The Alpha's Secret Luna

2.SAWDUST AND LAVENDER

Carlos had been in deep conversation with Marc, which seemed to be entirely one sided, before he managed to excuse himself looking rather exasperated.

“I’m afraid to say ladies but we might be here a little longer than originally planned. Alpha Marc is insisting on hosting a ball in honour of our… friendship.” The word burnt in Carlos’ mouth. “How that loudmouth, arrogant, son of a-”

“Dearest.” Penny reprimanded him.

“I’m sorry my love.” Carlos kissed her hand gently before turning to his son. “Lyam?”

Lyam, who was in the process of being swooned over 4 Omega females, took great relief in abandoning them to join his parents.

“I appreciate your attention ladies but my Beta calls.” He swept at one’s hand that was gripping his arm as he almost ran to his father’s side. “They’re like hyenas, hungry for their next meal.” I had to laugh at his joke. “I’m not laughing Cora, they’re like flies and I’m the honey.”

“Oh sweet, you are the honey.” His mother reassured him.

“Not funny Mum.”

“Sweetheart, you are of age and haven’t found your mate yet. There will be an aroma around you so intoxicating to other Lycans of age that they won’t be able to resist you.”

“Dad, could you help?”

“I’m afraid your mother is right son, it’s like a scent we give off to attract our mate. Your mother smells of sawdust and engine oil for me.” He smiled sweetly at his wife. “I can sense it miles away and know where she is.”

“Oh love.” She gave her husband a soft peck on the cheek. “Lavender and lilac.”

“Gross.” Although an adult Lyam still didn’t like seeing public displays of affection between his parents.

“Won’t be gross when you find your mate.” Teased Carlos.

“What do I smell like?” I think Lyam meant this rhetorically, but his parents took immense pleasure in embarrassing their son at any chance.

“Gunpowder.” Stood his father proudly one side.

“Jasmine.” Crooned his mother on the other. “But to unmated females, or males if that’s your preference, it’ll be very different.” Lyam’s eyes pleaded to mine, and I held my hands up.

“Do not get me involved in your weird family business.”

“Oh, come on Cora, I’ve never thought to ask you what we are to you.” Carlos strapped an arm around my shoulders. It’s well known in the Lycan world that your mate’s aroma is your favourite smell in the world, and your children tend to be an offset of that. Close friends and relatives all have a distinct aroma of their own. I looked to Lyam again who was still silently begging for assistance.

“Fine. Carlos you’re like aged leather and spices, Penny is a freshly baked bread and Lyam…” I studied him for a moment trying to place it. “Wet grass after rain.” The family burst into laughter at me. “And this is why I never told you.” I mumbled.

“Aged leather? Are you calling me old?” Jostled Carlos.

“Maybe.” I grinned at him.

“Bread? All I am to you is bread?” Penny said with mock hurt.

“And what the hell is wet grass?” Joined Lyam.

Our moment was brought abruptly to an end but the appearance of Marc with his merry band of courtesans.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything. But it seems everybody is in good spirits for the party. I’ll get everything sorted for it, Carlos should a week be enough time to get Alpha Harrison here?”

If looks could kill, Carlos would have been dead by his wife’s glance. I was paying the conversation little attention as one of the ladies on Marc’s arm, the small brunette masseuse, seemed to be given me an intense interrogation with her eyes before her expression changed, almost as if she recognised me. Strange thing was, I could swear I recognised her.

“I need to check with him Alpha.”

“Splendid!” Marc continued obliviously. “All agreed, I’ve had my team ready three rooms for you all. And Lyam, was it?” He leant close to Lyam’s ear and whispered. “I’ve arranged a surprise to be delivered to your room, a little present from me to you.” With a wink and a trot Marc left the grand hall leaving us all a little lost for words.

“You agreed to Harrison coming here?!” Penny was furious.

“I didn’t agree, Marc pushed, and I said he is busy with his own pack duties and highly doubt he would have time to come. Clearly, he paid me no mind.”

“Clearly.” Penny stood before her husband, hands on hips, with the Beta and one of the strongest warriors in our pack looking glumly at the floor. “What’s done is done. Let’s send word to Harrison, find a diplomatic way of declining and be done with this place.”

“Well said dearest.” Carlos was trying to compliment his way back into his wife’s good books. “Cora, could you contact the Alpha to pass on recent developments? Cora?”

I was racking my brain to wiggle out where I had recognised the girl from before being brought back with Carlos waving his hand in front of me.

“Earth to Cora, are you with us?”

“Yes, sorry Carlos, I just…” I looked towards the door to where she had followed Marc. “That girl to the left of Marc, I swear I recognise her from somewhere.”

“Very probably from when you were here last time. I’m surprised that he didn’t even recognise you at all.” Carlos admitted.

“So am I.” A tiny part of me was hurt, why hadn’t he recognised me? “What if someone does recognise me though? Marc will use that as a lame excuse to not assist us?”

“Cora.” Penny stood straight before me. “He banished you from these lands to never return to the pack, you are here currently as a very admired Gamma of an influential pack. If someone did recognise you, he would look foolish for not seeing it himself.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

“Of course I’m right.” Penny was always right. “Now you contact Harrison and update him. Lyam pay Marc no mind about his present, I’m sure it will be one of those harlots following him around. And you will not young man, will not be enjoying any of their company is that clear?”

But Lyam wasn’t paying any attention to his mother’s rant as he was staring at the door. “That girl you were talking about Cora, with the brown pixie cut and emerald eyes?” I nodded in response. “I think she’s, my mate.”