01. Alpha Redd Larson

When I reached our packhouse, my muscles were already sore from shopping for clothes. The omega of the pack greeted me and asked for my bags which I easily handed them.

“Please put it in my room safely. Everything I bought is for the orphaned kids,” I announced as they nodded. “Did Ali come here and visit me?”

“No, Miss Natasha. He did not.”

I nodded, confused about why he never did. We talked yesterday over the phone that he would visit me here and we will talk about our plans for the wedding. Ali, the alpha of another neighboring pack, was my mate who was never met by Father. We decided to tell Father today.

The servant hurried away with the bags in her hand.

I entered inside and was about to go upstairs when I found Daddy sitting on the couch, with a sour expression on his face. I usually saw him in his study, watching the news while his other hand was holding his phone, tending to someone's call. Having a meeting. Pack meetings and other stuff. Or sipping his coffee. But not now. I saw the paleness of his face, the drooping of his shoulders, and the gradual sighing as if he was carrying the world.

Totally unusual. Totally not him.

“Dad!” I called him, trying to make my voice cheerful. "I don't like the look on your face. Your wrinkles will increase. You will get old faster. Cheer up, will you?”

The servants whom I ordered to put the bag in my room had returned empty-handed.

"Natasha," Daddy answered, looking at me, and back to the television. "You've come," he said, then stared again at the television.

“Yeah. And from the looks of it, it seems like you are carrying the whole world, Daddy. Don’t let the pack see that or they will get worried about you. They know they are worry-wart when it comes to your health.”

His eyes were still glued to the monitor.

I grabbed the remote control and turned off the television and successfully grabbed his attention.

“Can we talk?”

He sighed again. "We are already talking, Natasha.”

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed a chair and sat opposite him. “Dad. You're freaking me out. Please don't tell me you're dying and I will kill you myself,” I joked.

He chuckled. "Sit beside me, daughter. It's not good to talk to your daddy like that."

“I am already seated. See? You’ve been absent-minded. So what's the fuss about, huh? You look like someone just died.”

He stared at me for a moment, sighed again (that irritating sigh ugh), and said, "The company is on the brink of filing for bankruptcy. Our pack relied so much on the company, Natasha. The company is also the reason why you can still finance the orphaned children of this pack. I do not know what we will do if the worst thing happens."

There. He just dropped the bomb without considering if I was prepared or not.

"What? Why? You didn't tell me about it, Dad?" I asked and put my hands on my forehead. The business was doing well. We were into the airline industry and restaurants. Am I wrong in what I think?

"You knew we were hit by the pandemic," he reminded me. "Air travel had been ground down. Borders were closed. When there is no money coming in, what wages can be given to the people? In restaurants, people ate less often. Who will eat if they themselves have no jobs?”

It was only a few months before the restrictions were lifted, and the trip gradually returned. People are also returning to entering restaurants. But of course with restrictions.

"Dad, come on. Why didn't you tell me about this?" I asked him.

I was aware that some airline employees were fired. If we don't do that, the company will collapse even more. We promised we would call them again when the people started traveling.

"I’m the alpha of this pack. It’s my problem. You are my children and I don't want to transfer the burden to you.”

“And I am your daughter!” I stood and massaged my scalp. “Dad. We should settle this as a family.”

Daddy made his business out from scratch, from his own blood and sweat and if the company will file for bankruptcy, I didn't know what to do anymore. It became his life, trying to juggle being a businessman and the leader of Blackheart Pack.

"Is there another way to save anything?”

Perhaps I could ask Ali to invest in our business? He was a billionaire, and constantly expanded his business to different parts of the country. He would, right? Since we were mates.

Daddy looked at me hard.

He knew there was some way but was hesitant to say it.

"Say it, Dad," I urged.

"There is. But you will not like it, Natasha. I will find a way, I promise. You will still continue helping the orphans in our pack.”

"No. Tell me first before I say if I agree with it or not, Daddy."

