Xander never did explain his comment about the guys having my attention. Even though I threw it in as often as possible throughout the night. The night was way less entertaining than I thought it would be. I don’t know what I expected, but I was actually kind of bored with all the people. There was really no confrontation or dirty looks at all. Even Charlene and Olympia left us alone after a polite hello when we walked by them on our way in. Most of the Elders came to say a polite hello and tell me they were glad to see me back from my mission safely. I’m not sure how much they know of the situation, so I kept it to polite ‘thank yous’ and ‘it’s nice to see you again too.’ Elder Bastian and Elder Vincent did not even look in my direction. So much so it was painfully obvious that I was being slighted or ignored. That made me smile.
“I think everyone is up to something or just in shock that you’re here.” Mina mindlinked me when I mentioned my thoughts to her.
“What do you mean? I mean I agree that something is up, but what do you mean they are in shock about me being here?”
“Think from their perspective. If you thought that your biggest threat was sent off on a mission where anything could happen and it would be ruled an accident or a risk of the job. You were told they were being dealt with hours away from here and then they suddenly showed up out of the blue, looking like nothing happened, what would you do?”
“I would wait to see if I could figure out what happened, because something clearly went sideways or someone lied to me about the situation being handled..”
“Right, they aren’t going to go out of their way to be any kind of way to you, nice or mean. They are going to keep their distance and see how this plays out.”
“I wonder if this is why Alpha Reggie wanted me here. To see what they would do now that I’m back. Didn’t someone say that the Elders were pushing really hard for a chosen mate for Xander in the last couple weeks? I mean more than the last time I was here. Even going as far as presenting a couple of girls for him to pick from.”
“Something like that, from what I have heard. And with all of that in mind and everything that went on with your capture and what we know of the Rogue King using witches. There is now someone checking all the food and drinks for magic in case someone is using a spell instead of just the old fashioned poisons and potions.”
“Oh Damn!”
“You know it’s not fair to mindlink and not share right?” Xander says into my ear as we walk around the perimeter of the party.
The meeting went smoothly and it was mostly just an information exchange and check in from each pack. Alpha Reggie did make a point to ask about the developments from Irontooth and the Shadow Pack as soon as we started. I think that was for my benefit and to remind those Alphas that I was here and the promised look into their safety measures has not been forgotten.
Now the Alphas and their guests were mingling and exchanging ideas about pack safety, rekindling partnerships and alliances, things like that.
I actually got to see Alpha Lucas and Luna Ava for a few minutes, but they didn’t stay for the party. They did however take another picture with me promising to let the guys know they saw me and I was doing well. I’m pretty sure that Alpha Lucas was brought up to speed on my whole mission, by the way he looked me over and kept asking me how I really was. I don’t think he will say anything to the guys about it though. No one is that dumb. I wish they could have stayed longer, but I still had a job to do and no matter how homesick I was for them, my pull to do well at that job is more than my inner little girl’s need to be safe at home with the familiar. That didn’t stop me from hugging both of them for longer than necessary before they left.
