Only Her- ON HOLD

Chapter 2.

Blake responded with a small smile and unfolded his arms from his broad chest. "Welcome to Ember Pack Miss Wilder. We're thrilled to have a daughter of the Crescent's Alpha family join us for the next few days of negotiations."

I straightened further and continued my smile, choosing to ignore his comment of my being the daughter. "I'm glad to be here Alpha Blake, and I'm sure we will make it through the next few days smoothly."

He nodded and then motioned to his side. "You remember my wife Sera I'm sure. And my youngest son Theo."

Sera gave me a warm smile and Theo straightened as his name was called before nodding down to me. He really was huge for a 19 year old. "I'm pleased to see you both. It's been some time since I was last here with my family."

Alpha Blake stepped forward, his face more serious as he spoke lowly. "We really were sorry to hear about Wyatt Daniela. I hated to hear what your family was going through. I trust Alpha Eli has recovered fully?"

So they'd known what my family had gone through; how hard my father had taken it. I felt the familiar ache in my chest at the mention of Wyatt's name, but I quickly buried it, trying to regain my composure.

I gave him a sad smile and nodded. "Thank you Alpha Blake. We all took Wyatt's loss hard, but we are trying to move forward as best we can."

He stepped back before motioning out of the great room toward the kitchen. After a full tour of the grounds, he turned to guide me down a hall to the right. "I'll show you to where you three will be staying for the next three days if you'd like." I nodded goodbye to Sera and Theo and followed with Ki and Zachary close behind. "I apologize for the absence of my oldest. Noah is currently occupied with pack business, but he will be along this evening for the festivities."

I nodded as we came to a wooden door at the end of the hallway. He opened it and stood away for me to walk in. The room was big enough, with a simple queen bed against the wall. A small window let sunlight filter in, making it appear slightly brighter than the dark walls would let it.

"I trust this room will be to your liking? Your men are placed across the hall and to your right." He pointed to each of their doors before turning back to face me.

"This will be just fine. Thank you for your hospitality." I forced a smile and placed my bag onto the bed before turning back toward the door.

"We shall see you tonight then." He nodded shortly and walked out, leaving me in silence.

Zachary and Ki walked in, looking over the room before turning to leave.
"Everything looks good in here. We will check over our rooms and get settled in. Do you need anything else before we go?"
Zachary's words were monotone, almost bored. He'd gone from being one of my father's top enforcers to, in his opinion, babysitting duty. But my father trusted no one more with the care of his daughter.

"No Zachary, thank you. I'll get undone and start prepping for tonight and tomorrow." I gave him an understanding smile before he turned to leave.

Ki caught my eyes as he left with a quick wink. They both shut the door behind me and I was left to myself.

Ok Dani. So far, so good. Blake's underestimating me, but that can be remedied. I just have to keep my attitude in check.

I had done this dozens of times, but something about the Ember pack just irritated me. Maybe it was how Blake still saw me as the little girl from earlier in life, or maybe it was the fact that every encounter I'd had with Theo and Noah were like speaking to two blocks of ice. They both acted like I was beneath them. Like I was lesser because I wasn't a member of Ember.