Chương 968: I SWEAR IT WAS BOO (NOT ME)

I can't believe I didn't notice Alpha Solomon and his entire entourage enter our packland! It wasn't even just Alpha Solomon and Trevor. They came in with what must be an entire platoon of Black Forest warriors too.

I could see their olive green bullet proof trucks from my porch - they probably came with so many vehicles, we didn't have enough parking lots. Two of them had been left on the side of the packhouse driveway. Two Black Forest warriors were left standing there to guard their trucks. They were properly uniformed in their black warrior jackets - the cool one where all the metal bits were matte black, and the "stickers" which denote their ranks.

Never mind haute couture or designer wear, if I collected clothes, I would collect warrior uniforms or jackets. Complete the outfit with standard-issued accessories, ranks, and weapons, and THAT would be a fashion show worth checking out.

Anyway, the two Black Forest warriors immediately stood at attention and bowed at our passing. The old me would've jumped out of my skin in surprisr, the old me would've not known where to look or what to do, but the me now was able to nod and wave airily at them. The me now was also aware of the three accompanying betas, two blond advisors, and three other delta warriors in my entourage who liked to put on their "serious business" face in front of outsiders, so I offered the two visitor guards my usual wide smile to make up for the unfriendly big bad wolves behind me.

We entered the packhouse quickly. There were a couple of Black Forest guards here too. They stood at attention and bowed at my entry.

"Alpha Princess is here." Ben announced in his usual disinterested deadpan.

Dave was on duty and was quick enough to catch on, he dropped a quick bow, "Welcome, Princess. Good afternoon, betas and deltas."

Yeah, like I waltzed in and out of the packhouse with a bevy of bigshot high-ranking wolves everyday.

Coats got filed in their correct slots on the hangers, and we headed through the lobby in an orderly fashion without any gossip exchanged with our newly installed information center (predominantly, Dave, but most of the usual warriors who did coat duty at the packhouse would also obligingly update you on the latest comings and goings in the packhouse.)

"Princess, please be reminded to open your mindlink to us." Wolfgang prompted as we crossed the lobby. I quickly unblocked my mindlink so we could all link up like we would if we were about to go out for a run.

In hindsight, I think Wolfgang had meant to link up with just my betas, Fluffy and himself, but at the moment, I linked up to Ink, Torque, and Barry too. Like it was an instinctively thing since if we were running, I would have included them.

Meanwhile, the other wolves in the lobby all stood up and bowed at our passing. This was a little weird since they weren't all warriors. I had never been so respected in my own packhouse before.

The Youth Club was opened and Angela was behind the counter. Delilah, Tim, and Sue were also hanging out. Delilah was sitting on the counter, but when we passed, Angela pushed her off so she was standing. They all made their bows too.

That threw me off. It was so weird and I had no idea how to respond to my friends. I actually stopped in my tracks - which made it all the weirder because now they thought I had something to say to them.

I took a quick glance at Ben, but unlike me, Ben had no qualms about turning into into scary beta on his own friends.

Our friends looked uneasy. Tim was uncharacteristically meek. I wanted to say something to reassure him, but I couldn't for the life of me think of anything to say.

Like I blanked.

Which was stupid, I know. I mean, I could've pretty much said anything. Even a "What's up?" would have been fine.

Instead I opened my mouth, and nothing came out.

{Not now, Sam.} Ben groaned over the mindlink, {We can stop by later to get a mission if you really must, but your Luna is a b-"

{Ben.} Harvey warned.

{...bad at waiting.} Ben corrected himself in time.

{Nice save, Scary Beta.} Fluffy praised.

"Oh." I answered aloud. I don't know why. It just made it look like I was talking to myself, "Okay, I'll drop by again later."

I gave my friends at the Youth Club my wide smile, "I have something to do now, but Ben and I will come back later to play."

Our friends nodded wordlessly. I think they were weirded out too, but if their line of sight was any indicator, thry were more weirded out by the wolves with me than my social awkwardness.

Ben pretty much pushed me off - like how Angela had pushed Delilah off the counter, but I was used to it. I let him guide me quickly to the receiving room - the one with proper furniture and framed paintings by students of New Leaf Academy, not the one with the cages that we "received" our less friendly visitors.

Harvey took a brief glance to make sure I was "ready", I nodded and he knocked, two brisk knocks, and opened the door for our entry.

I stepped in at Ki's announcement, "Alpha Princess is here."

And for some reason, I quite automatically glided up to the four alpha wolves.

I stopped and made a short bow to Dad and Alpha Solomon because they were my elders. Dad and Bell were seated in the two armchairs facing the door. Alpha Solomon and Trevor sat on the two armchairs on the left... So I took the two seater on the right.

All the betas were standing, even Beta Lucas, so I knew that this was official serious business.

"Good, Sam, you're here." Dad nodded approvingly.

"What took you so long?" Bell growled, but he was talking to Ki who took his stand behind my Lorent Prince.

"A thousand apologies, Luna Bell." Ki beamed his killion dollar smile so that Bell would know he was not sorry at all.

Bell scowled at that, and I noticed belatedly how suave Bell looked.

I mean he really looked even handsomer than when I last left him. It took me a whole second to pinpoint what was different - his hair which was slicked to the side earlier had somehow regained it natural unruly curl. I really liked Bell's "natural look".

I know, the side swept waves and Prince Charming smile was very GQ cover page material, but I think his dark curls unbridled like this, coupled with the way his mouth pressed down looked sexier.

Omo. I mean, BOO thought so, not me. It was also Boo who smiled at the sight of Mate, not me.

{Mate! ~ <3}

Yeah, it was all Boo at play here. Not me at all.

But the thing about Boo was that she wasn't socially awkward like I was. She didn't worry about things like what to say or how other people might feel about her. Boo was the part of me with unabashed self confidence - either that, or she was the part of me without a whit of self awareness, I couldn't be sure which, but Boo didn't hesitate, "Did you miss me so badly?"

Boo patted the empty space next to her and tilted her face towards Bell and smiled in the most inviting way.

I swear it was Boo, not me!