Chapter 8

The doorbell rang as the contact info appeared on my phone screen. I grinned slightly at glad that something came up to distract me. Opening the door, I was greeted by Sylvi holding 2 cups of coffee.

“Hey, I was just about to call you, I haven’t been able to get ahold of you for days. Are you okay?” I asked right away.

            “Of course, I was just tied up and not in a good way.” She winked at me.

            “Well consider me disappointed for you, what brings you by?”

            “That is what brings me by.”

Sylvi waved her hand in a circle around my face as she spoke. She knew something was going on.

            “Great, I’ll take that coffee.” I said taking the cup from the tray.

            We both went in and settled into the couch. I was taking as long as possible to begin. She noticed I was trying to avoid the conversation.

            “Astrid, I feel like we are tight on time so we should get on with it. Start spilling”

            “Well when you put it like that,” I glared at her.

After explaining everything that had happened from the first night when Lex showed up to now. I paused to finally get a response. I had kept my pace around 90 miles an hour to avoid any premature questions.

            “Okay girl, first, I am not taking you in like you think, so chill. Second, I am beyond happy for you. No matter the crazy, finding a love like that should be celebrated!” Pumping her arms up and down, I laughed.

            “Good to know thank you, I love that I can always count on you.” I smiled.

            “Now that your caught up,” she said as her eyes looked away from me.

“I need to tell you; I am a wolf.”

“Also… I know Alexander. He is my alpha. I think once he realized I was a wolf he could trust he asked Luke and I join his pack. Luke is his Gemma.” She blushed.

            “YOU KNEW!? What do you mean he is your alpha? You said nothing!” I was furious.

            “Listen bitch, you know when you are met to. Don’t you think it was difficult for him to find you and see 3 beautiful daughters and a husband?”

“Plus, it’s not like you were in any trouble with him and I both around.”

            I was angry, but her words carried weight. I did have a great life, still do. I never wanted to have a split household. I never gave it a second thought whenever Alexander was around, I just knew things would work out if he was there.

            “Your right.” I mumbled.

“That doesn’t change the fact that you have always been a wolf, and never told me. What do you know that I need to?” I asked as information settled.

            “We are on the same page now. I will always stand by and fight alongside of you. I am your warrior and will always serve you with honor.” It sounded like a pledge.

            “Okay, whatever you say asshole.” I smiled at her shrugging it off.

            The next 45 minutes consisted of us devising a plan to make sure that everything would go smoothly tonight. Dinner is at 7:00 PM.

After she headed back into work, I sent my email. He replied within minutes, “Can’t wait, xoxo, Joseph”. Ew.

            I hadn’t seen Kilian since he came in to grab a cup of coffee. I decided to look for him. I checked our bedroom, it was empty. I proceeded to check the other rooms in the house including the office, empty.

He always spent time in the garage, so I headed there next. When I walked in the door to the upstairs room was open. I hadn’t been up there since we bought the house 10 years ago.

            “Kilian, are you up there?” I yelled into the empty stairwell. After waiting a moment, I walked up. When I made my way to the top, I was shocked.

I knew the space was huge, but it looked nothing like this when we moved in. The area was set like a studio apartment. There was a kitchenette area in the corner with a mini fridge, sink, Keurig, and microwave under 2 cabinets.

            Between the stairs and the kitchenette, there was a bathroom. It was a nice set up, a claw foot tub on one side and a 2-sink vanity on the other. There was a blue-grey couch and a recliner set up with a coffee table and a 43-inch TV on the wall.

In the next corner there was a closet, as I walked over to open the door, I noticed it split into two perfectly mirrored “his and her” set ups. As I closed the doors on my way out I turned to look at the bed that was set with the two night stands.

            I saw a shadow on the far side of the bed and went to investigate. When I rounded the end of the bed, I was stunned to see Kilian bent over on the ground messing with the outlet by the nightstand. Just then he turned around and we both jumped.

            “Don’t scare me like that!” I screamed.

            “Scare you? I am the one up here getting some work done and you snuck up on me!” He complained back.

“Wait, why are you up here? Is everything okay?” His eyes were now shifting across the room.

            “Whatever, I yelled your name, and you didn’t answer but I saw the door open so I figured I would check on you. You’re welcome, anyways when did this happen? How long have you been working on it? Why have you never said anything? It looks amazing!” I said in awe.

            “I started it about 3 years ago. The last time I was visited by your goddess. I figured it would be good to prepare for us to be separate. I figured you could choose if you wanted to stay in the bedroom or take this one. I am okay either way.” Kilian was proud.

            “You… I can’t, I just can’t. You did this? Without me knowing. How are you seriously okay with all of this?”

Tears had flooded my eyes again; I may belong to Alexander, but Kilian was one of a kind. How can I just set his love to the side?

            “You can. Please just stop worrying. We have enough going on. I am assuming that Alexander is going to want to stay with us as soon as you give the okay. It is safer that way.”

“If it helps, I will say that if I had my choice, I would rather stay inside the house closer to the kids. I trust him and you both. As much as I love you, I am mainly here for them.” He was gentle.

I was finally accepting what was happening around me.

            “No problem, I think it will be better for me to come out here. I pretty much am the cause of everything. I feel embarrassed. I didn’t think of all of us staying under one roof, but I guess that is the safer option.” I said trying to remain calm.

            “I already told Lex earlier, but he is waiting for you to agree.” He winked at me.

            I hated feeling like everyone around me knew something that I didn’t. I am getting a case of whiskey after this is all over tonight with these 3 and we are going to have a serious game of catch-up-Astrid! Grinning at my thought I decided to just accept and move on for the rest of the day.

            “Okay, that is it, fire tonight after dinner. All involved adults are required to attend. And bring a bottle of booze.”

“Since you are such great friends with everyone, you can make sure they all show. Any type of booze is fine, but brownie points go to those who bring whiskey and vodka.” I winked and descended the stairs.

“And make sure you are ready by 6:30! You know I hate to be late!” I called back.