The Lace-Marked Wolf

2. Double Trouble

~ GENNY ~

"Genny. Sweetheart. It's time to get up." Benedict's light shaking stirred me from my slumber.

I shoved my head under the pillow and pulled the blanket higher before mumbling, "Five more minutes."

Benedict chuckled and Gavin let out a heavy sigh before informing me, "You said 'five more minutes' an hour ago. Come on, get up princess. Everything is already packed, you just need to shower and get dressed."

"What time is it?" I asked sleepily.

"It's almost seven. Wheels up at eight. We've gotta go," Benedict scolded.

"You'd better have my coffee and breakfast," I demanded as I sluggishly made my way to the bathroom.

"Umm." Benedict nervously shifted from foot to foot. "About that."

I froze at the bathroom door and turned to glare at him. "What?"

He sighed in defeat before breaking the news. "The bakery is closed. The sign said it would be closed for two weeks. It included an apology from the owner stating that he will be out of town."

I groaned in frustration as I dragged my hand down my face. Serenity Falls has the newest Spellbound Crumb store, a bakery that sells the perfect almond croissants and coffee exactly the way I like it.

They call the coffee Monk's Tears. I have no clue why, but it definitely brings tears to my eyes with how perfect it is. Despite the memories it sometimes conjures.

We discovered it when the first store opened a few blocks from my boutique in Silverstone. Whenever there was a*****e where we were staying, we always made a point to visit and pick up my favorite coffee and at least two almond croissants.

Wait. Oh no.

"Benny, does that mean no Monkey Box for the flight?" I almost shout with an exaggerated pout.

He gave me an apologetic look. When I turned to Gavin, his face mirrored his partner's. But he still gave me some slightly good news.

"I confirmed yesterday that the order your mother placed for the ball would still be fulfilled. So the store in Silverstone should still be open."

That perked me up a little bit. I'll miss out on my favorite macarons, also known as a Monkey Box. But at least I'll get some at home. That just motivated me to move faster.

"Fine. Give me thirty minutes and someone better have some coffee for me."

I heard them both chuckling as I closed the bathroom door. Benedict then yelled through the door, "Your clothes will be on the bed when you get out."

I started my morning routine, including stripping out of my nightwear and staring at the scars going down my back in the mirror for a few minutes.

When I first saw them years ago, they made me feel disgusting and weak. I would cry every time I saw them.

Now they were my motivation and the source of my determination to seek justice for what was done to me. Looking at them lights a fire inside, igniting the power within me.

The hot spray of water not only woke me but also soothed the aches and loosened the tightness all along my scars. I think it's time to get them massaged when I get home.

Stepping out of the shower, I carefully toweled myself off. Some of the scars were still sensitive to the touch. They were especially sensitive on the back of my neck.

I decided to dry my black cherry hair just enough to let it finish air drying into its natural waves and flow down my back. Keeping the make-up simple, I applied some lip gloss and my signature charcoal black eyeliner and mascara that made my emerald-green eyes pop.

When I looked at the outfit Benedict chose for me, I smiled. He was the perfect stylist assistant knowing my taste while also understanding my need to cover my scars.

I quickly dressed in the black silk, collared, button-up shirt and pulled the soft blood-red sweater vest over my head, smoothing it down over my wide hips.

I struggled slightly with the skin-tight dark jeans. As a plus-size woman with delicious curves, I was used to it.

After fastening the black lace-covered waist cincher around my waist, I found the custom-made black suede knee-high boots that Gavin designed for me.

Adjusting my collar and cuffs into place, I took one last approving look at myself in the mirror before nodding and heading to the door ready to head home.

Somebody better have my coffee.

* * *

The flight was short, and without my favorite macarons to soothe me, I was moody. But I didn't allow myself to take it out on anyone. Instead I listened to music and stared out the window.

The drive after we landed was peaceful as the scenery passed by. At first, it was just the open expanse of steel buildings and black asphalt. As we made our way down the road, the emptiness slowly filled with tall trees and green grass.

As soon as we passed the barrier, I felt it. That comforting warmth of home, but I also sensed a few concerning cracks in the shield that protected my pack.

My excitement grew as we approached the stone structure that resembled a small fairy tale castle. The banners of the Silvercrest pack shifted lightly in the wind.

