“Hello Miss Skylar. It’s nice to see you again. I hope your week was enjoyable.” Barty gives me a genuine smile. He’s not just asking because it’s his job and it’s a nice feeling.
“It was great! Training is hard, but that is to be expected. It’s like nothing else I’ve ever done before. I like the challenge.” He holds the car door open for me and allows me to get in first before sliding next to me.
“I’m sorry Alpha Prince Xander couldn’t join us this morning.
It wasn’t for a lack of trying though.” He winks at me. “The Luna Queen has him attending all of the meetings today and he needed to prepare.”
“If he will be in meetings, why am I needed so early? | thought I would be assigned to him for the day, but he surely won’t need an escort or protection detail inside a meeting room, will he?”
“Oh, my dear, you don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?” I’m nervous now and there isn’t much that makes me nervous.
“You are attending all of the meetings today as the warrior liaison. You will be asked for your input on pack training, protection, border patrol and all other things related to pack safety. Did the Luna Queen not tell you?” His eyebrow is raised like he knows the answer to that question already and this whole conversation was planned out. – “Uh, no. I was not told I was going to be speaking to Royal Pack Elders on matters of pack safety and security. My first question is naturally, why me? I’m only fifteen, who in the hell is going to listen to me?” My eyes go wide for a second.
“Sorry for the outburst, it’s not your fault. I don’t like being blindsided and this is being blindsided on the most epic level.” I can feel my pulse quicken.
“You have a unique position. First you are top of your class, in everything, if my information is correct. Meaning you’re smart and can handle deep in depth conversations. Some of our smartest scientists can’t do that.”
He gives me a side glance. “You are also in our Elite Warrior training program, meaning you are exceptional on the battlefield, again making your unique perspective valuable. You also managed to tear holes in a safety plan that our best warriors came up with only a few years ago, using a patio table, utensils and drinking glasses and zero practical knowledge of the area you were planning for.
To say that the Alpha King and his lead warriors and strategists were impressed is an understatement and they would like to pick your brain more after giving you access to real maps and schematics.”
“Oh, sh*t!” | clapped my hand over my mouth. “Are you serious? | have nothing prepared, what am I supposed to say? Are they going to just gril me with a ton of questions?
What if I say something stupid or something they’ve already tried and hasn’t worked? That’s a ton of pressure. And What about Xander? | thought | was assigned to him like some kind of protection detail. What am I really doing here tonight?”
“In a way you’re not wrong, you do provide an extra layer of protection for him, but not the way you think. We have plenty of warriors for the royal family’s protection, but most attendees are not dumb enough to try and attack at a function like this. Xander is in a unique position right now, he is 22 years old and hasn’t found the Goddess given mate that will produce the next heir. So, naturally many of our Elders and even some pack Alphas are trying to convince the Alpha King to force him into a chosen mate situation.”
I nod my head, starting to understand. After What the Alpha King told me last weekend, | know why Xander is holding out
“With you by his side, a strong, smart, female warrior and being underage, the royal family can stall a little longer on the chosen mate push from the Elders. You do have a job to do and being friends with the Alpha Prince is helpful, he will naturally want to spend time with you.
And if the Elders start to think there is more and begin spreading rumors along those lines, none of us will stop them.” He shrugs and smiles.
