The Alpha's Reluctant Wife

Chapter 13: Chiara

Someone was frantically knocking at my door.

Samantha cursed as she made the final curl in my hair. She was helping me get ready for my upcoming social luncheon. Unfortunately, I woke up late because of my unplanned visit with Lance, and we were now running behind time.

When the knocking didn't cease, I sighed and gently pushed Samantha towards it. "Please just answer it. It seems whoever that is won't go away."

"Why can't people take a hint?" She groaned. "I still need to touch up your makeup after this."

"I can do it, Samantha. Don't worry. Just please get the door."

My handmaiden groaned again before she yanked the door open. Connor was standing on the other side, his fist raised mid-knock. When he saw my handmaiden, he smiled sheepishly and brought down his hand. "Samantha, hi! Nice day, isn't it? Isn't it?"

"We are running late, Sir Galway, and I still need to prepare the Madam for her luncheon. Can you please say what you need to say and get lost?" Samantha almost screamed.

Connor pouted at her abrasive greeting, but his dejected face was quickly replaced with a grin. "We are actually here for that. See? See? The Pack Alpha said the Rogue will be the Madam's personal escort for today."

Right after he said that, I saw Lance moving from behind Connor. Our eyes met, and he smirked at me. His eyes looked bright, with no trace of the pain from last night's branding —although it wasn't like he looked hurt in the first place.

I averted my gaze from him and motioned for Samantha to close the door. "We'll be done in a few minutes. You may wait outside."

Connor pulled Lance along, shouting that they would get the car ready. Sighing, I pressed my hand over my pounding heart as relief crashed over me.

Adrian still had no idea about what I did last night.

***

Four hours later, our company finally arrived in Hoult City. The place was known for its green skyscrapers and towering buildings adorned with plants and flowers. The flora was tightly wrapped around the structures, giving them the appearance of large trees covered in thick vines. In the distance, we could see the harbor where ships discharged their cargo. The cerulean water and the verdant city gave the whole place a mystical atmosphere tightly interwoven with modernized living.

Samantha led my handmaidens and our group through the bustling city. Connor was on my left side while Lance was on my right. Other than us, a few shifter guards were trailing behind us, half of them from the Galway Pack while half came from Hoult.

Locating the Hoult's City Hall was easy enough. It was a huge domed building with stained-glass roofing. We headed past the reception area towards a more private waiting room. Shortly after, the governess' assistant fetched us and led us to an al fresco eating area just at the side of the City Hall.

Governess Menessa was already sitting at one of the tables. She was alone except for a single guard standing behind her. I smiled at Samantha and signaled for her to leave. She did so, but the shifter protested when she tried to pull Connor away.

"Adrian said I needed to stay with Rogue," he said, walking closer to Lance as if to emphasize his point.

"Don't be stupid, Connor. This is just common courtesy. The governess only has one companion," Samantha bit back.

"But Adrian said..."

Chewing her lip, Samantha looked at me for help. If the Pack Alpha himself ordered Connor... there's nothing else we could do.

"Let's not make a scene. Rogue. Connor. You're both with me."

The three of us settled opposite the governess.

"My dear! Chiara, you look so good!" Governor Menessa exclaimed, standing up and going around the table to hug me. I returned the gesture and politely kissed her on the cheeks as well.

"Adrian never brings you with him. Gosh, that man is so uptight!" She continued. We sat back in our chairs while a waiter served us drinks. "How is your husband, by the way? Still as grumpy as ever?"

"Adrian is doing good." I tried to smile as naturally as possible, but it was difficult to do so while talking about the Pack Alpha. The silver collar around my neck felt like it suddenly weighed a ton. It was modified to look like elegant jewelry, but it was a shackle I had to wear in times like this.

Hundreds of miles away from him, and yet I still couldn't escape his presence.

"Hoult has become even more beautiful," I said, changing the topic. "I know it's been a while since I visited, but your city never fails to amaze me."

Governess Menessa preened at my compliment. It was an honest admiration, though. Compared to Calyx's old brick-and-mortar city, Hoult looked magical.

"Chiara, you smooth talker. I can give you a tour later after our lunch. Or is this considered brunch? I'm sorry, I know I called for you too early but I'm just so excited to see you again."

"It's okay. It's my pleasure."

"We can bring with us your—"

A cold sensation suddenly traveled from my shoulder to my chest. The waiter accidentally spilled the drink on his tray, and cold liquid splattered on my dress. Everyone stood up at once, hurrying to help.

Lance beat them all to it. I felt his warm, calloused hands steadying me as I stepped away from the spill. Then, he snatched a napkin and began gently patting my wet dress.

Our eyes met again, black voids to light blue-gray eyes. His grip on my arm tightened as his gaze flicked back to my collar and then to my dress again.

"Madam, are you okay?" He asked softly.

"Yes, I'm..."

"Oh my goddess, Chiara, I am so sorry." Governess Menessa angled my body away from Lance to look me over. "My staff didn't mean to."

"It's okay. I think I have a spare change of clothes..."

The commotion attracted my handmaiden's attention. Upon hearing my words, Samantha grimaced and slowly shook her head.

"I thought wrong, it seems," I finished.

"No matter. Are you hungry? We can change our brunch to an actual lunch and just tour the city first. Buy your clothes. Or would you prefer for us to simply bring you a spare?"

The latter was more efficient, but when I looked at the others, I saw Connor's eyes almost begging me to accept the former. I remembered Samantha's harsh words to him earlier, and I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt. I've been in his place before. No, in some ways, I was still in his place.

It wouldn't hurt to indulge him.

"Thank you for your gracious offer, Governor Menessa. I'd like to tour the city first," I finally said.

"Excellent!" The governess was about to turn around when another assistant approached her. They spoke in whispers, their tone gradually changing from pleasant to frustrated. Eventually, they ended their conversation, and the governess turned back to me with apologetic eyes.

"Someting came up that needs my immediate attention. Feel free to explore Hoult. I will accompany you later," she said.

"It's okay. You don't have to worry about us."

"However," she added, "I have to request for you to only bring two of your company. Hoult is a neutral city, but the major resident packs here won't appreciate seeing such a large group of visitors."

Surprisingly, Lance spoke up. "We can't compromise the Madam's safety."

"The city is safe," Governor Menessa reiterated. "But I understand your concern. You can bring one guard along."

I was only allowed two companies. Connor was a given since he's why I was going on a tour in the first place. The second choice... wasn't a choice at all. Looking at Lance, it seemed he reached the same conclusion.

"Thank you, Governorness Menessa. We won't take much of your time anymore. See you later?"

"Of course, dear. Have fun!"

After one last hug and kiss, the governess left us alone. I turned to Connor and Lance, folding my arms over my chest and leveling them with a look. "Please don't make this any more difficult."

"Does that translate to I can come with you? Please? Please?" Connor begged.

I nodded.

"What about me?" Lance asked.

"What about you?"

"You need a guard," Lance answered.

"That much was obvious."

"Sooo..."

"So?"

"You really want me to beg like the pup, too?"

Sighing, I waved at them to come along. "Let's just go."

Exploring the City of Hoult was supposed to be an exciting activity, but if it's with an eager shifter and a wolf with a morbid reputation... what could possibly go wrong?