Page 13 of Whisper of an Alpha
I revel in the intimacy of the moment, feeling the strength of his presence and the softness he shows only to me. “You’re kind of beautiful in this rugged way, you know that?” I murmur, lost in the details of him.
Wyatt’s eyes soften, a hint of vulnerability surfacing. “Only for you,” he replies, and I feel a warmth spread through my chest.
“Are you ready to meet my parents?” he asks, breaking the spell between us. A flutter of nerves hits me, but I push it aside, focusing on the confidence I know I have with him by my side. I nod, putting on a brave face. “Yeah, I can do this.”
As we step into the kitchen, I suddenly feel a rush of warmth and chaos. Wyatt’s mother, Jeanette, bursts in just as we cross the threshold, her excitement palpable. She moves towards me with arms wide open, engulfing me in a hug that feels both overwhelming and welcoming.
“Oh, Octavia! I’m so happy for you two!” she exclaims, pulling back to look at me, her eyes sparkling with joy. “I can’t believe we only have six days to plan the Luna Ceremony. It’s going to be so special!”
Luna Ceremony. The words resonate with me, filling me with a mix of excitement and trepidation. It’s a celebration of our bond, a ritual that would cement my place as Wyatt’s fated mate and future Luna of the Waterton Pack. But as Jeanette begins outlining details, discussing decorations and food options, a gnawing feeling settles in my stomach—a sense that something isn’t right.
I force a smile, trying to shake off the unease. Wyatt’s hand finds mine, squeezing it gently, grounding me in the moment. “It’s going to be amazing, Mom,” he says, his voice steady. “We’ll make sure everything is perfect for my girl.”
As the planning unfolds, I can’t help but feel the weight of the impending day. The laughter and chatter blend into a background hum, but my mind races with shadows of doubt. What if something goes wrong? What if the bond we’ve forged comes under threat? I shake my head, trying to dispel the dark thoughts. I do this. Self sabotaging when things are going great. I need to see the bright side for once. This is our moment — a celebration of love and family.
Yet, as I help Jeanette organize things out of her gigantic three ring binder, I can’t shake the feeling that a storm is brewing just beyond the horizon, and I have to be prepared for whatever it might bring.
7
CHAI TEA WITH A SHOT OF CRAZY
Wyatt
“Octavia,”I say, my voice dropping a notch, seriousness creeping in. “I have to take care of some pack business.” I can feel the weight of my words. It’s not just any business; it’s the kind of work that demands focus, the kind of work that pulls me away from her. “Dalton will be waiting for me. I’ll be just down the path from the café if you need me.”
She turns to me, her expression unreadable, but it stirs an unsettling feeling in my gut. I can’t help but smirk, trying to lighten the mood. “Okay, so we need to go over the rules, baby. You can’t wander into the woods alone. Take Harrison with you if you go.”
Her lips curl into a faint smile, but I can see the flicker of something else behind her eyes. Something that tells me she’s not entirely comfortable with the idea of me leaving her. I watch her walk out of the office door, the soft sway of her hair a reminder of the warmth she brings to my life.
Just then, Dalton strides in, a knowing smirk plastered across his face. “Caught a glimpse of that kiss, did you?” heteases, his eyes twinkling with mischief. I can’t help but feel a swell of pride at the thought of Octavia blushing, her cheeks the color of ripe cherries.
“Yeah, yeah,” I brush off, waving my hand dismissively. “How’s patrol been? Any rogue wolves spotted?”
Dalton leans against the wall, crossing his arms. “Nothing out of the ordinary, but there’s chatter among the other packs. They’re worried about you finally getting a Luna. They’re concerned about your power.”
His words hang in the air, heavy with meaning. I’ve worked hard to build our pack, to strengthen our bonds, and the thought of other packs feeling threatened is a mix of satisfaction and concern. Just as we delve deeper into the discussion, the mate bond pulls at me, a sudden tug that sends shivers down my spine. Something is wrong with Octavia.
“Dalton, we need to wrap this up,” I say, urgency threading through my tone. “I need to find Octavia.”
We step outside the office, and I scan the area. The sun is setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, but my focus is solely on Octavia. I catch sight of her walking up the stairs toward me, and my heart sinks. There’s a distress etched on her face, a furrow in her brow that speaks volumes.
My instinct kicks in; I need to reach her, to understand what’s going on. She halts mid-step, her eyes wide, and in that moment, everything else fades away — my pack, Dalton, the looming threats from other packs — none of it matters as much as the worry that fills me seeing her like this.
“Hey,” I say softly, closing the distance between us. “Is everything okay? I could sense you were upset and worried but needed to wrap this matter up quickly. I was coming for you baby.”
“Can we talk?” she asks, causing turmoil inside my gut.
“Of course gorgeous,” I reply, searching her gaze for any signs of distress. “What’s wrong?”
I take a deep breath, trying not to freak the fuck out because this suspense will be my damn death. “It’s about Rachel.” And there it is, my stomach drops, at the same time I see red.
Octavia
The sun filtersthrough the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground as I walk hand in hand with Wyatt. There’s a lightness in the air, an electric thrill that feels almost tangible. I’m acutely aware of every detail: the warmth of his palm against mine, the subtle scent of pine and leather that clings to him, and the way his smile can light up even the darkest corners of my mind. Yet, as we approach his office door, a sense of foreboding creeps in, like an unwelcome gust of wind.
“Octavia, I have to take care of some pack business,” Wyatt says, his tone serious but soft. “Dalton will be waiting for me. I’ll be just down the path from the café if you need me.”
I nod, trying to hide the flicker of disappointment that crosses my mind. “I’ll be fine. Just a little walk to clear my head.”
