The Alpha's Reluctant Wife

Chapter 16: Chiara

We arrived at the City Hall just in time for lunch. The al fresco area had been rearranged to a more luxurious setting, with tables heaped with various food and beverages. Most were local delicacies famous in the city of Hoult, while some were more generic dishes widely loved everywhere.

Connor arrived shortly after we did, but we hadn't had the chance to talk to him since Governess Menessa joined us a few moments later. Connor sat on my left, and Lance was also given a chair on my right. Opposite us was the governess alone.

Once everything was set up, our group began eating. The table was filled with nothing but the sound of utensils. It seemed no one knew what to say or how to start the conversation.

The governess soon broke the silence when the atmosphere became too tense. She raised her glass of champagne, inviting me to cheer with her. "To Hoult and Calyx," she said, smiling.

I raised my glass as well, but my smile wasn't as perfect as the governess's. "I'm glad for our positive relationship, but I believe seeing the Galway Pack as the sole representative of the whole Calyx City is inappropriate."

"Oh, dear!" Governess Menessa laughed, waving her hand as if to brush off my statement. "Adrian holds the majority of your city's business. Not to mention the support of almost all the packs there."

"Adrian isn't Calyx's governor," I insisted.

Governess Menessa only laughed harder upon hearing this. She wiped the stray tears in her eyes while she tried to compose herself again. "Chiara, oh my dear Chiara. Given your standing, it's hard for you to understand. Nonetheless, you are his wife. Shouldn't you be celebrating his influence?"

"I am glad for the privilege." My smile faltered as I tried not to drop the spoon I was holding. "But it must be nice to be the governess of a city as beautiful as Hoult."

"Indeed, it is nice. First female alpha after several hundred years... I still can't believe it. I can't deny how much being an alpha helped me achieve all of this," she smiled wistfully, motioning around us.

"But not like I'm insulting you! Oh, goodness, no," Governess Menessa suddenly exclaimed as she sat straighter. "Omegas are... a necessary designation. A pack is nothing without their nurturers, right?"

"Of course. No offense taken," I reassured her, but deep down, the bitter taste of rage and shame remained. Omegas were still seen as the lowest-ranking shifters in a pack. We were seen as burdens, broodmares, or slaves. Most omegas were female, and most alphas were male. Only in betas were both genders common. However, on rare occasions, a female alpha or a male omega could be born.

Governess Menessa was a living example of that rare occurrence.

I pushed down the lingering discomfort and focused on the present instead. I was born an omega, and I could do nothing about that. However, I could still try to find my way to freedom.

Deciding on gathering information, I changed the topic. "I hope Hoult remains as peaceful as ever, though. I'd like to be able to visit again soon."

"You're always welcome here, Chiara," Governess Menessa replied with a smile, her cheerful demeanor back.

"Thank you. Nothing and no one is giving you any problem?"

"None, thankfully." The governess paused eating, then looked at me. Her eyes were slightly narrowed. "Why do you ask, dear?"

I could feel Lance's knee pressing against my thigh, and I tried to keep my voice level as I replied. "Nothing in particular. Like what I said, I'd just like to be able to visit again. Adrian won't let me visit if he sees I am not safe here."

"Don't you worry about it, dear. If you want, I can personally talk to Adrian about—"

"You see, we actually lost Connor a while ago."

Lance's knee pressed harder against me, and the governess choked on her drink. Connor gulped audibly, sweat beading on his forehead.

"I was—" Connor began saying, but he was interrupted by Governess Menessa.

"What happened? Are you all okay?"

"There was a group of unruly kids that separated us," I replied, willing my voice to sound aggravated. "That's why I'm asking if it's really safe here."

"I'm so sorry, dear. But Sir Galway is here now. Nothing bad happened, I suppose?" She asked.

Connor nodded quickly. "Yes, yes! Everything's okay. I just, uh, got lost. I figured it's better to return here than try to find the Madam. I might've gotten even more lost if I did that, right? Right?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but the governess immediately talked over me. "That is a wise decision, Sir Galway. As for the kids, maybe they simply were scared of the Rogue Wolf?"

