Sold To The Billionaire Alpha
Chapter 60

Orion

I had woken up with my Orchid’s pretty face sticking to my chest as usual. I had stayed entangled with her for as long as possible earlier this morning before I had gently extricated myself. I had left her sleeping soundly with six guards stationed outside her room and six patrolling the poolside under her balcony. I had also appointed my best young warrior, Magnus, as head of Orchid’s security team with the promising Cerberus as second in command. Sure, I was paranoid. Big deal.

Now, I was sitting at one end of an obnoxiously long table next to Perseus. Mother and Father sat at the opposite end, facing us. They must have been twelve feet away easily. The long narrow table took up so much of my Mother’s breakfast room, there was scarcely room for anything else besides the armchairs. Mother had always insisted on having a breakfast room attached to her quarters. She liked to eat breakfast alone and in silence. Even Father did not sit with her at breakfast time. She used to come down to supervise the Veiled women watching over Perseus and me after her breakfast in her special room. I pushed my childhood memories of the Veiled women away. There was one thing I needed to do before I married my Orchid. I needed to interrogate my own mother regarding Orchid’s kidnapping. I was glad to have Perseus here for moral support. He had also graciously asked Rose to keep a check on Orchid and have breakfast with her as soon as she woke up. I knew I was being more overprotective than ever but it was too soon after the kidnapping for me to relax just yet.

Mother and Father sat quite still, their expressions stoic. I could scarcely look at Mother without my anger bubbling to the surface.

“Mother, we need you to be honest,” said Perseus gently.

He was in much better control than me right now. I was too livid to speak without shouting so I remained silent for the time being.

“Tell us the entire story,” said Perseus. “In your own words.”

“What story?” Asked Mother innocently.

Clearly, she was going to make this difficult. I sighed, losing my patience.

“Did you give Mavis Burnside one million dollars to falsify Orchid’s paternity test results?” I asked.

“Yes,” said Mother to my utter surprise.

I had been expecting her to lie to my face.

“Why?” Asked Perseus simply. “What did you have to gain from Talus thinking he was not her father and vice versa?”

“Even though he’s the Hawthorne family drunk, he’s still a Hawthorne,” said Mother. “I did not want our family name ruined by that half-human. If she thought she was fully human and alone in our world, it would be easier to convince her to leave my son alone,” said Mother defiantly. “If she knew she had the powerful Hawthornes backing her, she would be more likely to stay and those hippie Hawthornes were guaranteed to accept her at the drop of her hat! They have a vampire living in their pack house for goodness’ sakes.”

“What difference does it make if she’s half-human?” I demanded.

“I won’t dignify that with an answer,” said Mother before she proceeded to dignify the same question with an answer. “Whether half or whole, I couldn’t stand by and let my grandchildren come out weak, their b***d tainted, diluted, watered down…” she said, her voice becoming shrill.

“Yes, we know what diluted means,” I said dryly.

Perseus gave me an indignant look.

She’s not well, Orion. Let her rant. At least she’s answering the questions now instead of giving us the silent treatment, said Perseus over private mind-link.

I sighed.

“Whose idea was it originally to falsify the paternity test results?” I asked, needing to know.

It mattered to me. The person who had originated the idea was probably the mastermind behind everything including the kidnapping.

“Mary-Beth,” said Mother without skipping a beat.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Did I stutter?” She retorted.

“Okay, so why did you bother giving Mavis Burnside one millions dollars if the Marys had it covered?” I asked.

“So that Mavis would leave immediately after fixing the results and as an incentive so that she would not implicate me,” spat Mother, her eyes turning black. “That imbecile stuck around long after the deed was done and she turned me in!”

“Why did Mary-Beth come to the conclusion that she needed to have the paternity test results falsified?” I asked.

“Isn’t that obvious?” Asked Mother.

“Enlighten me,” I said dryly.

“She wanted the half-human to look worse than she actually was, fully human. It would make her look like a better choice by comparison. She came to me because she knew I felt the same about having the half-human introduce weakness into my bloodline,” said Mother.

“Her name is Orchid,” I hissed, fed up of hearing her call my mate “the half-human.”

