Getting away with the Alpha's Pup

Chapter 20

Cherry

I rolled my eyes at his shifter joke but observed Fern’s disappointment fall over her face.

Trying to distract her, I suggested, “Bert heard about your Star of the Week Certificate. Want to go get it for him?”

Fern nodded, her dark eyes hovering hopefully on Bert as she smiled and shot off to get her award. My heart lurched in my chest as I contemplated that longing look on my little girl’s face.

I realized Bert was watching me closely.

“Sorry, it’s tough on her,” I said. “Sometimes, I wish she had more than me.”

Bert’s eyes were somber. “She does seem to really want a father figure. Have you…” He hesitated. “Are you seeing anyone?”

My stomach twisted uncertainly. I sighed. “I’m seeing someone, but it’s still early days. I’m still not sure how I feel about him, to be honest.” At the thought of Carl, I realized I should probably call him later, to let him know I’d be out of the city for a week. Especially given his declaration the other night.

Wanting to deflect the attention away from myself, I asked, “What about you? Anyone special?”

Bert chortled. “I lived with Amy for a couple of years.”

“I always liked Amy,” I said, picturing the feisty, dark-haired, athletic young woman from our pack.

Bert nodded. “Amy’s great, but after two years, we realized we wanted different things. She’s more of the city, ambitious sort.” With a laugh, he acknowledged, “a bit like you, I guess. Whereas I just want a simple life in Lord Hills.” He sighed. “After a few arguments about me not being ambitious enough, we parted ways.”

I nodded. “The most important thing is to be true to yourself. The right wolf is out there for you; you’ll find her.” I wanted to say more. I wished we had more time to chat. I knew how hard it had been putting a year into trying in my relationship with Dylan, trying to mold myself into what I thought he wanted, only to come out the other side rejected by him. At least what Bert had said earlier was true. I would have more time to spend with my friend by visiting Lord Hills. With a tumult of surprise, I realized I was looking forward to that aspect, to spending quality time and chatting with my oldest friend.

Bert raised his glass and drank to that. Shortly after, Fern came in to show off her certificate. But when my daughter started to yawn, I knew it was past her bed time, and with some more hugs all round, Bert took his leave, saying he’d look forward to seeing me in Seattle in a couple of days.

As I tucked Fern in that night, I explained that I was going off on a business trip. Of course, she asked to come, but after explaining that it was a business trip and that there wouldn’t be any pizza parties like tonight, she accepted that she had to stay here for school.

I texted Lara, arranging for our nanny to come stay for a week. As Lara confirmed her availability to stay, I felt the reality grip me. I was really doing this. Going online, I booked flights for tomorrow. My stomach somersaulted as I downloaded my boarding passes onto my phone. I was going back to Seattle. I was going back to Lord Hills and the Starsmoon Pack.

Apprehension roiled through me as I finally finished packing a case, choosing my clothes with thoughts about the various evening engagements I might have to attend. With my carry-on case zipped up and my phone and laptop charging, I started on my cleansing routine as I got ready for bed. I thought about ringing Carl but decided against it. With his unexpected declaration the other night, I didn’t feel as if I had room in my head for any more talk about our relationship. Not tonight, anyway. I’d call him from Seattle instead.

Turning out the light, trepidation roiled through me. My nerves took hold, and sleep eluded me.

In a whirl of airport lounges, queues, and cramped airline seats, I eventually found myself stepping out of the terminal at Tacoma International Airport. Massaging the strain in my neck, I dragged my small trolley bag out of the airport and went to the taxi rank, relieved when it was finally my turn to climb in and collapse in the back seat.

“Horizon View, Lake Forest, please,” I told the driver.

The driver was chatty and asked whether I was here for a holiday or work. “Visiting my dad,” I explained.

“Ah, a local, are ya?” He caught my eye conspiratorially in the rearview mirror.

I smiled. “Used to be. I’ve been living abroad in Berlin for a while.”

The driver soon shared with me his plan to take a sightseeing tour of all the states with his wife when he retired. He asked me about Berlin, and I told him about how the city’s history and architecture were amazing, and I admitted that I missed my home city. Something I was increasingly aware of as the cab took us south and Seattle’s cityscape loomed ahead of us.

We lapsed into a comfortable silence, and I took in the sight of the Space Needle dominating the skyline. I remembered fondly how thrilled I’d felt as a kid first looking out from it across the heights of the city. I remembered the beautiful, arty Chihuly garden and glass exhibition space near it too. I’d been captivated by the colorful hues of its glass exhibitions, and even the memory of them flooded me with warmth as if I still stood beneath their dazzling shades.