Chapter 4 - What?

Marly POV

                  I quickly prepared the meal, ensuring it was ready just in time.  I failed on having an epic dessert, but I would suffer those consequences later.  “Marly, where the hell are you?” I heard my mother curse at me.   “Is everything ready?” she demanded.  “The meal is prepared; I have fruit for dessert,” I said quietly.

 “Supper is ready, please join me in the dining area,” I heard my mother say with her fake happy voice.  As they moved to the dining area, I plated the food and started to take it into the dining room.  As I saw the guests, my footstep faltered.

                  My mate was here with his father.  What was he doing here?  I quickly looked away from his smirking face and moved to place food in front of the Alpha and Maxwell.  I then put the food in front of my family members, before turning to leave the room.  “Aren’t you joining us, Marly?” I heard the Alpha ask.

                  He had never spoken to me before.  It caused my heart to race.  Did he know I was Maxwell’s mate?  Was he going to force Maxwell to claim me?  Before I could reply, my mother responded, “She is on a diet, and will not be joining us.”.  The Alpha frowned, “I see nothing wrong with her appearance.  Join us, Marly,” the Alpha commanded, pulling a chair forward so I would be sitting between him and Maxwell.

                  My heart plummeted.  I saw the look of concern pass between my mother and father.  I had no idea what to do.  “Well do not just stand there, Omega.  Move!” my father all but shouted.  I quickly moved towards the space they had made for me.  I did not have a plate of food, so the Alpha took some from his and put it on a plate for me.

                  My face was red.  I had no idea what was happening; only that I was mortified.  Once my plate had some food on it, the Alpha commented on how good everything looked, before he started to eat.  Everyone slowly started to eat in the tension filled dining room.  “So Alpha, what brought you to our home?” my father asked.  Although he was the Alpha’s Gamma, it was rare for the Alpha to visit for a meal.

                  Placing his cutlery down, the Alpha looked around the room.  “I want Marly,” the Alpha stated.  My mother tensed, “Pardon?” she asked while my father replied, “Of course, anything,” my father stated proudly.  “I need Marly to prepare for the Alpha ceremony in a week’s time,” the Alpha clarified with a chuckle.

                  “As you know, Marly is one of our best at coordinating and catering events.  I will be turning the Pack over to Maxwell in the next week.  I want Marly to help plan the event,” the Alpha suggested.  I sat there somewhat embarrassed, but also silently distressed.  Did this mean that Maxwell was going to try and accept me as his mate?  Was the Alpha testing me?  I needed to get Maxwell alone so I could reject him before this got any worse.

                  “Of course, you may have Marly participate in the planning.  We will ensure she is there first thing tomorrow,” my father replied, less excited now.  “Oh, that will not be necessary.  I want her to join us when we leave for home,” the Alpha stated.  My mother had a look of anger cross her face.  “We can deliver her tomorrow.  She has homework to finish this evening,” she offered.  My mother had never been concerned about my schooling, but her look told me she saw more than she let on.  Had she realized who my mate was?

                  “Maxwell has indicated you were quite bright; I am certain missing a week will not put you behind,” the Alpha commented.  “Well, that is decided.  Marly will help plan the young Alpha’s celebratory party,” my father commented.  To the average person, you would think he was pleased.  But I had often heard my father state to my mother that he did not feel the young Alpha was ready for his role.  I often wondered if it was jealousy speaking, as he would lose his position as Gamma eventually.

                  “Marly?” my mother said to me, pulling me from my thoughts.  Embarrassed I looked around the room, realizing that everyone was staring at me.  “Go and get your things ready, now!” she suggested.  I shook myself, standing quickly. 

                  “You will do whatever the Alpha says, and you will do it well,” my mother said as she followed me into the kitchen.  “When the opportunity presents itself, reject the young man who is your mate,” she added, looking at me with concern.  My mother had never shown me concern before.  “Make it happen Marly, and I will see to it you get to continue your schooling away from here,” she promised.  I nodded my head slowly wanting to hug my mother but knew better than to try.

                  I felt tears fill my eyes.  I was sore from my trek today, I was terrified about what had almost happened to me, and yet I had nobody I could talk to about the experience.  Before I could dwell on it any longer, I needed to get a bag packed.

                  Quickly finishing up, I heard a knock on my door.  Assuming it was my mother, I went to the door, buttoning up my shirt.  I pulled the door open, to stop what I was doing.  Maxwell was standing in front of me, “Well what do we have here?  I preferred you with little clothing on, but this gives me a starting point to unwrap you all over again,” he said softly.

                  I stepped back into my room, trying to slam the door shut but he was stronger and faster.  He laughed at my effort as he shut the door quietly behind him.  “Here is what is going to happen.  You are going to quickly finish packing your bag, then you are going to come downstairs and act like nothing happened.  Then we will go to the pack house, get you set up in a room.  And then I will visit you later tonight,” he stated.

                  “I do not want you to visit me.  You hurt me today,” I reminded him.  “Not as much as it would have hurt, had I been able to find you,” he replied, confidently.  “You will do what you are told, Omega,” Maxwell said to me.  I gasped, realizing he was serious.  He moved slowly towards me, his lips approaching mine.

                  I held my breath, uncertain what was happening, when he casually reached around me, and picked up my overnight bag.  He smirked, “Yeah, you want me,” he said as he grabbed a hold of my hand and tugged me behind him.  “It is time, my father is ready to leave this dump,” Maxwell stated.

                  As we walked out of my bedroom, he released my hand and went down the stairs ahead of me.  I had not realized I had been holding my breath, until we arrived at the bottom, and I was almost gasping for breath.  “Wonderful, let’s go,” the Alpha said, ushering Maxwell and I out.

                  I was uncertain where to go, before Maxwell gestured that I follow him.  He held out his arm suggesting I go ahead of him to one of the vehicles.  He gallantly opened the door for me, and as I was about to step into the vehicle he whispered in my ear, “Soon, you will be mine once again.”.