Our Aurora Borealis (Blue Lake Series Book 3)

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

After a long day at work, Wyatt was changing his clothes when Rylee shared the details of her day. "Wait, so she wants to be a bartender again?" he asked. The question was prompted by Rylee mentioning that Diana wanted to work in customer service but believed she couldn't leave the territory. When Wyatt asked why Diana thought that, Rylee quickly explained the misunderstanding. She then told him how she had helped clarify the situation by sharing that Hugo's sister worked at a club suitable for their kind.

"That's interesting," Wyatt mused, pulling on a pair of comfortable jeans. "Diana's a great mixer. But I still don't get why she thought she was stuck here. Did she just assume that?"

Rylee sighed, running a hand through her hair. “She said that Victor told her that she couldn’t leave because she had been pronounced dead by the public after Alessandro had turned her into a vampire. That being seeing in public would draw up too many questions.”

“That makes sense,” Wyatt replied as he put on his sweats.

“She seemed so relieved once she realized there was an option,” Rylee finished. "Diana also said she can quietly spread the word to Kelcey and the other newborns, too."

“Well, hold on there, Tink, they can all work as bartenders,” Wyatt stated.

“Why not?”

“Because I doubt the club is hiring that many people.”

“You never know,” Rylee retorted.

“But we’ll find out soon enough.”

“Whatever. Anyways… How was your day?” Rylee asked.

“Busy, as always,” Wyatt replied, rubbing his face wearily. “We had to deal with an unexpected issue with a new client, forcing me to stay late to manually review all their financial contracts with the finance department. They want one thing, but can’t afford it. When we told them that, they got mad, and it turned into this whole mess of he-said, she-said bullsh*t... it gave me the worst headache.”

“I can feel it from here,” Rylee murmured, her voice soft with concern. She took his hand and pulled him toward the bed. “You should lie down for a bit while I tell you about something else that’s juicy.”

Wyatt settled back against the headboard, taking a deep, tired breath. Rylee straddled his legs and lay down on his chest, her body fitting perfectly over his. He slid one arm behind his head, letting the other drape securely over her back, gently caressing her. “What’s up?” he asked, the comforting presence of her body already starting to melt away the tension from his day.

“Lanie wants to get married,” Rylee spilled. Wyatt looked down at her in surprise.

“She what?”

“She wants to get married.”

“Did she say that to you?” Wyatt asked, and Rylee nodded her head against his chest. “Why the sudden urge to want to get married?”

“We were going over the finalized details Milan, Melody, and I had decided last night, and I could practically hear her daydreaming of what it would be like to be a blushing bride.”

“And what did you tell her?” Wyatt asked.

“I asked her if she told Chad this, but she said she hadn’t. So, I told her to have an adult conversation with him about it. None of that dropping subtle hints crap. So, she said she was going to do it tonight.”

“And have you heard from her yet?”

“Nope. I am patiently waiting to hear Chad’s reaction.”

Wyatt chuckled, his chest vibrating beneath her. “Chad is probably going to be thrilled. He loves her, Rylee, and he’s an Alpha who values tradition, even human ones, if it makes his mate happy.” He wrapped his arm more securely around her. “Just like I’d be thrilled if you told me there was anything else you wanted for our wedding.”

Rylee lifted her head slightly to meet his eyes. “Don’t worry, darling, I’ve given you my full list of demands already. You are excellent at executing them.” She kissed him quickly. “Plus, I’m pretty sure the stress of coordinating Lanie’s wedding, on top of mine, will probably kill me. But I’ll be happy to help her plan every single detail.”

“You are a great sister,” Wyatt murmured, pulling her down for a deeper kiss. He glanced toward the clock on the bedside table. “Speaking of lists of demands… I think a certain two little wolves will be demanding dinner soon.”

Rylee sighed happily, already shifting to get up. “You’re right. It's time to gather the rugrats.”

Wyatt rolled to the edge of the bed as Rylee climbed off him, their brief moment of quiet intimacy giving way to the organized chaos of parenting.

