7. Shya

Chapter seven

Shya

I really needed to take the girl out for drinks; maybe she could come the next time Marnie and I hit the town. Danni had been giving me a heads-up for the last couple of weeks whenever my fiancé was about to arrive, and I was eternally grateful to her. She somehow knew that I needed a moment to compose myself before I saw him.

I took a deep breath and turned as I heard footsteps approach. As always, Edmond looked impeccable in his tailored charcoal suit, not a hair out of place. His 6'2" frame carried an air of authority, shoulders broad and posture perfect. His dark hair was neatly combed, accentuating his strong jawline and high cheekbones, but his steel-blue eyes, usually so controlled, held a touch of tension today.

Behind him stood his brother, Garrett, a study in contrasts. Where Edmond was polished, Garrett was raw energy. He was slightly taller than Edmond, maybe 6'3", with a muscular build that spoke of hours in the gym rather than board rooms. His dark blonde hair was artfully tousled, giving him a roguish appearance that was amplified by the perpetual hint of a smirk on his lips. Garrett's eyes, a shade lighter than Edmond's, held a mischievous glint that always made me slightly wary.

"Shya," Edmond said. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all," I replied, forcing a smile of my own. "We were just chatting."

Garrett leaned against the doorframe, a cocky grin on his face. "Hey there, Shya-girl. Looking good, as always."

"Garrett, I didn't expect to see you here."

Edmond cleared his throat, shooting a pointed look at his brother before turning back to me. "I was hoping we could discuss the arrangements for next week's Pack BBQ."

Of course. Always business with Edmond. I suppressed a sigh. "Sure, let's step outside."

I nodded to my parents before leading the way into the hallway, trying to get us far enough away that everyone wouldn't be eavesdropping. With Garrett trailing behind me and Edmond, I waited for a spark of something, anything, to hit me. Something to hint at a possible fated mate bond between me and Edmond. I knew my parents were convinced it would happen as soon as we were mated, and Edmond was a good choice for me. Calm, considerate, cool under pressure. He held the respect of members of our Pack, both human and Shifters. He would be accepted and looked up to as my partner Alpha. But there was nothing. Not even a twinge in my core.

Edmond cleared his throat again, pulling me from my thoughts. "Thank you for seeing me, Shya. I know how busy you are, but there are some logistics we need to work out."

I raised an eyebrow. "Logistics? It's a BBQ, Edmond. We've done this before."

"Yes, but this year, there will be more humans than ever before," he explained, his face a mask of calm efficiency. "There are tourists coming here especially for the BBQ. We have been marketing it for months in the conclave and human cities. So, we really need to ensure everything goes smoothly."

I couldn't help but sigh. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, for starters, we need to consider dietary restrictions," Edmond began, ticking off points on his fingers. "Not everyone can handle rare meat like we can. Then there's the issue of activities. We need to make sure they're inclusive for both Shifters and humans."

I felt a flare of frustration. We'd been holding this annual BBQ for the last ten years. He had been to all of them. He had never seen humans getting food poisoning or werewolves hunting or scrapping in the middle of the town park. But now he was the presumed future Alpha, he was so concerned with every little detail, even when my parents and I had worked it all out years ago.

"It'll be fine, Edmond. We have everything in place."

Edmond's lips tightened slightly. "Shya, this event is crucial for Pack relations. We can't afford any misunderstandings or accidents."

"Accidents?"

Was he serious?

"What are you worried about? That some of us will suddenly Shift and start chasing the humans around?"

"Of course not," Edmond replied, his voice still infuriatingly calm. "But we need to be prepared for any scenario. It's what good leaders do."

"And if nothing else, Edmond is a good leader," Garrett said, glancing back down the hallway. I couldn't tell if Garrett was being sincere or if there was a hint of bitterness to his words.

Either way, Garrett was right; Edmond was a good leader. I tried seeing it from his perspective. I'd been training to be an Alpha since birth. My parents had only arranged our mating in the last couple of weeks. Edmond was learning on the go and wanted to do the best he could do. He had always been meticulous and well-prepared. This was the first Pack event after he had been announced as my fiancé. I bet it was giving him hemorrhoids just thinking about all the things that might go wrong and look bad on him.

"Look," I said, lowering my voice and putting my hand on his arm. "It'll all be okay. We've got this; we've done it plenty of times before, but I'll talk to Mom. Maybe me and you can have a meeting with her this week and go over every last detail."

I would hate every second of it, but if it gave Edmond peace of mind, and meant he lightened up a bit, it would be worth it.

Edmond nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "That would be helpful. Thank you, Shya."

Garrett grinned at me. "I can't think of anything worse than a logistical meeting about a fucking BBQ. You guys live real exciting lives, you know that, right?"

A look of exasperation crossed Edmond's face, a crack in his normal calm, controlled exterior. "Someone has to do it, Garrett. We can't all spend our time partying with our friends."

