Chapter 56 Sounds good. Deal

Chapter 56 Sounds good. Deal
Leona

I have not seen him again. Not since that morning after, when I sat there eating my breakfast like nothing happened.

After that? I stayed the hell away from him. From everyone, actually.

I did not go to any of the training sessions. Most of my time went to the daycare center. That was it.

One time, I went off alone to the city outside the territory. Just needed to let off some steam. Ethan hated that. He still thought I could not take care of myself. Well, screw that. I knew the truth. Sooner or later, I would be on my own again. Taking care of myself like I always had.

Five days since I almost rejected him.

And I still did not know what I was doing here. In his territory.

I should leave. Go away. Move on.

This place made me feel like I could not breathe sometimes. But every time I thought about walking out, my wolf would not let me. She wanted our mate. And no matter how many times I explained that he did not want us back, she would not give up.

Zara came by last night. We talked for a long time.

I still have not told her we are fated. I do not even know why I am protecting him. All he ever did was hurt me. Use me when it was convenient for him.

But I did tell Zara how I feel. How he looks at me like he wants me, but not enough to actually choose me. And I am so tired of being played with.

Zara said I should teach the Alpha a lesson. Do the usual girl thing. Ignore him. Make him come after me.

I told her that is what I have been doing.

But he does not seem to care.

Five days. And nothing.

I blew air up at the loose hair falling over my face. Stared at the empty wall in front of me.

Another day over. And just thinking about tomorrow being the weekend made my stomach feel wrong. What would I even do? Lock myself inside the house?

So I kept busy. Did the dishes. Did my laundry.

I had to get my mind off Arel.

Five days without seeing him felt way too long already. And even with all the hate I have for this situation, I can not pretend anymore. I miss him.

I was about to go to bed. Made sure all the doors were locked. Turned off every light. Then Ethan knocked.

"Are you staying here tonight?" I asked. Flipped the lamp back on while watching him shut the front door.

"No. Just need to talk to you when the old man is already asleep." He glanced up at Dad's bedroom door. No lights on up there anymore.

I laughed a little and shook my head. Crossed my arms over my chest. "You know there is a big chance he can still hear us, right? Werewolves. But tell me anyway."

He dropped onto the sofa. Resting his arms along the back. "It is Dad's birthday on Sunday. I already asked Arel if we could use the ground next to the pack house. I need you to help me set the place up."

My eyes went wide. Not just because I forgot it was Dad's birthday. But because I had no idea how I was supposed to throw a party in only one day.

"You know tomorrow is Saturday, right?" I glared at him. "How am I supposed to get everything ready by Sunday?"

"Relax. You look funny when you glare like that." He laughed. "Food and drinks are covered. Tables and chairs are ready whenever. I just need some decorations. You know, the kind of stuff girls always fuss over." He looked bored. Or maybe he was just trying to annoy me.

I let out a loud sigh and sat down next to him. Frustrated. "Then I need to buy things. That would take all day just shopping in the city. How am I supposed to do that in one day?"

He laughed and pulled me into a side hug. Ruffled my hair. "You are stressing out too much. I told you to relax. We have a storage room full of decorations and stuff like that. Just pick what you need. You do not have to go overboard. Dad is a man."

I rolled my eyes and punched his thigh. "Fine. But you are helping. I might need you to reach things and tie stuff up high."

"Come on. I am a Gamma. I do not do stuff like that." He stood up and walked to the door, then turned back around. "Just kidding. I will help when I am around. But if I am not, just mindlink me. I will send someone."

I nodded and leaned back into the sofa. Started thinking about how I would decorate the whole area.

"Hey, Zara is on patrol tonight. So she might not be able to help until later tomorrow. But maybe ask Chloe? She knows where the storage room is."

I smiled and nodded. Then yawned. "Yeah, I can do that. Maybe I will ask Glaiza too. I will take care of it and let you know if I need anything else."



ALPHA ARGON

I threw all the pictures onto his desk. Every single one of Leona Montrell. Taken at Cyrus's Gala.

"Now tell me you do not believe she is Camilla's daughter. She looks exactly like her. Only she got David's nose." I let the sarcasm drip.

She reminded me of my Camilla. Made me want to rip her away from her father.

An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth.

The man across from me picked up the photos. Shook his head like he could not believe it.

"How were they able to hide her? There was no trace of a young girl at their home." He studied each picture carefully.

"Then it is about time you make them pay for making you look like a fool." I added.

He tilted his head and looked at me. "Do not tell me you want her. She is too young for you."

"No. Not for me. For Cyrus." I paced back and forth. Hands locked behind my back.

If this was just about me, I would never come here. This pack used to be great. But under this Alpha? Everything his father built went straight down the drain. His people were leaving. Asking to be transferred somewhere else.

He said an alliance with my pack would help him.

I did not care. I only wanted one thing done.

"Is he aware?" The man asked.

"No. Better to leave him clueless. The fewer people who know, the fewer problems we run into."

"What do you want me to do so we can get her? Kidnap her? That is the only option. But I want my hands clean."

"Then that problem is yours. Just make sure she comes to the Claiming Ball."

"Are you sure she is not mated?" His eyebrow went up. Interest growing in his eyes.

"No marks on her neck. But Alpha Jacob? From Black Shadow Pack? I can tell he wants her. You need to move fast, or we will be too late."

I stopped in front of his desk. Leaned my hands on it. "And one more thing. Make sure this Alpha does not come to the Claiming."

"Are you afraid your son will not be able to take him down?" He laughed.

"Jacob and Cyrus grew up together. And with Cyrus still not able to stand on his own yet? The last thing I want is for him to step aside and let Jacob claim her." I sighed. Even though Cyrus is old enough now, I still hesitate to give him the Alpha title. He does not take his responsibilities seriously enough. "But that should be the least of your worries. Bring her to the Claiming without that Alpha, and you will get the alliance you have always wanted."

"Not just the alliance, Argon. Do you know what I wanted from the beginning? One of the mines you own. I need to rebuild businesses to grow my territory."

"I will think about it." My eyes twitched. I wanted to glare at him. This conversation was already taking way too long.

"No. Take it or leave it." He said it firmly. It annoyed me.

"Fine. Make sure she attends the Claiming Ball. If my son claims her, you get the mine."

"Sounds good. Deal." The man stood up and held out his hand.

I took it. Shook it. "I guess I am done here. We will talk more soon, I assume." I pulled my hand back and turned toward the door.

"Consider everything done." He answered before I opened the door and walked out of his office.