CAELLUM’S POV
Dinner was strained. That’s to say the least.
My father, his guests and I were seated on the dining table. The food served remained untouched as we stared each other down.
I was wrong to let them stay till dinner. What the hell was I thinking?
“I believe you have something to say to me.” I coughed up when no one spoke, staring at my father. “Why have you come?”
He didn’t speak, and just when I was ready to throw him out of the house, he started.
“This is Donna Petrov.” He said, referring to the woman who had yet to say a word since she arrived this morning. “She is one of the finest ladies from the Bravta pack. I brought her here for you to take a thoroughly good look at her and test her skills if you may.”
“Why should I be bothered to do that?”
“Because she will be your mate. I want you to take her as your wife and the Luna of this pack.”
My father must have grown a third head from the time I banished him from the pack. “What the fuck are you saying?”
“I want you to marry-”
The door suddenly flung open and sure enough, Naledi gingerly walked into the dining room, looking cleaned up and smart.
“You started dinner without me?” She gasped, heading right for me and planting a long French kiss on my lips. “If I didn’t know better I’d think he was taking my place in your life.”
She turned to my father who sat just by my right. Where she usually sat.
“Move.” Her tone was void of respect and fear. “You are in my seat.”
My father couldn’t believe his ears. He turned to me, “Son, can you tell your whor-”
My father didn’t get to finish his words this time. Naledi whipped out a gun and placed it on his head.
“Don’t you fucking finish that sentence or I swear it will be your last.” She roared. It was a promise. She meant every word. I could tell. “Get up.”
Although I enjoyed the scene before me, I knew I couldn’t let it continue. “Drop the gun, Naledi.” I gritted.
A fake smile, “Sure honey.” Her tone was sultry. “Do I also have to let him remain on my seat?”
“Your dinner will be brought to your room.”
She shook her head and forced her way to my lap. My dick stirred awake. “I want to eat with my mate, especially when his evil father gets to join us at the table.” She cupped my jaws. “I’m just trying to protect what’s mine.”
I was seconds away from coughing up blood. Who was this woman and what the hell did they do to my mate?
“Naledi you say?” My father said, snickering. “Where are you from?”
Naledi gave him the resting bitch face. “I’ve been to quite a number of packs. After a certain someone exterminated my pack at a very young age, I was left alone and passed around until I found my feet in the Cosa Nostra.”
“Ah. Pray tell, what is the name of your exterminated pack?” Now he was grinning. “Who’s to tell, maybe my son carried out the expedition. He has exterminated quite a number of people since his ascent as Alpha”
A cold smile. “I can’t remember. I was too young you see, it’s not every day you get to watch your family brutally murdered, and trafficked all at a young age. A lot of terrible memories can make a child’s mind filter some things to preserve their sanity.”
“That is not your case. You must be mentally disturbed to talk to me in this fashion in my own pack.” Arturo spoke, sizzling with anger.
She tutted. “You are wrong. Caellum’s pack. And by right, my pack, seeing I am his mate.”
“No son of mine will take such an uncouth girl for a mate. And that’s final.”
I nearly laughed in his face. “Good thing I disowned you a long time ago. I think we are done with dinner.” Naledi needn’t utter a word, she looked pleased with my response.
Arturo stood up, looking pissed as hell. “You sit there and watch her insult me?”
“Take a walk, Arturo.” My tone was slow and steady. “I have no problem reminding you where you belong.”
“Look at you, she has you fucking wrapped around her fingers and you haven’t even placed a mark on her yet.” He spat, “I didn’t think I gave birth to a pussy.”
“Neither did I think I deserved an abuser of a father, but we just can’t get what we want right?”
Arturo froze at my words. I knew I hit below the belt but I was far too gone to care. He nodded, plastering a smile I knew was fake.
“I’ll leave. But before I do, I need to put some things in order.” His gaze told me all I needed to know.
Naledi couldn’t hear what he had to say. He deemed it serious pack business. Which was why I dismissed her.
“Leave, Naledi.”
She remained on my lap and suddenly dug into her food. I didn’t have the time for this. I needed to wrap things up.
“It’s rude to separate a woman from her food,” Alek taunted, irking me.
Donna hadn’t said a word. With everything going on, I was tempted to believe she was mute. I couldn’t put it past my father to recommend a mute woman for my choice.
“Good to know the attitude is not reserved only for me.” Arturo was well pleased by Naledi’s disrespect. I wasn’t.
I dragged her by the arm, and we got on our feet. “When I say leave, you fucking leave!” I growled in her face, dragging her out of the dining room and handing her over to a guard stationed outside.
“Remand the Lady in her quarters until I say otherwise.”
“Caellum!” She yelled, struggling against the guard’s hold. “Let me go this instant!”
“It’s Alpha to you! One more word and you’ll be in the dungeons.” I turned back into the room, angry, and reached my limit.
“If you have something to say, I suggest you spill it, or so help me God..”
I said to the unwanted guests in my dining room.
“It was your mother’s wish.” He said, shocking me to the core.
“What?”
“It was your mother’s wish to have you and Donna as mates.”
“Is this some sick joke?”
“My mother was the late Luna Carla’s best friend.” Donna spoke, her soft voice betraying her tough looks, “We were betrothed to each other. I am betrothed to you, Caellum Morello.”