CHAPTER 132

CHAPTER 132
ANASTASIA

Linda couldn't hold her desperation for long.

Just as I was stepping into the mansion— I was alone since Sonia went back to her place to prepare for her date with Arnold tonight—she immediately called me to find out if see could come over and pick me up or if she'll be expecting me today at my father's home.

I had to compose my temper and respond back in a cool tone by telling her to be patient. "I already agreed to come, didn't I, mother?"

"Yes Anna, I just wanted to make sure you..."

"I'll come on my own when I'm ready," I said, taking a seat on my couch, watching my guards take my shopping bags upstairs.

"You don't have to worry," I assured, my lips spreading into a cunning smile.

Linda breathed out in relief, promising to make my stay exciting.

I didn't argue about that. I just did what a loving daughter would do for her sweet stepmother. "Thank you, Mom," I faked appreciation before ending the call.

"Thank you indeed," I scoffed, dropping my phone down.

.

That evening, at around 9 PM, my car came pulling up to the front of my father's mansion, slowly and carefully.

The headlights flashed against the windows as it parked carefully in front. That's when the door swang open revealing a surprised Linda standing at the entrance, with my father right behind her.

My stepmother must have concluded that I'm not coming over tonight, that's why she's shocked.

Gently, I stepped out of the vehicle with my luggage, as I watched Linda rush up to me, wrapping her arms around me for a big embrace.

"Oh, you're here! I thought you'd be coming later on. I wasn't expecting tonight," She said, her eyes scanning my body up to the expensive necklace around my neck.

That's jealousy right there. But she was swift to hide it by saying, while gawking at my earrings, "That's a beautiful piece you've got there. I bet a lot of ladies would crave to have it. Just make sure your sister doesn't see it." She laughed.

I smiled, lifting my eyes over to my father, who approached us from behind Linda, looking happy.

I've missed this place and my father.

I wanted to move over to him and give him a hug, but Linda wouldn't let it.

She held my arm like she wants more of my attention and said, "Aren't you happy to see your daughter again, my love?" She giggled, her voice laced with pride while talking to Dad.

Father had his mouth opened down, about to speak, but Linda interrupted him again, making it all about her.

"I didn't tell you this, but I went over to Crescent pack to meet our girl. I had no idea on how I'll find her, but the goddess directed me through my motherly love and I found her," She claimed, cupping my face.

"It's really nice to have her back with us. Right Ray?"

"Yeah, right," Father responded while looking at his wife.

His eyes were filled with pure hate and pain. I could tell through the way he bit down on his lips, looking at me bitterly.

He's not the only one who feels the same. I wish I could put a gun in Linda's mouth and shut her up for good. But it will ruin my plans for both stepmother and stepsister.

We need to be patient.

"Together, we'll make sure you get settled down properly with us and do all necessary plannings according to the werewolf tradition," She smiled, now diving into my relationship with Diego.

"It's our wish to be a part of your mating ceremony to Alpha Diego when the time comes, and make it successful," She sniffed, faking emotions.

Just as she was about to lead me away from the car and into the mansion, "Oh waw! Alpha Diego, you came?" Father sounded out in joy, shocking my stepmother!

She was busy focusing her attentions on me and failed to realize or even pick the scent of another wolf in the compound.

When she heard Diego's name, she looked over to the car and froze on seeing my Alpha Lord standing behind me.

"Hello, mother," Diego greeted, wrapping an arm around my waist, as he stood at my right, claiming his woman.

Linda's face froze. She shakily left my arm, unable to say anything or even respond to his greetings.

It was father—whom she was trying to portray a cold hearted and emotionless—who stepped forward to welcome my Alpha properly.

"This is wonderful. I thought only Anna came to stay with us. I wasn't expecting to see you."

"I didn't plan on coming here either. But I have a bad habit of following my Luna wherever she goes. I just can't stay away from her," He joked, kissing me on the head in front of them.

Father laughed in delight, but Linda? Oh she was boiling.

I saw her drawing away from us, into the same spot father was standing in before.

Her face was swollen. She looked lost, probably rethinking her plans.

She wasn't expecting Diego to come along. If she did her assignment well, she'd have remembered that my Alpha Lord follows his mate like a magnet.

"Happy reunion, bitch," I celebrated in my head, watching her secretly with a wicked smile spreading widely on my face.

"Please, come inside. Guards! Bring in their bags. My special guests will be staying with us," Father announced loudly, his voice filled with joy as he stood in between Diego and I, leading us into the mansion.

Linda had already taken a step into the mansion before us.

It was with a storm filled with anger and deviousness.

"You like to play games, don't you, mother? Don't worry, you're going to get what you want."

