Sold To The Billionaire Alpha
Chapter 41

Orchid

Orion had stunned me into silence. A proposal? So soon? I loved him so much already but I had not been expecting this at all. I knew werewolves moved a lot faster than humans. Some of the girls I knew in the human realm were still waiting on their boyfriends of more than a decade to propose.

It was funny how in my last relationship I had hoped my human ex would propose even though our relationship was toxic. He used to dangle marriage in front of my face like a carrot. He and I had met in medical school so we had been together for several years and gone through certain milestones together, studied for exams together, celebrated passing and graduating together.

He was a dreamboat for almost the entire first year and then he slowly started adding an insult here, a jibe there. He started telling me what to wear. He always chose where we went, what we ate and whether or not we would have a good time. If he was in a bad mood, we would have a bad time. If he was in a good mood, we have a good time. I was not allowed to be moody or to even have feelings or opinions really. He did not get aggressive often. I used that as my excuse for staying. It had only escalated to that point about four or five times over almost four years together but those were enough to make me fear him. Despite all that, I had secretly hoped he would propose. Was I insane?

Now, Orion who was better than my ex in every way was proposing and I was scared to say yes. What if he woke up one day and decided to start treating me poorly. That was what my ex had done. My therapist had claimed the first year of the relationship had been an act. Abusive partners had to be on their best behaviour at first to get you hooked. Was Orion trying to get me hooked? Could I really trust him? I wanted to. I could not forget the fact that our relationship had begun with a kidnapping. He had atoned for that since then. We had really bonded. I touched the silvery mark on my neck.

I suddenly realised that all eyes were on me and I was taking a while to say anything. Orion looked worried but he remained frozen in place waiting for my answer. No one else moved either. Everyone just stood like a statue facing me. My heart was racing. How did I know Orion’s good behaviour wasn’t an act?

It’s not.

I stifled a gasp. Having a second awareness and voice in my head took some getting used to.

You know you want to say yes!

I did.

You do.

“I do,” I blurted out.

The crowd did not know whether to rejoice or not.

“I mean yes, of course I’ll marry you!” I clarified, sniffling.

I touched my cheek. Tears. I was crying. I hadn’t even realised how emotional I was. Orion slipped the huge diamond ring on my wedding finger. He got to his feet and wrapped me up in his embrace. Being in his arms that felt like home to me. I sighed contentedly.

“I know it’s really soon,” he whispered in my ear. “But there’s no one else for me, Orchid, so I don’t see the point in waiting. I’ll do whatever is necessary to calm your fears and doubts. I know you still have a few.”

I tightened my arms around him, laying my head on his shoulder. I was vaguely aware of people cheering around us. Tears still rolled down my cheeks. They were a mixture of tears of joy and tears of relief. It meant a lot to me that Orion was willing to give me as much reassurance as I needed.

“I love you, Orchid,” whispered Orion.

“I love you, Orion,” I whispered back.

Orion

My Orchid had said yes and that was all that mattered! She had agreed to marry me. The indescribable joy I felt intermingled with massive relief. I had been worried she would turn me down. We slow-danced on the spot with everyone around us taking pictures and drinking Champagne. After the song ended, everyone rushed forwards to congratulate us. Perseus and Rose were so happy for us along with everyone else, except my mother. My father seemed supportive but my mother narrowed her eyes and pressed her lips into a thin line the way she would when Perseus and I had broken something expensive as children.

After congratulatory remarks from almost everyone, my father approached me quietly.

“Son,” he said in his deep rumble of a voice. He was forever the picture of perfect serenity. I had never seen him angry. I had seen him slay enemies effortlessly on the battlefield but he did not fight with malice and he was not motivated by passion but rather by a sense of duty. He did not enjoy cruelty and I respected him deeply. Many Alphas were too drunk with their power.

“Father,” I said, worried by his impassive expression.

He was a calm Alpha but I had expected him to spare a smile at least.

“Come,” he said simply.

Orchid was caught in an animated conversation with Rose.

“We’re sisters now!” I heard Rose squeal as she hugged my mate.

I sighed but followed him. Perseus tailed after us. Something he had done since the moment he learnt to walk. Come to think of it, I remember him crawling after us as an infant.

We sat in my office with the door mercifully closed. I should have checked the lock. Something told me to lock the door but I ignored it.

“What is it?” I asked.

