest in what she says.
"Is that so? And you’re certain of this information?"
"Absolutely. I assume that’s why they’re demanding her return?"
Victoria had
glanced
at the message on my desk again. But I caught the word ’demand’... which tells me she
really did know something
about this.
"Their information and yours appears to be incomplete and highly assumptive."
"What do you mean?"
She frowned... in that way she does when I’m
about to ruin whatever she came in for
.
My lie
came smoother than I expected.
"I spoke with Dr. Lang personally about this matter already. The woman was indeed there for pregnancy verification, but the tests were all negative."
"That’s... that can’t be right. She was there for pregnancy. Trina overheard her saying that."
While she
deflated
, all I could hear was the name she mentioned. A Cloudtail was
spreading gossip
in
my territory
. It’s bad enough to deal with my own pack.
"She was there for that. For a test. Which came back negative. The Duskpaw are now operating on rumors and assumptions... making demands of our pack. Just because people are posting other’s business on social networks."
I hadn’t checked yet, but I’m sure it was her. Victoria’s eyes narrowed
suspiciously
even as she
flinched
back.
"But... Why would you discuss a patient with Dr. Lang? That’s confidential information. You’ve made it clear to others you would never do that."
"Because I anticipated exactly this situation from them, after I talked to her. That they would try to use any excuse to reclaim their rejected female. I’m the one who told her to get the test."
Luca, to his credit, maintained a perfectly neutral face throughout this exchange. Despite the
number of lies
growing. Claire will be able to sort them all out, later.
"So she’s not pregnant?"
"No, she is not. And I’d appreciate it if you’d help correct this misinformation you’ve caused before it spreads even further through our pack. A visitor shouldn’t be harrassed for something untrue. They shouldn’t be harassed at all, Victoria. Don’t. Make me. Say that. Again."
I stood and stepped closer around my desk with each emphasis. I hated watching her
shrink back
. Hated it because I know she is like a
spring
. The moment I stop pressing down on her...
"O-of course, Alpha. I’ll... make sure people know the truth."
"That will be all I want to talk about with you in person for a while. Get out."
She left with
considerably less confidence
than she’d
entered
with, closing the door behind her perhaps a bit too firmly. Like always. Luca waited until her footsteps faded before speaking.
"That was a load of blatant lies."
"It was."
"You’re deceiving your own pack members to protect this woman."
I turned and met his gaze steadily.
Unashamed
of what I’ve done this time.
I’d lie for her again
.
"Yes. I am. Because it’s not anyone’s business but hers. Her pregnancy, her choices, her life."
I walked over and took a picture of this
refusal
letter I intended to send. This needs to
end
quicker. And I don’t trust anyone from the Whitecrest family, let alone
that woman
, to fix their mistakes.
"And if the Duskpaw retaliates? If this escalated to the council and they agreed with her former pack?"
"Then we handle it. I’ll handle it."
He knows I
mean
it. Because he knows how
my first years
as Alpha went. And he knows what I did
three years ago
for Claire.