“And did you really think Orchid being fully human would stop me from being with her? I had already accepted her as a full human before her heat clued me into the fact that she wasn’t,” I said, annoyed.

“A Mother can dream,” said Mother simply.

“Did you really think Orion would end up with Mary-Beth or Mary-Sue?” Asked Perseus.

“I thought Orion would marry Mary-Beth and you, Perseus, would marry Mary-Sue,” said Mother. “That was why I encouraged all those play dates with them while you were growing up. They’re wealthy, sophisticated, full-blooded she-wolves, from high-ranking families.”

“Would you choose a random high-ranking rich guy over Father? Your own mate?” I asked.

“No,” said Mother without hesitation.

“So why would I forsake Orchid for one of those two? Why would Perseus forget about Rose?” I asked, annoyed and bewildered by her double standards.

“Your father is my fated mate and a full blooded Alpha. He’s the full package,” said Mother proudly.

Father was silent throughout all of this up until this point.

“But you weren’t, Orla,” said Father softly, his tone gentle.

He was always careful with Mother’s feelings, believing her to be mentally fragile.

“I beg your pardon,” said Mother, clearly taken aback.

“Your mother was from a small pack. Your father was a simple but honest and goodnatured man. There was nothing prestigious about them but I adored their daughter as I still do. I would never forsake my mate. It is the greatest joy we wolves are blessed with,” said Father.

Mother laughed coldly.

“Those people are not my parents,” said Mother. “You know that!”

“What?” I blurted out, picturing my grandparents.

They looked very similar to the rest of the family. They had certainly become rich later in life through a series of successful business ventures. There was no doubt however that the original sum of money invested must have been provided by my Father, perhaps in exchange for their daughter’s hand.

“I’m adopted,” said Mother.

“Are you really?” Asked Perseus, shocked and doubtful.

My heart was beating frantically. I was too grown to now be replaceing this out. I was in my late twenties. She could have told me this the moment I came of age.

“They found me in an Orphanage in Berryndale,” said Mother serenely.

“Mother, I’m so sorry,” said Perseus.

“I’m not,” said Mother.

“Where are our real grandparents?” I asked.

“Dead,” said Mother.

“Who were they? Do you know? Why are you only just telling us this?” I demanded, my temper rising.

“They were an Alpha and Luna, feral but strong,” said Mother proudly.

“They were very strong Sigma rogues who got many other rogues to rally around them, thus, forming a new pack,” clarified Father. “Many packs originate in this way but it takes generations to form strong pack bonds and a stable loyalty to the founding Alpha lineage. An established pack feared their growing numbers and waged war against them. They had the strength but not the resources,” said Father sadly, putting his arms around Mother.

“You remember them?” I asked.

“Yes, I was a child when they died in battle,” said Mother without an ounce of emotion. “My little half-brother was but a babe.”

“Little brother?” I said incredulously, standing up and slamming my palms down on the table. “Where was this story my whole life?” I said, throwing my hands up in the air.

Mother shrugged.

“You have a little brother alive somewhere?” Said Perseus.

“Little half-brother,” corrected Mother. “My father was Sigma turned new Alpha of his pack. His fated mate, my mother, the rightful Luna, was poisoned with wolfsbane by an enemy. His second-chance mate gave birth to my brother,” mumbled Mother.

“Did you see your Mother die?” I asked, sitting back down and lowering my voice.

Here it was. My Mother’s humanity. It existed.

“What do you think?” Said Mother, her l*p quivering.

I sighed.

“What about your father?” I asked.

Mother nodded.

“I’m sorry, Mother,” I said. “Father, why didn’t you…help Mother?”

“You mean with her past, the bad memories?” Asked Father.

Perseus and I nodded.

“Don’t look at him. The blame lies with me. You boys blame me for everything. Why stop now?” She said snidely.

“What were their names?” I asked, ignoring her jibes.

“Oliver was my father. I do not remember my mother’s name,” mumbled Mother.

“She was so young when she died,” said Father in her defence.

“What about your stepmother?” I asked.

“I did not care much about her,” snapped Mother. “I don’t remember. I don’t remember a lot of things but I remember the day I arrived at the orphanage. I was six years old, holding a my half-brother who was barely a week old.”

