My Jolly Alpha - Burgov Series V

7. Markella

"I don't think that's such a good idea. I should better go with you." - Orson said during lunch, and even though Cilia would be there and we wouldn't be able to talk freely, I was looking very much forward to him escorting us around the Pack and the closest town.

"That's fine, Ors. We can manage on our own." - Cilia said, waving her hand.

"Like hell you are." - he disagreed. - "I'm coming and that's final."

"No, I'll go with the girls." - the Gamma David offered, looking pointedly at Orson.

I don't know why, but I got this uneasy vibe from him. He's nice and all, he's also strange in his own way that I can't quite explain. In his presence, I feel like I'm constantly under the scrutinizing all-seeing eye, and I don't like this very much. Especially since he's the first true Gamma I've ever met, and I don't quite know what to expect from him. Cilia told me, of course, that David and his siblings are pure-blood Gammas, but aside from well-known facts about their rank, I don't quite know why that makes him so different.

"That's an excellent idea." - Kimmy chimed in, from under her soup, not making eye contact with me. Sha barely initiated any interactions with Cilia and I today, and I can't wait to ask my friend if something else was being said after I left the table yesterday.

"Fine. It looks like I can't win with you guys." - Orson caved. - "Dave, could you take the girls to the city too? Cilia agreed to help with the party, so maybe it's a good idea to start preparations right away."

"When will it be exactly?" - the Gamma asked.

"Christmas Eve. I remember about you going to Stonewall the next day, so don't worry." - Orson assured him.

"Okay, I have to ask, since when do werewolves celebrate Christmas? Isn't it like a human holiday?" - I asked, and everyone by the table chuckled, aside from Kimmy, who just shot me a disinterested glance before focusing back on her soup, but it looked strangely like she was fighting an eye roll off.

"We celebrate almost all human holidays, at least those fun ones." - Dave said with a smirk. - "And it's because of our aunts, who are humans."

"And because of Sean." - Orson chimed in, making Cilia release an exasperated sigh at the mere mention of his name.

"But he's not gonna be here, right?" - Cilia asked her cousins.

"Don't worry, Cuz. He'll be in his pack, and from what I've heard, Vanya and Diana are going to him on the 26th." - Orson said, making Cilia nod with relief. - "But you will have to see him soon or later." - he added, glancing at her with a smirk.

"No, I don't." - she said with a scoff.

"Well, at least Igor thought you would want to visit the Lunar Tide as well. At least he sent Sean the money for your stay there."

That information made Cilia look up at Orson in utter confusion.

"He did what?!" - she asked.

"He sent us all the money for your stay. You didn't know?" - Orson asked.

"Does my face look like I know?" - Cilia asked back with fire igniting in her eyes. - "I can't believe him. First he cuts me off, just to send some charity money to our family. That's so insulting!" - she huffed, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair.

"If you'd asked me, I would say it's very protective." - David said with a smile.

"Oh yeah, because the entire family knowing about him bossing me around makes me look so in control and well taken care of." - she said mockingly. - "Did Ellie, Nicky and Dean also receive a check for their charity Cousin?"

"I'm not sure about Nicky, but Ellie and Dean did." - David confirmed with a nod.

"Perfect. Just perfect." - Cilia said with a scowl.

"What's the big deal?" - I asked. - "Isn't it a nice thing he thought about your comfort?"

The second she narrowed her icy-blue eyes on me, I regretted asking this question. I have known her for some time now, and I should have known better.

"He doesn't care about my comfort, it's just his way of controlling me, and telling all of our family about it. f*****g rat bastard." - she said angrily, making David and Orson share a wary look.

It felt like they had unvoiced understanding, that became even clearer when David swiftly changed the subject.

"So about that party... What do you have in mind exactly, Orson?" - the Gamma asked.

"Nothing too snobby." - he shrugged - "I was thinking about a buffet, some climate Christmas music in the background and drinks."

"Cool." - Dave nodded.

"What about the dress code?" - Kimmy asked, suddenly interested in the subject.

"Casual." - Orson shrugged, taking another bite.

She grimaced at the idea, and looked like she wanted to say something more, but Cilia was faster.

"It's Christmas, we should go do all the human clichés, like decorating the tree, ugly sweater contest and, of course, some small gifts for the people." - she said.

"I like it." - Orson smiled at her. - "Would you take care of that?"

"Maybe I should do it?" - Kimmy asked him, looking rather displeased she was being excluded. - "After all, if it's an official event organized by the leaders, the woman in charge should be Luna. Don't you think?"

