The Hybrid's Hope novel Chapter 14

Levi

After leaving Hope in her new apartment, I drop my things in my apartment next door, then head upstairs to the official offices of Holstin Enterprises, Inc. Alpha Liam runs a company that helps support not only his pack, but also other packs and many lone wolves. The company has two separate departments, security and construction. I’ve worked the construction side on occasion, but I prefer security,

However, I want to talk to him today about possibly switching so I can be home more often to spend time with Hope.

Although, that thought gives me pause. I have no idea what he plans to do with Hope. If he puts her on a security detail, she could be gone for longer periods of time.

When the elevator doors open on the main floor, I nod at Justine, the current receptionist for the office. That position changes frequently, usually based on who might need protection from the company and a place to live while the person or persons who are after them are found and taken out.

While Alpha Liam employs only shifters, he works for shifters and humans.

Justine is a human and has been in the position long enough that the bruises she came in with are gone, but the haunted look in her eyes and the constant checking of her environment will take longer to go away. At least the permanent scent of fear that she had the first few days she arrived are gone.

“Good morning, Justine,” I say. “Is Mr. Holstin in?”

“He is, Levi. He’s expecting you.”

“Have they found your attackers yet?” I ask, stopping a moment to check in with her. Most of us do this work because we want to help others, so I’m sure I’m not the only one who checks on her. But the Alpha in me doesn’t like seeing someone scared and alone.

“Not yet. But Mr. Holstin said he thinks they’re getting close.”

“Good. I’m back now, so if anything scares you, you have my number.”

“Thanks, Levi. Lachlan checked on me over the weekend while most everyone was away.”

“Good.”

Lachlan is a lone wolf who works for Alpha Liam and lives in the building too.

I go to the CEO’s office and knock on the door. Eventually, Alpha Liam will pass this company off to his second and third son, Alpha Xander and Alpha Cayden as the CEO and CFO. Both men plan to go to college to learn how to run the business, but it’s a great way for the younger sons to have a place in the world and still participate in the pack, since the company will fund their brother, Alpha Richard’s, pack.

Alpha Xander is finishing his senior year of high school this year and will be going off to college in a few months. Alpha Cayden will be going after he returns.

“Come in, Levi,” Alpha Liam says. I walk in and close the door, knowing that it’s better if Justine doesn’t hear our conversation since she doesn’t know about shifters.

“Good morning, Alpha. How was your weekend?”

“Busy! I feel like my children are growing up right in front of my eyes. My son has taken over as Alpha and now Leana has decided to go visit Araphyra with Lily.

Araphyra is the elf land that very few know about. Lily, another Guardian, Alpha Rik and Luna Cara’s daughter, is mated to King Aolis, the son of the current king, Ailduin. However, when she turned eighteen, she didn’t immediately accept King Aolis as her mate. I’m not sure why and it’s not my place to ask, but I’m guessing this trip is meant to rectify that. Lily and Leana have been best friends their entire life, so it makes sense that the two of them would go together.

“Well, Alpha, your pups are all very close in age, except for Reagan, of course,” I say.

Werewolf gestations are shorter than human gestations and Alpha Liam and his mate, Luna Angel, had pups every six months for two years. Then they waited a year and ended up with twin girls. I’ve heard the pregnancy wasn’t easy for Luna Angel and Alpha Liam insisted that they not have any more pups, as if six pups weren’t enough. However, Reagan was born three years later. She is, by far, the youngest of this generation of Guardians. Even at twelve, it’s obvious that she takes after her father rather than her mother. While all Guardians are strong, Reagan is already making a name for herself as a very powerful warrior.

“I guess so. Thank the goddess Xander and Cayd are next in age. When the twins come of age …” he shakes his head and I smile.

All the Guardians are well protected by their fathers and brothers, but the twins and Reagan are the youngest of the generation and everyone is protective of them. Plus, the twins have their mother’s gentle kindness making the packs practically fall over themselves to please them.

“Anyway, how was your weekend, Levi? Any important news to share with me this morning?” he asks.

Everyone knows that Hope and I are best friends. Everyone knows that I was hoping we would be mates.

“Yes and no. Yes, we’re mates, but Hope didn’t want to complete our bond. She also doesn’t want me to announce that we’re mated. However, I told her I wouldn’t lie if I was asked.”

He looks at me, nodding slowly as he thinks. All Alphas are intense. I’m used to Alpha Eli’s intensity, since he’s my Alpha. Alpha Liam is intense in a different way.

“She didn’t reject you?” he clarifies.

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