Page 10 of The Alpha's Chosen Outcast

“What? Speak up,” Jessie is starting to sound annoyed.

“I can’t go,” I repeat with more conviction.

“You have to go. I’ve already booked your flight and told them to expect our seamstress later tonight. Go home and pack. I have the key to your place, and I can take in your mail and everything. Pack for a long trip. The wedding is in three months, and they’ll probably want you to stay.”

“Three months?!” I swallow hard.

“Yes, did you have other plans?” Jessie raises her eyebrows at me.

I can’t imagine anything that will get me out of this. I can’t explain wolf politics to them. They wouldn’t understand exile, and I can’t talk about the laws that got me kicked out of the city in the first place. But if the alpha finds out I’m there, I’m dead. There’s no way around that, either.

To make matters worse, I can feel my claws coming out, stabbing me in the heels of my hands as they’re balled into fists.

I can feel hair bubbling under my shirt, and my ears start to point. I take a deep breath, ignoring Jessie and Gretta yelling at me and asking what’s wrong.

They know about the existence of wolves, but they don’t know aboutme.I can’t let them find out that I’m in exile—that I’ve kept my wolf hidden from them all this time.

I calm down, and my claws retract. I feel my ears return to normal—thankfully hidden beneath my mess of brown waves—and Jessie and Gretta’s voices become clearer.

“Are you okay?” Gretta asks. I can tell it’s not the first time.

“I’m fine, just excited.”

They’re not buying it.

“Aren’t you from Greenwich Village, in the city?” Jessie asks. “I’d think you’d be excited to see your people and your hometown.”

Greenwich Village. Of course, it had to be there. “I am. I’m nervous, too, though. I mean, this client is important, right?”

I’d been so wrapped up in my panic that I hadn’t even heard the client’s name.

“Violet,” Jessie supplies.

“Right, Violet. If she can afford all of this—a seamstress onsite for three months—she has to be important.”

Jessie nods and continues to explain the arrangements. Her sister, Marly, owns the sister store, and she will pick me up when I land. She’ll set me up at the shop and arrange my accommodations, and then I can meet the client.

“One more thing,” I chime in with a sudden idea. “I should stay at the shop if that’s possible, and no one but the client should be allowed in. You said she wants an exclusive design based on my signature beading style. I think that should be kept a secret, don’t you?”

“Yes!” Jessie loves the idea instantly. “I can play up the exclusivity of the design, and then when it’s revealed at the wedding, it’ll be even more anticipated. Heather, I want you to take credit for this one.”

I’m floored. I can’t believe Jessie would give up credit for anything. I put up my hands.

“No, Jessie, I can’t. It’s your name that got us the account.”

“And your design. She wants your specific signature technique. We wouldn’t have gotten the account without you. Your name should be on it.”

I’m feeling dizzy again. I never wanted to be famous. That’s totally the last thing I need.

“How about we settle this later? After we see how the client likes the design.”

“Okay.” she gives me one of those looks of hers like she knows she’s going to get her way regardless. “Now, off you go. Pack up and be ready to head to the airport by noon. Your flight leaves at 1:30.”

Holy shit. This is really happening. I’m going home. I’m putting my whole fucking life in danger for a dress design. I should run when I get back to my apartment. But where will I go?

I don’t have anything prepared, and Jessie’ll send the police after me—thinking I’ve gone missing. And this will just draw attention to The Alpha, who will definitely find me if Jessie makes a literal federal case out of it.

If I do this and stay in the shop and only see the client….it could work. I might get away with it. But if the cops come after me, that sort of exposure isn’t going to help.

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