Chapter 46

Claire POV

My head was still spinning when I came back into work the next day.

Not only had Alpha Soren assured me that there was a high level position for me at his clinic, but that if I joined his pack I would be treated with the respect I deserved.

“The respect you deserve” was a powerful phrase, one that had been in my head on repeat ever since he said it.

Amelia had been just as shocked as I was when I told her.

“I’m not surprised other packs have heard about you, Claire. But I have to admit, I never thought an Alpha would personally come to your door. Not just to offer you a job, but membership??”

She was right. It was incredible.

And incredibly tempting.

Before Alpha Soren left my office, he placed a plane ticket on my desk. He told me to come visit his pack, and let him show me around, before I made a decision.

After talking it over with Amelia that night at my apartment, we’d agreed a visit made sense.

So in two days, I’d be in Bloodclaw territory. Visiting a place that might just be my new home.

When I walked into the clinic that morning, I felt like I was floating on air. Just the day before I’d been weighed down with worry and sadness.

And while I was still heartbroken over not hearing from my son, a solution to my worry about where to move had just been placed right into my hands. By an Alpha, no less.

So it wasn’t hard to smile at the Royal Alpha when he came in for his next healing session, and to mean it.

“Hello again!” I said as I walked into the exam room. “How are you feeling today?”

“Ah, Dr. Green. It’s lovely to see you. I have felt better than ever, thanks to you. But before we begin, I was wondering - are you free to go to lunch with me today?”

I thought of the simple cold lunch I’d brought with me, which I’d planned to eat at my desk while doing paperwork.

Lunch with a kind old man was a much nicer alternative.

“I am,” I said, as I helped him lay back onto the exam table. “But what’s the occasion?”

“It’s a thank you - and an apology, for any inconvenience. I appreciate that you indulged my curiosity by allowing me to test your hair. A test, alas, that has shown we are not in fact related in any way.”

I had known what the test would show, but hearing him say it did cause me a bit of sadness. A note I heard echoed in the Royal Alpha’s voice as he went on.

“You just remind me so very much of my dear sweet Kara. I couldn’t help but hope that, somehow, you were related to her. And to me.

“But, regardless of what some silly test might say, I’d still like to treat you like a member of my family.”

I paused my healing, and stared at the old Alpha, unbelievably touched.

“You what?”

“If it’s alright with you, I’d like to treat you like a member of my family. Like a daughter, in fact, since that’s already how I think of you.”

His offer was deeply moving, and I felt tears fill my eyes.

In my entire life, no one had ever wanted me to truly be a part of their family. And no one had ever wanted me to be their daughter this badly.

And while I didn’t assume this made me an official member of the Royal Family, I knew that even as a token sentiment it was something I would never forget. This kind gesture by a nice old man was one of the sweetest things anyone had ever given me.

I blinked away my tears and put my hand on his shoulder. “I accept, sir, with all my heart. And I will gladly think of you as my father.”

“Wonderful,” he said with a smile, putting his hand over mine for a moment.

“Now,” he went on, once I resumed the healing session. “I wanted to discuss this upcoming fundraising gala with you.”

I raised an eyebrow, wondering what I could possibly have to do with the big event that was splashed all over the news. Alphas from all over the region were going to be coming to Silverfang territory.

It promised to be the party of the season.

Why would the Royal Alpha want to talk with me about it?

“I feel obligated to attend, but I’ve had far too many social obligations lately. It’s exhausting, and the idea of going to this big to-do just leaves me feeling tired.”

“Are you sure you have to go? You need rest. Your condition worsens if you get too stressed, or don’t have enough down time.”

“Absolutely. So, I’d like you to act as my representative and go in my stead.”

I froze, my brain taking a minute to process what he just said.

“You - you want me? To attend a gathering of Alphas, as a Royal representative?”

“Exactly. Now, the event is tomorrow night and I know that’s short notice. But I’ve already instructed my Beta to pick you up after work and take you to the finest clothing store in the territory.

“You’ll look lovely, and you deserve a night out on the town. You’ll have fun!”

Fun??

Fun was not one of the words my brain was screaming at the moment.

“But…Sir, I can’t go to that event. It’s - it’s not my place. I’m just an Omega.”

I hated the words as I said them, and hated how easily they came out of my mouth. How easily I’d just accepted that those words were true.

I was an Omega. So, I had no place in polite, upper-class society.

But things were a little different now, weren’t they?

At least, they could be.

Once again, I thought about the plane ticket in my wallet, the one Alpha Soren had left.

“Besides,” I added. “I…I’ve decided to leave the Silverfang pack. And my flight leaves the day of the event. I’ll already be gone before it starts.”

The old Alpha was shocked, and clearly saddened. “I’m so sorry to hear that, Claire. I guess I just assumed you’d always be here.

“But tell me, where are you going?”

I told him about Alpha Soren’s visit, and his incredible offer, as I finished our healing session. It was pleasant to have someone besides Amelia to share my good news with.

But the Royal Alpha’s reaction to the news was not what I’d expected.

Instead, his eyes narrowed when he heard Alpha Soren’s name. And his expression only grew darker as I told him about my upcoming visit.

“I’ve heard plenty about that young man,” he said as I helped him sit back up. “And none of it good.”

This surprised me, and worried me. Speaking with Alpha Soren had been an intense experience, but I’d believed him when he said there would be a place for me in Bloodclaw pack.

Had the offer been too good to be true, and there was something else going on?

“Claire, I just don’t know what kind of life you’d have living under a ruthless Alpha like that. I want you to cancel that flight.”

I stared at him, surprised by the force of command in his tone. “What?”

“That’s right. Cancel it, and decline Alpha Soren’s offer. If you truly want to leave the Silverfang pack, then you can come join my pack.

“You can live with me, in my home.”