No one had spoken, the air was almost thick with uneasiness as I glanced between the staring contest currently taking place between Alpha Clide and Domini. I let out a frustrated sigh as they both glanced at me surprised at the sudden sound.
“Is anyone going to start this ‘grown up’ conversation or can I go to bed?” I asked a little agitated.
Domini stared expectantly at Alpha Clide, I was shocked to see him nervously shift his weight again staring down at his clasped hands.
“Well… you see…” he glanced to Domini pleadingly but Domini shook his head pursing his lips closed. Clide sighed deeply closing his eyes.
“Laura, I know myself and the Luna have not really included you in a lot of things….” He started again before stopping looking again at Domini as if hoping he would take over. He shook his head again a look of disdain on his face.
“Alpha, this is your mess.”
I gasped shocked at Domini’s tone but he paid me no attention, staring at Clide. Clide looked back down to his hands.
“Laura, well… you see… we have been trying to separate you and Xander, not for the reasons you think….” I bit my lips, a mix of fear and confusion washing through me.
“You see… this peace treaty is very important for our pack's safety and survival…” He stopped again, breathing deeply but refusing to look at me or Domini.
“Alpha Victor is unmated, it was our hope that we could arrange a marriage to secure the pack, and as you are technically our adopted daughter…” I felt my heart stop as panic filled my very soul. He didn’t have to continue speaking I knew what was coming.
“So, we broke a deal for you to… eventually become his….”
“NO!” I sobbed as tears escaped my eyes, my heartbreaking as his words came. He still did not look up from his hands as Domini gave me a sympathetic look before returning his angry gaze at Clide.
“The Alpha has not yet finished.” Domini’s voice shook as his eyes burned into the Alpha’s forehead. Clide stammered before continuing.
“Well… it seems that… Victor has also found his mate…” I felt a sense of relief flood my being.
“So, he will be with her instead of me?” Domini looked away as Clide shifted his weight again, “right?”
“Well…” Clide started then stopped, glancing at me with pain in his eyes. “He is claiming you are his mate.”
I sat, staring at his lips. They were still moving, speaking as his eyes seemed to plead with me but I couldn’t hear anything. My world was crashing down around me, the hope I had been holding onto the Xander and I would somehow make it… Victor’s hate-filled eyes staring at me, how he seemed to hate me.
“But…” I muttered out as hot tears dripped down my lips, the idea of being with someone like that. Being hated by someone that claimed to be my mate. My heart hurt, it felt as if it was cutting into itself.
“Laura, please understand… I… we didn’t think he would be like this…” Clide looked at me filled with guilt and pity. I tore my eyes away from his, a feeling of utter betrayal filling my soul.
“I promise Laura, it won’t be bad.” Clide sighed deeply as Domini gave him a death glare.
“All of this could have been avoided if he had just kept his distance till next month…” Clide mumbled as it hit me.
“You… you weren’t going to tell me… were you?” My voice was cold, anger replacing the heartbreak. I stared into Clide’s eyes as he squirmed under my gaze.
“You were… you were just going to pretend nothing was happening until it was time?” I felt my body start shaking violently as Clide seemed to become almost fearful of me, he attempted to compose his face.
“How could you? Not even think of how I would feel… Not even warn me…”
“We didn’t want you to try and run or do something stupid, Laura!” Clide’s voice was shaky as he tried to reason with me.
“Don’t act like you actually care, you never cared about me, did you? As soon as the chance came you jumped to get rid of me?” I scoffed as each word seemed to slap him, he stared back down at his hands as I stood.
“Don’t look away from me!” Clide did not move. “You lied. You said I was like a daughter to you! As if you would treat your own daughter like this!” I was screaming at him, flashes of my upbringing bringing new meaning. He would always ignore me, both of them.
“I’m only here in the packhouse because of guilt,” I whispered out my brain connecting the dots, Domini glanced at me sympathetically finally speaking himself.
“Yes Laura, the only reason our Alpha took you in is because of your father.” Domini took a deep breath as Clide still stared at his hands refusing to acknowledge anything I had said.
