Chapter 13 Chapter 13
ALPHA ANDREW:
I scooped Piper into my arms as she donned a red top and black shorts. Her twin brother, Rory, stood beside me and waited for me to scoop him into my arms too. They were adorable with dazzling blonde hair and golden eyes.
"Uncle, what did you get for me and Rory?" Piper asked. I scooped Rory up too and marched up to the magnificent house to meet my parents, who stood with warm smiles on their faces.
Zoey Leonard stepped out of the mansion with a warm smile on her face. She donned a green dress that covered her legs, paired with black shoes. She was stunning, but I shifted my gaze away from her and peered at Piper's face.
"I got a lot of presents and Barbie dolls for you. Do not worry, Steven will present everything to you and Rory," I replied to Piper. She grinned and hugged my neck.
"Thank you, Uncle," she said, her vanilla scent wafting through my nostrils as I walked up to the mansion frontage to meet my parents.
"You're welcome," I replied while Rory hugged me too, as he was a shy boy.
"Thank you, Uncle," Rory said, his tone mimicking his sister's soft tone.
"You're welcome, Rory," I replied, as I saw him as my son. He was an identical twin to Piper. They resembled their mother, who shared a striking resemblance to me. So that made them appear like my children.
When I reached the front veranda, the elders, my parents, and Zoey welcomed me with a polite bow.
"Welcome, Alpha."
"Thank you, everyone," I replied before setting Piper and Rory down on their feet. They rushed up to hug their mother.
"Mom, Uncle Andrew bought Barbie dolls for me!" Piper squealed, her voice laced with excitement.
My sister stood there in a blue dress that had long sleeves and fell past her knees. She was a tall woman with a fuller figure. She grinned and said, "I am glad your uncle prioritizes getting gifts for you."
She smiled at me, and I nodded and glanced at my parents and the elders.
"Thank you, my elders, for coming to welcome me, but this is not necessary. It was just a three-day trip with my safe return to the pack. Maybe someday, when the humans learn of our full existence, we can travel to the city freely and mingle with them. For now, we have to remain undercover, as do most other packs," I explained to the men who stood and peered at me.
"It's understandable, Alpha Andrew. We are glad that you journeyed to the humans' city to help our pack members get all their essentials. And yet you still returned to deliver those essentials to us safely. We're proud of you, and we bless the moon goddess for keeping you safe and bringing you back to us safely," the oldest of the elders said. I bowed to him, even though I was the alpha.
"It is fine, my elders. My duty is to protect my pack, keep them safe, and provide all the necessities that we need to grow and thrive better. Someday we will not continue to hide in the shadows. Hopefully everyone can live freely as the humans do," I concluded, and the elders clapped while my mother chimed in.
"Your father and I are proud of you, Andrew. Welcome back," my mother said as she smiled at me.
"You're welcome, Mother," I replied before my gaze shifted to Zoey, who stood at a corner in front of the mansion.
"Welcome back, Alpha Andrew," Zoey said as she bowed at me once more.
"Thank you, Zoey. You can all go back to your work and other things that you do. Thank you," I said and marched into the grand hall, making my way upstairs to my room.
"Andrew!" my mother's loud voice filled the air as I climbed up the stairs to go back to my room on the top floor.
"Yes, Mother. What is it?" I asked, turning back to look at her face.
"Where's the present that I asked you to get for Zoey? Did you forget to get it?" Mom asked sharply, as she didn't wait for me to return to my room first.
"Mom…" I said. "I got the present for Zoey like you instructed. Steven will give it to her."
My mother scowled and replied, "Andrew, you should have been the one to present the gifts to Zoey. She was here with me and helping to take care of the pack members like a good Luna. Why can't you see that and accept marrying her?"
"Mmm," I scowled and replied with a steady but calm voice. "I just got back. Can we talk about the marriage later? My wolf and I are not in the mood to talk about it."
Before I could turn to walk away, my father stepped in as most of the elders left. Just then, Zoey walked into the grand hall and gazed at me with her enchanting golden eyes.
Dad said, "Andrew, your mother is right. It's high time that you got married. And we have selected Zoey for you."
"Mmm." I sighed and shifted my gaze to Zoey who lowered her head.
After a tense silence settled in the grand hall, I broke it and inquired, "Dad, if you are willing to take a second mate after Mom, I will not stop you. But as I am in charge and the new Alpha of the Dark Mountain Pack, you cannot make the decision of choosing a wife for me. As much as I appreciate Zoey's efforts, I cannot claim her as my wife. So let me be."
I turned and made my way upstairs as my mother called after me. "Andrew! Andrew!"
"What is it, Mom?" I stopped at the top of the stairs and glanced back at her sad face as they all stood in the living room.
Zoey lowered her head, and my mother said, "You have to accept marrying Zoey. She loves you and agrees to be your wife. She will not oppose when you find your real mate. Isn't that what you want?"
"Mm." I peered at Zoey's face and saw her big eyes peering at me.
Taking a deep breath, I replied calmly, "Let me think about it and talk to my wolf about it. I will get back to you."
"Alright," my mother sighed with relief while I continued with the rest of the journey to my room.
"Why can't they understand that I do not love Zoey and I do not feel the slightest urge to accept her?" I muttered as I pushed my bedroom door open and stepped into the vast furnished room.
"Zion, should I accept Zoey?" I asked my wolf. He growled, "No way! I do not want her."
I smiled and went into my room to freshen up and rest for the remainder of the day. Before I stepped out to continue with my other work as the Alpha.