I saw them as soon as we turned into the circular driveway. I don't think I even let the car stop before jumping out the door and launching myself into their waiting arms.

My brothers: Gideon, Malcom, and Theodore. They were identical, so most people referred to them as the Arclaine Triplets. But the four of us are actually quadruplets.

I was the fraternal and only girl out of the four of us. I was also the oldest. This is one of many secrets we keep from outsiders.

It's also why those assholes thought nothing of attacking me back then. But I don't want to dwell on that now. The truth will come out eventually.

After a few minutes, a shadow cast over our laughing pile of bodies caught our attention.

"Charlie! Gods, I missed you!" I squealed before grabbing her hand and yanking her down into our pile.

Theodore jumped up in a panic and snatched her back. "Genny, be careful! Charlotte has to take it easy!"

Malcom and Gideon were back on their feet less than a second later hovering over Charlie looking for non-existent injuries.

I was almost back on my feet until I was crashing back to the ground after being tackled by the double trouble. My identical twin nieces sat on top of me in triumph.

"Aunty! We got you! We win!" they said in perfect unison, their musical voices floating through the air.

I collapsed beneath them and groaned in mock defeat. "Oh no! They got me! Someone save me!"

The deep chuckle from nearby had me smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. "My princess, your king is here to save you."

Two tiny gasps sounded as their tiny bodies scrambled off of me. "Grandpa! We're your princesses!"

My father's strong arms lifted me into an embrace as he addressed the two three year olds. "Yes, you are both my princesses. But this here," he paused to place a kiss on my forehead, "is my first princess and she always will be."

I barely held back my laughter when I saw their pouty faces as they held their fists on their hips. "Fine! But only because she's our favorite aunty," Aribella proclaimed as she pointed a finger at us both.

Mirabella lifted her chin in agreement as she shouted, "Yeah! Only because Aunty Genny is our favorite aunty!"

I knelt down with my arms wide open. They didn't hesitate to run into my embrace. "I love you both."

After they each gave me a kiss on the cheek, I stood and grabbed their hands as we walked up the steps. My mother waited patiently at the top of the steps just in front of the entrance.

A wide smile spread across her face as she opened her arms to me. The girls released my hands and I glided effortlessly into her arms. We held each other for a few moments before I looked up at her and our foreheads touched.

"I missed you, Mom."

"Me, too, baby." She released my hand, grabbed it again, and pulled me inside without wasting a moment. "Come on. You need to raise the veil."

"Yeah, I also need to reinforce the barrier. I sensed some cracks when we entered the lands."

Her steps faltered and she spun to me, her face full of confusion. "Cracks? There are cracks? I didn't sense any when I checked on it two days ago."

"They're faint, but they're there. I was thinking of lacing the veil with the barrier while I fix the cracks. Mom, where do you want the center to be?"

"In the ballroom. I think it's a good idea to weave the veil into the barrier. It'll use less energy while reinforcing them both," she said as we continued down the halls.

Making our way to the ballroom, I was greeted by several pack members. They were all excited to see me.

Some friends would have pulled me into a hug before. But they knew that I only allowed a select few to come too close after what had happened years ago. So they respected my personal space and offered smiles and waves, which I eagerly reciprocated.

The pack knows the story of what happened to me. They also know that it's one of our best-kept secrets.

Once we reached the ballroom, I stood in the spot that the stage would be set and cleared my mind. Taking a deep breath and closing my eyes.

In my mind's eye, I saw our vast lands from the sky. My astral body floated high in the clouds as I looked down.

First, I looked toward where the great oak tree had once stood, memories of the dream I had last night flashed in my head, but only for a moment.

I needed to focus on the task at hand. I looked over the borders and saw the shimmering lavender wall. I made note of the cracks and their location. Once the cracks were sealed, the wall shone brighter, darkening into a deeper shade of purple.

Then I focused on the veil. Waving my hands, I imagined I was weaving delicate rainbow threads into the silken fabric of the purple barrier. When I finished, the veil had become an elaborate pattern of lace embroidered into the barrier.

When I opened my eyes in the ballroom, a smirk grew on my lips. I sensed them as soon as the veil was in place and they crossed the barrier.

The Ashcrofts have arrived.