“I’ll go get Sam ready,” Wyatt offered, stretching his arms over his head.

“And I’ll tackle Aurora and see if I can convince her to put on something other than her princess dress,” Rylee replied, smoothing down her own clothes. She paused and looked back at him, her expression soft. “It’s nice, having this, even for a few minutes.”

“It’s the best part of the day,” Wyatt agreed, stepping toward the door. They exchanged a warm, knowing smile—a silent promise of more time together later—before heading off in separate directions to prepare their children for dinner.

The following morning, the training grounds were already bustling. The air was crisp, scented with pine and damp earth, and the sounds of physical exertion—heavy footfalls, grunts, and the rhythmic movements of exercise—filled the territory.

Diana was running laps, pushing herself harder than usual. The conversation with Rylee the night before had left her with a burst of renewed focus. She was no longer just going through the motions of integration; she had a specific goal, a tangible link back to a life she missed.

As she slowed to a walk near the perimeter, trying to catch her breath, she spotted Hugo stretching by the edge of the training area. Standing next to him was a woman Diana hadn't seen before. The woman was slender, with sharp, intelligent eyes, and she moved with a quiet, confident grace that suggested discipline.

Diana immediately recognized the familial resemblance to Hugo.

Taking a deep breath, Diana walked over.

“Hugo, morning,” Diana greeted, offering a quick smile.

“Diana, good morning,” Hugo replied, nodding. “You’re moving fast today.”

“Trying to be faster,” Diana said, wiping sweat from her brow. She looked at the woman. “Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Diana.”

The woman’s smile was polite and professional. “Clara. I'm Hugo’s sister. I just came out to drop some things off for him and catch a bit of the morning routine before I have to head out for the day.”

A flicker of recognition and excitement shot through Diana. This was it.

“Clara, nice to meet you. I actually heard your name recently,” Diana said, trying to sound casual despite her internal eagerness.

“From who?” Clara asked, her gaze steady and professional.

“The Luna,” Diana replied, a hint of awe still in her voice. “Rylee.”

Clara gave a brief, knowing nod. “Oh, I see. So, you’re interested in The Veil, then?”

“The Veil?” Diana repeated, the name unfamiliar but intriguing. “Rylee said you worked for a club that catered specifically to our kind, a safe place. Is that true?”

“Absolutely. It’s discreetly located and only caters to supernaturals. Think of it as a private sanctuary with a killer liquor selection,” Clara said, a small, wry smile touching her lips. “What’s on your mind? Are you looking for a night out, or something more?”

Diana leaned in slightly, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “I was wondering if The Veil was hiring. Specifically, for a bartender.”

Clara’s eyes lit up with sudden interest. “We’re always looking for the right talent. We can’t just hire anyone off the street. What makes you think you’d be the right fit?”

“I have experience,” Diana stated, a surge of confidence overriding her earlier shyness. “Before I became a supernatural, I was a skilled bartender at a high-volume bar in the city. I lived for the rush of a busy night. Then my whole life went to sh*t, but that’s a story for another time. Bartending has always been a passion of mine, and I genuinely miss it.”

Clara studied her for a moment, then snapped her fingers. “Perfect timing, actually. Our best mixologist just moved territories, and we need someone experienced to jump right in. Tell you what, I’m heading back to the city right after this. Why don’t you come with me? I can introduce you directly to the hiring manager, Bubba. If you can handle his interview, you might have a job tonight.”

“Really!?” Diana gasped, her excitement bursting out. “You think I have a shot?”

“Definitely! We need experienced hands, and I trust Rylee’s judgment. If she sent you, you’re worth the look,” Clara assured her.

“That’s so amazing! Thank you so much, Clara!”

“Of course. Meet me in front of the castle entrance in exactly 90 minutes. Don’t be late.”

“I won’t!”

“Cool. One last thing,” Clara called over her shoulder, already stepping away. “The uniform is strictly all black. Dress sharp.”

