Page 154 of A Second Chance for the Beta
There is a weird combination of people waiting for us in the meeting room. Connor, Ty’s dad, is here, so is Nicole. There is Levi, Livia with Richard, Raffy and Dave, and a few other pack members.
Charlie and her friends are here too, standing next to Liam, apparently well aware of what this meeting is about.
Everyone else looks more than a little confused. Connor looks almost a bit worried, gazing at his son sometimes, and probably worried that he got into trouble again. I don’t think that’s it though, because Liam seems to be in a particularly good mood. I can even see the hint of a smirk curling around his lips.
“Everyone is here,” Liam says to Charlie and the other three kids. “Your turn.”
Charlie nods, stepping forward. “Congratulations,” she says while facing us with a big smile. “You were all chosen to participate in our fundraiser. It’s a great honor.” I turn towards Liam who nods at me encouragingly. I could swear that his smirk just grows bigger. “Alpha Liam volunteered to be treasurer and help with our funds.”
The kids start presenting their ideas to us. A fashion show that will feature clothes from the shop Gisela’s mom owns to collect money for Marius’s shelter. It’s a great project, and I full heartedly support it. I actually think the kids are putting together something great, and it makes me proud that Charlie voluntarily joined the project. I know Liam told her she doesn’t need to, as she was new to the pack when her friends dragged her along and away from the pack grounds. I also know that Liam didn’t want to add anymore trauma to her. She still has night terrors and has trouble sleeping. Ever since she started to plan this secret fundraiser though, it’s obvious she is getting better.
Everything about this project is fantastic… just…
“You want us to participate in the runway show?” Ella asks after Charlie has told us the details and that she and her friends expect us to present the clothes to an audience.
“Not only that, it’s actually an auction,” Gisela says proudly. “You are presenting the clothes, and the audience can bid on it.”
“You were all handpicked,” Charlie explains. “Because you are truly attractive inside and out, and because you are honorable members of this pack. We can’t entrust everyone with such a task, but we know that you will be able to deliver and have people donate to our cause.”
I hope she never becomes a salesperson. I’m starting to believe she could sell anything to anyone.
“What… and I need to participate?” Connor says, completely shocked.
Ty shifts around awkwardly, clearly not sure how to even be in the same room with the man. Charlie, however, remains completely unfazed. “Ty and I talked to Ty’s mom,” she says. “She approved of the idea and thinks it’s a fantastic opportunity.”
“She approved!?” Connor exclaims.
“It was her idea to surprise you with it,” Charlie says with a bright smile. Wow, I didn’t know she could be that cunning. As her guardian and beta, I’m actually feeling proud of her.
“Well,” Liam intervenes. “This project is for the good of the pack and our allies, and furthermore, for every person that needs a safe place in the shelter. I assume we all agree to support this cause?” When everyone nods, he smiles. I know him. I know when he smiles genuinely, or when he just wants to threaten everyone. It’s the latter. “Then we are set.”
Most of us look at him likepotatoes, to quote Ella, but then Aryanna breaks the silence by chuckling slightly. “This is brilliant,” she says. “You guys set up a punishment for the kids, and they rope you into it. The irony of it is amazing.”
“I can’t help but find it great,” Jazz agrees. “My friend Marilou is involved too, and she deserves the attention so much.”
“I find the idea pretty funny,” Richie admits. “I’m new here, and I know I’m just allowed to stay because I’m Livia’s mate. But this gives me the opportunity to learn more about the pack and to help.” He turns to look at Livia like a lovesick pup. “I’m sure you will look stunning, as usual.”
Dave grins. “I love it. Could have been my idea. Who can say no to so much eye candy?!” Next to him, Raffy grumbles. I can see Dave’s eyes glossing over—still a weird view to me as he is human but being mated to a wolf opened the door for some new gifts for him. Raffy’s cheeks flush slightly at whatever Dave tells him.
It’s better I don’t know what that is.
However, Liam looks incredibly smug.
You are having too much fun with this, Alpha,I link Liam.
Can you blame me?he retorts.Your niece is a force to be reckoned with. The whole fun part aside, I genuinely think this is a good idea. Marius’s project will get some well-deserved attention. The kids plan on involving a few charitable companies and smaller businesses from our pack, such as Gisela’s mom, but they have more plans. Marilou and some of her friends from the kitchen staff regularly bake their new creations and take them to the orphanage. Annalise told me about it. They will all have their moment to shine.
It’s awesome,I say.I just wish I didn’t have to rock the runway.
Are you worried?Liam smirks.Look at Connor.
I shift my gaze to Ty’s father, noting how he’s grown pale. He is such a tough warrior normally, but apparently the prospect of having to be part of the show is terrifying to him.
Meanwhile, Ty and Austen take over from Charlie and Gisela and present us with the timeline, the planned rehearsals, and the planned fitting. Then they show us who else will be involved in the preparations, explaining how Annie has helped them with finding the right people in the pack. It’s not just Gisela’s mom. As Liam mentioned, Marilou and her little group of volunteers are involved too. So is a group of omegas who did a graphic design class and help everyone in the pack who approaches them with designing cards and invites.
I don’t even know half of the projects they mention.
By this point Livia and Ella are completely on board too, asking questions now about how they can help. One by one everyone seems to ease into this project. Nicole even suggests asking two of the nurses of her team to do hair and makeup, as that’s a hobby for them.