Perseus went over to Mother and hugged her from the opposite side so that she was huddled between him and Father.

“The Orphanage was horrible. I was glad when my adopted parents took me away from there,” she said. “I was twelve when they happened upon me and decided to adopt me though. I spent six years there.”

“What about your little half-brother?” Asked Perseus. “Why wouldn’t they adopt him too? Why split up siblings? Half or otherwise!”

“He showed such an aptitude for fighting at such a young age. The fiends who ran the Orphanage did not want to part with him. They told my adopted parents I had no brother. That I was making him up. That I was sick in the head,” said Mother.

The Pygmalion Effect. Being called crazy and gaslit at such a young age actually made my Mother crazy.

“I believe you, for what it’s worth,” I said immediately. “I would have helped you replace him had you told me!” I said. “I still can! And I will!” I promised. “But you’re going to the institution Mother. To…recover,” I said, for want of a better word.

“I didn’t know that boy was a wolf hunter,” said Mother suddenly. “I would never do that to you, not even to a half-wolf.”

“Ok,” I said, not sure if I fully believed her but I wanted to.

“I thought he was just a buffoon,” said Mother. “A lovesick human buffoon willing to kidnap Orchid back from you.”

She had finally said Orchid’s name.

“Mary-Beth and Mary-Sue did not know he was a wolf hunter either. They would never endanger you or Perseus,” Mother said.

“I know. Orchid told me Jaack made it clear that he had double-crossed the Marys at least when it came to the luring me into a trap part. The trap didn’t work either way. He was delusional if he really thought he could fight me and win,” I said.

“And that is why I want my grandchildren to be strong. I don’t want to have to wonder if they’ll win in a fight. I want to know they’re of good stock,” said Mother, folding her arms.

“Orchid is…so much more special than you even realise but even if she was the weakest human in existence, with not a drop of wolf’s b***d or supernatural power, I would still want her, Mother. Only her. Accept that or don’t. It won’t change my mind,” I said, making my feelings clear.

Mother was silent though she did not look as upset as before.

“Tell me your half-brother’s name,” I said, genuinely intrigued.

Orchid was not the only one with long-lost family it seemed. Mother looked at me blankly.

“I’ll bring him to you, to the institution, for a visit,” I vowed.

“We promise, Mother,” said Perseus in earnest.

“And I’m going with you,” declared Father. “You won’t be alone.”

Mother sighed.

“You deserve to stay here,” she said under her breath to Father.

“He deserves to be with his mate as do I,” I said simply.

Father smiled. “The institute is making a very special allowance. I won’t be a patient obviously. I’ll just be your helper,” said Father.

“The institution is beautiful, Mother. It’s top of the line. Almost like a resort,” said Perseus.

“A resort with lights out times and padded rooms and constant surveillance and pills,” said Mother.

I absolutely refused to feel guilty over this. She would not succeed in guilt-tripping me this time though that was her specialty.

“Mother, you’re getting to stay there with your mater. They’ve never made that exception before. That very expensive exception I might add,” I said pointedly. “Now, please, tell me your little half-brother’s name!”

Mother sighed. She was usually so cold but talking of her brother seemed to actually elicit some deep emotion within her.

“I had to name him. He lost his mother so young. She didn’t leave him with a name or perhaps she did and I was too…muddled to remember. I just remember taking him from his crib amidst so much fighting, so much bloodshed, so much chaos. I was so scared and sad but I had to make it for him. He deserved a chance so I ran and I ran,” said Mother, tears brimming in her eyes. “I must have passed out on or near Berryndale’s pack lands. I awoke in a bed in the orphanage with my baby brother in a crib beside me. The place was run by nuns. Human ones I thought at first. The orphanage’s nuns were not religious in the slightest. They were…strange. They were humanoids actually. Something was wrong with them and it seemed to get worse over time but the most decent and coherent one in the lot found me trying to grow something in the yard. She said the land was heather land. Acidic soil. Not good for growing most things. Only plants that needed very little to survive could thrive here. I wanted my brother to be a survivor even in difficult conditions like those of the Heather lands so I named him Heath.”

