"About Bailey's debut, I want you to arrange everything, Caspian. Once she officially debuts, there will be a lot of enemies around. Though it's already leaked through the media, the other packs and human gangs are skeptical about Bailey's inheritance. Debuting Bailey is something we can't take lightly," my grandpa said at the dinner table.
The atmosphere at the table appeared awkward as no one responded. It had been days since I went to Athereld's place, and Caspian did the unexpected.
My cheeks turned red, recalling the incident in the car that night. I had to skip school the next two days, feigning to be sick because of the bruises Caspian left on my neck. It was the reason why Athereld had joined us at tonight's dinner.
If I attended school, I would have to change into my shooting suits in front of other girls. So, I couldn't take the risk of getting found out by others.
I assumed it wasn't Caspian but his wolf that forced him to do something like that. Hence, I didn't want to think of it as anything significant. I decided to take the incident as getting scratched while falling and nothing more. Yet, I ended up avoiding Caspian for days.
I couldn't fathom why it was difficult for me to meet Caspian's eyes when he was the one clearly at fault for losing control over his wolf. But I had read enough books to know that wolves wouldn't lose control over someone other than their mates.
I stared at Caspian to find his piercing, arctic blue eyes gazing at me. I hastily looked away.
Indeed, he is an alpha wolf. He probably can mate with anyone he wishes, I thought. My cheeks flushed. But why would he want to mate with someone else when he had already chosen Aphrodite as his mate, I wondered.
My hands subconsciously went to my neck, where Caspian's lips had left the marks. The feeling of his touch was still so fresh. My eyes fell on Athereld as he calmly followed every move of my hand.
A smirk appeared on Caspian's face, noticing my uneasiness as I hastily fixed my collar.
My grandpa seemed puzzled as none of us touched the food. The tension in the air didn't go unnoticed.
"Is there something wrong, Athereld?" my grandpa asked, staring at Athereld.
"Not at all, Alpha. It's great that Bailey is finally going to make her debut. However, as you said, it will make her the target of the other clans. Shouldn't we wait till she awakens her wolf?" Athereld questioned.
My grandpa shoved the plate away, wiping the corner of his mouth with the white napkin. He calmly sipped on his drink as if he had expected that question.
"Bailey can't use her wolf, something only we know. However, if we continue to hide Bailey, it will make a lot of them suspicious of Bailey's abilities. I don't wish for anyone to consider Bailey our weakness. Nevertheless, I had seen the video of Bailey shooting. You can already tell that she possesses the skill genetically. After all, she is my granddaughter," My grandpa said proudly.
Athereld only smiled at the did you see my granddaughter look on my grandpa's face as I wanted to crawl inside the ground in embarrassment.
Caspian cut the steak gracefully as a mischievous smirk played on his lips.
"Indeed, Bailey is capable," Caspian said, seductively shoving the piece of meat in his mouth. "However, this time, I want a proper conclave, Master," Caspian said, seizing everyone's attention.
"What are you talking about?" My grandpa asked skeptically. "How can Bailey fight you like this? We don't even know if she possesses an alpha wolf or not," My grandpa said.
"Certainly. And yet, you are favoring Bailey because she is your blood. Did you not do the same with me in the past, Master?" Caspian asked, staring deep into my grandpa's eyes.
I couldn't match Caspian with the man in the car a few days back. Sometimes he would put me into a dilemma to decide whether he despised me because I was weak or just jealous of me for taking his place.
"Have you finally lost it? How can you talk like this with the alpha Lord?" Athereld got up in his place, frowning at Caspian's boldness.
However, my grandpa didn't seem bothered. He beckoned, indicating Athereld to sit down.
"Caspian, I can comprehend your objections. However, Bailey's inheritance is not simply because of my affection. She possesses the right to ascend to the throne by her blood. Have you forgotten about the legacy of the moon spirits? Even if her wolf is not an alpha, she will have the right to lead the pack because she belongs to my bloodline. She's of noble blood, after all," My grandpa said calmly.
My grandpa's words rang foreign to my ears as I was oblivious to everything he mentioned.
Moon spirits? Noble blood? I stared at my grandpa, getting confused. My grandpa noticed the curiosity in my eyes. He smiled gently at me, patting my head lightly.
"Don't think about these too much. Right now, I only want you to focus on your debut. I want you to enjoy it in the best ways possible. That's the most valuable occasion for the legatees of the packs, you know," My grandpa said.
I took my grandpa's hands into mine as Caspian and Athereld looked at us confusedly.
"I am really grateful for everything, Grandpa. Though I am new to everything and don't know much about the pack yet, I wouldn't let anyone question your dedication towards this pack,'' I said determinedly.
I turned to Caspian to find him frowning at me curiously. I continued staring into Caspian's eyes, "I do not want people to question my abilities or make my pack look weak in front of others by inheriting the throne by your legacy, Grandpa." I inhaled deeply and determinedly said, "Hence, I will fight Caspian or anyone who wishes for the throne, Grandpa."
The smile on my grandpa's face widened. "I didn't expect anything less from my granddaughter," My grandpa said.
I was a bit puzzled since I thought my grandpa would oppose my decision. Did he really think I could beat that monster? I awkwardly smiled back at my grandpa, staring at Caspian. I couldn't even move under Caspian's grip. Did I go too far for my one-sided love? I wondered for a moment, doubting my words.
''However,'' My grandpa interfered. "As long as Bailey doesn't awaken her wolf, I want Caspian to take care of Bailey and train her the human skills."
"But Alpha!" Athereld protested right away. "Why has it to be Caspian? He couldn't even control his wolf before her," Athereld mumbled the last sentence.
I could comprehend Athereld's concern. That night when I went back to Athereld's place, crying, Athereld pulled me into an embrace, calming me like a child. I didn't dare to come out as long as Caspian didn't drive away. Athereld brought me back to my grandpa's place at midnight when I finally calmed down. However, he didn't question me a thing regarding what Caspian did to me.
"I will gladly train your granddaughter, Master," Caspian said, surprisingly. I thought he would refuse since we were contenders. However, the mischievous look on his face sent a shiver down my spine.
"Then it settles. You should start preparing for the debut ball, Bailey," My grandpa said, getting up from his assigned place and leaving the three of us shortly.
"You, what are you thinking?" Athereld asked Caspian coldly.
"Why? Did you also not teach me how to fight?" Caspian asked back calmly.
"If the alpha learns what you did that night, do you believe he will let you even come near Bailey?" Athereld questioned.
Caspian got up from his chair to leave, ignoring Athereld's question. I shrunk on my chair as it was awkward to let Athereld confront Caspian like that.
Athereld grabbed Caspian's wrist, preventing him from leaving.
"Do not unnecessarily hurt that child due to your frustration over me," Athereld said coldly.
Caspian chuckled, staring at Athereld. "Were you always this pretentious? That night was I the only one to cross the boundary?" he asked.
Athereld became unprepared for Caspian's question. Though Athereld didn't do anything weird, he couldn't deny that he had lost control over his emotions.
Caspian got close to Athereld, cupping his face. "I am not frustrated at all. Before you blame me for my actions, you should decide if it's me or Bailey for whom you are concerned,'' Caspian said.