Alpha's Spoiled Princess - Burgov Series VI

10. Sean

The few days separating me from Saturday couldn't pass fast enough. She will be there, and I will finally know what the f**k I have done to get ghosted like that. The anticipation didn't let me sleep and I almost drove to Midnight Banes three days before the party, just to be there when she arrived. But I didn't. Somehow I managed to keep my s**t together, although I'm not sure if that will be possible once my eyes actually land on her.

And what if she was really pregnant and refused me the right to be there for my pup? Or what if she was already pregnant, coming to my pack, and she bore someone else's child?

The thought of that made my vision go red, and nearly rip out the steering wheel.

No, this couldn't be!

I don't think I could be as honorable as Vanya and love another man's pup like my own. f**k, in moments like this I gain a new respect for that man. He really put all his own feelings aside to build the happiest home possible for the woman he loves, no matter who or what kind of baggage she brought with her.

I sighed and shook my head.

Who am I kidding? It will take some time for my anger to subsidize, but I won't turn my back on her. She's mine by Goddess's blessing. It won't be ideal, but I will have no other choice than to swallow my pride and deal with it, no matter how much that situation is against everything I wanted for myself.

I arrived at Midnight Banes four hours before the planned event, just to be there before her. I made my way into the Pack House, like I did a thousand times before, feeling like I was going back in time to when Orson, Nicky and I were just pups, having sleepovers and making Uncle Benson go gray. Orson was my first friend ever, and he never cared that I was a kid from nowhere, who just came into his life through his Uncle's life choices. He never, even once threw in my face or made me feel bad for my family's situation. And if anything, Midnight Banes was just as much of a home to me as Harvest Moon and Lunar Tide.

Actually, none of the VanWoerts or Burgovs ever made me feel like I didn't belong, like a stray. I was simply one of them. Always.

So yes, if Cilia brought a pup into this world, it's only fair to embrace it, and stand up for the task. After all, he or she would be a half-sibling with my children, because there's no other way. No matter what she did, or what she conjured in her head, she's coming home with me.

The house was quiet, but it did smell like my childhood, with Aunt Sasha's cooking lingering in the air. I followed the scent to VanWoerts' place of choice - an open-concept room with a kitchen, my aunt's kingdom, a dining room, where we always had the best family gatherings and a living room with four gigantic couches on which we restored after the said gatherings and food coma aunt Sasha always put us in.

But I didn't find the expected crowd there. Only Sasha busting behind the counter, with her hair as always in a long braid resting on her shoulder and a small smile on her nose, hinting at how much love and care she put in each dish.

"Hey, hey, where is everyone?" - I said, announcing my presence - "Have they left you alone again?"

She looked up and smiled brightly, with warmth and affection that couldn't be faked.

"There's my nephew. Come give me a kiss." - she said and I obliged like always. - "And no, they haven't left me, I ordered them out. You know how I hate people pretending to help, if I could do it myself faster."

I chuckled and nodded. Sasha was always up to teaching us all the recipes we wanted, but when she was on the clock she used to throw us out claiming it would be faster this way.

"So where's everyone? I'd like to meet Orsonson."

She stopped stirring whatever she had in a pot and looked at me in utter horror.

"Don't mention that ridiculous name again. It took us all two days to change Orson's mind about it, and I don't want to hear another word that could start the argument again."

I snorted and made a boy-scout cross on my heart.

"I swear. But have they settled for something else? It's kinda time."

"They did." - she nodded with a smile, returning to her task at hand - "After a long dispute they chose Paxson and it's already on the birth certificate and I'd like to keep it that way."

"Paxson." - I tried the name on my tongue - "I like it. So I guess Markie had it her way?"

"It's actually Cilia who came up with it. And she fought my son for it like a lioness."

My eyes went wide at the mention of her name.

"So Orson talked to her? I thought they weren't in touch." - I murmured.

"What are you talking about? Of course they talked, she's been here for two days now." - Sasha announced and my head snapped her way, just to find her already watching me. Sasha's wise, gray eyes held mine for just a second and she nodded, why, I didn't know, but she sighed and turned back to her cooking. - "They are all in the nursery. It's in the room that Kimmy once occupied."

"Thanks." - I said, making a step to go there, but then I stopped myself. - "Do you need some help?"

But Sasha smiled and shook her head.

"No, dear. I'll do mine, you do yours." - she said off-handedly, and with Sasha you could never be absolutely sure what her mind hid.

But I brushed it off, knowing I would be too restless had I not seen her right away. So I went to the first floor in fast strides, passing door after door, following the sound of laughter. I finally stopped in front of the door slightly ajar, at the sound of her voice.

