Chapter 114 BONUS CHAP. 21 - UNFIT MATE
\-CLEO'S POV-
Why would visitors be here?
Being cautious, I went into defense mode and prudently strolled over to the door. I peeked through the peephole and saw a sophisticated man and stylish woman standing with Zoe in the center.
Who were they?
I opened the door halfway and the classv vouthful woman smiled
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Day at me. He own eyes sparked with glee as site tucked stray strands of her wavy burgundy brown hair behind her right ear. The sexy black double-breasted, slim-fitted two-piece suit with stilettos that she wore, put together well with the black purse in her hand made her able to turn any man's eye.
While the suave man was dressed in a monochromatic ensemble of a solid black formal shirt and pants, looking me up and down,
scrutinizing me. Though he had ash-brown hair and light beige eyes, his face was vaguely familiar.
"Why the fuck do you have my daughter?" I was prepared to mutilate them whether they were aristocrats or not for interfering with my daughter.
Together, they had a very potent aura. Nevertheless, I gulped and cleared my throat, and put up a brave front in deference to the fact that they would beat the crap out of me if we had a physical altercation. I steel myself with gallantry. The woman chuckled, amused. Her accompanying mate was visibly not impressed.
"Hi Mommy," Zoe threw herself into me and customarily wrapped her hands around my waist. At least she was as happy as a clam at high tide. My right hand went on her back.
"Hi there," the woman greets, expecting to enter the apartment. Defiantly, I blocked her path by pressing the door against my side, leaving no space to squeeze through. The man was peeved and raised an eyebrow at me.
Curtly, I told them, "Hi, thank you for taking Zoe home." I held out my hand to Zoe and she took it. I pushed her inside, stashing her behind me, and kept the door ajar. They did not need to overstay their uninvited presence.
"Mommy, don't be rude. This is Grandma Ingrid and Grandpa Blake Alverson." Zoe popped her small head between the door and my hip and did the introductions. "Daddy's parents."
"Oh." Holy crap! I diligently inspected them and replied unsteadily after the shock fizzled out. "This is a surprise."
Abruptly nervous, I wondered if they were here to evaluate me to determine if I was good enough for their son. My brain began thinking and over-analyzing the situation. Why were they even here? Well, I really messed this up. They must hate my guts now.
I was not ready for this. My grizzly mate I could handle, but not his parents, because our bond remained undefined and I was unsure if they would put me in an unpleasant position. Plus, Zoe was right. I was rude.
Spirals of self-doubt berated me and there was no escaping the constant negative voices. On razor's edge of panic, I deeply inhaled and released, putting on a stiff smile.
Wait a minute. How did they end up with Zoe?
"Sorry. We know that this is sudden, " Ingrid informed me, cordially. "Blayne asked us to pick up Zoe from school because of the circumstances." She appeared unperturbed by my impudent behavior.
"Has it gone bad?" I seemed to forget that they were outside in the hallway. The killer was a pain in the ass and stalling the progress of my petition. Also, I wondered who the next victim would be.
Ingrid nodded, the man said nothing and put his hands in his pants pockets, dominantly jutting out his chest. He made me agitated, piling on the consternation. My self-consciousness created the impression that I was naked on stage in front of millions. Subconsciously, I hugged myself feeling sweaty and pale. There was no need to feel awkward and shy, yet these emotions crackled in me. What I wouldn't do to suddenly vanish with Zoe.
No biggie. I veered from my inner thoughts and flashed my most pleasant smile.
"I'm sorry. Please come in." I opened the door wider and gestured with my hands.
My hospitality skills were obviously terrible. It was good that the apartment was now fresh and clean. Dauntingly, they probably already surmised that I was unfit to be their son's mate. After all, rogues were mediocre and uncouth.
They walked in and both had a seat. Zoe sat beside her new grandma on the long black leather couch while Blake sank in the armchair,
facing me.
Zoe leaned her head on her chest. Because of her tendency to be overly kind, these people came into our lives. She was instituting too many changes all at once. It was overwhelming.
I gulped and nearly choked on my spit. "Eh-hem."
"We came home from Alaska yesterday. The minute Duke informed us that Blayne had found his mate, we arranged for a speedy return." Ingrid happily shared and then beckoned to her husband to approve as well. "She's gorgeous, isn't she?" She fanned her misty eyes and said hysterically, "I think I'm going to cry."
"Now-now, Ingrid," Blake warned his wife with mirth and a loving gaze. "Calm down, woman. Don't scare her. We want her to stay."
His warm tone relaxed me and my body lost its tensity. "Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Cleopatra Carr..............rogue." I smiled politely, wondering if that status would be a problem.
Also, I failed to comprehend why Duke was the one to inform
Blayne's parents about our bond and not him. Could it be an indication that Blayne wasn't ready to claim me? My heart dropped into a bucket of sadness.
