Page 58 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

“Oh, Lori,” Alpha Marcellus looks at me curiously. To my surprise, he remembered to call me by my preferred name. “Ezra mentioned something interesting about you.”

Oh shoot, here it comes.

“He said you are very good with handiwork.”

I blink, surprised. “Yes,” I admit. “I… I was very self-sufficient growing up. Renovating stuff is a hobby.”

“What kind of things do you renovate?” he asks curiously.

“Well, all kinds of things. Electric devices, for example, but I also like to do carpentry. My favorite is to take old, run-down furniture and restore it. Oh, and I like restoring old houses, too.”

“That’s pretty dope,” Micah proclaims, glancing at Alpha Marcellus. “Just what we needed.”

“That’s true.” Alpha Marcellus looks happy. “Seems like we hit the jackpot! That said…” He turns to look at me. “We don’t want you to do any work until you have settled in. Take all the timeyou need,” he pauses, looking like he wants to say more, but then he just smiles.

“And you?” Micah asks Percy.

“I don’t have any talents,” he says shyly. “But I can help with whatever you need me to.”

“Well,” Marcellus says seriously. “For starters, you can help by getting your high school diploma.”

“What?” Percy squeaks in shock.

“We have a homeschool system at the pack,” Marcellus explains. “For those young pack members who are too traumatized to go back to school. But some of them prefer to visit the high school in the nearby town. We can discuss this later and see what you prefer.”

Judging by Percy’s expression, he looks like he prefers not going back to school at all, but it doesn’t look like that’s an option.

“Alright,” Alpha Ezra interrupts. “I have recovered, I think.” He beams. “And I know it’s true! My wolf took up a new scent with our mate.”

“Looks like I missed something,” Micah deduces.

“You just missed me being a dunce,” Marcellus groans.

Micah laughs. “Nothing new about that.”

twenty-one

A Night Out

*LORI*

Percy and I join our new alpha, his friend Micah, and Alpha Ezra for dinner in the alpha suite. It seems like their first attempt at dinner truly was traumatizing, because Alpha Marcellus’s eyes gleam when he sees the meatloaf being served to us. I am still guarded, though. I can’t help it. I want to believe that this alpha is a good person and a fair leader. I want to believe that I’m truly getting a second chance, and that I can start anew somewhere. I want to believe that I will be forgiven, but part of me just waits for the other shoe to drop.

What if Alpha Marcellus wants me to entertain his guests, eventually, just like Elijah did. Or maybe he will want me to get back at his enemies and destroy relationships.

No one seems to catch my uneasiness, though, much to my relief. Alpha Ezra had told Percy and me some information about our new pack, and how it’s a joint pack and coven. Hearing it all from Marcellus, though, hits home differently because it makes it real. We are also not the only new pack members joining. It seems like there will be two vampires with their human beloveds and a couple more wolves who were saved from slavery.

“Here you are,” the luna’s voice sounds from the door. She is such an elegant, regal woman. She might not be the most beautiful woman, but she looks so charismatic and strong. I wish I was like her.

“Giselle,” Ezra jumps up and takes her hand. “I am so happy to see you.”

“Did I miss something?” she blinks. She pauses before she snorts in her amusement. “You know, don’t you?”

“Yes!” he blurts, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her into his arms. “And I am so happy.”

“How did you find out?” she chuckles.

“I didn’t,” he says. “Marcellus was the one who realized.”