Page 28

28

Kaylee

Something feels off, like the calm before a storm. I find myself unable to focus while staring blankly at my computer screen.

Lucas had been stopped by David this morning while the alluring scent of apple strudels had occupied all of my attention. I could tell the two were having a serious conversation, but Lucas took off before I could walk over and join them. Worried, I had dropped my apple strudel onto a plate and left it on an empty table before rushing towards the packhouse exit when David stopped me.

“Lucas has something he needs to do,” David said just as I managed to catch Lucas shifting into his wolf form mid-step and racing off toward the border. David kept me from following after him, telling me that Lucas had a beta duty to perform and that I needed to focus on my own work. He was adamant that I stayed in the packhouse.

Now here I am, sitting in my office worrying about my mate and what could be so urgent that he had to run off without saying a word to me. Deep down, I know this situation involves that wolf, Devon.

“Kaylee.” The door to my office opens, and Ash walks in, a look of discomfort on his face. “We have a situation in the pack, and we need your input,” he adds, giving me an apologetic smile.

Standing from my desk, I walk to the door and ask Ash to lead the way. With a nod, my friend informs me that there’s been a fight by the greenhouses. Amelia and David are busy with a rogue situation in the dungeons, and Kurt has been trying to help, but he doesn’t hold a formal position in the pack like I do.

I felt a bit of a headache coming on, so Ash and I took my truck to the greenhouses. Within a few minutes, I find myself standing between a group of Ivory Fangs wolves and a group of rogues waiting to be initiated into the pack. Kurt stands beside me, a look of anger on his face, as he informs me of the problem—the rogues wanted to change the planting schedule now that the summer harvest is over and we’re ready to plant new crops for winter.

“They aren’t even part of the pack yet, so why should we change the plans?” Jupiter, an omega in charge of the harvest, shouts, visibly frustrated by both Kurt trying to interfere and de-escalate the situation and hostile towards the she-wolf named Carolyn I had met yesterday afternoon.

The auburn-haired she-wolf glares at Jupiter, the irritation clear as day on her face as she stands in front of one of the vegetable garden beds, refusing to let Jupiter and his team have access to it.

“You’re one of the wolves Maya showed around yesterday. An omega, right?” I ask, looking at Carolyn, who nods while ignoring Jupiter’s remarks. The rogue may not be part of the pack yet, but she will be soon, and I’ll deal with her disrespect later.

“Yes, Beta Kaylee. I chose to be an omega and asked specifically to be part of the gardening group since I farmed in my last pack,” Carolyn answers, nodding respectfully to me.

“I see. So what’s the problem with her suggestion?” I ask, turning to Jupiter and holding my hand out so Carolyn stays silent.

“This she-wolf—” Jupiter begins with malice in his voice. I growl, cutting Jupiter off in warning.

“Sorry, Beta. Carolyn suggested we turn one of the beds into a carrot bed to have more root vegetables for winter. But we’d already planned to plant more lettuce, spinach, and broccoli for the pack, as we only have three beds right now,” he continues, head bowed.

I look at the vegetable beds and think. Currently, we have three greenhouses. One is filled with berry bushes, and the second houses a few fruit trees.

“What are we doing with the third greenhouse?” I ask, turning to face Jupiter.

“Nothing yet. We just finished harvesting a few crops planted in it. We usually use it for overflow crops,” Jupiter answers, his voice sounding calmer.

“Well then, here is the new plan. Plant the lettuce and other greens in the third greenhouse. That frees up a vegetable bed to plant root vegetables,” I say, a small smile forming on my lips as I think about how best to get the two groups working together. “Carolyn and her team can be in charge of the root vegetables while learning how to harvest the fruit and berries with your team, Jupiter,” I finish.

Jupiter scowls at this, glaring at the four rogues who seem pleased at this decision. In the end, he agrees to train Carolyn and her three friends properly before turning on his heels and stomping toward the third greenhouse.

I make a mental note to talk with this team separately about their disrespect to Kurt and Carolyn. I know they were born and raised in this pack when it was known as Silver Paw, but that pack no longer exists. They either need to accept that things are done differently now, or they can find a new pack.

“Thank you, Beta Kaylee,” Carolyn says, bringing me from my thoughts. Her eyes are half closed as she grins, and I feel a sense of relief wash off her for a moment.

“Don’t thank me. Your idea is good—we could use more root vegetables before winter sets in.”

After reminding Carolyn where to get the seeds for the vegetables she plans to grow, I turn to look at Ash, who has watched on in awe throughout this ordeal.

“What?” I ask my friend. Ash just shakes his head.

“Nothing, just amazed that someone managed to put Jupiter in his place,” he says with a chuckle. I scoff at this, reminding Ash that I’m the beta and don’t care who I have to put in their place when they refuse ideas from their peers.

Kurt says he plans to return to the packhouse, and I offer him a ride. We’re making our way to my truck when I spy a black wolf walking toward the open entrance of our pack dungeons.

“Is that Lucas?” Ash asks, brows furrowed.

“Looks like him. Who is he following?” Kurt asks, pausing from opening the passenger seat as we all stare in the same direction.

“It is him,” I answer, feeling the mate bond hum from my mate being in eyesight. “I’m going to see what the hell is going on,” I add, deciding that my work at the packhouse can wait. Lucas left in a hurry earlier, and I want to know why.

Marching towards the pack dungeon—a three-story basement with the entrance being a stone cottage just on the edge of the forest line—I call out to Lucas, who pauses mid-step before the open door. I can feel his worry for me through the bond, and my frown deepens.

[Kaylee, go back to the packhouse,] he says calmly through our link as I reach his side. His scent of vanilla and mint wraps around me, and for a moment, I wonder if confronting him about why he is here is a good idea.

“No,” I say, deciding that I need to know what is happening inside my pack as its beta.

“You ran off without talking to me, and I want to know what was so important,” I add, marching past him and toward the dungeon entrance. Lucas moves quickly, his large black wolf blocking me from entering the stone cottage as he lets out a small whimper.

[Please, Kaylee. I can’t do my job as my uncle’s beta with you here,] he responds, nudging his head against my shoulder. I sigh, feeling how important the task David gave Lucas is to him. It’s a way to prove he has changed from the playboy future alpha to the loyal mate and beta he’s been working hard to become.

“Does this have anything to do with Devon?” I ask softly, running my fingers through his soft black fur.

[It does,] he answers, eyes closing with each pass my fingers make through his fur.

“Lucas, what is taking so—oh. Kaylee.” David walks out of the stone cottage, looking shocked to see me standing there with Lucas blocking my path. “What brings you here?” he asks, looking at Lucas with a raised brow.

“I was dealing with a situation at the greenhouses when I saw Lucas here, and I came to find out why,” I answer with a shrug.

David mulls over my words as he looks towards the greenhouses. Ash is still standing by my truck, a look of confusion on his face as he respectfully waits for me to rejoin him.

“Since you’re here, you might as well join us inside. Lucas, link Ash and tell him we need a few buckets from the pack house filled with ice,” David says, motioning for the two of us to follow him. I look down at Lucas, who stares between the dungeon entrance and me, worry gnawing at the bond.

[I will stand near the exit if it makes you feel better,] I link my mate, watching his tense body visibly relax.

[Please do that. I don’t trust Devon and need to know you’re safe.]

Placing a soft kiss on his furry head, I walk past Lucas and head into the dungeon. If David had told me to return to the packhouse, I would have, but I’m glad he invited me into the dungeons. If there’s a threat to my pack, I would rather know right away than learn about it from someone else.