Fox

I could scarcely believe I was a werewolf’s mate. I needed to call Jamie. After I had opened the door for Bisa last night, we had talked about our notes, each explaining what we had written to each other. I had told her the truth. I was terrified. She had left me with my thoughts. I sighed and rolled over. The bed was exceedingly comfortable and yet I had spent the whole night tossing and turning. I had not gotten a wink of sleep yet and it was morning already. It was not like I had anywhere to be though. I could sleep in. There was a knock on my door.

“Who is it?” I called from the canopy bed, untying the curtains for some privacy in case they came barging in.

“Bisa,” she said.

I made the lock click open without leaving my bed.

“Come in,” I said.

She slowly opened the door.

“It’s so dark in here,” she said softly.

“Blackout curtains are a must for me,” I said.

Even if I was staying somewhere without them, I simply enchanted the curtains to make them into blackout curtains, keeping the room cool and dark even in the daylight.

“Good morning. Shut the door,” I said to Bisa.

She shut the door and I made the lock click back into place. She approached the blackout curtains, my defence against the dawn.

“Don’t you dare,” I warned. “I’m not awake yet.”

She laughed.

“Fine,” she said, undeterred. “I don’t really feel awake yet either,” she admitted walking over to my bed. “I never went to sleep…well, I did…but I didn’t actually sleep…I just…lay there,” she confessed.

She was staring at me intently. I moved around a little and held the blanket up so that she could slide under it. She lay on her side facing me, our heads on the same pillow.

She was staring at me intently. I moved around a little and held the blanket up so that she could slide under it. She lay on her side facing me, our heads on the same pillow.

“Good morning,” she said quietly.

“I was beginning to think you had no manners,” I said dryly.

She shoved me playfully, putting her palm on my chest. Her other arm was curled under the pillow. Her palm stayed on my chest, right over my apex beat.

“Did you think about things?” She asked vaguely.

“Things?” I asked, playing dumb.

She sighed exasperatedly.

“Never mind, I’ll come back later when you’re in a talkative mood,” she said, sitting up and swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

I grasped her by the waist and pulled her back under the covers with me but this time her back was against my front. She was little spoon. I threw a leg and an arm over her. My face was buried in her thick curls. I pressed the nip of my nose against the nape of her neck. Her skin was soft and smooth and very warm. I inhaled her scent. It was so comforting and yet unnerving at the same time. My heart was beating frantically.

“Remind me of what you want to talk about,” I said softly.

“Be honest with me,” she whispered, turning back to face me.

I kept my arm around her and my leg over her waist. She was cuddled against my chest.

“Yeah?” I prompted her.

“Do you want me to leave you alone?” She asked.

“No,” I said honestly. “Do I act like that?” I wondered.

“Maybe a little,” she said.

“Then, I’m sorry,” I said softly.

“I don’t want you to leave period,” I admitted.

She smiled.

“Close your eyes,” I told her.

She closed them obediently. Her lashes were so long. Her skin was flawless. Her lips were full and inviting. I moved closer until our noses brushed.

“What are you up to?” She asked, keeping her eyes closed.

I smirked.

“This,” I said, pressing my lips to hers.

A thrill flowed through. Tingles spread from where my lips touched hers, spanning my entire body. She deepened the k**s, pulling me closer. What started off gentle soon became fiery. I slipped my tongue into her mouth, exploring it, as my hands roamed her body. We pulled away when we were both breathless.

“Please, you have to leave this place,” I said breathlessly.

“What?” She squeaked. “But you just kissed me!” She said indignantly.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“What are you talking about?” She demanded.

“This place. Northern wolf country. Come to Ambrosia with me,” I clarified.

She gasped.

“I thought you meant leave your room. I thought you were kicking me out,” she grumbled.

“Oh ye of little faith,” I teased.

“You hardly know me though and you expect me to move to another pack,” she said.

“Yep,” I said nonchalantly.

She swatted my chest.

“Bisa,” I said, taking her hand and kissing it gently. “You work here. Do you like it? Is this what you want to do forever? Be a lady’s maid?”

“Of course not,” she mumbled.

“Then, you should come with me,” I said simply.

