Chapter 7: A Special Meeting

Beta Anthony’s POV:

I watched Arthur speak with finality to Ophelia in the hospital room. When he left, I followed him out the door.

"Alpha Arthur," I said quietly once we were in a more private area. Arthur turned to me and tilted his head. "I think it's obvious by now that Ophelia's father wasn't honest with us."

"I know," Arthur remarked. "She isn't in the condition he promised."

"She's experienced severe abuse at home, probably all her life. I saw how savage and primitive they were. They seemed more like a bunch of rogue wolves making a sad attempt at being a pack. They're mavericks, not a family."

"What is it that you're getting at?" Arthur asked, sounding perturbed. I knew his patience may run out quickly if I didn't say my piece. He didn't like wasting time.

"Well, picture her coming from a life like that and now being told she has to be a breeder. It seems like a lot for a young wolf woman to take in." I pursed my lips but didn't push him.

Arthur's stature changed slightly. Though he didn't respond, I knew him well and could feel that he harbored some guilt about her circumstances.

He didn’t speak so I broke the silence and asked, "Do you think you're going to return her?"

Arthur glanced at me and shook his head once with conviction. "No, that would seem suspicious."

I nodded, understanding where he was coming from. If we tried to go back on our deal, we'd be breaking a legally and civilly binding contract. It would make ShadowClaw look disorganized and flighty. Plus, there was no way we were going to get that load of cash back from Moon Pack. Not that it mattered.

That amount of money was a drop in the bucket for ShadowClaw.

"What would you like me to do?" I asked.

"Prepare a bedroom for her. You know which one I mean."

"Okay, I'll get right on that."

For generations, the room that Ophelia was going to stay in was strictly for one woman only. The Luna. Going by how well I knew Arthur, this move was merely about the convenient location it provided for breeding circumstances. Nothing more.

Yet, it would be more comfortable and probably something Ophelia would feel good about. It was a recherché space, after all.

After preparing the bedroom, I sought out my sister to see where Ophelia was. I could hear them talking in Ophelia's current room. I gently tapped the door.

"Just a minute," Jessica said. I waited patiently until she came. She opened the door with only a crack. I looked at her curiously then narrowed my eyes in confusion.

"Can I come in? We need to talk."

"In private?" she asked. "If so, I’ll have to leave. Ophelia is here."

"Well, actually this concerns Ophelia, mostly. I don't want to intrude but Arthur has asked me to change her quarters." I began to open the door but Jessica jammed her foot behind it so I couldn't get in.

I tilted my head with a smirk of annoyance and said, "This really isn't the time for sibling jokes. C’mon, show some respect for your Beta."

"I'm not playing around, my Beta brother. It's just that Ophelia is changing right now."

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry," I said, suddenly feeling awkward, my eyes widened. Respectfully, I averted my gaze. I could hear dresser drawers opening and closing, then closets shutting.

When they were finished, Jessica came to the door and welcomed me in. Once I entered, I saw Ophelia perched on the bed with an innocent expression of curiosity, her hands on her lap, and her eyes bright and expectant.

"It looks like you’re feeling a little better," I commented with a small smile.

"I am.”

“About being here, too?” I asked.

“Yes. Your sister has a talent for making me feel at home," Ophelia replied with a grin and nodded at Jessica.

"She's good at that," I affirmed with a wide smile.

“So, what did you need to speak to me about, Beta Anthony?" Ophelia asked, tilting her head to the left.

“Right, here's the thing. Alpha Arthur wants you to move into a special room. It's closer to his quarters."

Ophelia couldn't control her initial visceral reaction by widening her eyes in what I assume was fear or shock. Quickly, however, she put on a brave face, becoming stoic, and calmly nodded.

"If that's what he wants," she said with confidence. That was a fast shift in emotion. I guessed that having to deal with an abusive family made it easier to pretend you weren't afraid.

"It is. I've already made it up for you." I turned to Jessica and asked, "Will she be fit enough to move in a few days?"

Jessica replied, "Yes, Beta Anthony. We've run several tests and so far, so good. There are just a few results we are waiting for that won't be in for three more days. I suspect those will come back as normal. Then we can help Ophelia move."

"Thanks, Jessica. Please update me as soon as you know more."

I left the room feeling bad for Ophelia. It was sad that it was taking her body so long to heal, especially being a wolf. Ophelia’s condition was an extreme case.

As I walked down the hallway I shook my head in disbelief. She probably felt bad, confused, and likely regretted being in this new position. I felt partially responsible for her upset. But I had to carry out Alpha Arthur's orders.

She was a breeder now and that's just the way things were.

