54, The tour

Sean’s POV

It felt strange for Sean to see all the happiness welcoming him home. He recognised some of them but far from all of them. The pack house looked the same on the outside, but they had renovated and updated things on the inside.

Sean kept waiting for the moment when he would get a nostalgic feel or a sense of coming home. But it never came.

His brother hadn’t been wrong about their mother gathering all the single she-wolves in the pack. Most of them kept their distance after finding out he was mated. But he could feel one or two of them still staring at him.

“We have arranged for lunch for you,” his mother said as she showed them into the dining room, where a buffet had been set up.

“Thank you, that is so kind of you. We appreciate it,” Adina smiled. She was in hardcore work mode, Sean realised. He also knew that after their car ride, she would not be up to food.

“Please, dig in,” Liam told them.

Sean let Adina walk before him, and he watched her trying to fill her plate to be polite and avoid heavy food.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll eat yours as well,’ he mind liked her as he made sure he had plenty of bland food on his plate. That way, it would look like they were doing the mate thing and eating off each other’s plates.

‘Thank you,’ Adina smiled at him.

‘Would you like some tea?’ he asked.

‘No, it’s fine. I’ll grab some water,’ she told him.

They were led to the honorary table, and Sean realised that according to the seating arrangements, he would sit on the other end from Adina.

“I’m sorry, but this won’t work. I sit with Adina,” he told his mother.

“I’m sure that even if you are mated, you can be separated by a few feet for a couple of hours,” she smiled.

‘It’s okay, Sean,’ Adina told him in a mind link.

He looked at her, and she looked a little green, and he could tell that the car ride had affected her more than she wanted to admit.

“Sorry, I’m not just her mate, I’m her protector, and we are in a foreign pack. She stays by my side,” he insisted.

“It’s no problem. We all will move one seat to the left,” his brother said.

“Thank you, alpha Liam,” Adina said.

“It’s just Liam,” his brother smiled and ensured everyone knew to give room for Adina and Sean to sit together.

As they ate, they talked and tried to catch up. Sean’s mother insisted on telling him everything about his old friends and what they were up to now. His brother spoke about the security updates they had done since the attack. Sean had suggested some of them.

Adina noticed that his mother’s conversation made Sean uncomfortable and took over by asking her to tell stories about Sean as a child. No mother could resist a request like that.

Sean made sure to eat as much of Adina’s food as possible. He was leaving her with the fruits and vegetables on her and his plate.

When they finished their meal, Liam suggested they take a short break for the guests to rest. But their mother insisted that they continue touring the pack land. They had prepared small golf carts they could ride.

As Adina and Sean joined Liam in one, his mother called out for one of the women that were now leaving the pack house.

“Tia, why don’t you join us?” his mother said.

Sean knew the name; it was his father’s betas daughter. They had grown up almost like siblings.

“Sean, you remember Tia,” his mother said as a woman came walking. She was beautiful, with long black hair and baby blue eyes. She had a slim body dressed in a tiny piece of fabric, passing for a dress the same colour as her eyes.

Sean hoped she hadn’t dressed up for his sake. He thought she may have been beautiful, but she had nothing against Adina.

“Of course, nice to see you,” he said politely and nodded towards the woman.

“Hello, Sean,” Tai said, trying to act shy.

“This is my mate, the Beloved One. Adina, this is Tia. She was the daughter of my father’s beta,” Sean said.

“It’s nice to meet you, Tia,” Adina smiled.

“You too, Adina,” Tia said.

A growl escaped Sean at the disrespect of not using Adina’s tittles. Both his mother and Tia looked at him with surprise.

“Don’t mind him. He’s a bit grumpy after the trip. He usually insists that people address me by one of my titles, but since you are a family friend, we can skip the formalities,” Adina said.

“Ready the get going?” Liam asked. He sensed the tension in the air.

‘How are things going?’ Colin sent a mind link to Sean as they were about halfway through the tour.

‘Terrible, this was a mistake,’ Sean answered honestly.

‘What is happening?’ Colin said, sounding more alert.

‘My mother seems determined to match me with one of the pack females,’ Sean began.

‘Haven’t you told her?’ Colin asked.

‘Oh yes, we have. She isn’t in a listening mood. Adina felt unwell after the care ride here. It’s a bumpy ride. Now we are riding along in golf carts, looking at the security upgrades and anything my mother thinks is interesting. I think it’s slowly making it worse for Adina. But you know her…’ he told Colin.

‘Pretending everything is fine?’ Colin suggesting.

‘Pretty much. I wish you were here. How do I handle this?’ Sean asked.

‘Hey, they may be your family by blood. But Adina and me, we are your family as well. Mateo, Julia and even Jason are included as well. Just hang in there and then come back home to your sane family. I do not include Jason in that,’ Colin chuckled, and Sean smiled.