“All black. Got it!” Diana grinned, watching Clara walk away. Hugo, who had wisely remained silent throughout their rapid-fire conversation, finally blinked, seemingly rejoining the world. Diana pumped her fists silently, a thrill running through her at the prospect of her first real job since her transformation.

Exactly ninety minutes later, Diana stood in front of the grand entrance of the Pack Castle. She was dressed meticulously in all black: tailored trousers, a crisp, dark blouse, and flat but sturdy boots. She felt a familiar nervousness, but it was overshadowed by a buzzing energy she hadn't felt since her human life.

Clara pulled up promptly in a sleek, black sedan—nothing ostentatious, but clearly expensive and well-maintained. She leaned across the passenger seat and gave Diana a quick, appraising look.

“Perfect. You look like you mean business,” Clara said, unlocking the door.

Diana slid into the seat. “I do. I wouldn’t waste your time otherwise.”

“Good. Let’s head to Detroit. The Veil is about forty minutes out, depending on traffic.”

The ride was comfortable. Clara navigated the busy city streets with an expert calmness, seamlessly transitioning from the winding roads of the territory to the concrete grid of Detroit. As they drove, Clara gave Diana a quick rundown of what to expect.

“The Veil is in the Eastern Market district, but you’d never know it was there,” Clara explained, keeping her eyes on the road. “No signage, just a plain metal door next to a dilapidated old warehouse. It’s owned by a Vampire Elder—very old-school, very strict about rules and discretion. Our clientele is almost entirely Alphas, Lunas, Elder Vampires, and high-level Witches. It’s an elite crowd, so the service has to be impeccable.”

“Understood. High standards,” Diana confirmed, her focus absolute.

“Exactly. And the manager, Bubba—don’t let the name fool you. He’s a big, silent Bear Shifter. He manages security and all the hiring. He trusts my judgment, but he’s the final word. Be respectful, be direct, and emphasize your experience with volume and speed.”

“Bubba. Got it,” Diana murmured, committing the name and the advice to memory.

As they approached the district, Clara pulled into a nearly deserted side alley. She stopped the car next to a massive, graffiti-covered wall that belonged to an abandoned warehouse. There was only one door—a heavy, matte-black steel entrance with no handle and no window.

“Here we are,” Clara said simply, pulling a small, black card from her glove compartment. She swiped it across a nearly invisible panel beside the door, and a low, hydraulic hiss confirmed the lock was disengaged.

“Welcome to The Veil.”

They stepped out, and Clara led Diana through the door. The contrast between the alley and the interior was staggering. They entered a small, dimly lit vestibule that smelled faintly of expensive leather and smoke. A second, ornate wooden door stood before them, guarded by a huge, stoic man who wasn't Bubba.

“Clara, good to see you,” the guard rumbled.

“Just introducing a potential new team member. Bubba around?”

“Back by the bar, running inventory,” the guard replied, swinging the heavy wooden door open.

Diana stepped through and stopped, momentarily stunned. The noise of the city vanished. She was in a massive, opulent space. Deep velvet booths lined the walls, lit by flickering gas lamps. The bar itself was a long, polished obsidian counter that gleamed under soft, recessed lighting. Even during the day, the place radiated a dark, powerful energy.

Clara strode confidently across the polished hardwood floor, leading Diana past empty tables to the bar. Behind it, amidst stacks of liquor bottles and ledger papers, was a truly immense man—even broader and taller than Wyatt—with a thick beard and eyes that missed nothing. He was counting inventory with an efficient grace that belied his size.

“Bubba, you got a minute?” Clara asked, resting her hand on the bar.

The Bear Shifter didn't look up immediately. He finished marking a page in his ledger, capped his pen, and then lifted his head. His eyes were dark and serious.

“Clara. What is it?” he asked, his voice a surprisingly deep but smooth baritone.

“This is Diana. She comes highly recommended by Luna Rylee, and she’s exactly the experienced bartender we need. Diana, meet Bubba, our hiring manager.”

Diana met Bubba’s intense stare, straightened her spine, and extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bubba. I’m eager to discuss the position.”