All eyes honed in on Lance, who stopped eating when he heard his title. It was the very first time the governess acknowledged him as such since we arrived. For his part, Lance didn't look bothered by the snide comment.

"The Rogue Wolf isn't as recognizable in Hoult as in the other cities, but I did hear a thing or two about him." Governess Menessa looked down on Lance, eyes seemingly judging him. "I still find it surprising that Adrian accepted you in his pack. Should I congratulate him or send my condolences? What do you think, Chiara?"

I sipped my champagne while I bought time for myself to respond. Governess Menessa might be smiling right now, but my statement clearly agitated her, judging by her reaction. She was now trying to move the focus of the conversation to Lance and away from Connor.

If I pushed the issue, there's no way of telling what could happen next. Governess Menessa might react negatively, which would just put everyone in danger. I wouldn't get the information I wanted either way.

Lance nudged his knee against mine, and then I felt his fingers on my thigh. An odd sensation fluttered in my stomach, making me press my legs tighter together.

His fingers moved, and I realized he was writing something on my skin. 'Connor,' he wrote.

Connor... that's right. We could still talk to Connor after this. Even if we got nothing from the governess, we could still get information from Connor.

I finally placed my glass on the table and smiled at Governess Menessa. "My husband surely has his reasons. By the way, can we have the dessert served now?"

The governess matched my smile and waved to the waiter. "Of course, dear."

***

My conversation with Governess Menessa went well, all things considered. The one we had with Connor was a different matter, though.

After a few hustling and threats, Lance managed to get the three of us in a single car without any other passengers. The rest of our company was in a convoy of two other cars, one in front of us and one behind. The windows were tinted, and when we hit the highway, Lance and I switched seats. I continued driving the car while Connor and he... talked... in the back passenger seats.

"Come on, pup. Do you really think we're stupid? What were you doing with the governess? What did you two talk about?" Lance growled as he pulled Connor by the collar of his shirt.

"I really don't know! I have no idea what you mean!" The shifter screamed.

Lance rattled him, shaking his body like a dirty rag. "Spill it or else—"

"Rogue, please! I really don't know! I really don't!"

"Back in the warehouse district, we saw you talking with Governess Menessa. She's asking you for a favor. What does she want?" I asked from the driver's seat. We were quickly approaching Calyx City. If we didn't make Connor talk soon, we might have a bigger problem.

Connor sniffed, tears streaking down his cheeks, but he remained stubborn. "I really don't know..."

"You don't know, or you just don't want to say anything?" Lance pressed.

I gritted my teeth when our convoy passed by the city marker. It would only be another 15-minute drive until we reached the compound. Huffing, I looked at the rearview mirror and caught Connor's gaze. "If Adrian knew what you did, that you left Lance's side and talked to another authority without either his permission or knowledge, he wouldn't be happy. He doesn't need to know what happened, but Connor, you need to tell us what—"

Connor's snarl was so sudden and uncharacteristic that Lance and I both fell quiet. The otherwise energetic and happy shifter turned furious, his face contorting in extreme displeasure.

"It must be nice to be favored by the Pack Alpha, isn't it? A lowly beta against Adrian's wife... ha! I know how's this is going to end. Say what you want to say to him, Chiara. See if I care! Neither he nor you will get anything from me."

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, glaring at the shifter through the mirror. I was about to demand his answers again when I felt Lance's hand on my shoulder. It was a comforting gesture, surprisingly just as grounding as the way pain did to me whenever I pinched my skin.

"Enough," Lance declared, a hint of dominance coursing through the cramped space of the car. "No one will know what happened except for the three of us."

Connor deflated and leaned back, his head thumping on the glass window.

"But Connor, you'll need to tell us soon enough. Especially if it concerns Chiara's safety," Lance continued. The other shifter glanced at him without moving from his position.

Connor opened his mouth, but he was at a loss for words. He closed it again and simply nodded in the end.

Worry gnawed my gut as I met Lance's gaze through the mirror. Connor had a secret—a secret he was willing to risk Adrian's ire just to keep it safe.

But could we even keep what happened under wraps? Adrian had eyes and ears everywhere. I was afraid to see what awaited us back at the Galway Pack.

As the cars stopped in front of the mansion, a sense of trepidation washed over me.