Legend Has It Book II ~ Complete

Chapter 14 Alpha Mode

PHOEBE

I awoke the sound of soft snores and knew instantly I was in Chance’s suite. Even though my father had ordered him to stay with me, Chance felt more comfortable in his own suite, as far away from dad as possible.

“It’s just awkward,” Chance had tried to explain.

“I don’t want to be a burden—“

Chance cut me off. “You are not a burden. I’m honored to be trusted with your safety. I’m just new to this.” He shrugged. “If I’m honest, I’m low key afraid I’ll have to whisk you away instead of getting to escort you to the party. I mean, I win either way, but a party would be a lot more fun.” He grinned at me.

I could get used to that grin. “Facts,” I agreed.

“So, I have a ‘no funny business clause’ attached to my duties, but they were ok with us snuggling earlier. Wanna watch a movie and snuggle on the couch? I’ve never gotten to do that before and I rather liked snuggling with you.”

“Same.” Strangely, that wasn’t embarrassing to admit. Everything was just so easy with Chance. Or had been so far. I fell asleep with my head on his shoulder and awoke with him on the floor.

“Good morning,” he yawned.

“Good morning.”

“You should send for some clothes so I can cook breakfast instead of walking you to your room for some.”

“Does my father really worry you that much?”

“No. I just want to show off my pancake skills and we’re to stay together until further notice. Dad relayed a MindLink.”

“Parker is just now telling me the same thing. I’m waiting for him to explain why, not that I mind.”

“Oh, no one’s told you?” Chance’s disbelief was cute.

“I was shut out of the MindLinking last night, I think. I may have been too far gone from the fire, but either way, I missed most of it.”

“Get some clothes sent for while I clean up real quick and I’ll tell you what I know if Parker doesn’t answer.”

“Ok. Can I make coffee?”

“Please do,” he started removing his shirt as he turned and went down the short hall.

Coffee. Coffee. Coffee, I chanted, dragging my eyes from his bare broad shoulders and turned towards the kitchen area.

::Phebes! Be prepared for dad to possibly drop a bombshell on you.::

::What kind of bombshell?::

::Hold on.::

Silence.

::Parker?::

The Link went dead. Not unusual when a lot was happening. I remembered the night when Phoenix found Gen and the night he got hurt. I’d get random information and then dead silence. I was often the last to know anything.

I started the coffee while I waited and decided to raid Chance’s refrigerator. There were eggs, bacon and cheese, courtesy of Esther, I was sure. I decided to make a little casserole to go with the anticipated pancakes.

I was in the middle of cracking eggs when Chance walked into the room shirtless. The sound of the egg falling on the floor brought me back to reality.

“Are you, ok, Phoebe?” He was rummaging in one of the bags I recognized from our shopping trip.

“Oh,” I jumped. “Yeah, you just startled me. I hope I’m not encroaching on your territory here,” I laughed nervously. “I thought I’d whip up a little casserole to go with the pancakes.”

“That sounds yummy!” He went back to rummaging. “Where’s that bag of new shirts?” He muttered. “I seem to have outgrown most of my other ones.”

“White bag, red letters.” I found paper towels to clean up my mess.

“Oh yes, thank you!”

Chance found the bag and went back down the hall. Holy crap he was dangerous without a shirt on! He was to me, at least.

{~>*•**•**•*<~}

CHANCE

“This is the best breakfast casserole I’ve ever had,” I managed between mouthfuls. “How did you get so rounded?”

“Rounded?” Phoebe wriggled up her nose. “I am not round!” She laughed.

“I don’t mean the way you look, silly. I mean, you do some managing around here, you work on old vehicles, you can cook. I call that ‘a well rounded’ individual.”

“I knew what you meant.” She smiled

I playfully swatted her arm. “Get outta here!”

Eating breakfast with the first girl who’d ever snuggled with me and spent the night on my couch seemed like the most natural thing in the world. I knew then that we would be best friends if nothing else and that mattered.

She took the evacuation news I shared pretty well.

“I hope I get to take my truck. It’s so close to being done,” she said out of the blue. Her one wish.

