The One

Dinner at The Aspen

 After their light-hearted lunch and idle chatter, The Aspen and The Randale parted ways, both heading to their destination. Just as William began to stroll towards their house, Peter beckoned him to stop. "William, do you have a moment? Anna, do you both have a moment?"

"Let's have our tea time for old times' sake," Pepper chimed in eagerly.

With a shared nod, Anna and William made their way back into the opulent mansion, where Karol watched them with a bemused expression. A sly smirk crept across her face as she teased, "No, no, I'm fine. I'll head back to our house. No worries."

Pepper, masking her knowing smile, replied, "Don't worry, sweet girl, we'll send some fresh blueberry pie your way, aright?" The promise sparked a beaming grin on her face, her head bobbing eagerly.

As they bid farewell to Karol, the four of them ascended to Peter's home office on the second floor. Settling into their seats, William eyed them knowingly. "I assume you have a host of questions, am I right?"

"How do you know?" Anna asked, brows raised.

"Your unchanged attitude makes it painfully obvious," he said flatly.

Without missing a beat, Pepper plunged into the matter at hand. "I wanted to tell you that Karol might be Leo's mate."

"Really? Why do you say that?" Anna leaned in, curiosity piqued.

"Her insatiable appetite for blueberry pie is definitely a new development, wouldn't you agree?" Pepper shot a glance at William and Anna.

"Yes, it is new," William said, furrowing his brow. Anna, feeling quite strange about the unfolding discussion, added, "She used to devour tons of vanilla pie, and she despised the taste and smell of blueberry."

"But, if you both suspect she's Leo's mate, that can't be, can it? She's already confirmed to have a mate," Anna said, her voice tinged with confusion.

Pepper couldn't help but lean forward, eyes alight with intrigue. "Who is her mate?"

"I don't know if you're familiar with him or his family, but his name is Christian," William replied, searching his phone for a picture.

"Christian? Christian who?" Anna asked, her excitement palpable.

"Wait, I know this sounds bizarre—it sounds bizarre to us too," William said, his fingers scrolling feverishly. "Here's his picture."

He turned his phone towards them, only to accidentally pull up a silly mugshot.

"Em, darling, we didn't want to see your prank mugshot with your subordinates," Anna stifled a laugh, while the others erupted into giggles.

"Shit! Sorry, hang on," William said, frantically scrolling. "Okay, this is the one."

"Which one? It's just a group photo with The Ethelwulf family," Anna pointed out, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

"Is this the right picture?" William asked, showing them again.

"Yes, yes, that's the one," he confirmed, relief flooding his voice. "This is Christian Ethelwulf, and he is indeed Karol's mate."

"Seriously?!" Peter and Pepper exclaimed in unison, disbelief etched across their faces.

"I understand it sounds outrageous, but we were in the same boat at first," William reassured them. "Christian and his family explained everything, and it became clear that Karol and Christian are truly mates."

"This is so strange," murmured Pepper, still grappling with the revelation.

As Peter, Pepper, Anna, and William continued their spirited discussion, piecing together the latest happenings in both the werewolf and human worlds, Karol found herself retreating to her room. She nestled comfortably in her old bed, skimming through emails.

Picking up her phone, she called Brian, her soon-to-be left-hand man and bodyguard. "Brian, are you busy, buddy?" she asked, sifting through documents.

"Hi, ma'am! No, I'm not busy. What do you need?" he replied.

"I'll email you your one-year contract. Review it, and if you have any questions, call the number at the end of the agreement. They'll guide you step-by-step because you'll be taking over that position."

"Okay, ma'am."

"Great! Bye, Brian."

"Bye, ma'am."

Meanwhile, the tea time concluded for Anna, William, Pepper, and Peter, who all felt the urgency to freshen up before dinner.

Hours later, the trio dressed casually in shorts and T-shirts, making their way to the mansion, bustling with pack members.

"Hi, hi!" she beamed, spotting Pepper, who was busy overseeing the kitchen staff. "Hi Karol, take a seat, baby girl. Tonight, we feast!" Pepper replied with infectious enthusiasm.

She narrowed her eyes playfully at Pepper. "Feast, huh..." she smiled, amused. Just then, Peter appeared, the warmth of family surrounding them. "Let your aunty be, Karol. She's overjoyed that you're finally back after seven long years," he said as he entered the dining hall.

"Anna, William, come here! Let's take our places."

"Let's eat, everyone!"

With excitement coursing through the air, all eyes turned to The Randale, some members recognising their significance while others—young and impressionable—stole glances at Karol, eager to impress the younger yet formidable presence she had become.

"Let's raise our glasses," Peter declared, his voice resonating through the room, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "To the Randale family gathered here tonight, and—most importantly—to Karol, who, after seven long years, graces us with her presence!" He lifted his cup high, prompting everyone to follow his lead, their smiles warm with camaraderie. "Now, let's eat and mingle!" he added, slipping into his seat as the delicious feast began to be served.

Karol's mischievous smile danced across her lips as she chimed in, "Not bad, not bad at all. Maybe I should make this an annual thing. Muahahaha!" Laughter erupted from the group as she feigned an evil cackle, but was quickly met by a playful retort from Pepper. "You wish! This is a one-time deal," she teased, her laughter mingling with hers.

As the night unfolded, the atmosphere buzzed with chatter and joy, but suddenly, her expression shifted. She scanned the room, her keen eyes searching the throng of faces, catching the attention of William, Anna, Peter, and Pepper. A flicker of concern crossed her brow as she turned to Pepper, her tone urgent. "Where's Leo? I haven't seen him at all, not tonight or this morning."

Pepper flashed a sweet smile, momentarily glancing at William, Anna, and her husband as if to gauge their reaction. "Leo's out for an important meeting, but don't worry—he'll be home tomorrow for dinner," she assured, though her words did little to ease her disappointment. With a resigned sigh, she took a lacklustre bite of her food, prompting Pepper to share an 'I-told-you-so' glance with the others, who simply shrugged and continued their conversations, brushing off the tension.