Chapter 9 ~A new beginning~
Fiona's POV
(Present day)
I'm with Xander and my stepdad having lunch.
I recalled how mortified Dad looked when I told him I'd be moving to the Silvereign packhouse because I'd found my mate.
After many hours of convincing and explaining, he finally agreed to it on the condition that I bring Xander to lunch. That’s how we got here.
The tension is palpable. We all sit in awkward silence.
I could imagine how my dad was feeling. To him, it was just some giant, muscular stranger coming to whisk his daughter away.
“Fiona, could you get me some more ketchup?” Dad asked.
There was more than enough ketchup on the dinner table, but I understood immediately. “Sure.”
They needed some time alone.
I walked towards the kitchen, but thanks to my wolf senses, I could still make out what they were saying.
Dad's voice came first. “You're taking my daughter to live with you. I need to know that she'll be safe.”
I took a deep breath, anticipating Xander's reply.
It came quickly. “She's my mate. Her safety is non-negotiable.” My heart warmed at the response.
“So… you're a werewolf. What else do you do? I mean, for a living.” Dad seemed unimpressed.
“I'm captain of Northvale’s hockey team and I help my dad run his company as well.”
“Where will she sleep?”
“She'll have a room to herself. Except, of course, if she wants to sleep in mine.”
I sputtered where I stood in the kitchen, stifling a chuckle as heat crept up my cheeks. Why would Xander say that?
Dad's voice was even more stern when he spoke next. “Make sure nothing goes wrong, else I'll drive there myself and bring her home.”
Deciding that I've heard enough, I blocked out their conversation and went to my mom's room.
I sat on the bedside and stroked her palms. “Mom, I found a mate and I'm going to be Luna. I'll save you, no matter what it costs.”
I told her everything.
I speak to her most times like she was awake listening to me, right from time. It was my coping mechanism.
Watching my mom in this condition, deteriorating, was something that made me very emotional. Before long, I buried my face in her hair and was sobbing silently.
This was all the closure I needed before I moved out of the house.
When I returned to the dining room, the tension was more subdued.
Xander helped me with my luggage to the trunk of his vehicle.
I sat on the porch with my Dad. “Did you tell him?” I asked.
“No, I didn't. That's your decision to make.”
I nodded my head; it wasn't that I didn't want Xander to know about mom but I felt the timing was not right.
“Hey kiddo,”
I turned to face him.
“You know if you need anything I'm a phone call away, right?”
I hugged him, trying not to start another round of tears.
Xander was done packing by now and I said my last goodbyes and followed him into the car.
As we drove off, I turned back to wave and wondered if the wet lines I saw on my dad's face were tears.
I watched the trees blur past as we drove to the Silvereign packhouse. The air was thick with the smell of new rains.
Xander cleared his throat and turned to face me. I was only realising that his right hand was on mine the entire ride.
It felt good, truthfully. If someone had told me the day I ran from Ashridge pack that I'd be here riding with Fucking Xander Theon Grayson in his white mustang, his softened eyes on me, being his Luna… I would have laughed.
“Are you okay?” He asked. I nodded, smiling. “You're blushing.”
He had a smirk on his face. I said nothing because I didn't know what to say.
We finally arrived at a massive gate that had a large crest of Silvereign packhouse written boldly on it.
Xander honked twice.
A small stocky man came. Upon seeing Xander, he bowed. “Alpha Xander welcome.”
His eyes lingered on me a bit, as if deciding if I was worth a greeting. “Welcome.” he added and rushed to open the gates.
The road was a long, wide tarmac that led to what looked more like an estate. There were mansions on some sides. Opulent glass houses.
My mouth fell open.
“Welcome to Ashridge.” Xander said whilst driving. “This is the pack's private road.”
I nodded. I smelled the thick scent of werewolves; this felt like a den.
We pulled up to the largest building. This one looked like a castle.
“This is your house?!” I couldn't help the stupefied gasp that escaped from my lips.
Xander casually shrugged. “Yeah?”
The Northvale High students who said Xander's family were rich would convulse if they actually saw how wealthy they were.
And contract or not, I was here, the Luna.
“I'll show you my Beta, Calvin, and Yara.”
“Who's Yara?” I asked.
“Your beta, Calvin's girlfriend. You'll love them. The others?... I'm not so sure.”
Great! Now I'm nervous. Surely, they weren't so bad, right?
A tall, handsome guy that looked like the blond version of Xander walked up to me. Beside him was a petite, curly haired brown-skinned lady. She had an hourglass figure, and she looked like a goddess. I loved her already.
“Luna,” the blond guy bowed, taking me aback a bit. I guess this was what it meant to be Luna.
I smiled awkwardly as Xander introduced him to me. “This is Calvin, my cousin, beta and best friend. Don’t let the courtesy deceive you, he's an asshole.”
Everybody laughed, even Calvin.
Yara moved towards me and hugged me, and a warm feeling just tugged in my chest. “Hi Luna, I'm Yara, your Beta.”
We all walked into the house, and I marvelled at the architectural masterpiece.
Beta Calvin spoke. “The members of the pack are all in the lounge, gathered to see our new Luna.”
I took a deep breath, wondering if I was even dressed appropriately.
The large doors opened. The air was thick with the smell of wolves. I tried to look confident.
They all looked confused for a moment, but tried to hide it with smiles.
A tall man stepped towards us. “This is not Nova.”
“Dad, this is Fiona, my mate.” Xander wore a thin-lipped smile.
I only just noticed the resemblance between the two, the height and eyes. His father glowered at me.
“Fiona? The daughter of what Alpha? From what pack?”
He had a 'who the fuck are you?' look. My stomach dropped to my throat at the question. Did I even know who my real father was?