Annoying Visitor

Chapter 2

A dreadful day before coming to visit my adoptive father's chamber. I found him sitting and facing a table where he was making some folded flowers.

"My love, Romir is going to graduate soon. We are going to come," he said, his eyes settling on the empty bed, a huge smile on his lips. "Tina has become a Beta while Jaromir is away. I am so proud of our pups."

I pursed my lips into a thin line, feeling my eyes getting teary-eyed. No one was around but him. But Edison still believed the idea that Samantha was still here. He lost his mind when he lost her. I gradually watched how his sanity had taken him away.

I felt something caress in my heart since Edison had treated me like his pup. I thanked the Moon Goddess for they fated me to be with this family.

"I just hope she finds her real parents soon. I know. I can tell. She is missing them."

That made me hold my breath. He knew. Even though he was not in his right mind, it seemed like he was still in proper shape.

"Edison." I knocked first to gather his attention. He turned his head and brightened up as soon as he saw me. 

"Tina..."

I felt a warmth spread through me as he affectionately called me by the nickname that he and Samantha had come up with. With a gentle smile, I approached him, extending a lily flower, Samantha's favorite, as a token of my affection. "I have brought something for Samantha." I placed it in the vase before turning to the empty bed where no one was lying. "I hope you are doing alright, Samantha."

I had to pretend. I had to pretend that she was still here. Jaromir and I had once made Edison realize that Samantha was gone. He wreaked havoc on the mansion, blabbering that she was still alive. Baius recommended that we should get along and pretend that Samantha was still here.

Edison lost half of his life the moment Samantha met her end. She was his mate, his only first and true love. The impact of her death caused a toll on Edison. We had no choice but to do it. 

"You are such a sweet little girl, Tina. Samantha likes it, right, my love?" Edison's face brightened up.

My eyes centered on the folded papers that were shaped into different flowers and animals. I softened and started picking them up to settle in a compartment. "Samantha wouldn't like it if you were scattering them like that. You do not wish to be scolded by her," I said softly, placing them carefully. 

Edison chuckled. "Oh, she is." My eyes bored into him, seeing how his face brightened up. He looked like he was not mentally sick at all. "Tell me your day, Tina. Is Alpha Navarro giving you a hard time as being the Beta?"

My stomach knotted from his question. I stared at him to see if he was in the mood. The mere mention of my Beta position was sensitive to his ears. Sometimes it displeased him as he accused me that I had stolen his son's position. Sometimes, it would seem like he was happy for me that I was temporarily taking over it.

If he was posing that question without causing chaos, it indicated that he was in a playful mood.

"T-The harvest festival is coming, so I have to settle the deal for the next batch of our winter food supply," I answered, slightly nervous.

"I see. It appears that you are quite pleased with the situation," he remarked, handing me one of the folded papers. "How's our visitor doing lately?" Then he turned to me. "Have you been providing him with proper hospitality and care of the House of Kezer, Tina?"

I almost pinched myself at the mention of that visitor. I smiled, trying my best to show that I was feeling perfectly fine about his existence. "Yes, I have done the best of my abilities to show the proper way of entertaining a guest, Edison. I can assure you."

"That is good to hear."

A conversation with Edison ended well. I was thankful that he did not get to question much about my Beta position. My position was only temporary until Jaromir returned after his graduation. Once it happened, I would begin looking for my real parents. 

My feet dragged me to the garden, where I saw that visitor who was having some tea, surrounded by a few servants working for the House of Kezer. When the servants saw me, I gestured my hand that they should leave, and I would handle the rest.

I went to sit in front of him, my face etched with a deep frown. "Until when are you going to stay here, Your Royal Highness?" I emphasized my words, directing my gaze at the man who exuded an alluring presence.

His eyes met mine, and a captivating smile graced his lips, the kind that could enchant countless women. "Faustina, my dear Beta," he began, his voice smooth and resonant, "I must admit that your company has been rather delightful. However, I am afraid I cannot disclose the exact duration of my stay at this moment."

His response only fueled my frustration. It had been a week since Crown Prince Alucard had been staying here. Ever since we learned his true identity thanks to our Alpha, his presence disrupted the tranquility of our pack. The attention he garnered from the members, particularly the female wolves, was overwhelming. Rumors and whispers spread like wildfire, fueling speculation and anticipation.

And he was loving the attention he was getting, which annoyed me.

Crown Prince Alucard was the second son of the previous monarch, Grand Alpha King Apollo and Mother Luna Queen Adeline. He was also the second brother of the current monarch, Alpha King Azarius.