“I don’t know why the Alpha and Luna have kept this from you, but your dad Fredo, he was an Alpha.” I gawked at him, shock momentarily stopping my anger. Before it returned, hotter than before.
“Domini, stop… she… she’s not ready for this.” Clide’s voice was soft, almost scared. Domini rolled his eyes before angrily walking to the door.
“I think then, you should leave.”
Clide sighed before rising. He glanced at me before wincing at my angry expression.
“Laura, please understand.”
“I will not, by any means, be forced to be with him.” My tone was cold, commanding as Clide recoiled.
“I see that the news has caused you some pain, we will discuss this later once… once you understand… for the time being I will make sure Victor will keep his distance.” Cilde’s face returned to its normal commanding one as he walked towards the door. He stopped a moment before turning back to me, a look or warning playing in his eyes.
“I will only say this once more Laura, stay away from Xander.” Leaving before I could muster a response, his name lingering in my mind as fresh tears fell from my eyes.
I crumbled to the floor as I gasped in pain, my entire body shaking with a strange red hot pain, Xander’s face clearly in my mind as every single moment we had ever shared played out. My heart screamed for him as my mind replayed those words, that I was somehow another’s mate. I was vaguely aware of Domini trying to comfort me but the images of being sold off to Victor, his hateful face, what I would have to do… I was only vaguely aware of Domini picking me up and bringing me into my room. He tucked me into bed as I sobbed uncontrollably feeling everything I had ever thought my life would be crashing down. He sat beside me for a while, humming a tune that he once had told me my mother had sung. It was oddly comforting as I felt myself give in to exhaustion.
I awoke to my room being blasted with light, a warm breeze lightly caressing my skin. I sunk back into the comfort of my blankets for a moment blissfully unaware of the events of last night. Until it all came back, my heart re-shattered. I couldn’t stand the pain, the anger, and the hopelessness I felt.
“Laura?” Domini called as he poked his head into my room, his expression was of worry. I stared at him, wondering what I could even say.
“Hey, it’s okay.” He gave me a small understanding smile before glancing back out of my room.
“I’ve made some food for you, it’s about lunchtime.”
I stared at him, unsure if I could even attempt to eat. He sighed sadly before sitting next to me and holding my hand.
“Laura, I know it’s a lot for you right now. Please, believe me when I say this was not a decision the pack agreed on.” He frowned again anger passing over him.
“If you refuse to be his bride we will support you, okay?” I felt a tug of hope in my heart as I stared into his eyes, looking for any bit of hesitation. I let out a deep breath accepting his words as truth.
No matter what the Alpha said or did, I knew now it wasn’t for me. I wondered if the Luna was aware, she had actually spent some time with me unlike him. I should speak to her.
I threw the covers off of me quickly, following Domini into the kitchen ready to eat and go and find her. I needed answers.
“Domini…” I started, glancing at him uncertain if he could… or would answer me… He gave me an encouraging smile so I continued, “did you know my parents well?”
He gave me a sad smile before nodding, “I didn’t know them for that long but I guess I was old enough that the memories of them stayed with me.” I glanced down at my hands, grief, and guilt filling me.
“I… I don’t think I remember them.” I practically whispered out. Domini gripped my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me.
“I’m sure the Luna has photos of them somewhere, she and your mother were quite close.” I gave Domini a confused look as his brows deepened back into a frown.
“She never mentioned anything to you?” He asked, I bit my lip before shaking my head. Domini’s eyes blackened as he growled in anger.
“What did they even teach you? Talk to you about?” He asked exasperated. I felt a bit of shame wash over me as he looked at me.
“Well… I don’t…” Domini stared at me horrified.
“Laura, did they ever even speak to you?”
“Well yes, but like… never about my parents… mostly it was just to check in to make sure I was doing okay at school…” Domini shook his head anger flowing off him as he muttered to himself.
“I need to speak to the Alpha again today, Laura this is…” He gave me a pained look.
“We will talk more later tonight, okay?” I nodded returning to my room to shower and dress. I was going to talk to the Luna today.