Chapter 5 I’m Not Your Type?
I’m Not Your Type?
JESSICA
The castle's entrance gives off a tranquil glow. I take my time admiring the craftsmanship of the wood and stonework. Who would have thought that Liam’s childhood imaginary fortress was an actual castle?
I step back a little. I hadn’t had time to truly admire it, busy with promotions and interviews.
I try to picture it as it was before the crew stripped away all the vegetation.
I can’t imagine how no one saw it wasn’t really a hill.
The entire residence of the LS mistook the castle for a hill, and we all referred to it as either White Hill or Snob Hill.
I wonder if Liam’s mother saw what others, including myself, couldn’t.
Of course, there is no way to ask him now.
The morning after a full day of planning on how to make the territory presentable on film, Jeremy arrived with his construction crew, ready to take on the challenge.
He noticed the exposed castle in the distance beyond the lake, recently freed from some of the vegetation that kept it hidden during the earthquake and storm that took place during the Alpha ceremony.
Anders felt it was confirmation that I was right where I was meant to be.
A castle built from my very own ancestors’ hands, handed down to me.
With all the work that needed to be done, Sixes, my assistant, called in for an additional construction crew we had worked with before, McLoughlin Construction, together with the Langhlan Construction crew, my pack, and several members from the Emerald Pack, worked tirelessly to put everything together in less than two weeks.
I watch the taillights of the second limo disappear down the driveway and close my eyes in both relief and disbelief.
I just met three Alpha men close to eighty years old, if not older, and the other two—well, let’s just say they were related.
And I don’t mean brothers or cousins that border each other’s territories.
They were father and son, an Alpha and a Young Alpha from the same pack.
I exhale and count backward from seven. I can’t believe my parents chose them.
I whip my head in their direction and level them with a narrowed-eye glare.
My father raises his hands in front of him as if he can ward me off from that distance.
A mischievous sparkle glints in his emerald-green eyes, and a hint of a smile traces his lips.
His eyes lower in my mother’s direction and slightly tilts his head.
I turn my attention to her. Why would my mother choose men well over fifty years older than me and a father and son from the same pack?
Her brows raise in surprise. She mouths, “It wasn’t me.”
I furrow my brows in confusion. I look between them expectantly, and they both simultaneously point at Anders.
My attention shifts to him now. He squares his shoulders, slips his hands into his pants pockets, and quirks a brow at me. Of course he did. It all makes sense. He chose men out of convenience, not men I could potentially fall in love with. He breaks eye contact and makes his way over to me.
He whispers in my ear, “I didn’t choose the Alpha and Young Alpha from the same pack.”
“And the others?” I hiss. He simply shrugs and returns to his post. On a huff, I turn back to the production team waiting for my attention.
While we wait for the third limo to arrive, someone from hair and makeup runs over to touch up my face.
I roll my left shoulder back; the burning sensation from earlier is still present.
Joe confirmed that the scratch healed, but I knew from the burn that this is more than an accidental scratch.
I don’t want to bring attention to it right now.
If I do, Anders will stop the filming and maybe even the production altogether, and it will ruin my plans.
Quickly, I mask my thoughts before anyone detects my suspicions through our mind link.
I clear my throat and face Joe. “I’m surprised that since my parents insist I mate someone from the older generation that they didn’t put you or Xavier in the lineup.
” Both Joe and Xavier have to be at least in their seventies.
Joe’s eyes widen in surprise at my quip.
“What? I’m not your type?” I give him a mischievous grin.
Joe frowns. “Not my type at all. I look at you as a niece or a granddaughter.” He shudders.
“Jeez, Joe. Tell me how you really feel.”
He scoffs. “Besides, I already put up with those two on the daily.” He inclines his head toward my father and Anders. “I can’t imagine Anders all up in my personal life, too.”
I peek a glance over at Anders, and his eyes narrow at Joe. “What personal life, old man?” He sneers. I shake my head. I never heard Joe and Anders joke around with each other before. I wonder what Anders was like before he became lead guard.
“Always a pain in my ass,” Joe mumbles under his breath, hearing my thoughts through our mind link.
The third limo pulls forward, ceasing outside chatter. I hope this next car has men closer to my age, not that I’m against older men. It’s just that we have to mate, so I should be attracted to them. Right?
Don’t think about it. Just wait until you meet all the contestants, Justin encourages me, always the voice of reason. Licking my parched lips, I take a deep breath and smile at the next man exiting the car. Excitement accelerates my heart rate.
He took the bait. He’s here. My smile falters for a moment, giving the appearance that I’m disappointed or worried, before I plaster on a fake greeting.
I notice my brothers stand taller. Images race through their minds.
Joe steps a little closer to me. I wait for Anders to lose his shit and ruin my plan, but he remains still, his features stoic, guarded.
He’s in lead guard mode. He doesn’t make a scene.
“Alpha Marcus Greystone, Howlite Pack, Territory Six of the Luna Solar Territory,” Holden announces.
I haven’t been home in the LS for a few years, but I received word that he is now the Alpha.
He killed his own father in a challenge to become Alpha of his pack.
It’s been almost eight years since I last saw him.
I remember him being an asshole, but I’ve heard that he has become so much worse.
His territory suffered first under his father and still more under him.
He runs a hand through his dark brown medium-length hair.
I study him as he gets closer. He’s bigger than I remember.
His white, toothy smile looks genuine, but I find cruelty laced beneath it.
He wants to punish me. His gray eyes assess me—first my face and then down my body.
When his gaze finally returns to mine, his smile widens, as if he approves.
“Alpha Princess.” He takes my hand, bows slightly, and kisses it.
I close my eyes briefly, restraining the disgust that threatens to quiver up my spine.
“You are so beautiful. It takes my breath away.”
I open my eyes to find him so close to my face. I want to push him away. Instead, I widen my smile and stay rooted in place. “Alpha Greystone, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” I hold his gaze, direct, unintimidated.
“Meet me?” He pauses for a moment, calculating what to say next.
I move to pull my hand back, dismissing him, but he squeezes my hand, forcing my fingers together until it hurts. His eyes darken, and he squeezes my hand harder. My bones grind together, cracking under the pressure of his grip. I continue to stare him in the face, still smiling.
Eyes narrowing in challenge, he hums. “I seem to recall that we met before. I’m hurt, Alpha Princess, that you could so easily forget me.
I look forward to correcting that,” he warns.
Before I can respond, he jerks me close, embracing me in a hug.
He whispers, “I’m going to enjoy this game, Princess.
You’re mine, and I always get what I want.
” He kisses my cheek and releases me abruptly.
I stumble back a step. Tipping my chin, I reply, “Like I said, Alpha Greystone, it is so nice to meet you.”
His eyes roam over my body one last time before he looks me in the eyes.
“I look forward to getting to know you, Alpha Princess.” He turns toward my family.
Anders steps slightly in front of my father, being the first to greet Marcus.
I watch his interaction, ready to intervene if he decides to attack my parents.
Joe’s hand rests on my back. Are you okay? he asks through our mind link.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” I turn my head in time to see Marcus walk into the main entrance. “Perfectly fine.” I rub the back of my injured hand. His words replay in my mind.
“I’m hurt, Alpha Princess, that you could so easily forget me.”
I didn’t forget you, Marcus Greystone, and you will never own me.