Page 284 of One Winter Knight
“Your pack surprisingly has got it together. You’re going to meet with the new pack services people again?” AJ asked.
“Yep. They’re pretty helpful. Did you do that when you formedyour pack?” I asked. AJ, Grif, Jonas, and Dean had known each other for years before they formed their pack. Right as they were finishing up their residency requirement, Grif met my sister.
AJ shook his head. “We didn’t use pack services. We didn’t use the integration team when Verity joined us, either. We did it all ourselves. Looking back, we probably could’ve used some nice Center counselor to help smooth things over.”
“I like that new pack services gives us lists and assignments. I already met with a therapist and we’re starting the pre-pack-formation counseling. It should be good,” I confessed. I liked talking to AJ because he didn’t see me as a fuckup, just someone still figuring life out.
“Is there anything else you’re going over tonight with your pack that you need help with?” he added.
I shook my head. “Not unless you have any advice for navigating planning a mating party. I was on the periphery of Verity’s, and I didn’t have anything to do with Grace’s. This looks like it’s going to rival, if not exceed those.”
“Fiona wants to get married in a castle in Greece?” His eyebrows rose.
“Ireland.” It sounded amazing. Amazingly expensive. But her dads had promised to pay for it.
“It’s your mating party, too, so don’t be afraid to speak up for the things that you want that are very important to you. But at the same time, pick and choose your battles. For example, I really didn’t want to party at all, but me not participating or us not having one wasn’t an option,” he told me.
“Good advice. I feel like it’s going to be complicated since it’s not just a mating party or a pack confirmation. It’s also a multi-person wedding. Fiona is marrying me, Carlos, and Saoirse, and Carlos and I are getting married. Though Dusty and Saoirse are getting married on stage at Feral Ratville, which is cool as fuck, just not something I expected Saoirse to do. I guess it’s some sortof juxtaposition to their whole onstage wedding that they had at Winter-Fest?” I didn’t quite understand it, but it would be a really good time.
I still had that gold dress. Sometimes I put it on when I needed a boost, because it made my ass look fantastic.
“You’ll certainly keep life interesting. Any word on the lab? You still need one right?” he asked.
“I’m resigned to the fact that I’m just going to have to do my research in the Circle, but we’ll get it figured out. It’s just one semester that I’ll have to commute like this. Though I’m still hoping I can manage to find a lab in the next couple of weeks. Verity and Grace have been trying, so has my mentor, and oddly enough Baba,” I added.
AJ paused. “He is? Really?”
“I know, right? Yeah, he’s been reaching out to people on my behalf. He even sent me scholarship applications,” I added.
My alpha dad, on the West Coast, reaching out had been unexpected. Also, welcome and helpful. Before everything happened, I’d thought we’d had a pretty good relationship.
“Huh. But ever since our mating party, he’s been really trying with Verity. I’m glad he is with you, too,” he replied. “Are you talking to the others?”
I shook my head. “We sent Mumsy an official letter about my education fund they stole, so we’re going through lawyers right now. The worst thing is that I’m not allowed to talk to the littles.”
“That’s shitty. Maybe Verity or Mercy will let you call them on their devices.”
“Thanks again. I appreciate it.” I put my laptop in my backpack and left AJ’s work, which was in a really fancy high-rise in Manhattan.
I started walking without any particular place in mind, but I had a little time, and it was fun to explore. Carlos was at practice. Fiona and Saoirse were doing committee things for the gala. Dusty hadbusiness shit to tend to. So, I just started walking.
My phone rang. Fiona had gotten me a new one. I didn’t recognize the number, but I answered it anyway hoping it would be something good. “Hello this is Hale.”
“Hi, I’m Professor Mathers from NYC State. I’m one of the organic biochemistry professors. Do you have a moment?” he asked.
“Yeah, absolutely.” I was wandering around the streets, but maybe I’d see a bench I could sit on.
“I don’t know if you remember me, but I caught the paper that you presented with your father a couple of years ago at a conference in Bayside,” he said.
“Oh, you know my dad?” I thought for a moment. Wait. That conference I didn’t present with Dad. That was Baba. It was my senior year of high school.
Back before everything fell apart. When I still thought the parents loved me.
“I do. He’s one of the reasons I’m calling,” he said.
Oh?
“Wait, I do remember. You sat up front and asked good questions.” I’d been terrified up there. But Baba had insisted. He said it was good for me. We’d also toured his undergraduate university and had a lot of fun.