“If only your brothers could help us.”

I had three brothers with me, all became warriors of this pack, busy as usual. I was the only one left with my father.

“Let’s not wait for them, Daddy. I can do it.”

A tear fell from his eyes and damn. It felt like my heart was ripped into tiny pieces.

“My little daughter. You have grown so much. I am sorry if you will carry the responsibility now.”

Gritting my teeth, I said, “Dad. Tell me right now what I should do.”

“A contract marriage. An arranged marriage. An alpha from a neighboring pack already asked for your hand in marriage.”

My world shook and slumped on the sofa. "What the fuck?"

"Your language, Natasha. You know I don't tolerate anyone cursing."

"A contract marriage? Arranged marriage?” I asked. "From what pack? Why did you just say this now? Are you kidding? Is this a prank?”

I was totally in control of everything—my emotions, my actions, and everything. So, I need to listen before reacting. Or else…

"The Whitesword Pack."

My head spun upon hearing the name.

Oh, gawd. Not that pack. They were notorious for killing anyone who dared to infuriate them which was currently ruled by Alpha Redd. I did not see him personally. I didn't even know how he looked. But based on those rumors, I never wanted to associate myself with him.

“He saw you once. When you were conducting a feeding program for the orphans in our pack.”

I lost more and more strength. The Whitesword Pack owns various well-known hospitals. However, rumors had circulated that they were also involved in illegal drugs and some also said they were part of a mafia.

"Redd Larson?" I asked, making sure.

He nodded, confirming my fears. "The only one. Don’t judge him hastily. I met him a couple of times and he behaved nicely."

"Oh, god," was all I could say, and massaged my forehead. "But he was rumored to father a lot of children, Dad but never married any woman. I am not ready to become an instant mother! Out of every man who is available, you agree with that man?”

“Natasha, those things are just rumors. He is a good alpha. He acquired vast lands because of his greatness in fighting others. Why don't you get to know him better? Maybe you're just too quick to judge him."

"Dad, that man? He didn't even like me for crying out loud."

"He likes you. He said it was love at first sight. He was fascinated by your beauty."

“He is not my mate! Ali is my freaking mate!”

“Perhaps he is your second mate. It is possible.”

I looked at him pointedly. “It will only happen when Ali rejects me and it will never happen.”

Dad touched my shoulders.

"Natasha, will you at least see him for one? Who knows? Maybe you two will click.”

“I have a mate, Dad and we are planning to tell you about it this evening. I cannot marry someone else.”

There was no way I would agree to marry that man.

"Natasha," he coaxed. "So, you will never help this poor old man? Your father?”

I groaned when he used the father's card. However, we were talking about my future here. I just couldn't marry someone who I didn't like.

"It's not like that, Daddy. Please understand me. You're putting me in a difficult position. I don't even know how to be a good wife nor ask if I am interested in bearing a child. That would be a lot of responsibility. I don't know how to take care."

“If that's what you are scared about, your mother is there to help and guide you.”

"Dad..."

He gave me a hopeful look. "Promise me you'll think about it, Natasha. I will die if someone will have another control of our business.”

I stood. "I know, Daddy. I know," I answered.

I bit my upper lip. God. Stress has already entered my system. My skin will wrinkles and looked older. No.

"Where will you go?"

"Upstairs, Daddy. I will think everything."

"Please consider my health when you decide, Natasha," he said and I just grunted in reply.

---------------------

Later that evening, I waited for Ali to visit the pack outside the pack’s entrance gate. I was already prepared and slipped on my red bodycon dress which complimented my skin color. I was giddy but at the same time confused about what the heck should I answer to dad when the luxury car entered and pulled over in front of me.

Then, a man in a black suit came out and strolled toward me. Without asking for my permission he grabbed my hand and planted a soft kiss on it. Not releasing it, he said, “My apologies for not telling you my name, Miss Natasha. I’m Redd Larson. Your future husband.”