Second Chance

Chapter 9

Will

"Right, gentlemen. I'm sure you know the game plan for today. I'm off to keep the c*nt busy lest he catches on anything today. We can't get complacent when we're this close." Lyall and Mitch nodded

"We're never usually at the pack-house, been that way since our falling out with Al so we've got plenty of freedom to make sure the slideshow contains our version." Mitch said

"Aye, I doubt Al even knows the details of the event's schedule, but should he enquire about the presentation, he'll be informed it's a collection of poems by old Rabbie Burns" Lyall added

"I think my sister is hysterical to plan this for Burns night considering Burns'respect for women" I said, we all had a good laugh and then parted to attend to our plans. For my sister's happiness and future with her mate, we needed to make sure everything would be perfect.

When I knocked on the door of Lachlan's office, I felt a surge of irritation hearing heavy breathing and a giggle inside. I could only hold onto the fact that my sister's mate wouldn't feel any pain after his mark completely disappeared from her neck as I suppressed my impulse to barge in.

"What is it?" Lachlan's voice thundered, dripping with barely restrained anger.

"Chief Lachlan, just here to discuss our alliance agreement, we still have a number of things to go over"

I heard a resigned sigh, and the shuffling of clothes

"Come on in, Chief MacRobert"

When I walked in, I saw Lachlan pulling out some papers whilst a petite brunette woman stood slightly to his side, she gazed at me as if I were a piece of meat, her eyes full of desire as if she hadn't just been entangled with her married clan chief 30 seconds ago.

"Off you go, Lilah. My office is fine now, my bedroom needs cleaning next but see that you have your lunch break first. I know it's a little early, but you'll be busy at 12" he said, giving her a look. It seemed as though he thought his thinly veiled invitation was very clever despite his intentions being obvious to anyone listening.

"Right then, Chief MacRobert down to business. Currently, we're ready to dispatch troops to your southwest border at a moment's notice. We're also happy to dispatch some of our warriors for a continued stay within your territory to bolster your defenses. It's taken me some time to be swayed on this, and I've considered what we'd expect in return. At the moment, we find ourselves lacking in workers for the pack-house. There seem to be fewer omegas about in recent days, which I've been assured of is temporary. As a result, I think what I'd like to add to the stipulated conditions is that you have some omegas stay in our packhouse temporarily for the duration of our warrior's stay on your land to cover for the absences."

Of f*cking course, this guy would be the first to notice less omegas about. Barely has the self awareness to notice the missing omegas are the girls who resisted his charms. Knowing full well, I'd never send a young girl into this guy's personal pleasure palace, I made a show of really considering it and after a short time, I pretended to acquiesce, "Well Chief Lachlan, I think we can just about manage that but I'll make sure we can secure their consent before we arrange it. Some of our omegas have families they go home to every night."

He barely hid his grin, clearly pleased at the prospect. "Yes yes, of course Chief MacRobert then I imagine we can revisit this in due course?"

"Yes, as soon as possible preferably." we shook hands after following up on a few others conditions hoping to save time once I re-approached this matter with Drew though I doubted it would take much time even without doing so from what Skye had explained of Drew's work here. It seemed Lachlan only took personal interest in dealing with this agreement because he wanted to save face with another clan whilst serving his own self interests.

The more I interacted with this man, the more vehemently I detested him.

"This evening's celebration will be one to remember, Chief MacRobert. I hope your sister will be gracing us with her presence?"

I fought hard to reign in my temper, taking a calming breath I responded "of course! She does so enjoy events like these" I saw a glint in his eyes as he said "excellent. Now if you'll excuse me. I have some other matters to attend to" I nodded and left.

I headed over to the dinner hall to offer some help giving me a perfect excuse to keep an eye on preparations until the event started. Inside there were five long lines of tables from the entrance up to the end of the grand room with aisles in between leading to a long table at the end that lay perpendicular to them spanning across the room. Just behind the head table there sat a small stage with a presentation screen, next to which there sat a laptop which Lyall and Mitch worked on. Omegas hurried throughout the room polishing the tables to a high shine and laying out fresh table cloths, mopping the floors and dusting curtains. 'Right' I thought to myself rolling up my sleeves 'time to get started'