"And as your Fairy Goddess-mother, I give you the gift of wisdom." - Cilia said - "So that you don't attempt to hurt your child with an awful name, like your Papa did." - that brought a fit of chuckles from at least four different people and I chuckled quietly too.

"And I promise to be the voice of reason. So, dear Paxson, be prepared to have your head smacked whenever you're mistreating women, don't listen to your Mama, and generally behave like a fool. And on that note, you don't have to really listen to your Dad." - after that Markella's giggles sounded above everyone else's, the baby fussed, as if it disagreed with Cilia, just to make a bubbly sound next, and I swear to Goddess, it sounded like two pups were in there. I didn't waste another second before pushing the door open and I felt like I was struck by lightning.

Cilia was rocking a dark-haired baby in her arms, holding him close to her chest and softly kissing his forehead. She looked like a vision, in a fitted deep purple dress, and her dark hair cascading down her back. I didn't miss how she left it in those untamed waves I liked so much, making everything about her absolutely perfect.

Perfect for me.

That thought came out of nowhere, even though I had a feeling it was baking somewhere in the back of my head.

Cilia was perfect for me. Not only her looks had me on my knees, but also her personality, which came as a much appreciated surprise, was absolutely amazing and I loved every moment spent with her.

Maybe I even love her.

No, there's no maybe. She's simply the one. The one who has occupied my thoughts, my dreams. The one I can't picture my life without.

And no matter what it was that made her leave in the middle of the night, we will get through this.

"Maslow, don't just stand there. Come in." - I recognized Dave's voice, but I just couldn't take my eyes off of Cilia.

Her head snapped my way, and our eyes locked. Her icy-blue irises held many different emotions for just a split second, before she hardened her stare and put on a smile that I knew by now was fake as f**k.

"Oh, you're here early." - Orson said, coming over to me, he clapped my back and started pushing me into the room. - "Come meet my son."

He brought me in arm's reach to Cilia, who was holding baby Paxson and I'm not sure if I even took my eyes off of her to glance at the boy.

"He's adorable. Congrats, man." - I said, yet my eyes stayed focused on Cilia, who kept on smirking as if she was enjoying this situation.

I quickly scanned the room, nodding my hellos to the others, and I frowned.

"Where's the other one?" - I asked.

"The other one?" - came in a high-pitched voice from the annoying Gamma female, Billy.

"What other one, Sean?" - asked Markella with an edge in her tone, joining Ors, Cilia and I in our small circle surrounding Paxson.

The girls both looked utterly confused, so I glanced to the side at Orson, who was closely inspecting his feet.

"Oh my Goddess!" - Markella exclaimed with frustration in her tone. - "You told him your crazy theory about Cilia being pregnant, didn't you?!" - she asked her mate accusingly and I suddenly felt stupid for believing it, even if his words gave me some more or less rational explanation.

"I… Um…" - Orson started stammering, but he was cut off by the most melodic laughter I'd ever heard and all three of us looked at Cilia, who was on the verge of tears, from how amused she was.

"You thought I was pregnant?" - she asked Orson, and he slowly nodded. - "And you believed him?" - she directed the next question to me, and I also confirmed with a single jerk of my head. - "Oh wow. I guess now you boys know better than to trust all the gossip you hear about me." - she said pointedly, looking into my eyes. Then she cuddled Paxson closer and scrunched her nose. - "I think my nephew and I share thoughts about this moment. Markie, I believe we have a brown code over here."

Cilia and Markie busied themselves at the changing table with Billy, helping however she could, while Orson announced it was a drink time for the guys and he hauled all the men to his office. I tried sneaking out to speak with Cilia, but when I finally managed, I found her surrounded by Uliana and Nicky, who had just come over with their families. I knew Cilia noticed me standing in the doorway to the living room, her smirk indicated as much, but something told me that if I wanted to talk to her, I would have to corner her or wait till the night. Which wasn't such a bad idea.

The Pack's celebration was actually very beautiful and nothing I've seen before. Orson said it was customary in Markella's tribe and he liked the idea very much. That's why the official part started with mine and Cilia's blood oaths, where in front of everyone we promised to love and protect little Paxson and raise him to be the best leader for the Midnight Banes people, if his parents could no longer do it themselves.

After that, Orson and Markella did a round around the gathered crowd to introduce the little future Alpha to his people. Some wolves just smiled, a few older kids brushed his dark hair or hit an awkward high-five, but there were also those who gladly embraced the youngest VanWoert to the absolute joy of Orson and Markie. It felt like a special moment when the entire pack bonded with the newborn, looking more and more as if they were ready to lay down their lives for his sake.

