Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Avery’s POV
The Old Luna’s office turned out to be a rather cramped corner of the ground floor, filled with stacks of file folders, invoices, and boxes that were labeled to go to different Nightwolf industries.
Gianna, Gideon’s mother, the Olg Lama, was seated behind the desk, reading, papers and wearing reading glasses. She looked up
when I entered.
My hair was still wet from my bath, but I’d dressed as nicely as I could. She pressed her lips into a line but didn’t remark on my
appearance.
“Ah, Avery. Thank you for joining me. I hope you are recovering from your… adventure.” she said. She indicated a chair covered in folders that I moved to sit down.
“I called you here because it is time to start planning the Nightwolf Mating Gala. Similar to how it probably was in your old pack, this is a formal event where pack members mingle and meet prospective mates p>
I nodded. While I hadn’t attended any in Silvermoon, I knew that Zara had looked forward to attending ours each year. Trying to catch the eye of whichever powerful wolf would have her.
I guess it worked.
“This event is closed to outsiders, so it is also a time to reinforce the bonds between families here in Nightwolf. It is important that all clan members feel respected and included in the festivities.” Gianna continued.
I wondered where this was heading.
“Usually I request some assistance in preparing the invitation lists, and the catering and event space decorating. Up until now, Jessica- do you know her? She’s the Beta’s sister.- Anyways, she had been helping me in the past p>
I stilled when I heard Jessica’s name. Uh oh.
“This year I would like you to handle it, instead.” Gianna said, and waited for a response.
I had never planned anything like this before. I’d never even held a position in the hierarchy of a pack before. Running things was not my jam.
I gulped.
“I… I will try.” I said, finally.
Gianna smiled widely.
“Excellent!” She rose from her desk. “Your first assignment will be to draft the list of who will be invited. It should go to heads of households and their mates, who will bring their eligible offspring. Also invite solitary wolves who are unmated who may have joined our community p>
She gestured for me to follow her out of the office and down the hall. We went down a set of stone stairs into what seemed to be an extended cellar. On one side I saw casks, for storing wine or oil. The other had a large rusty door that she pushed open with a
shove.
I followed her inside.
We appeared to be in a records archive. Metal racks and filing cabinets lined the walls. There was a desk in the center with a creaky leather office chair. A single hanging bulb illuminated the space.
“Here is where we keep the census rolls and records of births, deaths, marriages, and the like.” Gianna gestured at a few of the cabinets. “We used to have a wolf who managed it all and kept it tidy, but she left us a few years ago. The last few Galas have been difficult to plan without accurate records p>
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She pulled out a basket full of loose sheets of paper.
“These are the administrative updates that need to be sorted and interfiled with the pack logs p>
She stacked a few more folders up on the table, followed by some cardboard boxes that seemed to be filled with loose receipts.
“I’m not really sure what all these are.” She frowned, “but they might be important, so best to sort through them to make sure p>
I stared at the files dubiously.
“So, you want me to p>
“Make sure our records are up to date, yes!” Gianna smiled at me, and I thought I caught a glint of mischief in her eye, but it might just have been the light reflecting off her glasses. “And then create an up-to-date guest list that I will use to send out invitations p>
She headed for the door.
“I’ll have someone bring you dinner p>
“…thank you.” I said, overwhelmed.
“Oh, and Avery?” the Old Luna paused in the doorway, “The Gala is next week, so if you could get it to me within 48 hours, that would be ideal. The post moves slowly. Thanks p>
And then she was gone.
I flopped into the office chair, which spat an enormous cloud of dust into the air, and then dumped me on the ground.
“Blech.” I coughed, picked myself up gingerly, and tried again.
This time, the wheels stayed put, and I scooched myself up to the desk and opened the first folder.
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Olivia Harris
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.