Page 12 of New Blood

Upstairs, Priscilla went toward Cameron’s room, and Danielle followed Flora into the master suite, which consisted of a large bedroom with a sitting area in front of a rustic fireplace and a large ensuite bathroom. It was the largest bedroom in the house and even boasted a small balcony overlooking the backyard and the vast forested area that belonged to the estate. The western view afforded a beautiful sunset view on clear days or thick fog rolling in from the ocean on others.

“Help me with stripping the sheets,” Flora ordered.

Danielle instantly jumped into action, knowing that Flora didn’t like wasting time. As she began to unbutton the duvet cover, she looked at Flora, who was already stripping the pillows.

“The new alpha will move in here tonight? But William…” She didn’t know how to finish the sentence, and she didn’t have to.

Flora let out a huff. “He could have at least let him stay here for one more night, rather than locking him up downstairs. It’s just not dignified.”

“I’m sorry,” Danielle said with a nod. While being a strict leader, William had always treated her with fairness and sometimes even with kindness. “What will happen with all of us now that the Alliance is taking over? This will be so hard on everybody.”

Her voice trembled lightly, and it appeared that Flora picked up on it, because she gave her a gentle nod.

“You have nothing to worry about, Danielle. Nothing will change for you. You’ll still do your job the same way you did it before.” She shrugged, seeming to think of something else. “You’ll probably have to move back into the cottage, given that all of Jude’s men need rooms. It’ll need to be fixed first, of course. We’ll figure it out.”

Danielle nodded even though she wasn’t keen on that prospect, although she didn’t like living in the main house where she had little to no privacy. However, the thought of moving back into the cottage where a gas explosion had nearly killed her, made her shiver. She would never feel safe again in the very place where she’d nearly died. But she decided not to voice her concerns about the safety of the cottage, knowing that Flora was in a mood where she couldn’t be swayed. At least not tonight.

“It’ll be better for you, trust me,” Flora continued as she opened a chest of drawers and removed fresh sheets for the bed. “You’ll be out of the way and won’t get into trouble. Who knows what these men are like.”

“You’re probably right,” Danielle answered reluctantly as she helped her make the bed. Maybe it would be best. After all, then she would have less contact with Jude.

“Of course I’m right. You’ll see. Just keep your head down, and you’ll be alright.”

Together, they shook out the duvet and put on the new cover. Danielle rearranged the pillows on the bed and smoothed out a few creases on the sheets.

“Go ahead, clean the bathroom,” Flora ordered. “I’ll pack up William’s private items in the meantime.”

With a nod, Danielle pivoted and walked into the ensuite bathroom. She took the used towels off the towel holders and tossed them to the floor, then pulled fresh ones from the linen closet. Then she retrieved a bucket with cleaning supplies from underneath the sink, before she began to wipe down all the surfaces.

During the monotonous work, her mind wandered back to Jude and the moment he’d announced that he would mate with Eve, the deposed alpha’s only daughter. She couldn’t see Eve’s reaction because her view had been blocked by several Gallagher family members. However, she’d heard Eve’s gasp, although she couldn’t deduce Eve’s feelings from the sound. Had her gasp been merely an exclamation of welcome surprise, or dread? Surely, Eve wasn’t blind and could see that Jude Beaumont was a tall, attractive man who oozed sex appeal from every pore of his body. Add to that the power he now wielded in this pack, and what female werewolf wouldn’t want to be his chosen one? Surely, no woman in her right mind would reject him, not even Eve, who was known for being choosy. And why shouldn’t she be particular about the man she chose? She was stunningly beautiful, occupied a high rank in the pack, and was smart to boot.

Under her leadership, the equestrian estate the Gallagher family operated had won multiple awards for their horses. Eve would never settle for just any man, that much was clear. But she wouldn’t have to, because Jude would be any sophisticated woman’s top pick.

Enough!

It did her no good to continue thinking of him. In fact, it was best if she ignored him as well as the persistent voice in her heart that insisted that she claim the man nature had chosen to be her mate. If she acted upon her desire to mate with Jude, the pack would splinter into different factions, any chance at unifying it under Jude’s leadership gone. It would be a slap in the face of the Gallagher family, and they wouldn’t take kindly to it. It would mean war. And she didn’t want to be the reason for it.

7

After making sure that every member of his team knew what they had to do, Jude followed Chase Crowley’s directions to the master suite. The big-boned, muscular werewolf was soft-spoken and not at all what his rugged exterior suggested. It would be good to win this man’s loyalty. He wasn’t part of the Gallagher family, and therefore, it would be easier to bring him to his side.

The door to the master suite stood wide open, and the lights illuminated the large room as if it were daytime. Upon entering, he spotted Flora opening drawers and putting items into a cardboard box. When she heard him enter, she looked up.

“I’m just packing up William’s personal things,” she announced.

He nodded. “Are the sheets fresh?”

“Yes, and the bathroom—”

“Good. Please continue with your packing tomorrow. I’d like to turn in for the night.”

“But I’m not done,” she protested.

He suppressed a sigh because he didn’t want to be outright hostile to the woman who clearly managed the household. “Trust me when I say that every one of William’s personal items will still be here tomorrow. I have no need for them.”

“But the—”

“Please,” he insisted, infusing firmness into his voice to make her understand that he was at the end of his patience.