Orson watched her for a second, looking like he had a lot to say to that, and I started praying for him to stay quiet. And I think I breathed out in relief when he smiled at her, and shook his head.

"You're busy as it is, and Cilia has nothing better to do. Besides, she's half VanWoert, so that makes her part of the leading squad."

Kimmy looked displeased, to say the least. I think she would argue his point if she didn't have another two family members by the table. So, instead of throwing a fit, she ate the last spoonful of her soup and excused herself from the table.

I glanced with worry at Orson, who just winked at me, making my whole face burn with a hot blush.

"Ors," - Cilia started after Kimmy was at a safe distance - "you know that holding my thoughts in isn't my strongest suit, right?"

"No, I've never noticed." - he said sarcastically, giving David something to laugh about.

"So don't take this the wrong way, but your Luna is a real b***h. It actually looks like she's a punishment for all the crap that you've pulled throughout the years."

I almost choked on my water and Teddy and Orson didn't have much better reactions. David, however, smirked, focusing back on his plate again.

"Cilia, I don't think you should say things like that." - Teddy said perplexed, glancing nervously at Orson.

"Well, I'm just voicing what everyone else thinks, but don't have the big enough balls to say." - she shrugged. - "Besides, think of other women from this pack, like our mothers. Kimmy is a step back to this place."

The silence by the table was deafening, until David put his fork down and stood up.

"Okay, Cuz, you're obviously cranky from shopping deprivation. So let's go to the city." - he said cheerfully, making Cilia glare at him, but even her irritation wouldn't stop her from going.

Twenty minutes later, David, Cilia and I were climbing up to the big black SUV and leaving the Pack's premises. I watched the snowy landscape rolling outside the window, thinking how much life can change in twenty-four hours. Yesterday morning I was in sunny Rio, a bit hungover, but still happy and so unsuspecting of things that would happen to me. Now, I feel like I've been magically transported to the North Pole, with equally out-of-this-world events happening to me. With a mate that marked another woman, who was an evil shrew in disguise.

I listened to Cilia and David's banter on our way to the city, taking that moment to myself and trying to relax and maybe think of ways to help Orson resolve the matter quicker, but each time I came short on answers. I couldn't, for the love of me, figure out why, how or what Kimmy's goal might be. I just couldn't.

It's not like she showed Orson any form of affection that would explain the level of scheme she came up with. To be honest, it sometimes felt like she could barely stand his presence. What kind of insult could be so bad to make a woman sleep with you, while hating and tricking you? That just didn't make any sense.

In the city, Cilia seemed to let go of her grudges after just one shop. Maybe Dave actually knew her quite well and knew exactly what was the best medicine for her crankiness, or maybe that was just a distraction, but either way it worked perfectly, because going from shop to shop, she hadn't mentioned Kimmy once. Not to mention, she went extremely wild when we reached the Christmas decorations section, running from aisle to aisle with an expression that said she was ready for a brawl if someone crossed her, leaving Dave and I strolling after her, at a safe distance.

"So, you're my true Luna, huh?" - David asked quietly when Cilia was far enough from us, rummaging through the shelves full of ornaments.

My head snapped his way so fast that I almost got whiplash. He, however, looked perfectly pleased with startling me like this, still watching Cilia with a lazy smirk on his face.

I knew I had bad feelings about him. He seems too perceptive for his own good, and right now I had no idea whether his knowledge was a good or a bad thing, but either way, I chose to play dumb, just like Orson asked me to.

"I don't know what you're talking about." - I said, trying to get my heartbeat under control.

"Relax. Orson told me, not that I gave him much of a choice, but he did." - David assured me with his smirk widening. That bastard enjoyed himself and it was very obvious.

I felt like running away from him, just to keep the secret still between me and Orson, but in the city where we carpooled with him it looked like an impossible task. But I could always try.

"You know what, I think I'm gonna go help Cilia out." - I said, stepping away, but his next words made me stop.

"I think you should leave." - I stopped in my tracks and turned his way with wide eyes and he chuckled, shaking his head. - "No, not for good. But it's good to know how outraged that idea makes you." - he commented and I schooled my expression to be more passive. - "But it's not safe for you or any of us, for that matter."

I knitted my brows together, not sure of what he meant.

"You know, I love my Cousin and I would die for him or this pack without a question, and it actually makes me feel stupid for not figuring it out sooner. They were never acting like a normal couple." - he said.

"Why are you telling me this?" - I asked.

"Because you seem like a smart girl, and the one who actually gives a f**k about Orson. But for now you have done everything that you could have, and I don't want you to cause trouble."