“And what will I do if I go away with you?” She wondered.

“Be a rich wizard’s wife. Shop,” I suggested, shrugging.

She swatted me again. I chuckled.

“Are you serious?” She asked, raising her eyebrows.

I nodded. I was. I wanted her with me. It did not make sense staying here. My job here was done. I would gladly visit Orion and Orchid in future but the Witching Council needed me in Ambrosia.

“I thought you lived in the woods?” She asked.

“I do. I alternate between the woodland cottage and my family’s estate. I need to be in the town for Witching council meetings,” I explained. “Do you like cats?”

“Yes…but this is a huge decision, Fox!” She said.

“Ok, stay here then,” I grumbled, rolling over to lie on my back, staring up at the roof of the canopy bed.

“You’re impossible sometimes, you know,” she said, climbing on top of me, straddling me.

I smirked.

“I know how this works,” I said cheekily.

“Excuse me,” she said.

“Wolf mate stuff,” I said.

“Wolf mate stuff?” She repeated incredulously.

“Yep, it’s solid as a rock,” I said, putting my hands behind my head.

She smiled.

“Yesterday, you were so unsure. Today we’re rock solid,” she said.

“Yesterday I didn’t know I was your mate. I thought you just had a thing for me,” I said.

She tweaked my nose.

“You’re something else,” she said.

“You’re beautiful,” I said.

She leant down towards me and I moved my hands from behind my head to grasp her h**s. She brushed her nose against mine.

“What if I want to work?” She asked.

“In Ambrosia? Sure,” I said. “As what?”

“I want to be chef,” she said.

“Hmm where is there a great culinary school…Oh I know, in Ambrosia,” I said.

She giggled.

“I’m working here to save money for school,” she revealed.

“I’ll pay for it,” I said.

“Fox,” she said, slapping my chest.

“I know. I’m the worst aren’t I? Trying to subsidise your education? Why are men like this?” I said.

She tried to tickle me but I clamped my arms down at my sides, protecting them.

“You have to let me pay you pack when I become a chef,” she said.

“Hell no,” I said.

“Fox,” she said indignantly.

“How can you pay your husband back?” I said.

“This is the second mention of marriage today,” she said, smiling. “I’m a wolf but you’re not. I don’t want you to feel rushed because of me. I know you probably see how quickly wolves move and that might scare you into moving faster than you want to.”

I had observed how quickly wolves moved. Wolf bonds and the concept of fated mates had not scared me when I had witnessed how easy and effortless Jessie and Jamie’s love and commitment were. Considering how unlucky in love I had been, watching my wolf friends fall in perfect perpetual love overnight had made me jealous as f**k.

“Yeah, loving and being loved unconditionally by someone who will want me forever sounds awful,” I said. “Never mind, stay here in Cold Moon.”

Bisa tackled me playfully and we ended up rolling over until we fell off the side of bed, onto the carpet, laughing, with the blankets and quilt cocooning us.

“If you really don’t feel rushed and you won’t change your mind in the next two minutes,” she prefaced, her voice slightly muffled by all the fabric we were wrapped like a burrito in. “Then, of course I want to go with you under one condition.”

My heart soared but my pride made me play it cool. I really did not want to be a chump like I had been in the past but Bisa also managed to melt me like cool butter on hot toast.

“What’s the condition?” I asked warily.

She was draped over my chest, her face in the crook of my neck, my chin and nose in her hair.

“I want to stay to see Orchid through her wedding and Luna coronation as her lady’s maid,” said Bisa.

I made myself wait like half a minute while I fake-deliberated. Bisa looked up at me anxiously.

“Hmm,” I said, stroking my chin.

She pinched my thigh.

“Hey,” I chuckled, reaching under the covers, trying to pinch her thigh but I missed and ending up pinching her behind.

She gasped indignantly. I quickly slipped my hands up and out of the covers and held them up, palms facing forwards, like I was under arrest.

“I might forgive you if you let me stay for Orchid’s wedding and come as my date,” said Bisa.

“Ok, done,” I said decisively, wrapping my arms around her.

She quickly intertwined herself with me, lighting a fire within me. This time my hands reached for her behind on purpose.