Alpha King’s Wolfless Mate by Scarlett Higgins

Chapter 67

**Nora POV

I could feel movement on the mattress beside me. I rolled onto my side and reached for Blake, but he wasn’t there. I cracked my eyes open and looked around the room until I saw him getting dressed for the day.

A quick glance at the window confirmed that it was still early. The sky was gray as the sun hadn’t fully risen yet. Blake usually got up early, so I wasn’t really surprised.

“What are you up to today?”I asked groggily. Heturned and smiled sleepily at me.

“I’m meeting with Maisi e this evening to begintalking about strategy and preparing contingency plans should this situation with my uncle take a turn. You should join me. As the Luna, you should be involved in this kind of strategic planning. It’s important for you to be fully informed about pack matters.”

I nodded in agreement.“Okay.”

I sat up and stretched my arms above my head. I was so tired, but Blake wanted me to take part in important pack duties, so I wasn’t about to pass that up just to sleep in.

I wanted him to trust me more as the Luna and this was a step in the right direction. It made me very happy that he asked me to come.

“Did you have plans for the day?” he askedcuriously. We hadn’t had much of a plan to talk last night and I knew that he was curious about what I’dbeen up to in town all day.

I shrugged.“Yes, but nothing for this evening.”

“Can I ask what you’re doing this morning?”Hiscuriosity was clear in his expression and I found it oddly endearing. Part of me wanted to tease him a little, but I decided against it.

“Maisi e thought it would be a good idea for me tovolunteer in the community so that people can get to know me better and hopefully start to trust me. I’m going to be working at Dave’s Home Goods.”

“That’s a great idea,” he said. He sounded impressed,which made me smile.“I’m glad you’re taking the initiative to get out there and earn the pack’s trust. Maisi e must really like you, if she’s taking the time to offer advice.”

“I’m glad,”I smiled. I s wung my feet over the side ofthe bed and stood.“She seems to know the pack very well and to care a lot about everyone. I value her advice.”

“That’s good. She’s a good person to have on yourside. Just don’t cross her,” he warned.

I went to the closet and pulled out some fresh clothes. I started to dress in a simple outfit that I would be able to easily move and work in.

I could feel Blake staring at me and turned to look back at him.“Is that all you have planned for the day? Strategy with Maisie?”

He shook his head and his expression turned sour.“I have to begin planning for the Lunar Festival.”

My eyes widened in surprise. I didn’t even realize it was almost time for the festival. With everything else that was going on, I had completely forgottenabout it.

A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I remembered the Lunar Festival back in Moonery. Luna Cressa took such care in planning every detail and making sure that the event went off without a hitch. It was the grandest event of the year.

“I can help,”I said excitedly. Blake looked shocked.“I would like to plan the Lunar Festival. It’s myfavorite event of the year.”

He smiled brightly at me.“If that’s what you want, love.”He paused and looked at me thoughtfully.

“What?”

“Nothing,”he said softly.“Get some breakfast beforeyou go. We’ll meet in the office before dinner tonight.”He k*ssed me lightly, then turned and left the room.

I went to the vanity and started to brush my hair. Blake was giving me a chance to take on more responsibilities. It made my heart swell to know that he trusted me with the pack he cared so much about. I would do everything I could not to let him down.

**

I was a little nervous as I entered the store to begin my first shift. I knew that it was silly to be nervous, but I couldn’t help it. This was my opportunity to make a good impression on the pack and I couldn’t help but worry that I was going to blow it.

There was a young man, about my age, standing behind the counter. There was enough of a family resemblance that I figured this must be Dave’s son, Christian.He smiled and waved awkwardly when he saw me approaching.“Good morning, Luna,”he greeted.

“Good morning,”I replied.“You must be Christian.I’m happy to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too,”he said kindly.“Please,come over to this side of the counter and I’ll start showing you how everything works.”

“Thank you,”I stated. I walked around the end ofthe count er and stood awkwardly beside him.“I’m sorry if it takes me a few attempts to figure things out. I’ve never worked a register before.”

“No!The Luna Queen doesn’t have retailexperience?” he gasped in faux shock.“What shoddy manager let you through the interview process with such a big gap in your resume?”

His sarcas m surprised me so much that I started to laugh.

Christian smiled triumphantly and waited for me to stop laughing. I hadn’t realized until now, but no one had teased me or made jokes at my expense since my birthday. The little bit of ribbing from Christian made me feel like a person again. I liked him already.

“It’s not too complicated,” he continued once I wascalm.“You’ll learn about the security system and inventory later, if you want. For today, you’re just learning to use the cash register.”

“Okay, that’s a little less intimidating,”I said.

I listened closely as Christian showed me what each of the buttons on the register did and how to punch in the cost of items. We did a few mock transactions where he ran into the store and grabbed an armfulof random things, then had me ring him up.

He showed me how to count back change as well, but that was going to take me a little practice to get used to. He assured me that I would eventually get it.

After several transactions, he sent me out to reshelve all of the items he had grabbed. I wanted to be annoyed about it, but it was actually a clever way to help me get acquainted with the layout of the store.

As I walked back to the counter, the front door opened and four people walked in. Christian greeted them in a friendly tone and told them to let him know if they needed help finding anything.

“Is it usually busy during the day?”I asked Christianas I rejoined him behind the counter. The few times I had been here, it was busy, but I wasn’t sure if that was the norm.

“It’s slow in the morning, usually there’s a rush inthe afternoon, then it tapers off in the evening,” he explained.

The customers, two women and two little boys, came to the count er after a few minutes. They had an assortment of groceries and a shiny red kickball. The boys, who looked to be about ten years old, were very excited.

One of the women, who had short blonde hair, looked a little nervous as they loaded the counter with their items. I punched in the prices and bagged the goods the way that Christian had shown me while he stood back and observed.

“Hello, Luna,” the woman said softly.“Good morning,”I replied brightly.“Did you findeverything you needed?”

She nodded mutely.

“I’m glad to hear it,”I noted. I kept the smile on myface as I handed the kickball back to one of the boys.

“Thanks, Miss!”he replied happily.

“You’re very welcome,”I said.“Thank you forstopping in.”

“Do you work here?”the second boy askedsuspiciously.“I’ve never seen you here.”

I chuckled a little.“I’m going to be helping out for a while.”

He nodded thoughtfully.“Okay. Then I’ll see you later, bye!”He ran toward the door, dragging the first boy along by his sleeve.

The blonde woman looked at me in concern, but I just smiled at her. She thanked me softly, then she hurried off after the boys. When they had all gone, I turned to Christian.

“They’ll get used to seeing you here,”he assured me.“You’re a natural.”

I smiled, but I had a twist form in my stomach. Despite it going well, I felt a little defeated. Would they get used to it, or was I going to be stuck in this limbo forever?