A Matter of Convenience

Twenty-Six

I say nothing and follow the men inside the packhouse and upstairs. I didn’t miss the sneer that Beta Lionel pointed in my direction, and I can’t say that I don’t deserve it. It does tell me that he knows everything if he’s looking at me like that. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, though the less people know about what happened between us, the better for me.

The men walk into the office, but someone steps in front of me just as I’m about to walk in myself. Alpha Felix stops and looks back at me. “Is there an issue?”

“Is your personal guard really needed while you’re in the office with us? I hope you don’t think anyone would take this time to do something to you.” He turns to Beta Lionel, and I notice his jaw ticking.

“I understand your concern, Beta. I don’t think anyone here would do anything to me, but I’m pretty sure this pack doesn’t completely favor my guy.” Alpha Felix quickly puts his hands up in defense. “I’m accusing no one of anything; I would just feel better if he was in my line of sight.” Beta Lionel looks at me, and I know he would love nothing more than to end me.

“It’s okay,okayeta. Let them both come in if they want.” All eyes turn and settle on Isis. I swear my heart stops, and I get a bit dizzy. Isis looks even better than she did before, and I don’t understand how that’s possible.

The guard in front of me moves out of my way. I step into the office and hear the door click behind me. I slowly walk forward with the flowers at my side. Everyone is getting settled, and my nerves are setting in. I don’t know what to do right now or what to say. I feel more than awkward about this entire situation.

I decide to stand off to the side but close enough to lay eyes on Isis whenever I want to. I settle against a wall and try to keep my chaotic thoughts at bay. “Alpha Felix, it’s nice to see you again.”

“You left the pack so abruptly last time. I hope everything was okay." Isis says nothing, and I shift my feet. “I’m so sorry about your father. He was a good man.” Isis sits back in her chair and places her hands in her lap.

“Thank you. Why don’t we discuss what brought you here.”

“Ah, yes. We have a bit of a rogue situation that we could use your help with.” Isis shifts in her chair.

“Tell me everything.” I turn my head so I could place eyes on her. Something on her neck catches my eye, but I can’t see it completely.

The office door flies open, bringing a random man into the room. I have to say that he looks a bit familiar, but I have no idea who he is. “Uh, I’m sorry, Alpha. He said that it was an emergency and you wouldn’t be upset with him being here.” Isis has risen to her feet along with my Alpha. She looks surprised, and Alpha Felix seems like he knows who the man is.

“Alpha Ericson. I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Uh, Ericson, what are you doing here?” He walks up to Isis, placing an arm around her waist. This throws Wolfgang into a tailspin as I fight to keep my composure. He leans over and kisses Isis on her temple, and I’m ready to rip his lips off.

“Of course I’m here, my love; where else would I be? I’m so sorry I’m late.” He turns to Alpha Felix and holds his hand out. “Hello, Alpha Felix. It’s been a while.”

~Ericson~

I have no idea how I’m going to fix this, but something has to be done. Isis has been ignoring my calls and my texts. OkaOkayt’s completely my fault, but still. We have a lot coming at us very soon, and we need to face it all together. She’s going to have to get over it and stick by my side. You didn’t have to be an ass.

Look at you coming to her defense. Did that fake mark create some kind of bond for you, Blade?

Don’t be stupid, human. It’s called being decent. I don’t have the strength or energy to get into it with Blade right now. I have a plan to execute, and now is the time to do it.

It’s early morning, and I’ve waited long enough for Isis to come around. It’s time for me to make a move, and I plan on doing just that. I’m going to go to the Scarlettmaw Pack and give Isis no other choice but to talk to me. She’ll have nowhere to run, and I know all about her hiding spot.

I set out at a reasonable time, eager to find Isis and end this silence between us. I decided to get onto her territory from the clinic rather than go around through the front gate. I want to draw as little attention to myself as possible.

I walk into the clinic on my end and slowly make my way through. I stop and visit a few of my pack members, checking to see how they’re feeling. I end up at the north end of the clinic and walk out of the doors. In a few steps, I will be in Scarlettmaw territory, and I know I won’t be able to walk through it as if I belong.

It doesn’t take long for me to be stopped on the way to the packhouse. “Sir, what are you doing here?” I don’t stop walking, keeping my pace slow and steady.

“I’m here to meet with your Alpha.”

“Please stop and let me speak to her.”

“No time. It’s an emergency, and if I’m not there, your Alpha is going to be pissed.” I try to keep my face neutral, knowing that this young man is going crazy, trying to figure out how to handle me. He runs past me, appearing in front of me. I know he wants to stop me, so I let my aura leak out. I can tell the moment he feels it, and I know he won’t stop me. “Where is your Alpha?” I walk past him, almost at my destination. There’s no answer, so I stop in my tracks and turn back to him. I give him the coldest look I can muster and let my aura out again.

“Sssshe’s, uh, she’s in her ooooffice on the second floor.” I nod and turn to continue on my way. He runs past me and ends up in front of me, practically leading the way.

The closer we get to the office, I smell a bunch of different scents along with Isis. I have no idea what’s going on behind that door, but I will deal with the issues later. I push the door open and walk inside without hesitation. I hear the young man behind me trying to fix things. “Uh, I’m sorry, Alpha. He said it was an emergency, and you would be upset with him not being here.” I watch Isis get to her feet, Beta Lionel standing pretty close to her. Alpha Felix from the Darkfang pack is also here, standing across from my mate. I have no idea what business they would have together, but I will see about all that later.

Some guy is standing off to the side with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. I don’t like how he’s looking at Isis, but it really isn’t my business at the moment. “Alpha Ericson. I’m surprised to see you here.” I nod toward Alpha Felix, wanting to acknowledge his presence even though I find it weird that he’s here.

“Uh, Ericson, what are you doing here?” I walk up to Isis and place my arm around her waist. I lean over and kiss Isis on her temple, making sure to make the show look good. I don’t miss the glare I’m getting from that guy off to the side, but I will figure out what his deal is when I talk to her privately.

“Of course, I’m here, my love; where else would I be? I’m so sorry I’m late.” I hold my hand to Felix and wait for him to take it. “Hello, Alpha Felix. It’s been a while.”