Chapter 12 #3
"Listen, you little bitch," he went on, like I didn’t hear him call me a bitch the first time. "I don’t give a fuck if Knox chooses to mate you. In fact, even knowing who you really are, I would still push the Mississippi Pack princess over you as his mate any day of the week because it will increase the likelihood of a pack expansion. But here’s the cold hard truth—you will always belong to my son.
The bond will tie you to him, and you will need him in your life.
I will not let him be dragged down or lose out on any fraction of the powerful Alpha he could become by not having access to his fated mate.
So you will be his in whatever way he wants to have you.
I will even make it worth your while—you’d never have to work a day in your life. "
I gaped at him. This was worse than I thought.
We'd all expected the Alpha might start pressuring both Knox and me into accepting the mating, but I hadn't anticipated he'd just basically demand that I hang around as Knox's sidepiece in perpetuity just to bang some power-ups into him on occasion.
That was low, even for a supposedly ruthless Alpha, because the Alpha Mate was such a revered, respected position in a wolf pack, and here he was just blatantly suggesting that Knox cheat on his future mate with me.
He thought Knox should commit the gravest disrespect an Alpha could bestow on his mate just so he could give the bare minimum of maintenance to the bond and increase his Alpha power when he felt like it.
What an absolute fucking crock of shit.
I'm sure the shock of what he was suggesting registered on my face for a second, but I tried to school my features back into a neutral mask like this wasn't starting to freak me the fuck out.
"With all due respect, Alpha Monroe," I began, staring him down.
"I am not a prostitute, and I consider what you have just suggested to be extremely disrespectful both to me and my family, and frankly, also to Knox and his future mate.
We have been playing by your rules since we joined the Pack this summer, and we are happy to continue to do so, provided that you, your son, and your meddling betas continue to leave us the fuck alone. "
"I'm changing the rules, little girl," he retorted.
"I'm the Alpha of this pack, and you will do what I say.
Don't think I can't revoke your family's membership and force you out of town.
Don't think I don't have enough pull to get both of your parents canned from their cushy human jobs.
Don't think I won't give Knox permission to just put you in a cage in his bedroom if you do not play by my rules. ..."
He was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Oh, there you are, honey," Bianca said, smiling as she peeked into the office.
"I was worried you got lost! Your parents are ready to take you home, sweetie.
I guess my mate couldn't resist talking up Knoxy a little bit more, not that he needs it!
" She winked at the Alpha, who had already readjusted his angry, scowling face into a friendly smile.
"That's right, baby. We were just finishing up," he told her. He looked at me. "Mave, don't be a stranger to pack territory. I'm sure Knox would love to have you around more."
The low level of nausea I'd been fighting since we arrived here—the result of being in close quarters with Knox—had increased tenfold during my conversation with the Alpha.
I darted from the room before any more words were exchanged.
I refused to vomit on the premises—that would make me look weak. The Alpha would know he'd gotten to me.
My family was still congregated in the kitchen when I emerged from the hallway, Bianca and the Alpha behind me.
One look at my face and my dad was moving us toward the front door.
We passed through the empty dining room and into the formal living room area where it appeared the rest of the party guests had retired to sip cocktails and chat.
They all eyed us warily as we marched through the room. I spied Knox and Mason huddled in the corner, and I saw Ben covertly flip them both off as my dad paused at the front door.
"We appreciate you all taking the time to welcome us to the NWLA Pack," he said, surveying the room with a friendly smile.
"I know we had some tense moments at dinner, but rest assured that our family has no desire to butt into pack politics or disrupt pack leadership plans for the future. You can just forget we're even here."
Mom waved at Bianca, who had appeared in the back of the room with the Alpha. "Thank you for showing us your lovely home, Bianca. And please email me about your Etsy store idea. I would be so happy to help you set up your website."
"Oh, wonderful!" she gushed. "And please let me know when you and Mave are free for lunch!"
Poor Bianca. She really had no clue.
We hustled out the door then and piled into the Tahoe. I let out an audible sigh of relief.
"Mave," Dad said cautiously, as we pulled out into the street, "Am I correct in guessing that the Alpha was not just having a friendly chat with you when you disappeared?"
"Yeah, Dad," I replied. Feeling sick and exhausted, I lay my head in Ben's lap, and he began to pet my head like I was a cat curled up on his leg. "I'm in more trouble than I thought."
As we drove, I gave them the rundown of the conversation and the Alpha's threats against me and our family. By the end, Ben had tensed considerably under my head, and Dad was white-knuckling the steering wheel as we pulled into our driveway. Mom just looked pale.
Dad put the car in park and turned off the ignition. We all just sat there, no one moving to get out of the car, waiting for Dad to speak. We all felt his Alpha power seeping into the confined space of the car, and it made me shiver.
"Mave, listen to me right now," Dad said, his voice steely and determined.
"The Alpha does not know who he is messing with.
I am not afraid of him. I don't want you to be afraid of him, either.
I will never let him force you into something you do not want.
Even if I had to challenge him for his spot as Alpha of this pack to get him to leave you and our family alone, I would do it.
But I think he's overplayed his hand here, because if he's going to force you or us into a corner, we are going to quickly lose our incentive to keep our secrets and let him continue to play at being the one wolf unrivaled in power in this pack.
So we are going to remain calm, ignore him and his son to the best of our ability, and let them show us their cards.
But under no circumstances is anyone in this car to pull punches if you are threatened or otherwise need to defend yourself.
We have trained and prepared for this for a reason. Believe in it."
I did believe. I'd be lying if I said the Alpha's threats didn't scare me, but fear was good.
Fear gave me a healthy respect for the situation.
Fear meant I wouldn't underestimate the Alpha from this day forward.
Fear meant that I'd never slack on my training and my awareness of my surroundings.
Fear meant I wouldn't put my trust in the wrong people.
A new determination filled me as I made my way up to my bedroom. Knox and his father had messed with the wrong wolf, and if they pushed me even an iota in the coming weeks, I'd be sure to make sure they understood that.