‘And don’t let them push you over lines you aren’t comfortable crossing. You are the consort of the Beloved One and the mate of an alpha. Sean, you are a fierce warrior. You can hold your ground,’ Collin finished.

‘Thank you; I’ll remember that. I miss you,’ Sean said.

‘I miss you and our little stubborn mate,’ Colin told him.

Sean felt better after the conversation with Colin.

After they got back from the tour, they were just in time for dinner. Adina didn’t have an appetite, and Colin was worrying. It didn’t help that his mother insisted that Tia join them at the table and spend the entire dinner talking about old memories. Sean saw that even his brother was uncomfortable with how things were going.

As they had finished eating, Sean had had enough.

“I think we will retire for the evening. It has been a long day for us, and we could use some sleep,” he told his brother.

“I understand. We could train tomorrow. Let’s see if I can still beat my little brother or if you have learned some fancy new tricks,” Liam smiled.

“I would like that,” Sean nodded.

“Oh my. In the middle of everything, I have forgotten to arrange new accommodations for you two,” his mother said. Sean was on the verge of snapping when Tonya stepped up.

“We can trade. The warriors have bedrooms with two in each. It’s single-beds, but they can be pushed together. Two of us will take your and the luna’s rooms,” she told Sean.

“Thank you, Tonya,” Adina smiled.

“Luna?” his mother asked.

“Our mate is an alpha,” Sean said, standing up and helping Adina.

“Thank you for everything. It has been so much fun,” Adina said to his brother and mother.

“It has been a pleasure, Adina. We rarely get the honour of hosting the Beloved One,” Liam smiled.

“An unfortunate side effect of having a brother that is my guardian,” Adina smiled back at him.

“Are you sure you want to turn in already?” his mother asked Sean.

“I’m sure. I’ll see you in the morning,” he said, leading Adina out of the dining room. Tonya led them to the room she was sharing with another warrior.

They pushed the beds together, and Adina thanked the two warriors again for their help. Sean looked outside and saw a person working as a maid in the pack house.

“Excuse me. Would it be possible to get a cup of black tea with a slice of lemon and some fruit in our room?” Sean asked.

“Of course, any fruit in particular?” the maid asked.

“No, just any fruit you have. Thank you,” he said.

Sean had barely told Adina he had sent for some tea before the maid knocked on the door. As he opened it, she walked in with a tray. It had a teapot and two teacups on it. There was a small bowl of lemon slices, and a platter with fresh fruit cut up in smaller pieces and fresh berries.

“Thank you. This looks amazing,” Adina smiled.

“It’s my pleasure, my lady,” the maid said, bowing to Adina.

“May I know your name?” Adina asked.

“Missy,” the maid answered.

“Well, thank you, Missy, this is much appreciated,” Adina told her.

Sean let the maid out again and locked the door. As he returned to the room, Adina poured two cups of tea.

“I’m sorry about this mess,” Sean said, walking up to where she sat and kissing the top of her head. Adina leaned against him, and he could feel her relax.

“It’s not your fault. I don’t even blame your mother. She is just doing her best to keep you here,” Adina said.

“You are too considerate, Adina. This is a mess, and I feel the best thing is to change our plans and go back first thing tomorrow,” Sean said.

“If you are that uncomfortable being here, we will get on that plane and fly home,” Adina told him and stood up. She gently tugged on him to make him sit down, and she sat in his lap when he did.

“But if you are doing it to make me feel better. Don’t. I can handle this. I know you won’t choose another woman over me, and I can handle your mother. You have seen me handle worse people than her,” she told him, handing him his teacup.

“I know you can. But she is my mother; she is supposed to be happy for me; she is supposed to treat you like a daughter,” he sighed and took a sip of tea and watched as Adina did the same.

That was the issue, he realised. He felt disappointed that his mother didn’t seem happy for him. It felt like another betrayal. Why couldn’t she be happy for him?

Adina munched on some fruit and drank her tea. Sean could tell that she was slowly feeling better. He rubbed her back as he sipped his tea.

“Are you feeling better?” he asked as she had put down her teacup and leaned into him, placing her head on his shoulder.

“Yes, thank you for looking after me,” she smiled.

“Any time,” he said, putting down his cup; he let his arms encircle her.

She started placing kisses on his neck. Sean sighed and tilted his head to give her access.

“Adina, what are you doing?” he asked.

“I’m kissing you,” she told him. He smiled and pulled her closer to him.

“I can feel that. Why?” he asked.

“Because it makes me feel nice,” she answered, and he could feel her smile against his skin.

“It makes me feel nice as well,” he confessed and pressed his hips up into her ass to make her feel just how nice.

“But you are tired, sweetheart,” he mumbled and ran his hand up her leg, gently squeezing it.

“Not that tired,” she told him.