Chapter 21
Back in Kat’s POV
As always, the phone is ringing far too early in the morning. At least, what passes for morning, the base schedule set by the timing of the Garden lights, given the absence of any natural light down here. This had better be important, Karl said we had until 10am base time before we were meeting to discuss todays portals.
"Hello?"
"Morning Sunshine" Alpha Petros’s voice calls through the receiver. "Get up, we’re going for breakfast, there’s been a slight change in plans." Sighing deeply I hang up without another word and start pulling myself into my combat gear.
"Why didn’t you wear anything like that around the Pack girl? You’d have been REALLY popular with the pups your age." Petros greets me at the door to the dining hall.
"You think they’re into femdom, or just leather pants?" I joke back and he ruffles my braided hair, reminding me that I haven’t left my Lycan form in days. "You’re not going to say anything about my appearance?" I whisper at him, seeing others already in the room.
"Not a word" he mutters back. "It’s cute though, might as well stay shifted. Everyone will get used to it soon, if they haven’t already." His reassurance actually settles my mind a little bit and I realize I don’t get many judgmental stares here, like they think I’m in cosplay or something and just take it in stride. There’s plenty of odd fashion choices about the lower floors anyhow.
Karl stands up and motions us to our seats around a table, where the two werewolves and their human partners already sit, flanked by Narishma and Agent Smith on the far side and Mary on the side next to where we’re seated. Mary has switched up her fashion today, no frilly dress, but a Sakura patterned Kimono with pink and white Mary Janes visible on her feet and a flower in her hair. It seems she’s going all out to highlight her heritage today. Maybe she’s into one of the wolves? Or Alpha Petros? If that’s the case, I should warn her that he’s a couple centuries too old to be her father. Looking over her outfit I notice every seam and edge is covered in tight runic writing, someone has obviously put many hours of work into enchanting this outfit, maybe it’s her practice piece?
At this moment Karl interrupted my train of thought "We’ve got a freshly opened portal today. Green Orcs inside near the entrance, apparently staging for an assault."