Chapter Two

We sat awkwardly right across each other. Alpha Marlon wasn't pleased with his son growling earlier when he arrived. It shows no respect towards their visitors. 

"I am glad that you came right in time, son," Alpha Marlon said, trying to form a conversation between the awkward atmosphere around. "We have a very important announcement to make and we are happy that the two of you attended this night."

My mother smiled and held the Alpha's hand. The scene itself was sweet and one look you can already guess what is going on between them. However, I couldn't find myself to be happy for my mother at this moment. My all attention was conscious about the dominant male sitting across the table. Even though my eyes were not looking in his way, I couldn't not help but to notice every action he made. 

He was sitting there quietly and observantly. It was my first time meeting him, but I can already guess he will be as good a leader as his father, or even much beyond that. He has that effortless intimidating and authoritativeness that only people with alpha blood could have without putting an effort to be so. It's making me feel strange.

I tried to glance on his way, but found out that he was only looking at me, without even blinking. Like as if I'd disappear once he lost his eyesight on me.

His father cleared his throat, which made him snap his attention towards him. I swallowed once again before focusing my attention towards the alpha.

"Son, I want you to meet Anastasia and her daughter, Aurora. They will be staying here from today onwards,``Alpha Marlon said. "You see, Ana is my lover and I hope that you will respect her as much as you respect me. And Aurora, please be comfortable around me. You can start seeing me as your father, if that is okay with you."

I blinked my eyes. It took too long for me to realise it.

"Nice to meet you, ma'am. I'm Axcel. Welcome to the family," he said, which startled me. His voice was low and so manly, which sent goosebumps on my body. It was almost emotionless, it was as stoic as his face. 

"Hello, dear. Thank you," my mom said. Then, she looked at me. "Aren't you going to say hello to your step-brother, Aurora?" She widened her eyes and faked a smile towards my direction, silently warning me.

A lump formed in my throat. Damn it.

"H-Hello..." I awkwardly said. My heart was thumping fast and loud against my chest as I slowly looked into his direction.

I swear, I saw the corner of his lips suddenly tugged up. It was almost a teasing one. Mocking me with our situation.

I bit my bottom lip and looked away.

"By the way, before we forgot to say," Alpha said. Our attention went back to him. He smiled and gently squeezed my mother's hand, lovingly. "Anastasia is pregnant. You two are going to be an older brother and sister."

I don't know what's more shocking. Is it the fact that we'll be moving in here with the new family, or the fact that I've met my mate that was unfortunately also my step-brother, or the truth that my mother is pregnant with the Alpha's pup?

Our dinner ended with exchanges of words from my mother, Alpha, and Axcel. I was quiet and I know my mother understood why, that's why she didn't probe me to speak. I guess she already told his new boyfriend about my situation with my ex-boyfriend.

"I'll be showing you around the pack tomorrow, guys. My men are also going to pick up your stuff tomorrow in your house. Aurora, if you want to come and check it yourself, Axcel will be accompanying you. Right, son?"

"No problem, father."

"Then, that's great. Thank you all for your cooperation. Let's call it a night, then." 

We all rose from our seats. Alpha Marlon held my mother's waist and smiled at us fatherly.

"We'll be heading to our bedroom. Axcel, do send Aurora to her new room."

"I will."

"Alright. Good night, everyone."

They exchanged nods and my mother waved her hand at us. I could see the happiness and mischief glinting in her eyes. I could only shake my head. Sure, she planned this well.

When they're finally out of sight, I let out a long sigh. Gosh, this night was a roller coaster one.

"I'll lead you to your room. Follow me."

I jumped on where I stood when I suddenly heard his voice. It was pleasing to the ears and it made my wolf think of some unholy stuff. Good God.

I noticed that Axcel was much taller than me. He's as tall as his father, approximately around 6'4, and hey, I'm already tall myself with my height 5' 8, but my neck hurts from looking up at him.

We went up to the grand staircase. The mansion is just so huge I could get lost if I roam around here alone.

