Page 23 of Pack Nightmare

“I’m sorry,” I try to infuse my tone with remorse, even though I’m secretly sort of relieved. “Alpha duties call.” I thread my fingers through his. “The good news is, I get you all to myself for lab today.”

A small smile curls his full lips. “Yeah, that’s true. And it is a three-hour class. I’m just looking forward to when we can help you with alpha stuff so you don’t have to do it all yourself.”

We head toward the science building, Amber and the Westley twins following.

The tiny thread of guilt worming its way through my chest won’t be ignored. Landon just wants to spend time with me, and I honestly didn’t have to deal with the issue this afternoon. I asked Roxanne for an escape from my own mates, and she provided it.

In my heart of hearts, I know they mean well, and I suppose that is where the guilt comes in. But sometimes a girl just needs to deal with something a lot less complicated than boys and their feelings.

Chapter Twelve

Layla

Roxanne is waiting for me in the back seat when I meet Maxwell out front.

My eyes meet hers curiously. “We’re taking the fancy car today, to meet the complainant? I thought Maxwell was just going to drive me up to Harridan House, and we’d take your car again.”

Roxanne smooths a hand over her pants, and I realize with a start she’s wearing a sleek pinstripe suit instead of her usual khakis and button-down shirt. To top it off, she’s got on two-inch stiletto heels. “Part of tending to the pack is understanding the needs and expectations of everyone we’re dealing with. The people we met yesterday are simple, humble folk who would have been offended by us driving up in this car. But where we’re going today… well, we’ll just say they aren’t humble, and they expect you to have all the trappings of power. Here,” she thrusts a duffle bag at me. “I packed you something to change into. Campus wear will not cut it today, I’m afraid.”

I glance uncomfortably toward Maxwell—I don’t relish the idea of changing in full view of his rear-view mirror—but he’s already raised a dark glass divider between us. Sighing, I dig in the bag and pull out an outfit remarkably similar to Roxanne’s. It’s a pantsuit with a silky blouse, complete with shiny low heels.

The back seat isn’t exactly the size of my closet, but I manage to get the ensemble on during the drive. When I settle back into my seat, a glance out the window tells me we’re in an area of town I’ve never seen. We’re cruising slowly along a smooth, recently paved road, and the landscaping to either side is neat and park-like, almost like a golf course, but I don’t see anything resembling a fairway.

“Roxanne, who are we meeting, and what is their issue?” A heavy sense of foreboding settles in my stomach. Somehow, I know this will not be a simple complaint about dog poop.

“It’s about the property of Peter Jean-Yves,” she replies cooly. “Several of his neighbors have accused him of encroaching on their property and attempting to claim it as his own. I’ve already done the legwork. I have the map of property lines here, so we’re basically issuing a cease-and-desist.”

“Peter Jean-Yves, as in Amber’s dad? One of my mom’s rejected?”

“Yes, that’s him.”

“Jared said… well, he said you told him Peter used to be really nice, before my mom left. And now he’s… different. Is that true?”

“Unfortunately, it is. The rejection definitely changed him, and not for the better. He was alway fun-loving, good-natured, and kind. After your mother left, he turned rather bitter. He’s been a thorn in your uncle’s side for years, and now, unfortunately, the task of dealing with him has come to you.”

“So what am I supposed to do? Just tell him to cut it out?”

Roxanne sighs heavily. “Ideally, we’d arrive, he’d greet us kindly, and in a very civilized conversation, we’d explain that he’s mistakenly claimed some land that isn’t his. We’d show him the property line, he’d apologize and that would be it.

“However, don’t expect it to go exactly that way. I’d expect that he will be hostile, and there’s really no telling how he’s going to react to seeing you up close and in person. He was, truly, in love with your mother, and you look just like her. It may have some… unexpected consequences.”

I gulp down the lump in my throat. “And do you believe that the property issue is a mistake?”

She snorts. “Not in your life. He’s been trying to take more than his share ever since your mother left. I have wondered if it’s a direct effect of him being rejected by an alpha… he still innately believes he’s entitled to more than the average pack member.

“In theory, everyone in the pack receives the same treatment, everyone is looked after. But we don’t prevent people from creating businesses, earning their own keep, and passing down wealth. So, naturally there are some people who are better off than others, just like any society. We don’t force communal sharing, but we do charge an income-based tithe to help ensure the communal property is taken care of, streets are paved, and those in the pack with lesser circumstances have everything they need.”

“And part of that communal property is Harridan House,” I add, following along. “So people like the Jean-Yves family pay a lot to support the alpha, including the work on the grounds, the staff, everything.” Guilt swamps my chest, thinking of the two older people yesterday in their humble houses, giving money to put me up in a castle.

“Yes, a portion of their tithe goes to the alpha, which has been the same way for centuries,” Roxanne replies gently. “No one resents that, Layla. Please try to understand—people love the alpha. They want to do their part because the alpha protects us all. The magic in your veins sustains everyone in this town. I know you haven’t had a chance to really experience it yet, but you’ll see at the Homecoming festivities. Everyone is truly happy you’re here.”

“Doesn’t sound like everyone is,” I mutter under my breath.

“Well, it has been a rough time for the pack since your mom left. It’s not just about you. Your uncle did his best, but he didn’t have a tenth of the strength you have. It was harder for him to bring everyone together, to keep the peace, and make people feel protected. When they don’t trust that the alpha can protect them, they take measures into their own hands and become suspicious of others, which leads to more conflict.” She pats my hand and gives me a reassuring smile. “As you take more control, show up more in public places and resolve issues, and yes, some of the smiling and waving and baby-kissing political-type stuff, you’ll see that things improve drastically. For everyone.”

“But not for me,” I disagree. “I will always bear the weight of the curse that ties me to this land and prevents me from going anywhere.”

Roxanne’s encouraging smile drops. “I’m sorry, Layla. I know it’s a heavy price to pay. If I had a solution for you, I’d have already taken care of it myself. But there’s nothing to be done. People in the Montrose Pack are bitter and spiteful, and there’s no reason for us to believe that has changed since they set the curse on us.”

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