"Trouble?" - I repeated after him.

"Yes, trouble." - he nodded - "You see, Markella, you showing up in Midnight Banes was everything we needed. Now we know about the rat in our home and we can act. But if you stay, everything can be jeopardized."

"How come?" - I asked, gripping my purse tighter, as if it was a shield protecting me from him.

"Because Orson won't think clearly, constantly having you on his mind. He might get caught sneaking out of your room, or someone might notice how your scent is similar to hers, like I did, or even smell him on you and vice-versa, which I also did." - I felt my cheeks heating up thinking about Orson staying over. -" Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you two. Orson may not be a golden boy, but he deserves happiness, but if you're in it for a long haul, give him time to figure this s**t out. I have his back, and I would help him however I can, but your presence is a threat and his another weakness. We don't know what Kimmy is after, but if she finds out who you are, you might become a target."

I swallowed hard because that thought never crossed my mind. Yes, I figured out that Kimmy's intentions probably weren't good, but I never gave much thought to how far she might go in her scheme. And is it possible that a woman who went as far as changing her scent would do something to me? Yes, I think it is.

"Look, I'm not trying to be a jerk here." - he said quietly, seeing my expression. - "But it's my duty to keep this place safe, and that includes you now also. So it's my professional opinion that you would be safer with one of our cousins or even my sister."

My eyes met his and I felt he wasn't playing any games now. He might have enjoyed my initial reaction, but as Orson and Cilia's Cousin, I was sure David had only his family's best interest at heart.

"I told him I would leave, he begged me not to go."

David chuckled, shaking his head.

"Of course he did." - he nodded, as if it wasn't a mystery to him. - "And that's why you should remove yourself from the scene. His head needs to be in this. Take Cilia and go to another pack in our family's hands. We will keep you safe and deal with it faster."

"Have you suggested it to Orson?" - I asked.

"I did." - he confirmed - "He obviously disagreed. That's why I'm asking you. s**t will go down soon. We already made some arrangements, but I don't want him to constantly worry about you."

"What kind of arrangements?" - I asked.

"I convinced Ors to include one more person, and he's currently following Kimmy." - Dave smirked.

I nodded, actually happy that they were doing something.

"Okay, I'll leave. But wouldn't it be strange to do it so suddenly?" - I asked - "With Cilia in charge of the party and us coming only yesterday, that's kind of suspicious, no?"

Dave knitted his brows thinking it through, and then he smiled.

"That is true." - he agreed - "It's good to know my Luna is a smart woman."

I shot him a weak smile.

"So after the party then?" - he asked.

"After the party." - I agreed, even though it wasn't exactly what I wanted.

"Markie, come look at those little Santas!" - Cilia hollered, making me glance her way and smile.

"I'm coming!" - I yelled back and turned to Dave once more - "Is there anything I could help with in the meantime?"

"No. You've already done enough. The family will take care of the rest." - he assured me with a smile and it made me feel more confident. - "Oh, and don't tell Cilia just yet, she will go on a rampage, and the last thing we need is a raging Orlov."

Dave's eyes, despite being so similar to Orson's, held so much confidence that I didn't doubt for even a second that he knew what he was doing and that made me feel a bit calmer. It didn't feel great to keep my best friend in the dark, but Dave was right, Cilia's short temper could be problematic. If she had known about Kimmy's schemes I know for a fact she wouldn't have held back.

We joined Cilia and shopped for decorations a while longer. Then she couldn't pass on the sale and she dragged us to choose the most hideous Christmas sweaters that were ever made. She chose for me one that looked like a real-life Christmas tree with blinking lights and everything. Dave was gifted with the blue sweater with an upside-down snowman, who had his carrot nose right at his crotch, and the worst part was, it was sticking out, making him look like he was walking around with a permanent boner. I guess that's Cilia's way of getting revenge for teasing her.

She also bought one for Orson and Teddy. Orson's had Santa standing on the roof peeing, and the yellow stream was lit up by twinkling lights. Teddy's sweater was all in red and green stripes, with Rudolph's head sticking in the front, and the reindeer's ass on his back.

And finally for herself, Cilia bought a tight red sweater with a big Christmas sock on her chest, that actually was a wine pocket. Of course, she chose the best for herself.

It didn't surprise me that she hadn't got anything for Kimmy. Cilia is a master of showing people her feelings, which only assured me that David's request was very on point.

On our way back to the pack, Dave took us to the best bakery in town where Cilia bought almost everything that they had and placed an order for cookies and cotton candies for the party.