"Yeah, but your life would be hella more fun if you did, bro. Tell him he needs to loosen up, Shya, otherwise your sex life is going to be the most excruciatingly boring experience you've ever had. Have you even heard of reverse cowgirl, bro? Trust me, all the ladies love it, and you don't have to do any of the work. Isn't that right, Shya-girl?"

But of course, all women were exactly alike. Have breasts? Then you must enjoy exactly the same things. Of course, being a virgin, I had no idea if I loved it or not, but I was pretty sure Garrett had just ruined reverse cowgirl for me forever.

I narrowed my eyes at him as Edmond turned to his brother. "Garrett, Shya is your future Alpha. You talk to her like that again, and I'll cut off your allowance."

Garrett got an allowance? Interesting. Tucker got an allowance, but he was seven, and he had to do chores for it. Henry, like me, had been working since he was twelve.

Garrett held up his hands. "Man, I was joking! This is precisely what I mean; you and Shya need to both loosen up. Learn to take a joke, bro."

I wanted to shut Garrett down, but I was surprised to find that I was intrigued to see how far Garrett could push Edmond. Was there life under his robotic exterior? What would it take for him to lose his cool and explode? I was tempted to let this go on, but Edmond and I hadn't really talked since the announcement.

"Garrett, give me and your brother a moment, would you?"

A look of irritation flashed in his eyes before Garrett plastered a smile on his face. "Sure thing, Shya-girl. I'll be in the car."

I waited until Garrett was out of earshot before smiling softly at Edmond. "Brothers can test your patience, can't they?"

"Indeed. I apologize for his behavior. Garrett can be … challenging at times."

"It's okay," I said, searching for something to say. "So, um … how have you been since the announcement?"

Edmond straightened his already immaculate tie. "I've been well, thank you. Busy with preparations."

An uncomfortable silence fell between us, and Edmond seemed to find the wall behind me fascinating.

"And … how do you feel about it all?" I ventured, hoping to break through his professional facade.

He blinked, as if surprised by the question. "It's a great honor, of course. I'm committed to fulfilling my role to this Pack to the best of my abilities."

I wasn't sure whether to laugh or feel completely dismayed. He sounded like he was giving a press conference. He wanted to mate with me to the best of his abilities? Could he be any less romantic?

I nodded, trying not to let my disappointment show. "Right, of course. But I meant … personally. Are you … happy about it?"

Edmond's eyes met mine for a brief moment before darting away. "I believe it's a wise decision for the Pack. We'll make a strong team, Shya, of that I have no doubt."

Which only made me question what he did have doubts about.

"And you?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral. "Are you … satisfied with the arrangement?"

I forced a smile. "Like you said, it's for the good of the Pack."

Edmond nodded, looking relieved. "Excellent. I'm glad we're on the same page."

Another awkward silence descended. I found myself wishing for Garrett's inappropriate comments—at least they'd felt real.

"Well," Edmond said, checking his watch, "I should be going. Garrett's waiting, and I have a meeting in an hour."

"Of course," I replied, stepping back. "I'll be in touch about the meeting for the BBQ."

"Thank you. I'll have my assistant send over some available times." He hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly reached out and patted my shoulder. "Take care, Shya."

As I watched him walk away, with his straight back and measured steps, I couldn't help but wonder if this was what the rest of my life would look like—polite conversations, careful touches, and a partner who treated our relationship like a business merger.

No, I had to trust my parents knew better than me about this. I'd once picked Tristan, after all. After the ceremony, once the fated mate bond was in place, I was sure it would all be different.

I closed my eyes for a moment as the memory of Mason's warm lips on mine, his fingers pumping inside of me, flashed unbidden in my mind.

No! I quickly pushed it away. I couldn't afford to think about Mason, about what could have been. I had a duty to fulfill, a Pack to protect. And if that meant marrying Edmond and living a life of careful control, then so be it.

I snapped upright when Danni charged round the corner, her face flushed and her eyes wide with alarm.

"Tristan's here! He and his men are attacking the town!"

I heard Dad's chair fall onto the floor from the dining room.

"Where?" he asked, striding into the hallway.

"They're spread out across the west end of town," Danni replied. "Ivan and some enforcers are holding them off, but they're outnumbered."

Dad nodded. "Danni, gather the rest of the enforcers and have them meet me at the west end."

Danni turned and sprinted away as Summer came running toward me, followed by Mom, Henry, and Tucker.

"My mom! She's in town, opening the shop!"

Mom whirled to the children. "Henry, Tucker, I need you both to Shift, then take Summer and hide in the forest. Stay together and stay hidden until one of us comes for you."

Henry nodded, his face pale but determined. He grabbed Tucker's hand, pulling him toward the door. "Come on, Tuck. Summer! Let's go."

"I can't! I have to go and get Mom!"

"We'll make sure she's safe, Summer," I told her. "Go with Henry!"

Dad turned to face Mom and me. "Shya—"

"I'm ready."

He studied my face for a moment, indecision in his eyes. Then he jerked his chin. "Let's go."