Part 49

/Allie’s POV/

I smiled gratefully as the maid carefully refilled my coffee cup and repressed a hum as I took a sip. The drive down to the pack had truly drained me—or perhaps it’s the quiet biting atmosphere here.

The moment I got the call from my dear father to see him, I knew something was off. He sounded way too excited and joyful but did not reveal anything. Having no choice, I had to skip my work and show up.

“That’s too much caffeine, dear.” My mother tsked disapprovingly while eyeing the cup in my hand. “Stella, bring her some herbal tea instead.”

“Sorry, Mum,” I immediately placed the cup down. “I am fine.”

“So…” My father cleared his throat, appearing positively radiant as he clasped his hands together. “We are going to dinner tomorrow night.”

“Dinner? What’s the occasion?”

“We found you an Alpha.”

I stilled. My eyes stared quietly at the table, the corners of my mouth lowering in sync with my heart sinking in my gut. I heard the sound of the rustle of the tree branches and felt the prominent scent of cake waft through the air. Nothing mattered anymore, but those words were ringing inside my head.

I wished not even to know the name of this family my parents had in mind or who the son was. He must be undoubtedly handsome, polite, and presumably inordinately wealthy if the giddy look in my father's eyes spoke of anything.

“He is soon to be Pack Alpha,” My mother revealed giggly. “Not only that, but their family owns half of the town, including the most renowned university.”

“And he is so handsome!” My mother added, encouragingly beaming at me. When I still didn’t reply, she looked at the maid. “Isn’t he, Stella? We have kept some of his pictures for you to see later.”

“Very,” The maid agreed bashfully, and a faint pink coloured the apples of her cheeks.

“Your mother is right. Despite all that wealth, he also works in the university. What a nobleman!” My father added.

“With those parents, nothing short of dazzling could have come out,” My mother chuckled heartily.

Nausea bubbled in the pit of my stomach, vision blurring as I dug the nails into my palms. The thought of accepting someone else as my Alpha left a sour taste in my mouth, especially now that Edward was back in town. But for how long?

My heart squeezed at that, knowing fully well that he would never reciprocate the feelings I had for him. Still, I didn’t want to marry a man my parents set up for me.

“I need air!” I abruptly stood up, startling my mother, who clattered her saucer and gripped my wrist.

“Where do you think you are going?” Her eyes displayed significant indignation, mouth pressed in a thin line. A sigh escaped my lips, wholly exhausted of the notion that I was to simply go along with these antics.

“Mum,” I said, voice poised in a cooler tone. “I am not interested in marrying a man I barely know.”

I slid my hand away from her hold, waiting for a response, but my mother did no more than arch a brow. Her face hardened, and she stood up.

“Allie, honey…” My father started only for my mother to shush him.

“Let me handle this.”

I sucked a sharp breath as she turned to me, arms falling by her sides. “You are having dinner with him tomorrow at his place to know him. You had freedom with your ideas for too long, now, but it’s time you realise that you have to get serious.”

“I’m not ready to marry now. I have a job, and I can….”

“You can what? Pay for yourself? Live on those measly dollars? Be realistic for once and try to look at the bigger picture. You turn twenty soon, and the Leons are a powerful family. How do you not get it? You will be the youngest Luna.”

“I don’t care!” I could feel everything boiling beneath the surface of my skin. “Shouldn’t you wait on behalf of your consideration of my feelings?”

Her stern gaze narrowed even further. “Consideration? Since you were born, you have been our priority! You were raised in the best of worlds, with anything you could have asked for. You have always been privileged to anything, especially that ridiculous idea of living with that train-wreck friend of yours. What more do you want from us?”

“That’s not fair,” I yelled through gritted teeth.

My mother purposely strode forward until there were only inches separating us. She stared up at me, something so authoritative about her demeanour that I was left feeling dauntingly subordinate. Her hand came to tuck the loose strands behind my ear. “Nothing is fair in this world, dear. Please, dress nicely.”

I watched my mother’s mouth shape into a sly smile, and in that second, I detested her, and the entire situation had my skin crawling. From the corner of my eyes, I saw my father sigh.

I left the table, throwing the napkin to the table with a lot more vigour than appropriate. I sent my father an angry scowl and disappeared inside. I didn’t want it, didn’t need it, and refused to end with a fat diamond on my ring finger.

***

On the way back, I realised that I didn’t get the name of the man my parents set me up with. A curse fell out my lips, head lolling back. If only I acted rationally and took the news with a grain of salt, then I would have the name of the Alpha. How am I going to find out?

Groaning, I drove faster, resisting the urge to fall face-first against the steering wheel.

Emma was sitting on the couch, legs folded together and wrapped by her arms, chin resting on her knees, distressed pheromones radiating off her.

I raised a brow in her direction. “Hey…What’s going on?”

She blinked. “Al?! When did you come back?”

“Just now. What happened?”

Hesitation flickered across her face; lips pulled in between as she shrugged, shrinking back. “Nothing.”

Of course. Why did I bother asking anyway? These days she kept things to herself, which threw me off and reminded me much of the past.

“Why did your parents call you anyway?”

I groaned, plopping next to her. “They set me up with some rich fart and want to meet him tomorrow.”

“And you agreed?”

“They didn’t give me much of choice, babe.”

“Wow…” She trailed. “What are you going to do now?”

Exhaustion seeped into my bones, and I sagged against the headrest, eyes fluttered shut. “I don’t know, but I will not mate that Alpha no matter what.”

***

There’s an itch inside, a need to tell Edward about my upcoming dinner plan and gauge his reaction. Will he even care? What if he doesn’t? The mere thought of it made me hold back, knowing it would only hurt me if he feigned nonchalance.

Besides, Emma can tell him if he bothered to inquire about my whereabouts. He was nowhere to be found, so I didn’t have the chance to run into him and spill my news. I knew he had another week, and also he won’t leave without saying goodbye.

“Let’s go,” My mother nudged once the car had been parked, snapping me out of my thoughts. My father took her hand and placed it at the crook of his elbow. I made a face stepping out and towards the packhouse of the supposed Alpha I was to mate. From the corner of my eyes, I saw my parents and their fingers linked between them as they strolled, rolling my eyes at their sudden display of affection.

Stepping inside, we were greeted by an older couple who immediately embraced my parents. When they parted, they dragged me along and made the introductions. I gawked at the place when a familiar figure walked toward me.

“This is my son, Abel.” The Pack Alpha said, a grin on his lips. “Your future mate.”

I almost choked, eyes widening, colour draining my face as he took a step forward, equally taken back. He took a sharp intake of breath.

“And Abel, this is the omega we were talking about. Allie.”

I shook his hand carefully, fingers firm but awkwardly sliding together.

“Hey,” He replied and stepped back, leaving me at a slight loss of words at his demeanour. However, I quickly recovered and tipped my head to the side.

“Hi.”

Feeling several eyes on me, I gnawed on the inside of my cheek, trying and failing to quench that prominent sense of discomfort. My father was waiting impatiently, eyes staring into the side of my face.

“Aren’t they cute?!” I heard my mother coo.

“Why don’t you both take a stroll in the gardens?” The Pack Alpha cleared his throat. “We will call you once the dinner is ready.”

“Brilliant idea,” My mother hummed.

Abel gestured to the doors on the far right. “Shall we?”

***