After coming back to the Pack House, she and I locked ourselves in her bedroom to chat and munch on the pies she bought. It was kind of our tradition to chill in bed after every spree, and this time was no different. We laid down with our feet up resting on the headboard, each with a spoon in her hand, and we shamelessly dug into trays, not even bothering with plates.

"So? Do you feel anything here?" - Cilia asked, licking her spoon from the cheesecake and glancing at me.

"What do you mean?"

She sighed and rolled on her stomach.

"Your mate." - she rolled her eyes. - "Honestly? I thought you might find your mate in my family and Dave was my top pick, since the others are either taken or too young. But maybe we will have luck with Dean."

That sinking feeling of dread tied my stomach in knots. I hate lying to her. But despite how happy she would be about being right, David was right, I needed to wait with revealing the truth.

"No, Dave's not it. Besides, he's kind of too young. I am what, five-six years his senior?" - I asked back.

"Yeah, I suppose that's true." - she said with a giggle. - So maybe it would be him." - she said, not meeting my eyes.

I knew exactly what kind of Him she had in mind. The Him, who was like Voldemort to us, and we barely ever spoke his name.

"I'm sure I'm not." - I told her, squeezing her hand.

"You can't know that."

"But I do." - I said more sternly, and she nodded, not arguing anymore.

We lay in silence for a while, each of us engulfed in our own thoughts, until Cilia spoke again.

"I don't like Orson's mate." - she announced, as if that wasn't obvious so far - "She's not good enough for him."

"Why would you say that?" - I asked, looking to the side at her.

"He doesn't smile around her, and he used to be the most fun person I know." - I felt my heart breaking at this. - "Plus, she doesn't even make an effort to become a part of our family and I'm pretty sure she had something to do with my Aunt and Uncle not being here."

"What?" - I frowned.

"You heard me. I think she did or said something to Orson's parents to chase them away, because I see no other reason why Aunt Sasha wouldn't be here." - Cilia rested her chin on her hand, looking concerned. - "My Aunt is like the most carrying Mama Wolf I know. She might have gone for a short vacation after retiring, but from what Teddy told us, they are barely ever here."

That sounded really fishy, and Cilia was right, it wasn't summing up.

"And you think it's Kimmy's doing?" - I asked.

"Of course. It takes one entitled b***h to know the other, and I'm telling you, she wants to pull him away from the family. And that's exactly why she's been giving me a cold shoulder too." - she said with her icy-blue eyes narrowing as if she was targeting her newest enemy.

I gave a lot of thought to Cilia's words. It made perfect sense. If Kimmy planned something bad, getting rid of Orson's family living here might have been her first step. There was nothing she could do with Teddy and David, but the in-laws were a completely different story. And the reminder of how insecure Orson was yesterday when he was telling me about his parents confirms just that. She wanted him to be broken and as alone as he could be.

The immense anger started taking over me, and I had to get away from Cilia, before she would notice something was off and I would have no other option than to tell her.

I returned to my room, at first pacing like a caged animal, just to start aimlessly staring out the window, as if the evening Pack's life was supposed to help me.

There was something disturbing in people walking around with no rush, having absolutely no idea what was going on in their Alpha's home.

I saw a pair with a kid on their stroll, enjoying the evening chill. Two warriors laughing with each other. A dark-skinned Omega shoveling the fresh snow, and glancing from time to time at the big building I was in, but the darkness of my bedroom kept me hidden. And they had absolutely no idea. The thought that neither would Orson had Cilia chose to visit a different cousin first makes me feel sick to my stomach.

I don't know how long I was looking outside, but when the last speck of daylight was gone and the moon was shining high in the sky, the door to my bedroom opened and Orson slipped in with a smile on his face. The joy in his eyes, however, quickly evaporated when he noticed my expression.

"What's wrong?" - he asked, coming closer and cupping my cheek.

"I need you to call your mother." - I said, looking into his eyes.

"My mother? Why?" - he frowned.

"You have to ask her why she left and tell her about Kimmy."

His hand fell and he took a step back.

"I don't really want to include her. It took Dave quite some time to convince me to ask for my Uncle's help." - he said.

"You have to, Orson." - I said sternly, taking his hand in mine. - "Right now Kimmy is a few steps ahead of us. But she's lacking something that you have." - he gave me a questioning look. - "Your family. You need them now."

He watched me for a while, not looking happy about my request, but he finally sighed and nodded.

"Fine. I'll call her tomorrow." - he agreed.