I looked at Cilia and she was barely holding her tears of joy at bay. She looked so amazing and carefree watching Markella and her child. It almost made me sad that the gossip I believed in wasn't true. Cilia would be the scary kind of Mother. The one that could silence an entire playground with just one mean scowl. But also the one that loves fiercely with no reservations. She would be perfect at it.

Yes, I definitely must speak with her and put this ridiculous situation to an end.

We started getting back to the Pack House for a family dinner and I chose this moment to confront her, with everyone close by, there was a chance she wouldn't make a scene or bail.

I approached her from behind and leaned over her ear.

"We need to talk."

Her back immediately got straight and tense, but when she turned around to face me she wore that unfazed mask again.

"About what?" - she asked nonchalantly, bringing my blood to boiling.

"Don't push it, Cilia, or I swear…"

"Now, now, Alpha Maslow, what will the family think if you cause a scene in the middle of Paxson's presentation." - she cut me off with a sly smirk. - "Oh look, uncle Ben is already watching us." - she pointed to the side where Orson's parents were walking alongside Uliana and Boris and waved to Benson.

I clenched my jaw and followed behind her without another word. I didn't want to cause a scene, and she had me there. But still, we'll be staying at the same house. She can't possibly think I wouldn't find a way to confront her.

The dinner was amazing, as per usual, when Aunt Sasha cooks. And the atmosphere was even better with happy conversations among everyone. It seems that I was the only one sulking and staying out of the main topics, speaking only when asked directly. Cilia, however, shone like a rare diamond, making clever comments just to offer her service as a nanny to allow Markie and Orson a second of free time to consume their meal. It seemed that she was the heart of the party and I started wondering if she was always like this and I never noticed, too irritated with what I thought was true.

"Auntie, dinner is as always perfect. No one makes borscht like you do." - Cilia said, smiling at Sasha sweetly.

"Thank you, Sweetie, that's your great-aunt's recipe." - Sasha answered.

"That's what I thought." - she said, taking another spoonful into her mouth. - "Speaking of my great-aunt, would it be okay if I asked a question?" - she asked carefully, knowing that for all three Burgov siblings talking about their late mother was never easy. Vanya, Ilia and Sasha loved their mother dearly and each of them took a hard blow after she was killed.

"Of course, Cilia." - Sasha agreed, putting her own spoon down, giving Cilia her undivided attention.

"I heard that when she met great-uncle Nikolay, my Grandfather organized a tournament for her hand."

Sasha giggled and nodded.

"That's true. He was a tough man to convince. Imagine your father and Igor combined, then you'll have an almost presentable idea of who uncle Pavel was."

Cilia smiled, yet I had a feeling she was going somewhere with that damn family quiz.

"You know, we barely even talk about him back at home." - Sasha nodded sadly, most likely thinking about his death, from the hands of his own son when he went ape-s**t crazy after losing his mate. - "But I would love to hear everything you know about that tournament."

Sasha nodded, putting the loose strand behind her ear, as if she was preparing herself for something big.

"Well, as you know, your Grandfather wasn't very fond of his little sister downgrading herself by a relationship with a Gamma wolf." - Cilia nodded, looking mesmerized by the story. - "He took it upon himself to separate them, and he used an old Dark Woods' ritual that probably remembers tsarism, which boiled down to strongest men from the region fighting for a hand of any Orlov she-wolves. Our family for generations believed in power and no one batted an eye that those women could have wanted something more than being a means to a new strong alliance. But it was a tradition." - Sasha rolled her eyes, saying with that exactly what she thought of it.

"When did it stop?" - Cilia asked, leaning closer.

"I believe my great-grandfather put a stop to this barbaric tradition after his two sisters told him that if they don't get to be with their true mates, he shouldn't either." - Sasha said with a small smile.

"They took him in the crossfire. I love it." - Cilia grinned. - "Okay, so why was it organized for great-aunt Uliana?"

"To discredit my father, of course." - Sasha smirked, and looked at David with affection. - "We all know how great and powerful Gammas can be, but there are certain fields where they are no match for Alphas or Betas."

"So how did they end up together after all?" - Cilia asked.

"Your grandfather made one big mistake in underestimating my Mother." - Sasha smirked - "He agreed to write down a new rule allowing the female in question to pick the three competitions all candidates would have to go through."

"And she chose those her mate would win at?" - Cilia asked, looking really invested in the story.

"Oh no, Honey. My mother had another idea in mind." - Sasha shook her head - "You have to know that my mother was in a way a perfect blend of Ellie and my daughter." - Sasha patted Liana's hand with affection. - "She was the sweetest, most caring woman I knew. But when push came to shove, she was a true fighter. I'm not sure if it's still practiced in the Dark Woods, but back in the days, ranked females were forced to do all those ridiculous activities like archery, horseback riding, and fencing. Everything that was meant to look useful, but really was just a proper young lady's education."

