Page 56 of Forced Alpha Bride
I follow the crowd, my head down and my eyes on the ground. I feel ashamed that I didn’t immediately stand up with the other girls. It’s my duty as luna to lead the pack when the alpha is called away, and I just stood there, trembling like a rabbit about to drop dead from shock.
Low murmurs rise around me as some people begin to give in to their fear and others succumb to anger. I see a few young people break away from the crowd and shift, heading for town.
I should go. I should do something. I feel like such a coward.
Even though I am afraid to run towards danger, that’s not the whole problem. I’m not great in my wolf shape, and I’d probably be a liability.
“Come through, everyone,” Regina orders, ushering people through the courtyard. “We’ll set up a relief center out here and organize rooms in the manor once we know it’s safe to go inside.”
“Brent Manor has stood through generations!” Isla says indignantly, squaring up to Regina. “She will hold steady through this as well!”
“Even if it is an earthquake?” Regina challenges. “We have no idea what’s going on out there, and it could be dangerous inside.”
“I don’t see why—”
“Isla,” I cut in, hurrying over to put myself between the two women. “I agree with Elder Glass, at least for the moment. Let’s take some time in the back garden just to be sure the shocks have stopped. Then we can go back inside.”
Isla looks like she’s about to argue with me, but I see her face change when she realizes I’m not just her daughter’s friend anymore. I’m her luna.
“Do you really think the manor isn’t safe?” Krista asks, appearing by her mother’s side. “Would an earthquake actually bring it down?”
“It depends on the quake,” I answer, relieved that my voice sounds smooth and confident. “It could be a deep, natural one or something done by magic. Either way, all of us saw the spires shake. I’d like to make sure the tremors have stopped before we risk going inside again.”
I’d bet anything it’s not an earthquake, but we’ll stick with that explanation for now.
“Okay,” Krista says, putting an arm around her mother. “I trust you, Winnie.”
I watch my friend walk out into the back courtyard, and I feel strangely cut off from her. For the first time, I wonder if my new position will put distance between me and the people I’ve known my whole life.
I don’t even miss my old life at home,I realize with shock. All I did was sleep late, stay up all night, and bounce around, looking for things to do. This could give me direction. A purpose.
“You’re doing well, dear,” Regina says to me condescendingly. “It’s good to see you working so well with people.”
“Thanks, Regina,” I reply blandly. “I appreciate your support.”
“There’s plenty of food and drink out on the tables back there,” Regina says, gesturing to the courtyard. “And chairs. But we might need some blankets. Some of the older folk looked like they were going into shock.”
She narrows her eyes, almost glaring at me.
This is a challenge.
“I’ll go inside,” I say bravely. “And come back with some blankets.”
“Brave of you, dear.”
Shut the fuck up.
I turn and walk away from her, refusing to react to her tone. I never liked Regina. Though growing up, I’d only mingled with her at events like this, I truly had no idea she was such a bitch.
It might be an effect of her position. If the war with Valentine Creek is serious, then she would have learned to be merciless and cold.
I draw in a trembling breath and touch the stone scrollwork around the back door. It feels solid. Brent Manor has stood for generations and radiates security, almost as if it’s alive.
Everything looks safe inside, but I can’t help remembering the way little puffs of dust flew off the walls after the last tremor. I hurry up the hall to the main closet, grab a stack of blankets, then rush back to the courtyard.
Most of the guests are sitting in chairs set around the smooth, circular area that has been ringed with lights to make it a dance floor. Behind that, long tables decorated with lace cloths hold massive platters of food and several bottles of wine.
This was going to be a really nice evening. I wonder what the hell happened out there?