There was an uncomfortable silence that lingered between us as we walked. Or is it me that felt discomfort? I feel like there's something gonna happen in any minute.

"This is gonna be your room," he said. I gasped when I nearly bumped on his back. I was lost in my own thoughts that I didn't notice he came to a stop.

"Okay..." I said meekly. I waited for him to leave but it already took a minute and he didn't budge a bit. 

I cleared my throat. "So, uh... thanks?" I awkwardly uttered while fidgeting with my fingers.

A low and dangerous growl escaped his throat. I shook in fear and with a bit of... excitement? It must be because of our bond.

"You're mine..." he said under his breath, looking at me angrily and at the same time, lustfully. He looks like a predator ready to catch his prey. As if he's gonna devour me in any second.

"W-What..." I stuttered, unable to form a word. My heartbeat was beating so loud it deafened me.

"Mate..." he said. "You're my mate."

My lips trembled as I took a step backwards. He grabbed my arm and pulled me harshly close to him. I gasped in utter surprise.

"Mine..." he said against my ear that made my knees weak and my heart to explode. His scent was intoxicating, surrounding me with its territoriality. He was making sure that I had his scent, making any other male wolf to back off because I was his.

Suddenly, his lips found mine. I don't know what's gotten into me but I immediately kissed him back as if I was craving it all my life and now that I've finally got a taste of what it is, it got me addicted.

Heat spread all throughout my body. My wolf purred and our bond seems to pull us closer than we already are. Sparks ran up from the tip of my fingertips up to my spine as heat pooled down in between my thighs. A soft moan escaped my mouth.

I didn't notice that we were already in the room not until I felt the soft mattress against my back. Axcel was insanely good at what he was doing and it took my sanity away. I was lost in his kisses.

His lips left mine, only for it to travel to my jaw and neck. He nipped and sucked on it that would surely leave some hickeys. I couldn't help but let out a long moan. It was so good that my body was burning. My body was reacting I never thought that it would. I never felt this way before. Not even to my long term ex-boyfriend.

This new sensation was something different. It makes my body react to wildly I never imagined. The thrill, the excitement, and the nervousness. It was a roller coaster emotion.

"Mine..." he once again muttered, just as I felt two sharp objects against my skin. My eyes nearly bulged from their sockets when I realised what he was about to do.

I immediately pushed him away. A growl of dissatisfaction escaped his throat. I quickly pulled myself together. 

Sitting up and hugging myself, I ask, "W-What are you doing?" I said, my voice was shaking. 

I was stupid. Oh, my God. I was so stupid! I nearly got myself into trouble by letting a stranger get himself into me. Even though I already knew who he was, he's still a stranger to me, and we shouldn't have done what we had done just now.

His brows met as his jaw clenched. A glint of anger and irritation flashed through his eyes.

I shook my head, tears began to form from the corner of my eyes. Realization hit me like a thunder, and now I was left with nothing but regret.

"W-We... we shouldn't be doing this..." I said. Our parents will get married soon, which means he's going to be my step-brother. "I-I'm sorry. Please, leave me a-alone."

Hurt flashed through his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Rejection is one of the painful things a werewolf like us could experience through the bond. And I know that by me pushing him away from our supposedly first night might hurt his ego as a dominant alpha.

I bit my lower lip and looked away. My heart was constricting in pain. "I don't want you... Go away."

A deep growl rumbled from his throat. From the corner of my eyes, I saw him stiffened. 

I refused to look at him. I know what I was doing was hurting him. I'm not totally rejecting him, but I was practically doing so. It was an indirect rejection but not enough that it'd cut the bond between us.

"Damn it," was the last word I heard from him before he left the room. 

All throughout the whole night, I was thinking about him. I shouldn't have pushed him away. I shouldn't have treated him like that. But it was too late for me. The last thing I realize was the churning pain in my stomach and the whimpers of my inner wolf. And that's when I realized that he had found a she-wolf to spend the night with.