7: You're Basically My Daughter

FEYRE

I could have sworn I had no intention of calling Alpha Lucien after he left that meeting room two days ago. Even after my talk with Asher, I told myself it is not a risk I’m willing to take. I’d made that decision and wanted to stand firmly on it. Somehow I ended up dialing the number, like I said I wouldn’t. and I told him I would meet with him today, I didn’t want to do this either but something was pushing me too. Probably my doom.

I chuckle a little and shake the dramatic thoughts off. We are just going to talk, I’m taking part of Asher’s advice, not fully since I am still worried about the child bit of the deal. I’m going to try and negotiate the terms. I can stay in his pack for a month and be his son’s luna. Only on my terms though and no children will be involved.

I don’t want that kind of complication. Don’t get me wrong, I love kids, so much. They are little angels. I love them even more when I remember I can return them to their parents. I can’t stomach the thought of having one of my own and never seeing them again, I can’t stand the thought of seeing them everyday either. It is a losing battle. Better to just not add them to the equation.

I take myself in again, this is probably the most I’ve let myself care about what I looked like since senior prom. I was only focused on training and though we do go out for drinks once in a while, I don’t look at the mirror more than twice when I’m dressing. I don’t know how to put makeup on so Cami mostly does that, and I trust her enough that I don’t have to check what it looks like after she is done. She is mostly the one that makes me take a look.

“You’re still here?” Asher asks from the doorway of my room. I removed my hand from the top of my blazer where I was adjusting the neck, again.

I’m wearing a white blouse, blue jeans and a cream colored blazer. I wanted to go for edgy but also a casual look. Cami always goes off about casual and chic but I can’t tell if I got the chic right. I did get the casual though, the jeans portrays that perfectly. She is much better now, up and moving which I’m glad for. The rogue didn’t do irreplaceable damage.

I always get cold shivers when I remember what Alpha Zade looked like as he killed him. The man does not have a heart. It would do me good to remember that.

“I’m leaving now, I promise.” I assure Asher, he hums but doesn’t turn and leave like I wanted him to. Since I told him I agreed to meet with Alpha Lucien, he has been on my neck, reminding me of what the end goal is and how easy it can be to achieve that.

He also doesn’t want me to change my mind, knowing me, it would be very easy. I don’t waste my time on pointless things, like asking him to cross out that part of the deal. I have a feeling that when Alpha Lucien sets out to get something, he makes sure he gets it.

“You’ve been saying that for the past hour and you have been dressed for the past hour.” I prop one side of my hip out and place both hands on my waist.

“Your point is?” I shake my head in question like a bratty teenager. Asher rolls his eyes and pushes off the door, he stalks into the room, only stopping when there is only a foot between us.

“You dress faster than me.” he retorts. I raise my brow, I don’t see where he is going with this. “I took a shower and got dressed, and you’re still here?”

“I’m leaving now,” I tell him what I’ve been saying for the past hour like he said.

“Fey, for the love of God. Just get this over with, you’re making me nervous.” He wipes invisible sweat off his forehead. 

I playfully smack him and sidestep him to get my last and favorite accessory. The necklace I was told my father gave my mum, they were able to retrieve it after their death. Before I’d found out how they died, I kept it until I had somewhere really nice to go or it went with my outfit. Not though, I swear it every single day, it makes me feel closer to them.

 

“Don’t get your panties in a twist, I’m leaving now, for real this time.” I add the last immediately he  open his mouth to argue. “Can you help me start the car or bring it out of the garage so I don’t waste more time?” he huffs but nods and starts walking to the door.

I can walk or even run, I mean business and you don’t want to go to an important meeting all sweaty and tired from the sun, or with messy hair from having to shift back into my human form. This is just the best.

“Okay,” Asher grumbles, he gives me a look and when I shake my head, he finally walks out. 

With one last glance in the mirror and me adjusting every part of my outfit that is perfectly in place if I’m being honest, I finally walk out, exhaling a heavy breath. Asher is waiting near a black Bentley and when I cock a brow, he smirks.

“You need to make a statement.” Is the only explanation he offers.