“You know I’m not one to meddle in your affairs,” said Dad, stroking his beard absentmindedly.

I nodded.

“But your mother thinks this engagement is too soon and I somewhat agree,” said Father.

“Father, their engagement is not any more sudden than mine and I am married already,” said Perseus in my defence.

“Rose is a she-wolf,” said Father simply.

“Orchid is a she-wolf too,” I said.

“Are you certain?” Asked Father.

“I can’t be certain until I confirm the paternity test results,” I said with a sigh.

“And if Talus of Berryndale is not her father?” Inquired Father, raising his brows.

“Then, I will keep looking for her father but her father is not human. I feel it. My wolf feels it,” I said confidently. “Even if she were fully human, it does not discredit her as my Luna. There are human Lunas, gifted with Immortality by their Alphas Marks but still human nonetheless.”

“How impassioned you are,” said Father. “You never cared much for humans before.”

“I never disliked them either,” I said, agitated.

“You once said you would reject a human mate,” said Father.

“I made it clear that I spoke too soon from the moment I accepted Orchid. At that time, we were convinced she was human and I would have married her then, just the same. All I was waiting on was her acceptance, her love, her willingness,” I said, growing more annoyed with each word as it left my lips.

I stood up.

“It is not any sooner than my brother’s proposal. We’ve waited longer. You did not take issue with Perseus and Rose and I expect you will no longer take issue with my Orchid and me,” I said curtly.

“Do not marry her before the identity of her father is known,” said Father.

“That sounds like an order yet I am the Alpha,” I said, gripping the desk as I leant over it.

I was restraining my angry wolf.

“It is a suggestion,” said Father, putting his palms up and then slapping them down into his lap with a heavy sigh.

“Am I to believe that Mother did not send you on her behalf?” I asked.

The door opened and Mother stood in the doorway.

“So what if I did?” She said, folding her arms.

Orchid

Rose was gushing about wedding plans. She wanted to know my thoughts on everything: what wedding dress silhouette I had in mind, the cake I wanted, the flowers, the guest list and the dinner we would serve.

“Orchids, of course, as your name is Orchid and maybe we could throw some roses in there,” she said with a wink.

She giggled.

“I’m so excited,” she squealed.

I looked around.

“Have you seen Orion?” I asked.

“He went with his Dad somewhere. Perseus went with them,” said Rose dismissively. “They’re probably having a father-sons talk.”

I walked quickly into the hallway.

“Orchid,” whined Rose, coming after me.

“Something wrong?” Asked Talus, following us into the hall.

“Luna,” said Bisa, rushing after me.

“I said you could call me Orchid,” I said absentmindedly.

I could smell Orion. He always smelled good: masculine, clean. He smelled like clean linen and crisp clear waters if that made any sense. Perhaps, I was just remembering the name of candle scents. I sighed and closed my eyes. I knew which way he had went based on his smell.

“I know where he is,” I said, opening my eyes.

“Are you ok?” Mumbled Bisa, her eyes wide and filled with concern.

I ran down the hallway and all three of them followed me. I burst into his office.

“IF YOU MARRY THAT GIRL, THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY,” roared Orla.

I gasped, recoiling against the door. She was standing in front of Orion’s desk. He stood behind it. Perseus was sitting on the edge of his seat, glaring at his mother while their father sat with his head in his hands. When Orion spotted me, his eyes were filled with worry.

“Baby, I’ll be with you in just a moment,” he said gently.

“No, no, she can stay,” said Orla, laughing humourlessly. “I’ll go!” She hissed, walking passed me.

“Yeah, good riddance,” muttered Talus.

She threw a dirty look at him over her shoulder but stormed off. Orchid’s father got up and held my hand. Talus almost moved between us, nervous about what the former alpha would do.

“Congratulations,” said Orion’s father softly.

We had never spoken before but he looked me directly in the eyes.

“You seem a gentle lass. Please be careful,” was all he said before he released my hand and followed his wife.

My heart was racing. Strangely, Orchid’s calm father had unnerved me more than his explosively angry mother. I was frozen, one hand still clutching the door handle.

“It’s not fair,” I said softly to no one in particular.

I was gripping the door handle. In that moment, I hated Orla so much.

We hate her so much! So much! SO MUCH!

“Orchid, Baby, you’re shaking,” murmured Orion.

I gasped as I looked at my trembling hand on the doorknob. There were claws where my fingernails should be!