“I can’t really promise anything, but I’ll do everything I can to see that it gets done.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

We were soon summoned to Khane’s office. For some odd reason, I wasn’t worried about any potential accusations. The worry just seemed to evaporate and I was able to face Phoebe’s parents with confidence.

“Come in, please have a seat,” Khane gestured to the chairs across from him and Stella.

He filled us in on more they had learned from Byrdie. When a second moon appeared, we would have up to four weeks to evacuate. The Fey coven the pixie belonged to weren’t going to be able to stop the collision once the two land masses were fully magnetically charged. The ripples could potentially be felt throughout the Universe, and we were currently at Ground Zero.

“There may be a lot of casualties and I want you to protect my daughter, my daughter-in-law and my grandbaby Gen carries if we lose unexpected lives, Chance. As the Anchor, we don’t know what will happen to Gen. There will, of course, be lots of Plan Bs, but you are one.

“This may be excessive,” Khane continued, “but I would like to betroth you to Phoebe, just in case. If you happen to be one of the few survivors, you can consummate the betrothal and have all the added bonds that come with it to aid in your continued survival.”

I had been stunned a lot in the last few months, but this soared to the number 1 spot on that list. I swallowed hard.

“Jesus, dad,” Phoebe muttered.

I could only imagine what she must be thinking right now. We’d really just met and I didn’t have a popular reputation with the ladies.

“I’m not singling you out, Phoebe. I’m handing out betrothals all day. For safety’s sake. Our survival really hinges sometimes on the Mate Bond.”

“Dad, I won’t even know until next year. What if we’re not Fated?”

“What if you are?” Stella asked quietly. “I’ve not seen you make friends with such ease as you seem to have with Chance here. Would being Mated to your first real friend be so bad?”

I don’t think I breathed while waiting for her answer.

“Mo-omm, he hasn’t had time to get to know me yet. And I’m sorry if I’m talking about you like you’re not here, Chance. I’m just embarrassed,” she whispered.

My heart clenched a little until she added, “and not OF you. But of my father, for putting you on the spot like this.”

“I would just rest easier knowing you had a dedicated Protector. As I said, you won’t have to consummate anything right away. I’d rather you didn’t—but a Betrothal Bond will link you together, just not as strongly. And it can be easily broken if unconsummated.

Phoebe sunk further into her chair. “You’re so romantic, dad,” she muttered.

Romance? I had the sudden urge to give Phoebe just that. I didn’t know a damn thing about romance, but I suddenly knew that if I declined, it would be akin to Rejection.

“I strongly believe—“

“Alpha,” I cut him off. “If I may speak?”

“You may,” Khane nodded.

“I already feel protective over your daughter. We have our own sort of agreement that we shook on. How do you think being Betrothed will strengthen that?”

“It would be blessed by The Elders who give your strength and courage a little boost. The two of you would be stronger together—you become more—“

“In tune with each other,” Stella added.

“How is Love affected if we’re not Fated?” I directed my question at Stella. Women were better in that category.

“Love comes in many forms and is difficult to describe. Love can die just as quickly as it grows. But let me ask you something. Would you be upset if you caught Phoebe kissing another man?”

I considered Stella’s question carefully. Phoebe’s body language told me she was listening intently.

“Yes. I haven’t had enough time to explore my feelings, yet. Until late last night, I thought I had time to take things slow and build a friendship first. We’re both inexperienced here.”

“And this is why we like you, Chance,” Stella smiled.

An idea started forming in my mind.

“I would like permission to take a ten minute break.” I turned to Phoebe. “I promise I’ll be right back. I think I have a solution.” I smiled and hoped like hell she didn’t think this was no.

She nodded and I noticed unshed tears in her eyes.

“Don’t cry. I’ll be right back.”

“Ten minutes,” Khane agreed. “I could stand to stretch my legs.”

I raced from the packhouse.

::Dad! I need you.::

::What’s wrong, son?::

::Can you and mom meet me in Khane’s office in ten, no, nine minutes?::

::Your mom is headed to Blue Moon, but I can be there.::

::Thanks, dad.::