Sacred Honor; Sacred Sin

Chapter 12

Leila

I know Texas is only an hour ahead, but I woke up at the crack of dawn for some reason. I had the strangest dream. Shaking my head, I knew I wasn't going to be able to fall back asleep. I threw on my slippers and headed into the living room area of our suite.

My dad's door was closed. I thought maybe he was still sleeping. I headed back to my room.

Well.... Breakfast by myself! Not like it'd be weird. I've barely seen my dad with the exception of being greeted at the pack border. It was just too weird.

I looked towards my suitcase. I hadn't really bothered unpacking last night. Apart from pulling out a dress for my "date" --is that what it was?-- and finding my pajamas when I got back, I didn't have much of a chance. Nor did I really care to. With any luck, I wouldn't be here too long. I don't think it will take Perrin too long to figure out we aren't mates. I looked at the dress, crumpled on the ground.

My thoughts drifted to last night.

Yesterday was definitely unexpected. Perrin has definitely grown. I mean grown up. Matured? Tall? Jacked? I got a slight flutter in my stomach picturing him sitting across from me at the table. Part of him was the same--same blond hair, same distinctly colored eyes, same grin that split up one side of his face before the other--and yet, a lot of him was different too. He was taller now. Definitely muscled. He had a broad chest, and there had been a shadow of a beard that flecked his square jawline with stubble. There was a new, deep baritone voice now when he spoke. And his laugh was low and warm. It reminded me of chocolate...

Mocha! Ugh. I need coffee.

I'm still pissed at my father. I had an amazing life in Texas with my mom. I loved my school, our adoptive pack, my friends, my training--it was all perfect! I mean, well, not perfect... I mean there were parts of my life I surely wouldn't miss but it was my life! And my mom. Of course I miss her. I check my phone in case I heard from her. No texts. I think she was just trying to give my space. I throw my phone back on the bed.

I guess it's sort of a weird dynamic now that I'm actually back here. My dad called my mom about a month ago, and told him that he wanted me to be present for The Sacred Call. It only comes around once or twice in a lifetime, and it sounded really important to my dad. But that didn't make it important to me.

I get that my dad is under a lot of pressure. Not only were he and Alpha Jason about to pass on their Titles to the next generation of pack leadership, but I was the daughter of the second-in-command. My presence here would be expected. I guess it could make sense, but it's not like I was going to challenge anyone for the title. I've been training with the pack in Texas, but everybody knew my return trip here was not to participate in the Sacred Call.

Without really thinking about it, I was convinced that Perrin and Ethan would have no issue earning their titles. I'm sure it wouldn't be easy, but there's nothing to say that they wouldn't. I mean, I haven't talked to them since I was six. Well--until last night anyway--but the occasional news that trickled in from my parents over the years was enough to give me the broader strokes of life with this pack.

Alpha Jason was a fair, strict, hard, but again, fair--Alpha. His son was turning 18 soon and would have a chance to not only fight for his lineage, but potentially find his mate.

Mate. Ugh.

I sank down on my bed again, pulling on a pair of wrinkled leggings then ruffled through my clothes for a sports bra. Coffee, then a run. Definitely coffee first, then a run. But my mind was distracted again.

Mate. A low growl threatened to come out of the back of my throat.

It's frustrating to me that my dad thinks his only daughter is going to participate in some type of speed-dating-to-find-your-mate-athon. And what makes it worse, is that I don't really have a say in the matter. I never really have. A lot of she-wolf daughters train like me, we all go to school, we attend university, and we lead our lives within the pack. But something about my father's decision to try and auction me off was ... archaic, at best.

I get that other packs do it. There will be a bunch of packs arriving today; challengers who fill fight against Perrin and Ethan, and a bunch of she-wolves hoping they mate with the new Alpha. But that wasn't what I wanted. Actually, nobody really ever asked me what I wanted.

But right now, what I really wanted was coffee. 

I laced on my sneakers and hauled a light pullover over my sports bra. My hair wasn't going to cooperate this morning, so I threw on a ball cap and headed out the door.

Kira

I awoke to the sound of soft snoring drifting across the room. I was disoriented and my head was pounding--probably from the crying late last night. I sat up and saw the sun coming in through the glass doors. Oh! I had totally forgot.

Perrin was asleep in his chair, shirtless, and covered in an old flannel he was passing off as a blanket.

He was so sweet. I must have fallen asleep and he let me take the bed. 

I didn't want to wake him. He looked so peaceful... soft, shaggy blond hair almost covering his eyes. I crept out of bed.

It was colder than I expected. I should have guessed.... wolves always prefer to sleep in colder weather. I checked the thermostat on the wall. No wonder! It was only 55 degrees in here. I grabbed a t-shirt off the floor and threw it on over my tank top.

I crept towards the door, trying not to make a sound. I left his room softly with the "click" of the lock behind me.

Leila

I walked down the hall past several suites, all of which I assumed were for members of the Alpha or Beta's family. Well, the Alpha's, I guess. Seeing as I'm the only family here with my father, I wondered who was occupying the rest of the rooms.

A few doors ahead of me, a door creaked open. A petite young woman--maybe my age?-- dressed in an oversized t-shirt and leggings backs out of the room. Her wavy, silver hair is tousled. She isn't wearing any shoes, but is holding a pair of sandals in her one of her hands.

She takes great care in closing the door quietly. Creeping down the hall, she disappears down a staircase.

I smirk to myself. I think I can spot a "walk-of-shame" when I see one. But who the hell cares. Good for her for getting some! 

I give her some space, then I follow her. This place is new and I have no idea where the kitchen is and my need for coffee is quickly turning into a headache problem. I turn the corner to descend the stairs and *SMACK*

"Alpha Jason! I'm so sorry!"

"Leila!" He seems as startled as I was. I can see the shadow of thought flickering and disappearing behind his eyes and he focuses on me.

"You'll have to forgive me for welcoming you formerly back yesterday. Things were quite busy."

I bow my head in respect and cast my eyes down before recovering. "Not at all, Alpha! I barely even saw my own father yesterday to be honest with you."

His voice becomes serious again. "Ah well, yes. We were both busy. My apologies. Perhaps you will be joining us for the formal Welcome Ceremony this afternoon?"

I shift my weight uneasily, knowing I can't really avoid it. "Of course! I wouldn't miss it." I force a smile. He gives me a brief nod and continues down the hallway. 

Out of curiosity, I watch him. And to my surprise, he stops outside of the door that the girl had just closed.

He beats on the door. 

"PERRIN!" He roars. "ARE YOU IN THERE?"

So.... the little silver haired girl must be Perrin's girlfriend. Looks like she was the one blowing up his phone last night.

I sneak down the stairs before he can see me watching. But something doesn't make sense. Why would Alpha Jason be mad about Perrin having a girlfriend? Unless...

Unless she isn't his girlfriend? She's obviously not his mate. I got the impression from my mother that she-wolves were being shipped in from packs all across the country for the Sacred Calling to see if they'd mate up once Perrin has the title.

Whatever. Good for him, good for her. It's too early for this much thinking. Now as for that coffee....