How come I got a playboy for a mate?

Chapter Five

Heather POV

Gerry was a nice older man, his manners impeccable. My mother would be impressed.

We exchanged phone numbers outside my home and I waved him goodbye, and I would see him at seven-thirty on Monday.

Taking in a deep breath, I straightened myself up and walked up to the door, and before I could reach the door handle, the door flew open, and my father stood before me and was looking down at me, with concern written on his face and a hint that the incident would not disappear. I wonder if he would ground me. I internally giggled, knowing he wouldn’t because I was going to date the prince.

‘Come into my office and let us talk, shall we?’ Dad made it sound like a question, but I knew an order when I heard one.

I nodded and followed Dad down the hallway and up the stairs to his office. As I passed the kitchen door, I looked in and saw Mum and nearly all my family sitting at the table, looking out waiting for me to pass by. They had worry etched on their faces, well except my sisters, they had a mocking look, as if they were pleased I was in trouble at last. I was never in trouble, always the goody-goody, though I did not feel that way, because I was still a virgin and did not go out and do the nightlife like they do, I was considered to be too good for the likes of them.

‘Sit.’ Dad pointed to the ‘I am in trouble, chair.’ and I sat with my head hung down and waited for Dad to growl at me, as I had expected him to and deserved.

‘Why did you not join your sisters, when they went to the castle?’

‘They were dressed in, well, um.’

‘Spit it out, child.’ Dad growled suddenly.

‘Well, for a better choice of word, I would say whores.’ I gulped down my fear at how Dad would react and was pleasantly surprised when he just stared at me.

‘I agree, that sometimes their attire leaves nothing to the imagination, but I fail to see how that affects you.’ he looked confused.

‘Well, you see. I, well, um, I feel uncomfortable when I am out with them, and they are dressed like that.’

Dad’s eyes widened, and then it was as if what I said suddenly clicked and he nodded.

‘Sorry, you have to feel that way, they are often dressed in the manner of a lady escort, and I am not proud to say that, but your mother told me to stay out of it when I said something about their clothing a few years back, so I just watch and cringe, and you have no idea how happy it makes me knowing you do not dress like that, or even do the things, I hear they get up to.’ Dad said with a sigh.

Fiddling with my phone in my lap, I waited for Dad to ask me about my visit. I knew he had to know. I am sure our Alpha had most likely contacted him when I was taken away.

‘It makes me happy to see you have returned in one piece. Can you tell me what went on and what I have to brace myself for?’ Dad said speculatively.

‘Um, you see, I have just bargained with the Queen, and I now have a job with her, starting Monday, so I won’t be able to work with you anymore, Dad. I am sorry about that. I was enjoying my time with you at work.’

‘Slow down, and try that again. What do you mean by bargaining with the queen? That is unheard of.’ he said, shocked.

‘Dad, I am the mate to Mason.’ I started to explain, but Dad jumped up from his chair, rushed over to me, pulled me out of the chair, and twirled me around the room.

Putting me down, he rushes to the door and sticks his head out.

‘Jayne, get in here now.’ He yells, and I jump at the loudness of his voice as it echoes in his office.

‘What is it, Ben?’ Mum, comes rushing in, her face pale with concern.

Dad closes the door, guides her to a chair, and makes her sit.

‘Our daughter is the mate of Mason the prince.’ He crows with delight.

Mum lets out a squeal, turns to me, and draws me into a hug.

‘Jayne, I have not heard all the story yet. I thought you might want to be here when she explains what is going on. Now that your mother is here, do you care to explain the negotiations with the queen to me?’ Dad sits back down and leans forward his elbows on his knees as he stares intently at me.

‘Negotiating with the queen? What the…? Are you mad?’ Mum growls, confused by this statement.

‘Mum, I did not want to be Mason’s mate, he is a playboy, the queen agreed with me. That is why we agreed that Mason has to prove himself to me, and to date me before any mating can take place. Dad, the negotiation was how long we were to be dating. I was going to make Mason date me. We agreed on three months, and the terms of the agreement, if he breaks the agreement, I can add another week to the time frame.’ I added quietly, hoping Dad and Mum would be happy with me now.

‘Wow, I am proud of you darling, I understand what you mean about the boy’s reputation. Your sisters would have had no problems, but you, my dear, are precious and deserve to be treated right.’ Mum glows brightly that one of her girls is going to be a royal mate.

‘Mum, I have my first date on Saturday, and I start working with the queen on Monday.’

‘Why will you start working with the queen?’ Mum asked, lost in her thoughts as she slowly processed all I had said.

‘Mason is going to be the beta, so she has said I have to learn to be the future queen’s assistant. Or something like that.’

Mum squealed again and could not contain her grin. Dad thumped the desk in excitement at his daughter being a beta wife.

‘Our daughter is going to be a beta wife in the royal family, our Alpha is going to be so pleased when he hears this.’

‘Let’s get him on the phone now.’ Dad was excited to call the alpha and gloat. He grabs his phone and puts it on speaker.

‘Ben, did you call me to tell me why your daughter was dragged to the castle today?’ Alpha said with no preamble, anger clear in his voice.

‘Heather was not dragged to the castle, she was taken there because she is the mate to Mason, who is the future beta of the royal pack.’ Dad gloats. Defending me by omission.

‘Wow, congratulations, a celebration is in order. When will the mating happen?’

‘Because Mason is a well-known ladies’ man, my daughter and the queen have negotiated an agreement, that he must date her first and get to know her before any mating can take place, so we expect a few months.’

‘That is a mighty fine idea. Heather is a good girl and I see no wrong in making him wait.’

‘We shall have a big celebration at the pack house on Saturday evening.’

‘No Alpha, that is Heather’s first date night.’ Mum chimes in.

‘We can make it, Sunday luncheon then, well done. Glad to hear it was not for a bad reason that Heather was taken to the castle, and Congratulations Heather.’

‘Thank you, Alpha.’ I have no idea why I just thanked Alpha; it was not like I had any choice about who my mate was.