Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87: Dinner and a Speech

We return to the base in time to go to my honorary dinner. Which is terrible.

No–it’s actually very nice. Extremely thoughtful. It’s just awkward to be thrust into a position you know nothing about and to have to tell them you don’t intend to stay. At least not for now. If I can get my words together, I hope to be able to make them understand.

When Alex and I enter the Meeting Hall, everyone is there. Tables have been set up with food, and my stomach growls at the thought of getting to slaughter some meat. Literally.

Yeah, it’s weird for me.

Everyone stops and looks at us. I smile, cordially, though I’m sure my face is red.

Lenor comes to my rescue. She rushes over to me, takes my hand, and leads me to the other end of the table.

I know from the last pack dinner I attended that the opposite end is where the leaders sit: the Alpha and his family. I see Rita on that end, along with two empty chairs.

What I don’t see is an Alpha because there isn’t one. I’m afraid I know where they’re going to seat me and that’s the last place I want to be. Someone help me!

As I pass Jeaoul and Charles, they nod to me. It is respectful and subordinate–two things I’m not used to. Could I get used to it? Will I ever really have to?

Lenor leads me to the seat at the very end, facing everyone. My body tenses. If I can see them, they can see me.

“I really don’t…” I begin to say when a hand on my back interrupts my chain of thought.

Alex looks and me and nods. I reluctantly do what I’m told and sit in the head chair, the chair that was empty at the Ayzena dinner.

Alex pushes my chair in and sits to my left. He explains to me that Jeaoul and Lenor are to my right because they are the head Elders in the Council. He is to my left because he is my mate, Alex tells me with a wink, and Charles is beside him as captain of my guard. Rita, on the other side of Charles, is permitted at this end because she is a guest of mine.

Glad I could do something for Rita, for a change.

It all seems so traditional. This adds another level of anxiety because I don’t know what I’m expected to do. I don’t know how they do even the most basic things here. Do they have jobs? Earn money? When do they shift and why?

But I can’t ask these things. These are questions I need to save for Alex, when we have more time alone.

“Should I say something?” I ask aloud.

Jeaoul replies, “We will introduce you; though everyone knows who you are by now.”

“I’m sorry,” I apologize, “but I’m new to …all of this.”

“Don’t worry, dear” Lenor says. “We will take care of things for you. And we will teach you the ways.”

Okay, I really need to tell them I’m not staying. I mean, it’s not like they asked if I was staying, they’re inst assuming.

But before I have a chance to bring up my intentions, Jeaoul stands. When he does, those who have not sat down do so, and everyone gets quiet.

1/3

+26 BONUS

#Chapter 87. Dinner and a Speech

He faces the crowd and begins his speech. “We have gathered here to honor the line of the Alpha. For those of you who do not know, Alpha Ryan betrayed our pack. He was the culprit behind the attacks that led to the death of his brother and, consequentially, our Luna. Her child, sent into hiding under a rune of suppression, has now returned to us.”

With an open palm, he stretches his hand toward me, and everyone begins howling. It would be funny if I weren’t so terrified.

“Our Luna, Dyanthiana, challenged and defeated Ryan. She s now the rightful leader of the Malkeye pack.”

Jeaoul turns to me. “I know you have been going by another name–you’re human name. Is that what you prefer?”

All eyes are on me again. “Y–Yesss, thank you.”

He nods and turns his head back to the crowd. “Our Luna will now be known as Cynthia.”

Everyone howls again, and I want to sink under the table and hide.

“I’m sure you all have questions, but first let us feast and let the food provide some clarity.”

Jeaoul sits back down and everyone begins serving themselves.

“Thank you. But I feel like we need to talk.”

“This is new to you,” Jeaoul says. “I’m sure you have questions.”

“That’s the thing,” I begin, “I’m new to all of this–even being a werewolf. I’ve only shifted once,” I add with emphasis to drive the point home. “I don’t know what a pack does, much less how to run one.”

“That’s okay,” says, her voice soft and assuring. “We can help you. The Elders can help with daily functions and responsibilities and Charles can help with security matters.

“The best thing for you, my Luna,” Charles adds, “is to spend time here and learn the ways.”

I want to tell them I’m willing to do that, but I can’t. Not right now. “Look, I plan on doing that, but…my human mother doesn’t know what’s going on. I need to see her settled and allow her to see me moving on before I can just up and disappear.”

I hear murmurs among them, and Jeaoul folds his arms over his chest, his face stony and disapproving. I knew they might not take this well.

Alex grabs my hand and squeezes. “You have to understand, this is Cynthia, not Dyanthiana. You need to give her time to integrate those two roles. She’s never known a life as a werewolf. Until a few weeks ago, she didn’t even know we existed.”

More murmurs. More confusion.

“To ask her to stay here now wouldn’t be fair.”

They all look at each other as if looking for someone to approve, or to argue.

“I will return, but I have to wrap up the life I’ve lived for almost eighteen years.”

Jeaoul relaxes a little. “I suppose that’s fair, but we need to make sure things are conducted properly.”

I nod, enthusiastic at his change of heart. “I would like to appoint someone in my stead, who can also informed until I return. I was thinking…Charles.”

ep me

Charles sits up straight and becomes fussy, fiddly. “Well–huh.” He strokes his beard and says, “I–I don’t know why you would choose me.”

$25 BONUS

#Chapter 87: Dinner and a Speeth