The Alpha King Call Boy
Chapter 227

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"Quite a view," Grayson muttered, gazing out the picture window in my study. The day was brisk, with a chilling breeze that had scrubbed the blue sky clear. I suppose I take it for granted much of the time," I confessed.

During our brunch, Fiona had communicated to me that she believed Grayson was sincere in his professions of loyalty and respect for us. She believed it safe to move to the next stage with these people. We still knew very little about them, of course, but my wolf's instinct told me hers was right. And so I invited Grayson here for a private conversation after the morning's feast adjourned.

I eased into one of the two armchairs flanking the table under the window and motioned for my guest to sit with me. I was acutely aware that it was not all that long ago that I was sitting right here with my father, watching him guzzle spiked coffee and discussing his incompetence in knowing how to respond to the vampire resurgence. That was mere months ago, but so, so much had changed since then.

"I have called you here because I need to ask you for a favor."

The graying man, who I would guess to be only in his forties, held his open hands out before him in a gesture of supplication. "Anything I can do for you, Alpha Alexander, I will do as duty. I wouldn't consider it a favor. Anything that I can give you, ask and it's yours." "My pack and I will soon be traveling, somewhat near to your property in the desert. And we will need a place to stay for one night. A place where we will not be seen. Where there will be no record of our presence." Grayson quirked one of his dark eyebrows, processing this request. His gaze slid sideways, drifting back out the picture window. "Hm. And... how many men are we talking about? That need a place to stay the night?" "There are about eighty of us."

Grayson squinted out at the pale blue sky, like he was visualizing something. Then he said slowly," Yeah. I have a place. It sure won't be a comfortable place to sleep, but-"

I put up a flat palm like a stop sign. He nodded, understanding. He knew I was not requesting palace - like accommodations.

"I'm sure you ran a background check on me before inviting me here," Grayson said flatly. He leaned back in his chair, easing his forearms onto the cushioned armrests comfortably. I could see that finally getting down to business had put him at ease. "You must know what I do for work."

"You are a mechanic."

He nodded again. "The garage. We can clear it out.

And, uh, there's another place up top of the garage, too, a... studio. Between those two areas, I think there'd be maybe just enough room. Downstairs it's all concrete of course, and smells like motor oil..."

"I'm not worried about that. As long as it's a secure, enclosed space with doors that lock. And as long as our presence there can be kept confidential.

Can you assure me that there will be no one around to see us coming or going from this place?"

"We've got no neighbors for miles. You and your men will be safe there with us. I'll make damn sure of it." He ran both hands back through his shaggy salt-and-pepper hair, tucking it behind his ears." When?" he asked eagerly. "Just tell me a date and time, and I'll make sure we're ready for you."

Fiona

I glanced down at my wrist, checking the weather forecast on my smartwatch, and frowned. I'd been hoping it would be warm enough this afternoon for a stroll around the palace grounds with the other Lunas, but we'd hardly stepped outside before I realized it was just too cold to do that right now.

"Let's get back inside," I said to the two women.

Liv didn't really appear phased by the icy breeze, but Dana was shivering. "I thought we may have a break from the cold today along with the gloom, but I can see now that was wishful thinking."

Nina had taken Lexi back to the room while I spent a little extra time with the ladies after breakfast. I did want to take advantage of the opportunity to get to know them, but honestly was feeling very tired and was eager to get off my feet.

And so were both Liv and Dana. I could feel it. We were all lethargic, craving the warmth of indoors and the comfort of a cozy blanket...

"Let me walk you to your rooms. We can all probably use a little break, some time to unwind and refresh ourselves. We'll chat more when we meet up again later for dinner."

The ladies were, as I expected, happy with this plan. We walked Dana up to the tower first, then Liv and I went together to her room.

"Thank you for being such a lovely host, Fiona," Liv said quickly when I tried to start walking away, my hand already raised in a gesture of farewell. " And especially for all those thoughtful gifts you left us in the rooms. We found those last night after saying goodnight to you and Alexander, of course.

You're so kind, Fiona. This has been... I don't even know how to describe..."

I paced back to Liz where she stood in the doorway.

"You are very kind as well, Liv, to say all that. It's been a pleasure to get to know you, and I'm very grateful that you all traveled so far to come out here when we asked."

She nodded, suddenly looking nervous.

"And, um.." She cleared her throat. "I know that there's a reason you did. I don't know what it is, and I'm not asking; I'm sure that's what Grayson and Alexander are discussing now, and it's for them to, well, discuss... um, what I'm really trying to say, Fiona, is just that we are going to be pleased to do anything we can for you. If that's what this is about, if there's some way we can help you in the war, I just want to say, from me to you, Luna to Luna- our pack would be honored to be serve yours. More than honored." I smiled. It was sincere, because I felt that her words were sincere.

But there was more I could do to be sure about her honesty and trustworthiness...

"I'm rambling," Liv said, blushing and looking down at her feet. "Please forgive me. I'm just so nervous still."

"Please, don't be. I'm just a person, like you."

She laughed, then quickly covered her mouth. "I'm sorry. I just -no, you're so, um, regal, and poised and, I'm sorry if this too familiar, but gorgeous, too.

You really are. It's intimidating, to be honest." Embarrassed by her compliments, now I was the one looking away. I allowed my eyes fall and fix upon a black and white photo on the wall. I caught a ghost of my reflection in the glass.

"I never dressed in fancy clothes like this before," I said quietly, fidgeting with one of my dangly earrings. They were new: white gold with tiny rubies that matched the deep red lipstick I was wearing this morning. "A year ago, I really was just a regular person. My family was noble, yes. I was given a noble's education and training. But they had little money when it came down to it. I never knew luxury before I met Alexander, before I moved in here with him.".

Finally I drew my eyes back to Liv.

"Maybe I have changed since then," I admitted." But deep down I'm still just me. Just a person, like you. You don't need to be nervous around me. And thank you for all the nice things you said. I'm not the best at receiving compliments, but it really does mean a lot to me. Thank you."

"Sure," she said quietly. "Of course. It's all true."

"I should be getting back to the baby. Thank you again. It's been nice talking with you."

Hoping she would not find this odd, I dared to extend my hand to shake hers.

I liked Liv a lot already. But I had not touched her yet, and doing so was bound to give me much more information than just looking at her could.

"You, too." Liv smiled and took my hand in hers, holding it tight.

A truly shocking rush of emotions surged into my mind and body the second that we touched. And I knew what they meant immediately, too. They were very familiar feelings, ones I remembered quite well.