Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve
“Are you okay Malakai? My father asks, looking concerned. Malakai gives him the thumbs up while he wipes his mouth on a silver cloth napkin. Dad turns his attention back to me. “Who is your boyfriend honey? Is it that nice boy Lucas from your birthday party?”
I glance at Malakai whose grip on the glass of water is so tight it looks like it will shatter at any second. He stares at me waiting for me to answer my father. “No dad. Lucas and I are just friends. My boyfriend is older anyway.”
My father puts his fork down mid bite. “By older I hope you mean he is twenty one at the most.”
“Nope he is definitely older than twenty one.”
My dad’s eyes darken slightly. “You will call this man and break it off this instance do you understand Leilani. I will not have some grown man dating my eighteen-year-old daughter.”
“Dad the legal age of consent is eighteen. I am eighteen. So, what does it matter?” I ask, getting slightly frustrated.
“You will not be consenting to anything. You will break up with him today or I will do it for you. Do you understand?” My father bellows in his alpha voice.
“Sir yes sir.” I say sarcastically, as I salute my father.
My father growls deeply, warning me to be careful what I say next. I just roll my eyes and head towards the front door.
“Where are you going Leilani?” My father asks.
“To school.” I snap.
“You’re not going to school today. Malakai is going to stay here with you, while I attend to pack business.”
I let out an irritated sigh. If it weren’t for Malakai being stuck with me all day I would argue with my father. I guess I need to text Lucas and get the assignment from today. I head up to my room and look for my phone.
There’s a knock on my bedroom door. “What do you want dad?” I yell. The door cracks slightly. “It’s me.” Malakai says quietly. I motion for him to come in, as I continue searching for my phone.
“What are you looking for?”
“My phone. Have you seen it anywhere?” I ask as I dig through my school bag.
Malakai clears his throat. “We are going to have to get you a new one.”
I spin around to face him. “What do you mean? There is nothing wrong with my old one.”
“I accidentally broke yours in half.” Malakai admits as he looks at the floor. Laughing I ask. “How did that happen?”
Malakai glances at me before returning his gaze to the floor. “I prefer not to say.” His voice is filled with shame. I furrow my brows and narrow my eyes at him. “You prefer not to say?” I repeat. He slowly nods his head.
I gasp. “You broke it after I text you about Lucas, didn’t you?” Malakai remains silent, refusing to make eye contact. I burst out laughing. “Can we at least get me a new phone please? I need to text Lucas about the assignments for today.” Malakai tenses at the sound of his name.
“We can get you a new phone, but I will call the school for your assignments.” Malakai says in a tone that says he’s not playing around.
As promised Malakai waits until my father is gone for the day before taking me phone shopping at the local mall. The phone I picked is a one step upgrade from the phone I already had. The lady working shamelessly flirts with Malakai as she sets up my new phone. I glare at Malakai. He shrugs his shoulders at me feigning innocence. If he was officially my mate, I would rip her throat out for even looking at him.
After getting my new phone working, I convince Malakai to take me clothes shopping. He owed me since he let that girl flirt with him. We left the mall carrying several bags from different stores. I didn’t model anything I tried on, even though Malakai asked me too. I want every new outfit to be a surprise. I need to give him a reason to want me.
We spent several hours at the mall, it only seemed like minutes though. Malakai is much easier to shop with than my father. I always hated going school clothes shopping with my dad. He always dressed me like I was a kid even when I became a teenager. Which is part of the reason I started wearing jeans and T-shirts all the time. That and I didn’t have a reason to try but now I do.
Before heading home, we stopped at my favorite diner for lunch. It’s a little diner called ‘The Alpha’s Hideout’ named after my great great grandfather. Alphas in my family have been coming here for generations. They have a little section in the back reserved specifically for my family, for if and when they want a little bit of privacy.
There’s an older waitress her whose name is Roxanne who smiles as we come in. She has worked here for as long as I can remember. She greets me first “Good afternoon, Leilani, my little alpha.”
I smile. She has called me that since I was born. “Good afternoon, Roxanne. How is your grandson doing?”
She places her hand on her heart, surprised I thought to ask. “He’s doing much better, thank you for remembering.”
“Of course. If you need anything at all, do not hesitate to let us know.” I gently squeeze her free hand. “Roxanne this is Beta Malakai, we would like a table in the back please.”
She smiles at Malakai, having to look up to meet his eyes. At six foot five inches Malakai towers over the five-foot waitress. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Beta Malakai, I have heard great things about you.” Malakai flashes her his charming smile. “Likewise, ma’am.”
Roxanne leads us to the back of the diner. It’s kind of slow right now, business is usually steadier in the early morning, and late evenings. Roxanne sets our menus on opposite sides of the corner booth and takes our drink orders.
Malakai switches sides, leaving only a small space between us on the booth cushion. I give him a quick kiss on the cheek and open my menu. I always order the same thing every time I come here, but I like to look at the menu just in case I see something new. Closing the menu, I look at Malakai.
Malakai narrows his eyes at me. “That was fast.”