Ophelia’s POV:

When I finally moved to the new room with Anthony's help, I couldn't believe how beautiful and enormous it was. It had been a couple of days now, and I still had not gotten used to it. Not only did it have a king-sized bed and several pieces of furniture, but the rug was soft as silk on my bare feet. The sheets on the bed were seven threaded Egyptian cotton.

Art from centuries ago hung on the walls, paintings from the 1700s, and sculptures from the 1550s. A fireplace was to the left of the wall which I planned to use as soon as it was colder out. To say the least, this was elegant compared to what I’d had with the Moon Pack.

Aesthetically and materialistically, it was gorgeous, but that wasn’t the reason I loved it. The reason I felt so serene in here was because this room was mine. I didn't have to worry about my father, Margaret, Mike, or anyone else barging in like they owned the place.

Still, even with all the comfort and pleasantries at the ShadowClaw Pack, there was a mystery.

That mystery was Arthur Morgan. It had been two weeks since we'd met but the memory had been burrowed into my mind. I couldn't forget the way his eyes roved over me; even in his cold manner, he touched me in more ways than one.

I sighed, hoping I’d be able to ask Jessica about where he’d been when she came by later that night.

***

A little after 5 pm, Jessica arrived with some food. It was delicious but very light, not like the heavy dishes she had given me when I first arrived.

"Any reason why you're skimping on the portions?" I asked with a grin.

Jessica giggled. "You've finally gained a little bit of weight, though you could stand to gain some more. But the reason I'm keeping it light is because tonight is special. I know I like to eat a little less so my fancy clothes fit better. Not to mention it can help if you get queasy in social situations."

"Social situations?" I asked, wishing I could get more information out of her with a gentle nudge. "Meeting someone..." I mumbled. I was afraid if I pushed, I’d upset her. It seemed like she wanted to keep it a secret.

"That's right. We can get you dressed in something nice like we did before. Only this time, you won't be too hurt to wear a form-fitting dress."

I forced a smile, swallowing hard, to try to hide my nervousness. Who was the mystery person? Was it Arthur? My heart skipped a beat thinking about being near him once more. My breathing picked up slightly.

I remembered when Arthur was next to me, my whole body shivered in... was it pleasure or fear? Maybe both. All that I knew was that despite Arthur’s icy persona, there was something about him that set me on fire.

It was making me anxious in anticipation, but it didn't look like Jessica was going to elaborate. Imagining being in his presence was making my heart race. The suspense was killing me.

Jessica picked up on my awkward pause.

"Oh, don't worry. You're going to look and feel beautiful once you are in these nice clothes. It's freeing and glamorous how an exquisite dress can increase your self-esteem. Once you're in this outfit, you won't have to try to raise your head high, it will simply happen on its own."

Jessica demonstrated to me, standing tall, her hands out, poised, and pretending to be prim. I giggled. I was about to ask Jessica for even more detail when I heard a knock on the door.

"Hello?" I heard Anthony's muffled voice.

Jessica glanced at me and for the first time, I felt like it was my choice whether someone was going to be allowed into my space. She tipped her chin up to me and I walked to the door and opened it.

"Yes, Beta Anthony?" I asked. When he glanced down at me, I could tell he was surprised. Going from the wounded, weak wolf he rescued to a young woman dressed up accentuating every part of me was a huge leap. Still, he was a respectful wolf, as always, and didn't make me feel gawked at.

"We're ready for you to have your meeting now," he said. "I can lead the way."

I stared at him wondering why everyone was being so intentionally vague. Maybe it was to wow Arthur with all the health improvements I'd made.

As we made our way down the hall, in the distance, I noticed a figure. Then I did a double take. My mind must have been playing tricks on me. The person who we were walking toward looked exactly like...

Wait, it couldn't be. I closed my eyes for a second hoping that I wasn't seeing things correctly, but when I opened them, I couldn't deny it.

There in front of me was my father.

What in the world? Here was the man who sold me off, not only for someone to marry but to be bred with. The first man to ever lie to me and the only one to never stop. The symbol of treachery.

This was who I was dressed up for.

Was I being taken back?

As Anthony led me closer, I noticed how starkly my father stood out. He clashed with the environment of style and fineness in his crummy clothes and cheap cologne but at the same time, he was what I'd known my whole life.

He didn't belong here and was out of place to me. I felt sympathy for him at that moment. Perhaps that was who people saw when they looked at me. Maybe I’d always be the poor, abused girl from the Moon Pack to them.

Though my heart was breaking to see him, I had a million questions. When he opened his mouth to speak, I couldn’t wait to hear what he had to say.