Since then, for the first few days that he was awake from his vegetative state, he did not remember who he was, so he stayed in our mansion for observation. He was even bewildered that he was a crown prince.

Yet, the moment Alpha Navarro commanded me to entertain this man, his lost memories seemed to resurface in an instant. His expression, which seemed like a lost puppy, changed into a menacing, mischievous one.

I leaned forward, my gaze unwavering. "Can you stop calling me that? You are not even a pack member here." Why did I even agree to Alpha Navarro that this man could temporarily stay here? "Your prolonged stay has caused unrest among the pack members. They are curious and eager to know why you almost drowned in the river, had temporary amnesia, and now act like this is your home."

Crown Prince Alucard's smile widened, revealing a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Well, Edison Kerez said that I should treat this mansion like my home, and I can stay whenever I want, right, dollface?" His hands clasped together before winking at me.

I clenched my hands under the table upon hearing that made-up endearment he just called me. "Do not be so full of yourself. You have no delicacy." If only I could smack a member of the royal lycan family, I should have done it a long time ago. "You need to decide when to leave. You are troubling the House of Kerez."

"Heh..." He slightly tilted his head. "If I leave, I am certain that you are going to miss me, right? After all..." he paused as he leaned forward, his face was close to me. "You know what we both have, right, Faustina?"

His scent wafted in the air, making me wary of his presence. But I did not back down and faced him ahead. A wry smile left on my lips. My clenched hand wanted to be drawn out to contact his face.

"You—"

'Faustina, I need you here.'

My eyes slightly widened from Alpha Navarro's mindlink. At the same time, Crown Prince Alucard tilted his head a little, arching his eyebrow.

"Cat got your tongue, dollface?"

I glared at him, almost sneering at him. "Dollface your arse." I snorted before deciding to stand up. 

"Oi, oi. Where are you going, dollface?"

I ignored him, but my heart couldn't stop beating so fast when I was out of his sight, making my way to Alpha Navarro's mansion using my wolf speed. I needed to focus on being the Beta of this pack. That was all that mattered.

"My apologies, Faustina, if you have to be the one to take care of my task..." Luna Maris said after some of their servants were packing some of the records to be brought to the House of Krezer manor. 

"Please don't worry, Luna. I fully understand the circumstances. Allow me to take care of the harvest festival in your absence," I reassured her with a polite and understanding tone.

My gaze softened as it settled upon her protruding stomach, evidence of the precious life growing within. She had reached the third month of her pregnancy, nearing the end of her term and requiring rest. In our world, female werewolves carried their pups for a condensed gestation period of only three months, a unique aspect of our species.

"You can have some of the Gammas and pack warriors to help you, Faustina." I turned at Alpha Navarro, who had just arrived, caressing the stomach of our Luna. "Don't forget to invite His Royal Highness to this festival."

The mere mention of that man was enough to make my blood boil. "Alpha, I haven't heard anything from the royal palace that they are going to fetch Crown Prince Alucard." Alpha commanded me to write a letter back to the royal palace as soon as we knew that man's identity. But until now, I haven't heard anything about them.

"Understood. Until we receive word from them, you may allow Crown Prince Alucard to stay with you. Given Maris' pregnancy and the impending arrival of our baby pup, I am unable to undertake many responsibilities at the moment," he explained, his gaze shifting towards Luna Maris. His expression softened, and he leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her forehead as a tender gesture of affection.

"Your wish is my command, Alpha."

Since my workload had been added, it was my advantage that Luna Maris had some of the preparations. I only needed to oversee how things would go, but before that, I needed to finish the ledger for the event.

It was all good now. The preparations were completed. Now, I needed to return and rest after fulfilling my duty.

But arriving at the mansion, specifically in the study room, had made my heart jump when I heard something breaking. I rushed in that direction and saw some of the servants flinching.

"Lord Edison, please! That is enough!"

I heard Arsenal, the head butler of the mansion, said. When the servants saw me, they immediately bowed their heads. One of them stepped forward and told me the situation.

"He went here and happened to read the letter you received from Young Master Jaromir. Then he remembered that he was not here, and you became the..." she paused, a little hesitant.

"It's fine." My lips stretched into a small smile as my eyes darted at Edison, who already broke some of the vases and luxurious paintings in the study room.

"What did you mean she is the Beta?! Jaromir is the Beta! She stole my son's position I honed for these years!" Edison shouted as he struggled from the butler's hold. His eyes settled on me when he saw me. "You?! How dare you, Faustina!"

I sighed, not wanting to argue with him. He was already fine a few days ago, yet... Here we go again.

"Have him sedated and returned to his chamber," I ordered in a cold and controlled tone, though deep inside, my heart broke at the accusation.