Ingrid dismissed my derogatory reference to being a rogue with a wave of her hand. "Cleopatra, that does not matter. From what we heard, you are quite cheeky but intelligent, smart, and analytical." She hunched her shoulders, "Sounds perfect to me."
Blake snickered and slouched in the armchair, "It's about time someone made our boy settle down, but he told us that you did not
want the bond."
These people did not know how to beat around the bushes. "It's
complicated." With the understanding that this conversation might bring to light matters that were not suitable for a child to hear, I got Zoe's attention. "Sweetie, why don't you go to your room and shower while I talk to...." I was about to say your grandparents, however, the title was not appropriate until Blayne and I sorted out where we go from here. "The Alversons."
Gingerly she rose and pouted at Ingrid. The older woman softly pinched Zoe's chin and told her, "We will not leave without saying
goodbye. Now do as your mother instructed."
"Okay," Zoe acquiesced and exited the room with her school bag.
"Please call us by our first names. After all, we are family." Ingrid began, jubilantly, "Dear, no relationship is easy and it takes two to have one."
Blake's face tensed and his eyes glazed over. He was talking to someone over the mind-link. Ingrid carried on talking to me.
"Blayne has to go out of territory for a while," Blake graciously highlighted. "They caught the killer and he's going after the witch and she-wolf who helped her."
"Who was it?" I asked while Ingrid showed concern.
"An Omega by the name of Chloe," Blake further added with a huff." Apparently, she was one of Vance's ex-lovers."
"Well, now that the killer is caught, can the confinement be lifted?" I was more concerned about my freedom and being able to move about without restrictions. I miss the touch of sunshine on my skin. Not to mention, it was impertinent to see my people at the border.
"We will speak with the Beta regarding that," Blake promised. "I see no reason to have you cooped up like a chicken."
"Let me have your phone so that I can add a few contact numbers." Ingrid stretched a hand out. "As a Gamma Female, you should have the Alpha and Luna's number, plus his Beta's too."
Taking my phone out of my pocket, I unlocked it and handed it to her. "That would be great." My mind prompted me that I hadn't nerves. "Would you like me to get you anything? Maybe a sandwich
BONUS CHAP. 21- UNFIT MATE
and juice."
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"Thanks but we ate before we picked up Zoe." As Ingrid maneuvered the mobile device, she chuckled and my cheeks flushed red. She probably saw the single contact I had with her son. I should have omitted the heart. Her eyes met mine. "Let's reschedule dinner as soon as possible. I want to spend more time with you and Zoe."
"We live fifteen minutes away from here on Oakland Blvd. In the
event that Blayne does not return today," Blake said. "We are not too far away."
He almost made it seem like something bad might happen to Blayne. "Why wouldn't he return?"
"The royal officers regulate the global werewolf kingdom. There are times when they have to handle matters themselves, so that covers a lot of traveling. Since Blayne and Vance are hunting for the witch, it could take days before they return because the witch queen will arbitrate."
"How could an Omega cause this much trouble?" It was beyond me.
Hope that none of Blayne's bed warmers came to meddle with us after I dealt with Darlene. Why do I keep referring to us as a couple? These people were entangling me into their web of persuasion, and Zoe was at the epicenter of it.
Hold up. If the killer was one of the Alpha's ex, I had to inquire as I connected the dots. "Does that mean that Luna Sianna was the
target?"
"I believe that was the case." Blake shrugged, "We do not know the
details. Blayne gave me a short version. It is best to get information from him."
Ingrid completed her work on my phone and handed it back to me. "
You have our number to reach out to us if you need anything. I'll gladly take my granddaughter to school in the mornings." Taking the device, my eyes ran down the new list of contacts. I never
thought that I would ever have direct contact with the werewolf king and queen. Being a Gamma Female came with some perks. "Thank you." This first meeting went better than I thought it would.
This family appreciated me. An incredible warmth filled my gut. I have to even admit that I felt happy.
Blake rose from the single leather armchair to indicate to his wife
that he was ready to depart. Ingrid frowned because she wanted to
stay longer. To please her husband, she did the same and I stood to escort them out.
Surprisingly, Blake bear hugged me and parted, "My son is a good
man and stubborn too. I believe that if he has expressed his desire to
be your mate, he is sincere about it." He opened the door. "Please take him seriously."
"Besides, you have us to help you keep him in line." Ingrid also gave me a warm embrace and kissed my cheek. "Now where's my little granddaughter?" Zoe peeked her head out and ran to Ingrid to deliver her goodbyes. "
Grandma, will you visit us again?"
"Of course, you and I will be spending a lot of time together." Ingrid
stooped to wrap her arms around her little body. "Grandma and Grandpa love you, Zoe."
A smile completely enveloped Zoe's face. After they left, my eyes fell on my daughter's sunny facade. I slowly closed the door, turning towards the living room, but then something hindered it.
My eyes bounced to the doorway to see what the problem was and I
examined the 6'1 burly guy with blonde-amethyst eyes, and wearing an affiliative smile.
Now who the hell was this?