Alex's POV
Before I could even open my eyes, the coolness of the empty bed greeted me with an overwhelming sense of loss. A disappointed groan escaped my lips as I laid still, my eyes not open yet unwilling to see Bran's empty side of the bed. Having Bran in bed with me was no longer a want, it had become a need. Even for a few brief moments, there was nothing I needed more than to have Bran holding me. The deep rumble of male voices drifting up from the kitchen told me that it was not going to happen, and it made the need that much more intense. Like any other time, I could feel his comfort coming through our bond, but it didn't have the same effect as his presence and warmth. When my eyes finally opened and took it in, the room looked the same, but it gave no motivation to stir me from the bed.
The drifting smell of food caused my eyes to land on the clock, reminding me of the shower I still needed before the men downstairs devoured everything. Bran was well aware that something was off, but he was tied in the business conversation to deal with it now. It threw me off how easily he could separate home and business since they were mixed. As his mate, I had to quickly learn how to do that too. Now was as good a time as any, so with a smile on my face, I entered the kitchen enveloped in the great scent of breakfast. There were two other men in the kitchen with Bran and Charles. Between them all, it made the kitchen feel that much smaller.
Halfway through the kitchen to give Bran a morning kiss, a thought in the back of my head told me it wasn't smart to put your back to wolves. That thought had me pause for only a moment before continuing the rest of the way to Bran. He stood just off to the side of the stove finishing the food and gives me a kiss like it was any other morning. Then he introduced me to the people in the room, Charles, Asil who I had seen with Anna's shopping companion, and Tag, who just nodded in my direction. Charles abandoned his normal emotionless face for what appeared to be one of pure amusement. Though he watched the room and everyone in it closely, his eyes were more on me than them. The other two men had their eyes on me as well, but not the same as Charles and Bran. Their eyes went over me, looking for something that was beyond my knowledge.
With the food cooked and everyone now ready to eat, the conversation picked up as we sat at the table. The men didn't give away any information as they talked and business. When they got the impression that I may have picked up on something, they would look at me as if they were trying to read my mind. Was it because they were werewolves or men, either way they were not very good breakfast conversationalists. Regardless my smile stayed pleasant and kept the coffee cups filled while they talked.
"There should not have been a problem to begin with, now we are dealing with this matter, "Asil spoke.
"All matters with the government and their views should now be handled carefully," Bran said diplomatically.
"Regardless, this is our problem, and we should be the ones to deal with it as we always have. C...Our people have been effective this far, why not let him do what h...they do?"
It was Asil who voiced his opinions. Something told me that he knew a little more about the ways of the wolf and world than he was letting on. Twice he had caught himself from giving information, and both times it got me more frustrated. No one was letting any kind of useful information go from this table. As mate to the Alpha, I felt like they were sheltering me. At some point they came to a decision as the conversation continued, but I'd be damned if I knew it was or when it was happening. The only thing I knew for sure was the government was not to know about it, and they would come looking for answers when it occurred. No one was to be aware of any kind of activity going on, and that was the story to be passed on if anyone asked. Yet, that wasn't enough to keep me happy. We were supposed to be equals, and this was not what I was expecting.
"Report back to me when it's done."
With Bran's words finalizing and closing the conversation, the men took their leave with a glance in my direction, dishes in the sink, and nod in our general direction. Charles left last to get one last word in with his father that my ears couldn't pick up on and sent me an almost smile. Bran sat at the kitchen table for a long time not saying a word, just staring at the cup of coffee in his hands. Enough time passed for the whole kitchen to be cleaned, yet Bran still had not moved from his seat. Despite my own personal frustration, something was bothering him, and it didn't feel right not to fix it. As I slid into the seat across from him, my voice came out softly not to startle the still man in from of me.
"A penny for your thoughts?"
All of the emotion in his deep hazel eyes shook me for a moment before I could find my center again. Instead of sharing with me what was wrong, he straightened his shoulders and gave me a deceivingly attractive smile. That smile told me he was attempting to distract me from this topic and start another one that was not to my liking. As the words processed in my mind, it was more than clear why he flashed that smile at me. My first reaction was not overly thrilled with the idea, but it wasn't something that could be avoided.
"You are aware that my family is werewolves, and that means, the pack is around at times. Other than family, they normally don't stay for meals, but it appears that they are intrigued by you. Now that my children approve of you, they want to meet you as well. Unless you want all of them to be stopping by unexpectedly, then perhaps a party may be in order."