.

Father sat with Diego and I in the living room, as we laughed at a joke Diego made up.

It was really entertaining, laugher blooming the room with joy and happiness. But only Linda refused to bask in this moment. She was secretly pressing her phone, probably chatting with Woods, Damian, or her whore of a daughter.

When a maid came in to reveal that our luggages have been placed inside our room, Linda got herself back.

The way she reacted was suspicious.

"Splendid. I had to make sure your room was redecorated for your stay, my child," She said, talking directly at me.

Impatiently, she requested we follow her to see the work she put into the room.

No one objected her wish but did as she said, following her out of the living room.

We got upstairs, listening to Linda talk about past memories of myself when I was still living here. "The light of the De Great family, that's what her father calls her. She and Casey have this sibling habit of messing things up and making someone else do the work," She cackled.

I don't even remember doing any of that crap she's talking about. The only person who did that shit was Casey. But I didn't see it as a biggie because I blindly saw her as my sister.

"Here we are," Linda said, approaching my old room.

But before she could take hold of the knob, father interrupted at once, "You prepared that room for them?"

"Uh..." Linda turned over, looking us.

"Yes, I redecorated the room for Anastasia. I didn't really plan for the Alpha, but... But trust me, the room is in a good shape for both couples to..."

"They won't be staying here," Father said, leaving Linda stunned by his order.

To her surprise, father revealed to us proudly, "The maids have already prepared a much better room for them. Please, come with me."

Father took the lead, leaving Linda behind like she's unwanted.

I felt like laughing at her, but I held myself, tightening my grip around Diego's arm. I bet he feels the same way too.

Just a few doors away—all familiar to me—father came to a stop in front of a room and opened the door, revealing a well arranged and neatly dressed spacious interior!

I gasped, as we stepped in with him, looking around.

"This room was always empty. When did you get the time to arrange it?" I asked, looking around to notice some familiar objects of mine in the room.

Most of the items where in my old room before it was stripped to nothing.

Father never got rid of my things. He... He kept them!

"It was recently. I had it set up for a day like this, " He said, looking over at me with his eyes filled with love.

This made my heart weak. I had to hold Diego tight for support, composing myself.

That's when my Alpha commented, as Linda stepped into the room, looking stunned, "This is wonderful. Anna and I are grateful."

"That means a lot to me," Father said, smiling at us.

I wished I could rush into his arms and hug him for always having me in his heart, but with Linda here, I had to hold back and keep up with my drama.

My stepmother was still in shock when she saw my old things in the room.

"Isn't that the books I tossed into the..." She paused, looking at father who gave her a glare and said, walking up to her, "This is how to make plans for a family member."

That changed Linda's mood.

She's not happy at all.

"Please, feel at home. I'll send a maid over to invite you down for dinner."

"No problem," Diego responded to father, still holding me close.

Then father left with Linda going after him with speed.

I wished I could go after them and find out what she'll say to him, but I didn't. Instead, I made use of my wolf hearing to trace their voices, and I heard Linda demanding some answers from father.

"When did you start making plans for them? And those old things... I thought I got rid of them for your sake?!"

"I never asked you to throw my daughter's things. You were the one who wiped them out from her room without my consert!" He roared at her.

"It's a good thing I secured her things before you destroyed them."

"Raymond, you're making me look like a villain. I was only trying to make you feel safe and less hurt. Did I do wrong for playing my role as your wife?"

"I don't know, Linda. Maybe your help to make me feel safe was wrong," He said, his rage unleashing.

I was worried he'd give himself out, but that's when Linda said, assuming something else, "Are you still mad at me for trying to go against your plans? Look Raymond, I said I was sorry. That's why I took the effort in going over to Crescent pack to find our girl. I want you to know that I truly care about your wishes, that's why I got her rooms set. I didn't know you had a different plan. I'm sorry."

I heard her sniffing, making herself the victim.

That's when father sighed and said, "It's okay. You were just helping out. I was just upset because you didn't tell me about the invitation. That's not how I planned it."

"I know my love. But I want us to be closer to our Anna. I don't want her seeing you as her enemy because of what happened. I know you want to make up for all the lost times, that's why I called her home. She's our daughter. It's our duty as her parents to fix things and do what's best for our girl. Together, we'll make this birthday successful."

"Yes, we will," Father agreed, sounding supportive.

"Well done, Dad," I spoke with pride, pleased with how he's handling this maturely.

"Don't worry. He's a smart man. Everything will be fine," Diego said to me from behind, as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into his warm hold.

I buried myself in his arms, feeling relaxed.

"Everything will be fine," I muttered.