CLARA

#Chapter18 CLARA “He did but when have I ever listened to what he said?” I raise my eyebrows in question and he shakes his head in amusement. “You’ve always been trouble. Now, off you go. I will park this car in the garage for you.” With a thanks, I turn around and head into the pack house. I didn’t realize that it was nearly evening. No wonder Samuel wanted to see me as soon as possible. When Kyle had messaged me that he was going to spend time with the twins, I had felt liberated and free in a long time. So, I utilized the opportunity and just drove around. seeing Sophie had rattled me and the fact that she still had the power to do so had enraged me. Even after so much time, when we had moved on with our lives, with her becoming the Luna and me being with my chosen mate, how could she still affect me? I shake my head to wave these thoughts away. Before I can knock on the door of the alpha’s office, I hear his sharp command to come in. Samuel is not my alpha but hearing him talk in his commanding voice sends shivers down my spine. It makes my wolf want to roll over, to bare my neck, and to bow down in submission. I ready myself for the harsh words Samuel is going to use to let me know he displeased he is that I didn’t follow his order of coming straight to the back house. With a deep breath, I turn the knob and open the door. Samuel looks straight at me and I freeze for a second because of the intensity of his gaze. I step inside his office and close the door behind me. I can’t seem to be able to gauge his mood. There used to be a time when I could figure out his mood because of his scent, because of his vague presence, but that time was long gone now. Seeing him like that, I can hardly believe that this is the man who was destined to be my mate. This is the man the moon goddess had planned for me to spend the rest of my life with and look how had that turned out. I almost snort out loud at the thought. “Take a seat,” Samuel says and I’m so surprised that I obey his command without a word. If he had been in the mood to rage over me, he wouldn’t have asked me to sit down. This gesture was like an olive branch. “Kyle joined the training sessions today.” I lean back in my seat at his words. Kyle had been extremely opposed to the idea of doing anything with this pack, so why did he join today’s training session? Hopefully, he is coming around to the idea of trying to stay in this pack, even for a little while, and participating in the training sessions like other pack members is something that will go a long way in ingratiating him in the pack. I’m so glad because of this that a full smile breaks out on my face. “Really? He did that?” Samuel stares at me for a moment and my smile dims at his serious demeanor. He clears his throat and I cringe at the awkwardness of the moment. “Yes, he joined today’s training sessions. I observed him and he’s quite good.” “Quite good?” I lean back in surprise. Whoever has watched Kyle fight has always said what an amazing fighter he is, and how fine his technique is. Back home, he used to give the alpha’s son the run for his money. So, for him to say that Kyle was just quite good flares a reaction out of me. If he’s not going to accept him as his son, the least he could do is treat him objectively and fairly, like he would any other werewolf Kyle’s age. “You’re serious? He is the best fighter I’ve seen in his age group.” “He has, um, potential but he needs to do a lot of work,” Samuel says pointedly which means nothing I say or do will change his opinion. I see the inside. How dare he judge Kyle so rashly? “Is that why you called me in here today, to tell me that my son’s fighting skills are quite good?” His eyes flash at the emphasis of calling Kyle my son instead of ours but he doesn’t take the bait. Honestly, I don’t think he even cares and for the first time, I wonder if I made a big mistake in coming here. Maybe there were other ways to quell the anger in Kyle’s wolf. “No, I called you here to tell you that I have called a pack meeting tonight after the communal dinner. In the meeting, I’m going to announce and introduce who you are, who Kyle is, and your children. With this formal announcement, the pack members will recognize you and accept you temporarily. They will feel at ease around you for the time being if you decide to stay here. I will officially welcome you as the alpha’s guests.” Samuel explains, undeterred by my jab. “Oh!” I don’t know what to say and when it becomes clear that he has nothing more to say, I get up from the seat across from him. “Clara?” I turn around to look at Samuel whose eyes are glinting with wicked amusement and my heart slams against my ribs at his expression. “It will also allow you to go wherever you want in the pack boundary. At least then I won’t have to worry about my orders not being followed.” I blush at his words and without saying anything, stumble out of his office, the slight smirk of his face imprinted in my mind.   #