It took a few moments for the words to settle in my mind before I could respond.
"Will there be a lot of people?"
"Would that be a problem? I will be there, of course."
It was clear that Bran was trying to get at something without having to approach the topic. My instinct was always to pull away from anything that could be uncomfortable, but being with Bran challenged that. Almost every turn there was something that made my anxiety climb, but then Bran could always calm me just as quickly. The whole relationship with Bran made me push my boundaries and comfort me all at the same time. He terrified and excited me, made me feel all warmed and tingly all the while completely lost in things I didn't know. Maybe this was how you were supposed to feel, maybe this is how he feels too. Bran would be with me at this party and surely Anna and Charles would be as well. With the three of them the party couldn't be that hard to face, there would always be one of them to help me if the situation needed it.
" A party sounds just fine, but you don't strike me as a party man."
A playful grin spread over his lips. "You would be right, I thought perhaps you would be more qualified at putting the party together."
"Alright, when would you like this put together. A New Years party perhaps?"
"Awww yes that would be perfect. I will inform everyone."
With that Bran disappeared into his office for a few hours, leaving me to plan the party. Two days would be the party and that didn't leave a lot of time for planning or getting what they needed. Bran had always been the one to go into town, but if there was to be a party then maybe it was time to venture out of the safety of the house. What was left of her apartment should be arriving soon, something within the next week she figured. A letter from the little of woman was something that I was really looking forward to. This woman had always had the best advice and couldn't wait to see what she would say now. When Bran reappeared they worked out the last of the details together and made plans to get what they needed the next morning.
It took no time at all to get things planned and spend the rest of the day with Bran. There was this nagging feeling that something was wrong, though nothing seemed to be out of place. The next day went by in a blur getting everything together for the party, making sure that everything was perfect. When the day came for the party her eyes were open by day break much to Bran's amusement. For the most part he watched as I fluttered about the house trying to make adjustment to things that were already perfectly fine. When my nerves were at their highest Bran finally took action and stepped in front of me, stopping me.
"Breathe my love. You will do just fine I promise."
Charles and Anna arrived first much to my relief, it allowed me to feel more at ease with their support. Charles as usual stayed quiet while Anna promised her help if needed and to never to be too far away. There were not enough words to express the anxiety that welled up inside of me waiting for the guest to arrive. Anna and Charles watched me check and recheck everything for the party with slightly amused looks on their faces.
Why was it so important for these people to like me? It was silly, but it didn't stop me from over worrying. At the very least, I would settle for them approving of me. Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that. At the beginning of the night, it gave me some comfort as the guests began to pour into the house in small groups. By the end of the night, it was no comfort at all with Anna coming to my aid numerous times. There were a lot of people. It was hard to tell who was werewolf, and who was a mate to a wolf. Though there was one thing that was made very clear over the course of the night.
Everyone made it an effort to get under my skin without risking the wrath of Bran Cornick, their Alpha. They had done a good job at it, too. Although, it took great lengths to not let it show. An Alpha's mate can't show weakness. It was hard enough to trying to get the right name with the right person, then the right people into the right relationships. Then came all the questions about my past, and their watchful eyes and ears were listening to each word coming out of my mouth. Don't lie. Don't give away too much information. It was a fine line to walk with werewolves being able to tell the difference were all over your house. The nerves fluttering in my stomach would not settle, and my palms kept getting sweaty. At first, the comments started mainly from the women. Leah being a bitchy wolf was better than me being a human. I was not prepared for those comments the first time. After the comments continued, Anna made her way over to my side with Charles not far behind her.
"At least with a wolf for a mate Leah had been better suited to take on a man like Bran than a human." this woman who's name had eluded me stated looking down her nose at me.
"That's your opinion. Thank you for voicing it, but I am doing just fine so far." My voice sounded pleasant, but my frustration was building.
"More than fine. Alex has done more for Bran than Leah ever did. Human or not, she handled Bran at one of his worst moments," Anna almost snarled.
The smile that spread over my lips as Anna spoke was one of smug pride. I watched as she stood there and defended me. Charles stayed silent, but he was as intimidating as ever. He just stood there looking over people who dared to come too close to him or Anna. Bran came and went from my side throughout the night to make sure I was alright also, careful as always not to forget his duties as a host. When he was there, things weren't so bad. People stayed pleasant with polite chatter about the weather. His touch allowed me to feel safe and secure, more collected, and allowed me to be able to face another group of people. When Bran stepped away, his touch left just a hint of warmth as my security went with him. Yet another group of three people stepped up to me. These people I would face on my own, the familiar faces of family friends, Asil, Sage, and Tag were at least smiling.
