*Zander*
“Mother, Selena is here for personal reasons, and Avery can explain it to you better, as Selena is working under her,” I dismissed it furiously.
“But it is not a wise choice to keep her in this pack, knowing everything about her traitor family,” my mother warned, her concern evident.
“Selena has been cleared of any involvement in her family’s crimes,” I replied earnestly, withholding the whole truth of her actions.
I knew what she had done in the past, and I ignored it because it was not a big crime to help her family financially. She was secretly sending money to her father’s pack, though they were involved in many criminal activities. But it was against the law of my pack. When I found out, I burned all evidence of her wrongdoing, not wanting her to be disgraced by her own people as she was their Luna. I did it for both my people and her.
“We didn’t find any evidence linking her to the crimes. It would be unjust to act without proof,” I described.
“Why are you defending her?” my mother bit out, her frustration boiling over.
“I am not defending anyone. I am simply stating the facts,” I snapped back, my frustration mounting. Just as tension filled the room, there was a knock on the door, interrupting our heated conversation.
“Come in, Avery,” my mother instructed sweetly, and Avery entered gracefully.
“Good evening, Lady Catherine,” Avery greeted my mother respectfully as a flattering smile stretched across her face.
“Hello, Avery! I was just discussing the unexpected return of Selena to our pack,” my mother said, raising her chin slightly. Avery nodded, sensing the gravity of the situation.
“Zander mentioned that Selena works under you?” my mother questioned, her tone laced with suspicion. Avery appeared momentarily taken aback but quickly regained her composure.
“Yes, Lady Catherine. Selena came to me seeking help to pay off her education loan, as she lacked the necessary funds. I offered her work so that she could earn the required amount quickly,” Avery explained, her voice steady.
“That’s not a big deal. Zander, I believe you can pay off her loan and then promptly remove her from the pack,” my mother demanded, her eyes fixed on me.
“No!” Avery and I exclaimed simultaneously, sharing a look of disbelief at my mother’s suggestion.
“I mean, Zander can’t pay off her loan because if he does, people in the kingdom might question his intentions towards his ex-mate,” Avery quickly clarified. I nodded in agreement.
“Yes, Mother,” I agreed firmly, my voice filled with determination. “I do not wish to involve myself further in Selena’s life, so please refrain from pushing me towards it.”
My mother’s gaze shifted from Avery to me, her brow furrowing slightly.
“I don’t understand, Zander. Why would you want to keep your enemies closer as you approach your 30th birthday?” My mother sighed, her words laced with a touch of resignation.
My eyes snapped toward my mother and Avery. Avery was watching me with curiosity.
I felt my blood boil as my mother continued to blabber without considering. I could see the confusion etched on Avery’s face, and I couldn’t blame her for being caught off guard by my mother’s sudden shift in conversation.
“Mother!” I growled, my voice dripping with authority and warning. The audacity of her words fueled my anger, and I refused to let her continue down this path.
Avery didn’t know anything about the prophecy. No one knew, and no one should, as it would cause chaos and unrest within my kingdom if the people of my kingdom knew this secret. I knew I had to handle the situation carefully, ensuring that the information remained confidential until I found a solution and secured an heir to the throne. My mother cleared her throat.
“I mean, two of your enemies are under the same roof. What’s going on?” my mother seemed to sense the gravity of the situation and quickly changed the topic of conversation, understanding the importance of the matter at hand.
“Mother, if you are referring to the presence of the Vampire Prince, I want you to know that he is here for a peace pact between our kingdoms,” I explained, my voice composed and indifferent. “As a king, it is my duty to seek peace and avoid unnecessary conflict.”
My mother nodded, seemingly appeased by my explanation. However, her attention quickly shifted towards Avery, her disappointment evident.
“Avery, I did not expect this from you,” my mother sulked, her disappointment palpable in her tone.
Confused, Avery blinked at my mother. “What happened, Lady Catherine?” she asked, genuinely puzzled by the sudden change in my mother’s demeanor.
“Have you forgotten our last conversation, Avery?” my mother replied sullenly. “I expected you to give me the good news that I would soon be a grandmother upon my return to this pack.”
I rolled my eyes in frustration, shaking my head at my mother’s persistent interference in my personal life.
“Mother, please stop this,” I demanded firmly, my patience wearing thin. I had no intention of allowing my mother to pressure Avery into anything she wasn’t ready for.
But to my surprise, Avery’s cheeks flushed, and she glanced at me, her gaze filled with a mix of embarrassment and affection.
“What can I do alone, Lady Catherine?” Avery admitted, her voice carrying a hint of longing. “Zander is rarely at the pack house. He is always busy with his duties.”
I honestly couldn’t believe that my mother demanded an heir, and Avery was ready for it. Though she knew our marriage was solely based on producing a child, I made it clear that we would wait until the mating and marking ceremony.
“I don’t want any other excuses, Zander, and it would be better if Avery gets pregnant before your marriage next month,” my mother asked, her words leaving me dumbfounded.
Wait! What?!
“Mother, I am sorry to disappoint you, but you will have to wait until the marriage,” I declared in my alpha voice. I felt Avery’s eyes on me.
“Avery, say something,” my mother insisted.
Avery stepped forward gracefully, her eyes meeting mine briefly as she smiled before addressing my mother with an air of deference.