4

~Althea

"Today was...fun," Cyrus breathed gently in my ear, before moving down to lay his lips on mine. I kissed him back, mirroring his actions. Lunch couldn't have gone any better. I had learnt so much more about Cyrus; how he works, his interests and disinterests.

Everything about him was almost perfect. He was courteous, sweet, kind and smart, but there was something about him that didn't fit me, that didn't seem like my mate material.

"We should do it again," I offer, pulling away to smile at him. He smiles back, his lips finding mine again. I tangle my fingers through his thick black hair. His tender approach to loving was an attractive trait for him to have, making it easier to along with, but harder to resist.

After our seemingly successful date, we had walked back hand and hand through the haze of the setting sun. It was rather sweet of Cyrus to walk me to my door.

Suddenly the door pops open, making Cyrus pull away from me in a fright, smooth his shirt out and fold his hands together. I glare toward the door, immediately expecting Dad.

He's happy about Cyrus and I, obviously. But any chance for him weasel his way into our relationship and make sure everything goes to plan would be taken. He probably saw us walk up the driveway and was ready to jump in at the right moment.

But there stood Landon. Hair slicked back neatly, dressed to impress, and he even smelt as irresistible as he looks; like spice and roses. I'm briefly taken aback by him.

Last time I laid eyes on him in my house, he was being chased out the door by my father who welded a wooden spoon. Now there was no incriminating man beside him, bashing him over the head.

He was glaring at Cyrus with some unknown emotion swirling in his light brown eyes. His fists we clenched, and he seemed to look more intimidating with every breath of a moment that past.

"Landon?" His name comes out of my mouth before I can stop it. No matter how hard we had tried to convince my father in the the past, he would not be swayed on his views about Landon.

"What are you doing here?" I question, gazing at him. He draws his eyes off Cyrus, who fidgets nervously. I take his hand before I can think, enclosing my fingers around his palm.

Suddenly my father appears behind Landon, a massive smile on his face. He surges past him, engulfing Cyrus in a semblance of a manly hug, giving him friendly slap on the back. I roll my eyes. It's like father is dating him not me. I still don't understand what or how he came to meet Cyrus in the first place. Although apparently he's my father's workmates son.

If that makes sense.

"Nice to see you. Staying for dinner?" dad asks Cyrus. I can see in his eyes that father desperately wants Cyrus to stay, so he can question him about our date, because he knows I'll be reluctant to tell him. Cyrus sighs.

"Sorry Sir, I've got to make dinner for my mother tonight. Thanks for the offer," Cyrus excuses himself politely. Dad looks ultimately disappointed, but doesn't say anything. Cyrus kisses my forehead gently, then leans in whisper in my ear.

"Don't let Landon get to you," he says so quietly, I almost didn't quite catch it. I glance at him pull away in confusion. Get to me? Cyrus squeezes my hand, winks and walks off down the path. We all watch him go. I glance at Landon quickly, hoping he hadn't heard what Cyrus had just said. Not that I knew exactly what he was talking about.

"Well come on in Althea, Landon is staying for dinner," Dad says with excitement. I blink. Am I hearing right? I follow them inside, ready to question them profusely. I had to know exactly what Landon had said or done to convince my father.

The house in enveloped in warmth, and something smells delightful coming from the kitchen. I stop Landon by grabbing his arm before when could follow dad into the dining room. He looks at me in confusion, shaking his head.

"How?" I hiss quietly. I'm annoyed he didn't tell me especially if he was planning this. Shouldn't he be off doing productive things, like Alpha work? Instead of scaring my date off who I knew would have stayed if there wasn't an Alpha hanging around the house, romancing my damn father. This is no way to get over him as quick as I hoped.

"We talked," he stated, barely explaining. I want to question him further, make him elaborate, but he pushes past and into the dining room. I follow behind meekly.

Father is already sitting at the head of the table, discussing something with my mother, who holds a plate of roast chicken. My bet is they are talking about Cyrus and I. My hopes are they aren't thinking of setting us up for mating this early.

"Sit sit, dinner is ready," mother demands softly, briskly walking over to lay a kiss on my cheek. Landon sits in front of where I usually sit for dinner every night. His swirling emerald eyes don't move off me, even when mother bends over his shoulder to deposit a plate of vegetables onto the table.

"So, did you enjoy your date?" Landon asks, tilting his head. I can feel Dad start to listen in curiosity, which makes me bite back the snide remark I had ready for Landon. Landon sweeps his hair back with his hands, and my eyes sweep over his muscular arms I can see under his shirt.

"It was great. He's very...attentive," I muse, forking a piece of chicken onto my plate. Landon doesn't react, just stares and doesn't respond.

"I'm glad you two are getting on. He's the perfect man for you to-"

"Mate?" I cut him off.

He nodded, smiling.

"Don't you think it's a little, I don't know, early to be thinking about mating someone you just me?" Landon questions randomly, getting everyone's attention, even mother, who I thought was too engrossed in stirring the gravey she made.

I glare at him. He knows quite well about how I feel about my father's random pairings. He wants me to admit it.

"You're right Landon, but I actually think you should stay out of it," I snap. I didn't mean for it to come out like it had. Maybe I'm just mad at him for being him; so damm perfect.

He drops his cutlery, his jaw clenching. Why is he so mad? He never before showed interest in me at all, so why is he acting so sassy toward the fact that maybe, just maybe I found someone who may be good for me. Even if I was having the hardest time getting over Landon.

"Well I'm overjoyed that I picked such a nice man for you Althea," Dad cuts in, his voice happy and bubbly. I tear my gaze from Landon so our death staring match is cut short.

"He is a nice man too good for me," I mutter. I want to get over Landon, more than anything. But right now, father's interference makes me want to crush my own head in.

"Don't say that honey. Cyrus really does like you. I'm sure you will be mated to him soon," Father stated happily. I could tell it was directed at Landon. Landon may have convinced father, but that was my father's way of telling him to back off. This is family business.

"What if she isn't ready to mate him?" Landon questions further. I kick his legs from under the table. The quicker the grandchildren come, the better. Father is very evolved in this subject, and becomes exceptionally tense when his opinion doesn't fit everyone elses.

"She will be. She it is essential she mates someone proper," dad says back calmly. I nervously watch Landon and father, who don't seem to be meeting eye to eye on this. I don't want father to kick the Alpha out of his house. He may have been a match for Landon before, but now Landon is much stronger and younger.

"And what would you consider, proper?" Landon dares ask. Here we go...

"A man who will pay full attention to her when it's needed, not someone who has other business that always needs tending to," he responds. Landon gently pushes his chair back, and I can tell that both males in the room are beyond pissed. I glance at mother, who busies herself by stuffing chicken into her mouth.

We both know what Alpha's can get like...

"You should consider the fact that she should be with someone she has loved for longer than a week," Landon argued carefully. I bite my lip, trying to catch his gaze. He wants what is best for me. I can tell that.

Father stands as Landon does.

"So what, you think you would be mate material for my daughter? Don't be ridiculous," Father spat. He was getting offensive rather than defensive now.

Landon stands up a little taller, trying to intimidate my father.

"I would do a much better job of caring for her than you..."

Okay, it stops here.

"Stop, both of you!" I shout, rocking the room into silence. Frustrated tears are pushing at the back of my eyes, but before they can I back from the room. I can't deal with either of them right.

I sprint up the stairs and I hear Landon follow closely behind.