" We all hate wraiths."

I shrugged. " Why was she here anyway?"

" To discuss the union."

" You're kidding." I frowned. "Just me and Ren?" My father passed a weary hand over his eyes.  " Calla, it would be helpful if you wouldn't treat the union like a hoop to jump through. Far more is at stake than ' just you and Ren.' The formation of a new pack hasn't occurred for decades. The keepers are on edge." 

" Sorry." I said, not meaning it.

" Don't be sorry. Be serious."

I sat up straight.

" Emile was here earlier today." He grimaced.

" What?!" I gasped. "Why?"

I couldn't imagine a civil conversation between Emily laroche and his rival alpha.

My father's voice was cold. " The same reason as Lumine." I buried my face in my hands, my cheeks once again on fire. " Calla?" 

" Sorry dad," I said, swallowing my ebarrassment. " It's just that Ren and I are get along fine. We're friends, sort of.  We've known the union was coming for a long time. I can't see any problems with it. And if Ren does, that would be news to me. But this  whole process would be much easier if everyone would just lay off. The pressure isn't helping."

He nodded. " Welcome to your life as an alpha. The pressure never helps. It also never goes away." 

" Great," I sighed and rose from my chair. " I have homework." 

"Night then," he said quietly.

"Night."

" And Calla?"

" Yeah?" I paused at the bottom of the staircase.

" Go easy on your mother."