CAELLUM’S POV
“I don’t think I owe you an explanation on how I run my pack, Arturo.” I hissed at the sorry excuse of a man seated in my fucking living room.
Anger coursed through me as I saw the look of realization settle on Naledi’s face. I’d given one order – one fucking instruction to keep her away from this place until I sent him away. But what did they do?
They sent her right here a few minutes after I gave the said order. Korah had some fucking explanation to do.
“Oh don’t be rude. The Cosa Nostra is my baby. Granted, you betrayed me and took over the position as Alpha, do you also want to cut me off from the family?” Arturo Morello asked with a corny smile on his lips.
I couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes focused on Naledi, who looked like a boiling Cauldron pot. I could hear her brains working overtime, all the way from here. This was a disaster.
“He can’t even if he tried, Alpha,” Alek said and I was one second away from smacking his head. “You are his father after all.”
Why the hell was this fucker in my house again?
“What the fuck is going on here?” Naledi finally spoke, looking between me, my father and Alek. “Who are you?” She asked my father.
Something told me she knew quite well who she was talking to. I could tell she knew him. It was only a formality at this point.
“Alpha Arturo Morello.” My father said with an air of authority. Thoroughly displeased. “I don’t care if you are my son’s whore but you should show some fucking-”
“Respect?” Naledi guffawed, spitting out blood right in front of us. “The last time I checked, you are the washed-up dad who was beaten by his son and sent to an early retirement to God knows where.”
My eyes popped out of their sockets at her bold address to my father, who looked like he was seconds away from beheading her. It was not every day I got to see someone, especially a woman, put him in his place.
“If anything, you should respect me. Because like it or not, I will be more family to the actual Cosa Nostra family than you ever will.” She flipped her hair, “I mean, that’s a given seeing I am his mate and would in time bear his children.”
My wolf howled at that. Making up pictures of how beautiful that would be. Starting from the pup-making process down to the delivery. It should be illegal how excited I was hearing her speak the words.
My elation was cut off when I heard my father laugh. “Mate?” He turned to me, “Son, do you mate with every bitch you fuck?”
“I doubt he has a lot of women offering themselves up to him, Alpha.” That bastard Alek said in a taunting tone. “The last time we met, he was flat-out begging to have my date.” His eyes flickered towards Naledi. “Apparently, they worked things out.”
“Let’s make this clear.” I got on my feet, feeling rage boil within me. “There is only one Alpha in this pack. And that is me. The moment you step into this pack, it’s Arturo Morello.” I turned to Alek, “Capiche?”
Alek got up, looking around like I didn’t just speak to him. “I have my own pack, and I am darn too respectful to call a legend by his name.”
My father was no legend. He was only doing that to get on my nerves. And I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t working.
“If you have no respect for the greats, that’s on you. Don’t fucking spill your bad manners over to me, Alpha Caellum.” He suddenly smiled at Naledi. “Long time no see, Attai.”
My breathing seized as I watched her swallow intently. “Hello, Alpha Volkov.” Her tone was respectful, much more than she’d ever been with me.
I felt a pint of jealousy, “Get out of here, Naledi.” I ordered with my eyes fixated on Alek. “Now.” I added when she didn’t move.
I could tell she had a lot to say, more to me than anyone else, but she retreated, making her way back the way she came. I turned around to see my father watching her retreat like a hawk.
“I want her dead.” He said as soon as she was out of sight. “I want her tongue fed to the dogs.” My father spoke like he was in charge – like I was there to do his bidding.
He was in for a rude surprise.
“She is my mate.” I gritted, “Not like I expect you to understand but there will be no killing her where I’m concerned.” I let my gaze go around my unwanted guests. “I suggest you get to the reason why you are here as I’m seconds away from showing you the door. All of you.”
Alek relaxed on my couch, pressing his darned phone. While my father took the stage. “We have a lot to talk about, son. We’ll be here for the next two weeks. Kindly show us to our rooms, or maybe I should do it myself.”
I shook my head. “That’s not happening. When I banished you from the headquarters, I meant that. You are only allowed to visit, and unless-”
“Unless it has to do with critical matters concerning the future of Cosa Nostra, I am not allowed to return.” He finished it off, “I know son, you are threatened by my presenc-”
The next moment, I was at his throat with a searing smile. “What did you say?” I asked, tightening my hold around his neck and making it physically impossible to speak.
My father, being the proud and strong man he was, didn’t utter a word. I could tell he was holding his breath. He fucking taught me this trick. The difference between me and him was the fact I was better. I bettered myself over the years while he tormented me.
I put my skills to good use, releasing him lightly, only to strangle him with more force seconds later. His face turned a shade of red. He was close. So close to the edge when I let him go.
The relieved sighs of his guest were audible when he fell on the chair, trying to regain his breath. “Darn, son…”
“You have until dinner to state your mission and leave. Anything more and it will be your corpse they carry out.”