Return to Seven Fountain

The Invitation

Simoné strode into the packhouse, a vibrant energy radiating from her as she swung open the door, shopping bags in tow. Chrisanne, her best friend and the sister of Alpha Keenan, followed closely behind, a smile plastered on her face. The two had just returned from an afternoon of shopping, the thrill of finding the perfect outfits palpable in the air between them.

"Guess who just scored the cutest dress ever!" Chrisanne exclaimed, holding up a brightly coloured bag that rustled with the promise of new clothes.

"Let me see!" Simoné laughed, her mood lifted by the camaraderie they shared.

As they entered the office, the atmosphere shifted. Her brother and the pack's Beta, Duncan, sat at the head of a long wooden table, flanked by her father Thamus, Gamma Rupert, and Delta Chase. The air was thick with tension, and the moment they stepped inside, all eyes turned to them.

"Hey, everyone!" Chrisanne greeted cheerily, completely unaware of the serious conversation that had just taken place.

"Uh, is this a bad time?" Simoné asked, sensing the weight in the room.

Thamus cleared his throat, his expression a mix of concern and protectiveness. "We were just discussing pack matters," he replied, but there was an unspoken understanding that it had something to do with Simoné.

"We wanted to talk to you about something," Duncan said, his tone serious.

Simoné's stomach knotted at the implication. "What is it?"

Chrisanne's excitement was infectious as she leaned in. "We want to go to a party at Mystic Hills tomorrow night! Alpha Clint invited us, and I think it'll be so much fun!"

At the mention of the Mystic Hills pack, a flicker of tension coursed through the room. Simoné exchanged glances with her father, who wore a look of apprehension.

"That's not a good idea," Duncan interjected quickly, his brows furrowing. "Keenan is still away, and we can't leave the pack vulnerable."

"Come on, Duncan! It's just a party," Simoné protested, her frustration boiling over. "It's not like we're going into battle."

"Exactly," Chrisanne added, folding her arms defiantly. "We need to socialize with other packs! It's important for our alliances."

Rupert leaned back in his chair, clearly weighing the risks. "There's a lot of tension between packs right now. We can't let our guard down."

Chase crossed his arms, his expression serious. "And without Keenan here, we have to be especially careful."

Simoné felt her heart sink at their reluctance. "But I want to go! I deserve to have fun too! I'm not a child!"

Duncan's expression softened slightly, but he maintained his resolve. "It's not about whether you can take care of yourself, Simoné. It's about ensuring the pack's safety."

Thamus looked between his children, his heart aching at the conflict. "I understand your desire to go, but we must prioritize our responsibilities. If Keenan were here, I'd feel differently."

"Why is it always about Keenan?" Simoné asked, frustration lacing her words. "I'm not some fragile flower who needs protecting!"

Chrisanne stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Listen, we can strengthen our ties with Mystic Hills. It's an opportunity for all of us."

As the discussion unfolded, the tension began to dissipate slightly, but the undercurrent of concern remained palpable. Duncan's protective nature was strong, and Thamus felt the weight of leadership pressing down on him.

"Perhaps if we agree to go, we can come up with a plan," Chase suggested, glancing at the others for support. "We can have a few of us go with you, just to ensure you're safe."

Simoné felt her heart race at the possibility. "Really? You'd consider it?"

Duncan sighed, rubbing his temples. "If it means you'll stop pushing, then maybe we can make arrangements. But we need to be cautious. You're not going alone."

"We can go as a group," Rupert said, his tone slightly more relaxed. "But I won't promise any dancing. I have a reputation to uphold."

"Deal!" Chrisanne laughed, and Simoné couldn't help but join in the laughter.

"So we can go?" Simoné pressed, feeling the excitement bubbling up inside her.

Thamus nodded slowly. "As long as we ensure there's protection. Rupert, Chase, and Duncan will accompany you both."

Simoné beamed, a thrill coursing through her. "Thank you! I promise we'll be careful."

Duncan shot her a serious look. "Just remember that if anything seems off, you call us immediately. We can't take any chances."

"I will," she promised, her heart racing at the thought of the party.

As the meeting wrapped up, Simoné felt a wave of excitement mixed with anxiety. She had longed for a night of freedom and fun, but the weight of her pack's expectations pressed heavily on her shoulders. She remembers Duncan saying something about wanting to talk to her and voiced herself.

"You wanted to talk to me about something, Duncan?"

Thamus head snapped to Duncan, a frown creasing his face. Duncan looked concerned and both Rupert and Chase were waiting for him to reply. Simoné's uneasiness rising up her spine. Is there something they are not telling me? She could not push her uncertainty down even if she tried.

Duncan cleared his throat. "Don't worry, Sis, there is plenty of time to talk to you, we will do it another day." Simoné looked her brother over, he was holding back something.

Chrisanne chirped in waving the shopping bags in the air:" Wonderful, we need to go unpack all our treasures we bought today, we will see you at supper." With that she grabbed Simoné's hand, and they were out of the boardroom, heading upstairs.

Even though she was excited about the party tomorrow night, she could not help the feeling of dread following her and making an attempt to ruin all her excitement. Chrisanne eyed her from the side and started shaking her head.

"No way, no way you are going to do that to yourself, you put a smile on your dial this instance young lady!" Simoné smiled sheepishly at her friend, nodding. "I guess you miss nothing dear Romeo." Chrisanne smiled: "When it comes to you Juliet, I miss nothing."