I watched Daniel stutter, probably at loss at what to say, but I could also see the relief on his face. He had gotten the best deal out of the three of us.
I looked at Noah. He wasn’t happy, but I knew it was because Dora had been chosen for Daniel.
I couldn’t stomach the sight, so ignoring the consequences of walking out on my father, I stood up and walked out of the room, fuming silently, not believing that this was happening, not understanding either why I was acting this way.
I banged the door on its hinges when I stepped into my room, anger riding over me in waves; however, dissipating a bit when I saw my stepmother folding my clothes. She shouldn’t be doing that. There were servants for that. Where was the butler?
“What is the matter, Adam?” I saw the question first on her face, before it translated to her lips.
I shook my head, walking to the beanbag close to my little library and settling in. I was not sure how to tell her how I felt.
Dad has always ostracized her from important pack meetings. She was like a figurehead, probably because she wasn’t really his mate, even though she loved him like one.
I have wondered countless times if she ever had her mate. If she had, why would she choose my stern father over her mate?
One time I had tried to broach the topic, she had shut me down, citing it an unnecessary topic to discuss. I knew there was a story there, but I would find out later, especially since she wasn’t from our pack, or any of our colonies.
We don’t have any idea where father had brought her from. He had just returned from one of those long trips and had introduced her to us as our new mother. And if not for the fact that she scented like a wolf, I would count her as a human. Yet these past years, she has been more of a parent than father ever was.
When I saw the resigned look on her face-she must be thinking that I was sidelining her like father-I spoke up, not wanting her to feel that way. I wanted to be nothing like my father.
“Nothing really, mother. Dad is just up to his annoying antics again.” I answered, giving the small foot table in front of me slow taps in a regular rhythm.
“What again, did he manage to scourge up this time around?” She asked, folding the final cloth, before taking the seat opposite to me.
“Apart from wanting me to marry Rachel, he has arranged marriages for Daniel and Noah. Isn’t it possible that we locate our mates by ourselves?” I folded my arms across my chest, and looked toward the window, knowing that it was only a matter of time before father stepped into the room.
“Well, you are all lycans, which means that the possibility of you locating your mate is at least three percent. I guess he is just being proactive. Although, I hope that his choice for your three would be worth it. However, is that the reason for your anger? I have a feeling that your restlessness is about something else. Who did he assign as mates to Noah and Daniel?”
I exhaled deeply. Another fact about my stepmother was the fact that her instincts were rarely incorrect, actually never. Without even speaking, I knew that she might have an iota of what was troubling me.
If father had already heard of what had transpired at the eatery today, then mother must have likely heard it. Should I let her know of the matter, or should I let her think of whatever she wanted to think?
“Father assigned Naomi or Claire to Noah-he would have to choose one. I think that he will choose Naomi though. And then he assigned the masked girl, Dora, to Daniel..”
“And you don’t want that..” Mother cut in, and I sighed.
How could I want that? How could I want the girl that was giving me heart palpitation to go to my brother?
She might be my mate for god sake! What happens then? Do I fight my brother to have her? It shouldn’t have to come to that.
I needed to confirm who exactly she was, behind the mask, before letting her mate Daniel. Hopefully, there would be enough time.
“No, I don’t.” I answered, knowing that mother’s silence entailed that she was waiting for a reply.
“I know it is weird and a bit out of place, but I seem to be attracted to her strongly, more than I have been for any other person-I know that father has already arranged my marriage, and I have little to no way of escaping that, but I don’t know, mother. I don’t even know what to do.”
I bent my head, feeling frustration and self pity beginning to seep its way into my being. I shouldn’t be feeling this way.
I sighed when I felt her hand on my head.
“It will be fine, Adam. Fates have a way of right-ing everything. The will of the goddess will finally be done really. I hope it’s in your favor, my son. And the masked girl, she looks familiar. I just can’t put my mind where it is, or who she resembles..” She mentioned, just at the same moment that the door to my room was strewn open, and my father stepped in, his face, a canvas of annoyance and scorn.
“What is going on here? Is he crying?” He asked, with a chuckle, looking in contempt at his wife-like she had somehow betrayed him..
“We were just talking.” I tried to defend mother, getting my mind organized from the disorganized state when mother had mentioned that Dora was familiar. It wasn’t only me then.
I was not sure, hadn’t been ever sure, if he raised his hands on her, just like he did on us, but just to be on the safe side, I had to cover for her. I wouldn’t put it past him.
“I see. Melinda, leave us. I want to have a talk with my son.” He said, already tapping the head of his belt.
Mother opened her mouth to say something; she already knew what was happening, even though she wasn’t sure of the situation that had prompted it. But I touched her gently on her arms, telling her without words that it was okay. I wouldn’t want her to be caught in the crossfire.
This was the consequence I was aware of when I walked out on my father.