"Please tell me you're gonna be nice." The words came out before my brain could stop me.
They laughed as a blushed burned my cheeks, and Tag spoke, "Nicer than anyone else has been."
"Tell me chica, have you heard of the Berserker," Asil asked.
My raised eyebrows gave away my curiosity. He continued, despite the chiding from Sage and the chuckle from Tag.
"No? You should ask your new step son, Samuel, about that tale. Or perhaps, Anna can tell you the more recent tale."
"Enough. Don't scare the girl," Sage chided more firmly this time.
"She's hardly a girl. Look at her. Bran would never mate with a girl." Tag spoke up sending a wink in my direction.
The blush burned on my face as they walked away from me, and Anna was coming to check on me again. Her shoulders relaxed slightly when I gave her the first real smile since the guests had arrived. It had been a pleasant though confusing conversation that over the night began to not sit very well with me. That was yet another story behind the mask of Alpha Bran Cornick that would not be known to me. There was a lot that we didn't know about each other. It was not the time to deal with that. With a somewhat stiff smile, I made it through all of the introductions, and first rounds of small chatter with little problem.
We made it until midnight when people finally began to leave a few at a time. The ones who hadn't been impressed with me, left first. Anna and Charles were the last to leave, staying longer to help clean some of the mess that now scattered the house. I really appreciated the help with the cleanup, but they wouldn't accept any of my thanks. When they left, I hugged them both, earning a laugh from Anna and a chuckle from Bran as Charles stood there. He was not one for much emotion, but in that moment, I felt that he needed to know how much I appreciated his support. Charles only patted my back awkwardly. Bran locked the door behind the two. A smile was now plainly visible on his face as he pulled me into his arms.
"It's not often that I see my youngest son taken by surprise. You are full of unexpected treasures."
"He isn't normally so quiet around me. Did I scare him off with that hug," my question was hesitant.
"My son has an appearance to keep up around others. It has nothing to do with you."
"Good. That makes it a little easier to sleep tonight. "
Bran was silently trying to read all of the emotions going on inside of me. It was beyond clear the pack did not approve of me like I had hoped for, and that bothered me quite a bit. A few people more for Bran and his kids sake it seemed had been nice and had even said goodbye when they left. The rest of them would be a working progress, and that was on my list of things to deal with. Tonight there was nothing left to do, but sleep and have a fresh start on everything tomorrow with fresh eyes. Bran had chuckled when I face planted the bed fully dressed and laid there for a number of minutes. Eventually Bran did convince me to get out of my clothes from the day, and then crawl under the blanket once in pajamas. My sleep was not quite pleasant, but was not fitful either. Regardless, when my eyes opened the next morning there was not an ounce of energy left in me. A cold, empty bed met me again like every day, but today, it took a bigger toll on me than it normally did. The long minutes dragging myself out of bed, still left me feeling absolutely terrible and no energy.
After the late night, Bran had breakfast ready when I finally made it out of bed.
"Last night was a success," he says as I sit at the kitchen table.
He was all too aware that something was not right with me, but he waited patiently for me to tell him what was wrong. After breakfast and I started cleaning the house, until my attention turned to Bran leaning against the doorframe. His arms were crossed, and he had a serious look on his face that was really quite attractive. That damn unsettled feeling kept me from telling him that. Instead I opened my mouth and out came a lot of words that had not been planned to come out just yet. Subtlety is not always my strong suit.
"Why did we bother with that damn party, if almost no one approved of me? Most of them couldn't stand me, and they had no problem telling me that. Numerous people had no problems saying that despite how horrible your ex was, she's better suited for you than me because she was a werewolf. They asked me if I knew about the Berserker. Since I didn't, I needed to ask your kids to tell me all about it. They were all too happy to know something I didn't. Then on top of it all, there is this damn feeling in the pit of my stomach making me sick. Something is wrong, but I'll be damned if I know what."
A/N: Please R&R. Let me know what you think of this chapter. I have been working with an awesome new editor on this chapter to give you guys the best work possible. My editor works wonders in understanding what I want to do with this story and is helping me work harder as a writer to get there. Thanks for all your hard work :)