A Secret Alpha Mate

7 -Headaches and Mistresses

Isla

John ushered me downstairs to the kitchen. Abigail hurried to me with a confused look, eyeing the strewn pastries on the tray John set down.

“I’ll fill her in.” He winked at me. “We just need to get you to a doctor.”

“A doctor?” Abigail asked, worry plastered across her face. She looked me up and down, stopping when she saw me cradling my wrist. “Oh, Isla.”

“It’s nothing; I’m sure it will heal in a few days on its own,” I said to them both.

“You’re not eighteen yet, so you don’t have your wolf to help you heal, or else I wouldn’t be so worried,” Abigail stated, “Let’s see if we can find someone to help.” She looked around at the Omegas in the kitchen.

“Do you want me to take her to the clinic?” John asked.

“Omegas don’t have access to the clinic unless it is a life-threatening emergency,” Abigail responded, not looking at John’s shocked face.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know that.” John looked from Abigail to me; I gave him a small smile and a shrug.

“No worries, John. We have a few Omegas that know what they’re doing, we’ve had to figure it out ourselves, and thankfully, some took it upon themselves to learn to help the rest of us out. It really is a great community we have here,” she said, seemingly trying to convince herself as much as John.

“I’ll go get Elijah. I think he’s around here somewhere. He should be able to take a look and get you wrapped up good as new.”

John helped me into a seat and got me a glass of water. “I’m fine.” He gave me a look. “Really, I am. My wrist barely hurts now.”

“It’s not the wrist I’m worried about; I can’t believe that the ranked members would treat you in such a way.” He shook his head, a frown creasing his usually warm face.

“They are just showing their dominance; it’s what they do. No harm done,” I responded.

“Still -”

He paused when Meghan burst through the kitchen door. Her usually perfect ponytail askew, and her shirt rumpled. She looked surprised to see John and stopped in her tracks, smiling at me.

“Just the person I was looking for.” She ignored John and walked toward me. John instinctively moved closer to me, shoulder, “This really doesn’t concern you.” She gave John a bored look.

“With all due respect, ma’am. I was entrusted to make sure this young lady got properly taken care of,” he responded more coolly than I had ever heard from him.

Before Meghan could say anything, Abigail came bustling back with Elijah, a young enough wolf in his early twenties carrying a first aid kit, trying to keep up behind her.

Abigail stopped when she saw Meghan. “Oh, hello, Meghan,” she said politely, “Sauces are finished and cooling now; just getting Isla wrapped up so she can get back to work.” She tried to plaster on a smile, but it didn’t look natural.

“Well then,” Meghan said, taken aback, being outnumbered for once, “After you are finished cleaning your station, I’ll need to speak with you,” Meghan turned to me, “Alone.” She added, looking at John and Abigail.

She sauntered to her office off the kitchen and slammed the door. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I got off easy this time but knew Meghan wouldn’t let me off the hook forever.

Elijah took my wrist in his and slowly looked it over, moving it around a bit. I winced at the sharp pain. Once he was satisfied that it was just a sprain, or so he thought, he wrapped it up for me and gave me some simple instructions to follow.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the option to rest and not use it. There was so much to be done for the party, and Elijah knew that as well as I did. I smiled and nodded anyway, playing along, and thanked him profusely.

Abigail had already started cleaning up our station, and John was helping her do my part. My heart swelled for these amazing people I have in my life, especially seeing John go out of his way to help me when we’d only had a few brief interactions prior to today.

I turned to Meghan’s office, or else I would get too nervous if I thought too long about it. I paused outside her door and took a deep breath before knocking with my good hand.

“Come in,” she said.

I opened the door, and she raised her eyebrow and smiled maliciously.

Goddess, help me.

“Close the door,” Meghan instructed, and I softly closed it behind me, making sure that it made no noise. I turned to her and stood in front of her desk.

“You can take a seat.” She waved her hand at the chair across from her, and I slowly lowered myself into it, unsure what to expect.

I haven't been in this office since Meghan took it over after Janice left. The light wood paneling surrounding the bottom of the walls was painted a stark white. In contrast, the walls, which used to be light blue, were now hot pink. Janice always had the door open, and people were free to come in and out, but Meghan had it shut.

Meghan noticed me looking around. “Nice, right?” She smiled, seeming genuinely pleased. “It’s the least I could do to spruce up this place. The old hag did nothing to it in all the years she was here.”

I smiled as genuinely as I could fake, taking another look around. “It’s really nice,” I lied, “It brightens the room up.”

She smiled at me, forgetting herself before plastering on her signature glare. “So. Let's get down to it. You attacked the Alpha’s daughter.” She stated matter-of-factly.

“But I-.”

“Stop.” She held up her hand, “It wasn’t a question. You attacked that Alpha’s daughter,” she repeated, “You are to be confined to the Omega rooms, the kitchen, and the laundry area until the party is over. You are not to step foot in any common area or outside the packhouse.”

My stomach dropped. Friday was my birthday, and I was looking forward to my night with Abigail by the lake. I wondered if I could still sneak out for it while everyone was so busy at the party.

“During the party,” Meghan continued, “You are to have a special job in the forest clearing, where the warriors train. I’ll give you more details on Friday. That is the only time you are to leave the packhouse.”

She looked at me, and I didn’t respond. “Are we clear?” She sounded annoyed.

“Yes, Meghan,” I replied, waiting for more of a punishment.

I had to stay outside chained like a dog for something I didn’t do, and now she was accusing me of attacking a ranked member, and all I got was to be confined to the packhouse like I usually was. I looked at her, and she stared back at me with a harsh, judgmental glare.

“You know you could be slightly pretty if you tried.” She broke the silence. I must have looked confused. “Obviously, nothing compared to me, but you wouldn’t be so…” She paused and waved her hand at me. “Dull.”

“Uh. Tha- thank you?” I responded.

A knock came at the door, and the party planner bustled in with a massive board under her arm. “There is a seating emergency.” The planner exclaimed.

I looked at Meghan to see if I was dismissed, but she was already in deep conversation with the planner, enthralled with the seating chart she brought, so I snuck out. Abigail and John were waiting for me right where I had left them, giving me inquisitive looks.

“She confined me to the Omega’s quarters and our working areas for the next few days. I’m allowed to leave to do a duty Friday night in the forest, which I’m sure will be torture, but besides that, she didn’t mention anything else.” I shrugged.

John let out a breath and gave me a huge smile. “Well, I best be getting back to work; thank you, ladies, for letting me keep you company this afternoon.” He tipped his cap at us.

“John, I don’t know how to thank you…” I started.

He put his hands up, his smile crinkled the corners of his eyes, and walked out of the kitchen. I turned to Abigail, and she just sighed and smiled at me too.

“What a long and weird day this has been.” She shook her head, and I nodded in agreement. “I snuck some pastries, don’t worry, not the ones you dropped on the floor,” She laughed. “Let’s take a short break before we have to start dinner prep. Goddess knows we deserve it.”

I followed her up to our room to enjoy our stolen snacks.