Page 56 of Lavender and Lightning

“Don’t apologize for other people making your life hard. Remember when you first started? We could hardly keep you from bolting out the door at the sight of anyone even remotely resembling your ex. This too shall pass, babe. And then you’re going to treat us to a long weekend getaway at the spa,” she returns.

I chuckle, knowing she’s only half kidding. But I would do that and more to make up for all the trouble I’ve been causing her and Wila these last few weeks. I squeeze Gabby tight one last time before climbing to my feet and walking to where Wila and Caleb are still staring each other down. Wila breaks eye contact once I’m within arm’s reach, crushing me to her chest before I can protest. I relax into her hold, returning the embrace just as fiercely.

“Your alphas better take care of you, or they’ll have me to answer to, you hear me? I will not let you get hurt again.”

Wila’s whisper makes the back of my eyes burn, and I nuzzle into the crook of her neck, breathing in that fresh-turned earth scent I love so much. Wila will always be my protector, just as Gabby will be my best friend, no matter how much trouble I cause. When she finally releases me, I turn to find Caleb standing near the door to the workroom, Gabby whispering something in his ear. He pulls back and nods seriously, which appears to be the answer Gabby was looking for as she gives him a soft smile. Caleb turns back to me and jerks his head. My phone is in his hand, and I can’t deny the grateful ease that takes over the strong pulse in my chest. I don’t want that thing anywhere near me anymore. Without speaking, I gather my bag and hang up my apron before following Caleb back out to his SUV.

Caleb pulls up into a reserved space in front of the St. Clair Foundation offices, and I feel my stomach twist nervously. Once again, it feels like I’ve been called to the principal’s office. When would I stop feeling so intimidated by Alexandra and her world? I follow Caleb through the lobby and into the elevator as I ponder, but I can’t think past the sinking feeling in my gut. Every time I’ve talked to the police since this saga began, nothing has come of it. They aren’t any closer to finding the person who keeps taking pictures of me, and they haven’t been able to make the connection from Seth to Darren yet.

Once the elevator rings for the top floor, I’m fidgeting with the strap of my bag, picking at a loose thread as we cross the open space. The room is decorated with modern, minimalist decor, lots of sleek metal and cool neutrals lending an airy feeling to an otherwise unremarkable space. Erica, Alexandra’s beta secretary, rises from her seat as she spots us approaching.

“She’s ready for you,” Erica chirps, motioning to the double doors that lead into Alexandra’s office.

I nod, smiling nervously. Caleb holds the door open for me, allowing me to enter first. Alexandra’s office is big, the back wall made almost entirely of windows overlooking the Everton skyline. Her desk is a sleek glass-top expanse with metal legs, her computer off to one side with my latest arrangement sitting proudly on the opposite corner. We’re out of lilac season, so they gave me freedom to play. The star-gazer lilies sit in their clear glass vase, intermixed with sprigs of greenery. My eyes sweep from the empty desk to the small sitting area to the right of the door, and I find Alexandra in one of the white armchairs, along with two other people.

My eyes linger on Alexandra for a long moment, not able to look away from her stunning form perched with a dancer’s grace, one ankle tucked behind the other and her hands folded carefully in her lap. She’s dressed in black today, but there’s nothing boring about the way the color makes her pale skin look like polished marble, or the way it darkens her hazel eyes to an almost mossy green in this light.

“Miss Anderson. So glad you could make it.”

A deep Texas twang finally breaks my trance, and I find Ted Calhoun, the pack lawyer, lounging on the couch on Alexandra’s left. He’s squat, with a belly that hangs over the large silver belt buckle holding up his slacks. The dark brown streaks in his salt-and-pepper hair seem to be dwindling every time I see him, but he still wears a wide, toothy grin under his bushy mustache. As the other man twists to look back at me, I see the now-familiar face of Officer Lee Nyueng, dressed in his usual uniform with black tactical vest.

Alexandra gets to her feet and crosses to me, her heels clicking on the shiny tile floor. I duck my chin and look at my shoes, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. Her scent hits me first, heavy with spicy cinnamon and cloves over citrus. Her finger is warm as it hooks under my chin and pulls my eyes up to meet hers.

“Are you okay, lovely?” she whispers, words dripping with concern.

I’m stunned for a moment, but shrug. Her frown deepens and she sighs. There’s a weariness around her eyes that tugs at my heart.

“I’m sorry—”

“No, don’t. It’s not your fault. It’s fine,” I interrupt, one of my hands darting out to take her free one to comfort her before I think better of it and let my hand drop lamely to my side.

“I have the phone, Ms. St. Clair, if the officer needs to see it,” Caleb says suddenly.

I jump at the same time as I feel Alexandra flinch, and her hand drops away from my face when we both turn to look at him. His expression is neutral, but I can decipher the flash of curiosity in his gray eyes. I feel my cheeks heating even more and have to look away as he hands my phone over.

“Very good, Mr. Novak. Would you mind waiting outside while we have this meeting? Erica can assist you with getting some coffee or other refreshments,” Alexandra says, voice returning to that cool, distant tone she hides behind when dealing with business matters.

Caleb nods and then turns on his heel and leaves the room. Alexandra’s hand on my lower back guides me to sit in the chair she was previously occupying, and she perches on the wide arm next to me. Her hand is warm on the back of my shoulder, and I can feel her fingers tracing slow, soothing circles.

“So your ex contacted you, is that right?” Officer Nyueng starts.

I nod, and then sigh before beginning my explanation of what happened. Alexandra stays quiet for the duration of my short story, though I feel her hand tense slightly as I describe how Darren used that slur.

“How do you know it was your ex, and not some random prank?” Lee asks, tone neutral.

“He called me ‘petal.’ He’s the only one who’s ever called me that,” I say softly, dropping my eyes to where my fingers are twisting in my lap.

“Why would he call you that?” he pushes.

“My scent. I was his delicate flower petal.” My sentence ends as my throat closes with emotion.

I used to think the pet name was beautiful, something unique and creative. But now it feels even more sinister knowing that he thought of me as breakable and biddable from the very beginning.

“How would he have gotten your number? You said it was changed recently,” Lee continues, and I’m grateful that he doesn’t dwell.

“My brother and I call each other, though I try to be careful about using something to block my number. We think my mother got my number from the phone bill. She may have done it again and then passed the number to Darren,” I say with a shrug.

“That’s a lot of ‘ifs,’” Lee sighs.

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