"I know." - Cilia groaned - "It's still one of those traditions that, unfortunately, wasn't forgotten."

"Really? What did they make you learn?" - Sasha asked with interest.

"Fencing, figure skating, kendo and target shooting." - Cilia said with a huff, as if she secretly hated each and every one of them. Even though I found it quite impressive.

"I must say, I'm surprised Sabine went through with it. Right, Benny?" - Sasha asked her mate.

"M-hmm." - uncle Benson nodded, not taking his attention from his soup.

"So what did great-aunt Uliana do?" - Cilia pressured.

"Oh right." - Sasha nodded - "She chose those useless activities she was forced to exceed in and she won the damn thing all by herself." - Sasha chuckled with pride. - "After that, and I know that from my father, she told the entire crowd that she fought and won her own hand, that she will give it to whomever she wishes to. Your grandfather almost murdered her on the spot." - she ended with a chuckle.

"She sounds like a true Orlov." - Cilia said fondly.

"Oh she was one, a true wolf in sheep's clothing." - Sasha nodded with a smile - "But why do you ask about that wretched tournament, dear?"

"Oh right." - Cilia straightened her back with a smile and looked around the table. - "Because Dark Woods will host another one. But this time, I will be the prize."

I choked on my soup, but that wasn't the worst. Sasha dropped her glass of wine on the carpet with shock written all over her face, and a few of the guys started shouting something one over the other. But Cilia kept on smiling, and pointedly looking at me.

"Um… Cilia, are you sure? Is Igor forcing you to do it?" - Sasha asked, regaining her composure.

"Oh, you got the whole thing wrong, Auntie." - Cilia waved her hand - "I asked for it." - she announced, making my head throb.

She did what?! What was she thinking?

Did she really write me off already? Without even so much as a chance to speak with her?

I wiped my mouth and leaned back in my chair glaring at her with a silent question in my eyes: Why? But all she did was hold my gaze and smirk.

"And by the way, it's on the next full moon, and you are all invited." - her icy-blue eyes held mine and I had a feeling she was saying this to me. As if it was a challenge. Come and see who I choose over you.

The bombshell Cilia dropped was enough to occupy most of the conversations all through the evening. But after trying hard and failing at taking the grip of my anger at this infuriating woman, I excused myself, hoping that a splash of cold water would help me. It didn't.

A few moments later, when I returned to the dining room, from the doorway I could see Cilia was no longer at the table. I decided to corner her in her room and knock that stupid idea out of her head.

Instead of returning to everyone, I went upstairs, finding her room without any trouble.

"Cilia, open up." - I knocked on the door, but there was absolute silence - "Cilia!" - I started banging on the door, making it impossible for her to ignore me.

"She's not there." - I heard from behind my back, and when I turned, aunt Sasha was standing at the end of the hall with her hands clasped in front of her.

"Where is she?" - I asked, not even caring about telling her about Cilia and I, and putting a family gossip mill in motion.

"She left with Boris and the boys to give Uliana an evening with her family."

"So she's on her way to Harvest Moon?!" - I demanded.

"Yes, but she won't be there for long. She's flying off to Dark Woods tonight." - I cussed, leaning my back over the wall and looking up, wondering if I could still catch her, or was it all planned out so that I wouldn't have an option to. And something about her demeanor at dinner tells me it's the second option.

"She's your mate, isn't she?" - I looked at Sasha and she didn't even need my confirmation before she sighed and strode towards me, pushing me into the room previously occupied by Cilia, and locking the door behind us. - "I don't know what happened between you two, and to be honest, I don't want to know. I love you both, and I'm not going to choose sides."

I stood unmoving, not knowing how to react to this. Aunt Sasha always had the astonishing intuition that most of the time made her aware of what was going on, and what me and her sons were up to.

"But I don't like how Cilia is using tradition and my mother's memory in what I can only assume is revenge. And I don't care how much she thinks she's hurt, but I'm…"

"Hurt? I didn't do anything wrong." - I defended myself, but Sasha just smiled softly.

"You men always think you did nothing wrong. But if I had a dollar for each time Benson crossed the line without even knowing it, I would be a millionaire."

"You are a millionaire." - I deadpanned.

"Well, then there you have it." - she waved her hand in the air, proving her point. - "But I'm afraid those were the words and actions of a woman who had been wronged. And my niece is as stubborn as Dmitry, so if you want to make things straight you will have to go to Dark Woods."

I put my hands on my hips and nodded, thinking she might actually be right.

"But Sean…" - I looked up, into my aunt's eyes - "You better know what you want going there, because she looked ready to drag you through hell before caving." - she warned me.

I nodded, having the exact same feeling.