Chapter 136 Game Of Alphas (I)
Calhoun's POV
One day later...
Game of Alphas is the yearly meeting for all Alphas to contend with each other and see who has a higher ranking in terms of power, influence, and wealth. It'd be low of me not to attend as I am Alpha of Alphas in the east. It was through this Game that I rose to power. I have been unbeatable in the past eleven years.
Tables are being set for Alphas to compete at the first level, and the head council elder of each pack would meet with the rest to judge the results.
"Congratulations, Alpha Calhoun. I heard it's a boy."
"You're one lucky man."
Some Alphas and their betas approached me, immediately I made my presence known. They heard the news about Aiden's birth.
"I'll bet he'll take after his mom, having your kind of face as an infant would be scary." Someone adds.
And there's silence for a few seconds as I try to digest this.
My beta stiffens for a few seconds upon thinking I'll pick offense. Not until I laugh and my shoulders shake along with me. And then his shoulders sag in relief.
Bruce is like the brother I never had, always looking out for me. He does more than a beta would do, and it's one of the reasons I'll forever remain grateful that I have him.
Today, I am present without any plans of eating or drinking anything. Not even water. I've had too many problems to my fill already.
"Francie is heading your way, don't look back," Bruce whispers in my ear.
"What?"
And Bruce curses deeply under his breath because I am already looking.
"Hello, Calhoun," the tall blonde woman walks until she's standing in front of me. Her face is completely beautified with makeup, and she seems to have a small smile playing on her lips.
"What are you doing here?" I squint.
"What do you mean by that when you knew I was the next in line to be made Alpha of my father's pack," Francie reminds me.
I blink for a second, wondering where she's driving. And Bruce hurriedly excuses himself, to give us privacy to discuss.
"When my sick father passed away, my wolf-less brother couldn't take over, so I was made Alpha," Francie tells me.
"I see," that's the only thing I can say.
"So, I've been hearing the rumors," Francie raises her brow at me as she toys with her wine glass.
"What rumors?" I inquire, upon holding her gaze.
"That you had a child with your ex-wife's daughter." Francie drops this, her demeanor still the same.
"She's my mate," my voice is louder than it was before. Because she's referring to Kristen.
"I heard.." Francie dawns her wine in one gulp before slamming the empty glass into a tray that has been going around.
"So this girl, she matches your level of energy?"
"More than that." Kristen and I might be on bad terms but it doesn't mean I won't defend her.
"You love her," Says Francie, after observing me for a few seconds.
"It's obvious," I conclude.
"Good for you, I never found love since you used and dumped me," Francie's smile doesn't reach her eyes.
"Let's not even go there," With this, I turn away from her.
But she doesn't let it slide. Instead, she takes quick steps until she's standing in front of me.
"Why not?" Francie asks.
The need to ignore her is great, but from the onlook of things, she needs a bit of closure from me.
"We had a fling five years ago, and I chose to avoid you because you wanted more," I adjust my tie.
"You rejected me when I professed my love to you," Francie isn't willing to let this go. It seems as though she's been looking for the
perfect opportunity to confront me.
And I clench my jaw because I am not ready.
"You used me, Calhoun." Francie closes the gap in between us.
"I never wanted anything serious, Francie. I never used you," I say.
"And now you have a mate of whom you're in love with," She seems
jealous.
"Francie, you're an Alpha now, you can get any man of your choice." I point out.
"It's not that easy," Francie disagrees. And I grit my teeth in frustration.
"Calhoun?" A familiar voice calls out my name.
I can feel my eyes getting welled up in their sockets when Kristen
quietly walks in. The click-clack of her heels against the floor, has heads reverting in their direction. People are even divulging so she could come forward to meet me.
Wearing red business suit pants that I never knew she had. She looks bold and fierce. We're all wearing black suits, that's why she seems to
stand out.
And she's without our son again. Something which doesn't settle
well with me.
"Hello?" Kristen smiles sweetly at Francie, before hooking her arm
around mine.
While Francie seems completely startled to see her here.
"I believe we haven't met before," Kristen is still smiling but not
with her teeth this time.
"I am Kristen, mother of Calhoun's first child, Aiden. Soon-to-be wife of Calhoun and Luna of the Greyhound pack. And you are?" She
uplifts a brow.
"Francesca, Alpha of the Blood Moon pack," The woman glares at my mate because she's obviously intimidated by Kristen, even though she's an Alpha and Kristen is yet to be made Luna.
"It's rare to see a female Alpha," Kristen adds, stroking my arm.
"And you should pass for a lowly whore," Francie suddenly spits this
out. And it courses anger through my veins.
As I am about to speak up, Kristen cuts me shut.
"What?" She looks at the tall woman in front of her.
"Your boobs are sticking out of your clothes," Francie points at
Kristen's cleavage. And I realized it's not even as bad as Francie claims. She's trying all means to make Kristen feel low.
"Oh that, it's to entice Calhoun as always," Kristen giggles to herself
and strokes my arm even more.
If she's offended, she doesn't even show it. Rather she seems unbreakable. And this reminds me of Natalie.
Natalie was a bit predictable, but this new Kristen isn't. And it's
almost like she's playing the game of gambles with both me and
Francie.
Francie on the other hand has her nostrils flared in anger. And even though I am glad Kristen put her right in her place, I am still unsettled with my mate here.
"What are you doing?" I lower my height to whisper this only for her
hearing.
"It's clear that Francie still wants you, I need to remind her you're off limits," Kristen says loud enough for Francie to hear. "What are you even doing here?" An upset-looking Francie inquires.
"The Luna's rite is in a few days, so there's a need for my presence, as I will be a prominent person in our pack soon." Kristen just out her chin and folds her arms across her chest.
And there she goes again, stunning me with her choice of words. And
the boldness it comes with.
I take a good look at her. And wonder how fast it's possible to have
someone change in two days.
Is she doing this because she wants me to think she's strong?
"I thought you were giving me the silent treatment?" I ask when Kristen releases my arm and drops her hand to her side.
"Of course, and it'll continue once we're out of here," She toys with
her hair and giggles. And suddenly, I am reminded of the wild girl I met at the club.
"This isn't you, Kristen," I make this known to her because I don't have a good feeling with her new attitude.
"Don't tell me you marked me to be yours because I was weak?"
Kristen chuckles to herself
I shift my attention from Kristen only to find Francie gone. Both
Kristen and I were talking to the extent that she was there. And she probably felt left out or insulted. So she left.
"You should leave, women aren't welcome here," I return my gaze to
Kristen.
"Yet there are four female Alphas amid a hundred males." She's persistent at this point.
"That's different," I state matter-of-factly as I turn her away from the eyes of these men raking at her appearance. They couldn't stop staring since her arrival. And it's making me jealous and upset at the
same time.
"I promise I won't cause any trouble, I'll just watch," Kristen swats my hand away from her arm and walks out on me.