Chapter 269: A Warmer Welcome
The logistics of my stay in Thunderstrike were soon ironed out with such rapid efficiency that I knew Blaise must have planned everything beforehand, and he had been simply waiting for me to give my approval before implementing it.
It didn’t escape my notice that Blaise was not present when Damon brought up the issue. After all, I had reacted quite poorly to Blaise when he had brought up the idea. I guessed he didn’t want to witness another repeat of my disapproval, and decided to have Damon take the hit instead.
A knock on my door interrupted my musings. I opened it, expecting one of my mates, but instead it was Kyle.
"Luna Harper, have you packed?" Kyle asked, peering his head into the room. "I’m here to help with your luggage." By his side was his own suitcase, and he had a haversack on his back.
"I see you’re ready to go," I said with a raised eyebrow. Damon and Blaise have often traveled light, so much so that seeing Kyle with his life’s belongings surprised me. He seemed to have packed enough for migrating to another pack for good.
Hell, he even packed more than I did. I wondered if I was missing anything.
"I’m as ready as I’ll ever be," Kyle confessed. The words were bold, but I noticed how he gave a nervous gulp. "I packed everything we might possibly need."
"Like?"
"Like medicine and first aid," Kyle said, "For everything from wolfsbane poisoning to painful burns to even a paper cut, I brought it all. Nicole helped me organize the inventory for this to make sure we are covered."
There was an uncharacteristic seriousness in his eyes.
"Isn’t that an overkill?" I wondered. "Thunderstrike should have their own doctor if we need one." Not to mention that Kyle was a werewolf who could heal himself when given enough food and rest.
"Luna Harper, they can’t be trusted!" Kyle exclaimed with a shudder. "From what you told me about Alpha Darach’s situation, I suspect his father must have been colluding with his doctor to poison him. What if they try to do the same to us without us knowing? You already said that we’ll only have two definite allies. I’m not taking any chances!"
When Kyle had accepted the assignment, I personally briefed him about the mess that was Alpha Thorton and his daughter, and to give him the basic rundown on what had happened to Darach. This mission wasn’t an easy one, we were going to be in a new territory for an undefined period of time, and we only had two definite allies on our site.
I couldn’t have him walking in blind, nor did I want to keep him with me if he was reluctant to take on this mission. But Kyle had accepted it, nervous as he was.
I did not expect him to go overdrive thinking of contingency plans. Perhaps it was a good thing he was coming with me. I needed resourceful people by my side.
"What if... they gave you something to make you infertile so that they could destroy Fangborne’s future? Alpha Damon and Beta Blaise would never forsake you so... Fangborne would be doomed!" Kyle continued, going down the rabbit hole of his own thoughts, horror dawning in his eyes as he contemplated this terrible future. "No one would know until years later!"
Ah. Well, Kyle was going into conspiracy theories now. I guess that was a side-effect of being an overthinker.
"I see. Well, thank you for caring so much about me and Fangborne’s future," I said earnestly.
It was nice to see Kyle’s demented protectiveness directed towards me for once, and not only towards the general idea of the pack. I had been on his bad side for so long simply because he honestly did not believe I was good for Fangborne.
Kyle puffed out his chest at my words. "Of course you can count on me! Alpha Damon entrusted me with such a heavy duty despite my terrible attitude towards you; I’m not going to let you down!"
***
Our journey was fast. In the end, when I exited the car to arrive at Thundestrike’s holdings, I was once again greeted by the impressive architecture of the building. Both Damon and Blaise were already waiting for me, along with a verifiable platoon of cars. I had a vague sense of deja vu; this was very similar to how Darach’s departure went, only this time, everyone was leaving me behind.
Only Kyle would be staying with me.
"Harper, you have arrived!" A familiar voice exclaimed. I squinted, and from a distance I could spot Darach and his customary glasses. In no time at all, he arrived right in front of us on top of a handsome wolf with light-coloured fur and bright green eyes.
True enough, that was Milo. Darach easily handed him a pair of boxers before turning to address me. I had no idea why Darach and Milo saw the need to make such an entrance, but I supposed that there was no harm in it.
"I’m very glad that you’re here. I trust the journey gave you no trouble?" Darach asked. He had impressive dark eye circles, but ironically enough, he seemed happier than I have ever seen him. In fact, he had put on more muscle in those few short weeks. Even his ugly sweater could not conceal his new musculature.
"How could it? We came by car," Damon pointed out dryly, and Darach’s smile transformed into a scowl.
"Of course you’re here too. Nice to meet you too, Blaise," Darach said, blatantly ignoring Damon who ignored him right back.
Blaise laughed at the childish display and waved at Darach and Milo. "Likewise. I wish it was under better circumstances, but who am I to question fate? I’m very glad the both of you agreed to reach out. It’s not as though this poses no risk to you."
"It’s no trouble at all. I initially wanted Harper to be my beta to begin with, and now she will be my temporary charlie instead," Darach beamed. "Isn’t that great?"
Once again, I choked in surprise.
"Charlie? Me?"