Drew

After a fun filled day shopping and relaxing, we returned back to the guesthouse with our new purchases, Charlie and Nessa returned separately to avoid drawing attention. Will allowed Skye to use his room to get ready whilst I used hers so we didn't have to take turns with the bathroom. After a thorough wash in the shower I used the skincare products in front of the bathroom mirror and pulled out my make up. Today, I wanted to make a statement and I knew I'd need to leave a deep impression on the entire clan. I wanted them to stop seeing the weak, unwell little she-wolf who needed a man to take over for her. They needed to see their strong clan chief with no fear, shame or embarrassment. By the time I was finished, my lips were painted deep red and my eyes were framed with smoky shadow and cat-like eyeliner. I had donned my war paint so, I slid into the gorgeous ball gown Skye had chosen out for me with a matching cardigan. It was a strapless maroon coloured dress with a tight waist and flow lace with intricate patterns. I had chosen a dress with the same design in navy blue for Skye earlier today and couldn't wait to see how she looked in it. We had matched our outfits with ballet flats. I was just finishing my hair when Amelia knocked on the door and called out.

"Come in" I called out allowing her entry. When she saw me, her eyes went wide "Wow my lady, you look incredible" she said "Thank you, I hope Skye likes it just as much"

"I do, very much so" Skye said from behind Amelia as she walked in. I couldn't help when my own eyes went just as wide as Amelia's had. Breathless I told her "I hope this night is dealt with swiftly so I can keep you all to myself" Skyle chuckled "I can't keep you away from the clan right after this major change. You can wait a couple of hours I'm sure" She said with a wink. I groaned and nodded "I suppose you're right." We both took a proper look at Amelia, "are you sure you're ready for this? Everyone will know exactly what's been happening and, as much as I want to have faith in my clan, I know not everyone will be kind with their thoughts." I said. She nodded with a look of determination in her eyes "It's okay, my lady. This will happen eventually so I'd like to at least be the one making the choice."

"You're very brave." I told her

"So are you" Skye said looking me in the eye and Amelia voiced her agreement.

"Right then ladies, I believe we're ready. Amelia, you look adorable in that halter dress, your dress coat matches it well." I said to her

Amelia was in a gorgeous lilac-coloured halter dress that just passed her knees with a beige-coloured which she wore open. Skye nodded in agreement, and we chatted together as we left for the event.

Once we arrived at the dinner hall, we separated from Amelia, and she went to sit with the other girls at one of the table close to the head table but somewhat out of sight from Alistair, who sat on the main seat in the middle of the head table surrounded by the clan council members standing beside him speaking to him. As usual, he seemed annoyed at them. He never valued the word of the wisest in our clan, choosing to ignore their decades of experience. My parents sat at one end of the head table next to Lyall and Mitch, the betas Alistair had appointed upon taking over as chief and our current allies, his once closest friends. Will sat on the other side of the head table in one of the spaces reserved for guests, the omega Alistair spent the most time with was beside him chatting away to him. He seemed uncomfortable and I could see how annoyed Skye immediately looked. I cleared my throat "Just this way Dr MacRobert, your brother is sitting at the place designated for our honored guests, I hope it suits you" I said to her gesturing towards it

She snapped out of it "Thank you, Luna Lachlan. I haven't seen him much as I've spent my most of my time here at the library or in the hospital offering my services" she responded

"Indeed you have. I do appreciate your hard work for our clan." We continued our polite conversation as we headed to our seats at the end of the hall.

As I sat down Alistair shooed away the council elders "Right gentlemen, my Luna has arrived so I believe the event will be underway soon enough. We can continue this later."

He looked up at me annoyed "What took you so long?" I fluttered my eyelashes a little "I couldn't show up looking bad and embarrass you, darling" He blinked and said "Well that's a much better attitude than you've had in days. If I'd known all your attitude needed to adjust was to miss me for a few days I'd have given you a time out a while ago" He laughed at his joke and ordered an omega to bring more wine. I glanced over at Skye seeing her chatting away with her brother seemingly having chased Lilah off as she made her way to Alistair from elsewhere with another bottle of wine. She made eye contact with Alistair and offered the wine to me. I politely declined "Sorry, Lilah. None for me, I need to give the presentation soon" Alistair raised his eyebrow at me "And just why would you be the one giving a presentation?" I was ready for this "Well darling, if you present your accomplishments, someone might think you're gloating, but if I do, I'll be able to show you off properly."

His eyes shone at this, "I see someone's pulling out all the stops to apologise." I just shrugged at this and headed up the few steps behind up onto a stage where everyone would be able to see me and the presentation screen clearly.

I was followed up by Amelia who sat next to the laptop ready to start.

Alistair tapped his glass with a fork gaining everyone's attention, I looked over the clan members and everyone gathered and smiled gently before removing my cardigan exposing the bruises and scars Alistair has left on my body turning around to display the worst of it on my back.