I walk past him to the open car door, he places a hand on my arm, when I look at him, the playful look is gone and he is dead serious. “Be careful with Alpha Lucien. He looks welcoming and all but he is a viper, when people give you a name, most of the time, is it true.” He runs a hand through his hair as he says that.

I nod and swallow. That does nothing but put my frayed nerves more on edge. I don’t let Asher see just how much the word rattle me, I only smile and get into the car, reminding myself I can easily just say no and leave if that is what I want. no one is forcing me.

“Good luck Fey,” I wave at him and start the car.

The drive is a short one, though I had to follow the longer route. By the time I’m pulling over when I get to the gates of their border, I’m not prepared in the very least. In fact, it feels like the fifteen minute drive never happened. Well, shit.

One of the patrol guards standing outside, a burly man with a mean face, leans toward the open window on the passenger side.

“Good day miss, how can we help you?” he asks, his voice soft. A total contrast to his body. I’ve already mentally checked out where and where are his weak spots in a fight, with his height and build, I doubt he moves swiftly.

“I have a meeting with—“a phone rings from the tiny square office close by. He nods in apology before walking there. He has a hushed conversation for a few minutes before he hands up. He looks out the window and waves at me. The gates open after and I drive in.

Okay, I’ll admit that I’m a little scared of how Alpha Lucien acts. He has eyes everywhere.

This is his pack, what do you expect? That is right though, I should have known he will know when I come in.

I keep going straight, hating not knowing where I’m heading. I can easily track the pack house but I don’t want to risk running into Alpha Zade. I want to do what I want and leave without seeing his damned face. It is totally unfair that he is that hot.

I notice a black SUV in front of me, I can’t tell at which point it is joined in. It is a road I guess and they know the pack better than I do. When it turns on both blinkers, I know it is for me. I easily follow him through the pack, he doesn’t take us to the pack house, instead a moderately sized bungalow beside it. I park my car and stay inside, deciding if this was a plan to kill me, I wouldn’t make it easy for them.

The door to the bungalow opens and Alpha Lucien walks out, I release a breath I didn’t know I was holding. He heads for my car and opens the door.

“I’m glad you came,” he says in greeting. I can’t form a smile with the way my nerves are so I only hum. “Come in, I don’t want this getting to Zade before we reach an agreement.”

The place is simple and homey, welcoming. It makes me feel at ease the second we step in. Alpha Lucien asks if I want anything, I wanted to say no but that would show a lack of trust, I decide to settle with water. I can take slow sips so that even if they spike it, it won’t take me out.

He brings my glass of water, then takes a seat opposite me on the soft sofa.

“I’m guessing you’ve reached a conclusion since you’re here,” there is a hint of a smile in his voice.

I shake my head. “Not per se, I want the terms of the agreement to be altered.”

He nods and sits up, picking up his mug of coffee. “What do you want altered?” he was expecting that, I can tell from the way he studies me.

I squirm a little, not liking how he seems to read me so easily. Viper. I remind myself, it is what they call him according to Asher.

“I can’t have a child,” I don’t plan on having one, especially not with your son. That part doesn’t make it past my lips.

“It is important to me that the next alpha have the blood of the woman destined by the moon.” I shake my head, biting my bottom lip.

“It is not as easy as it sounds and a child will complicate this, I want it to be as simple as possible.” He nods.

“Done, but if you change your mind. That will be even better.” I don’t say anything because I know I won’t. I won’t even sleep with the guy.

“I’m going to keep my job as beta in my pack, so I’ll be going back there often when they need me and to care of things.” That is not up for debate. He sees that and agrees.

“Is that all?” he asks when I don’t say anything after.

“Yes, for now.” I mutter. His face splits into a full blown smile and he gets up, I follow suit. I stretch my hand for a shake, like you should after conducting every business. I’m a little surprised when he walks around the table and hugs me instead.

“You’re basically my daughter now. Thank you for doing this,” he says as he releases me. I clear my throat that feels a little funny—

“Father, I heard you had a guest.” The familiar voice sends chills down my spine. 

Alpha Zade's eyes widen when he sees me, he scowls immediately.

“What is she doing here?”