My Jolly Alpha - Burgov Series V

8. Orson

I woke up again next to Markella, but this time it seemed we were even closer together than yesterday. Maybe David was right, and I can't always control the pull and I'm playing with fire here. But it's so damn hard to be away from her.

How could I not notice that I never had those kinds of thoughts about Kimmy. I know it's completely different, because now I have something to compare my emotions to, but still, from the stories I've heard and those I saw with my own eyes, I should have known that what Kimmy and I had wasn't normal.

I looked at Markella's innocent face, wondering why I agreed to call my mother. It's not that our relationship is bad, but I don't necessarily want her to hear about my next failure. I can already hear her voice asking me how I could bring a complete stranger into our home and then mark her, without even suspecting anything. Once again, I will prove that I'm her least accomplished child and the one who brings this family nothing but problems.

Sure, Uliana had her moment of fame when she got knocked up at only eighteen, but she had that blind luck to hook up with her own mate, even though she couldn't know that then.

My brother found his mate too. Okay, it was a bit of a last minute change in his case, but in the end, everyone loves Evelyn, who, together with my Mom and Liana, are almost attached by a hip.

Like always, they had it easy. But in my life nothing ever seems that way.

Maybe I wanted my relationship with Kimmy to work because I didn't want to be a black sheep again. Maybe I marked her because of all this pressure I always felt on me.

Not that I should place blame somewhere else now. After all, those were my canines and my decision in the end. And it was me who did it half-heartedly, hoping that one day we'd be better.

But now, look at me. I can't sleep because I have to call my Mom and tell her I f****d up again. It makes me feel as if I was a teenager again, and I'm closing to thirty, for Goddess's sake!

"A little while longer and steam might come out of your ears." - Markella's voice startled me and I looked into her amazing hazel eyes and she immediately noticed distress on my face. - "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." - I said, gently tracing her lips with my thumb.

"Orson." - she said my name with a plea, not buying my sorry-ass excuse.

"I would much rather deal with Kimmy on my own, than alert my parents." - I admitted with a sigh.

"Why? You're afraid they will judge you?" - she asked in a soft voice, probably not even realizing how close to the home she had hit. - "They won't, I know that." - she said after seeing my expression.

"You don't know our relationship, and you don't know them."

"No, I don't. But I heard more than enough stories about them to make an opinion for myself, and besides, they raised you, so they must be good people."

That statement made me laugh. Hard.

Markie made it sound like I was some scout boy that everyone loved and was proud of, yet the reality couldn't be more different.

"That's a good one, Sweetheart."

"Why? Because they raised a son who cares about their opinion?" - she asked in a sharp tone that made me stop chuckling. - "Because they raise a man ready to devote his life to his duties, even if they make him miserable. Or are you laughing because they taught you how to take responsibility for your actions? Those aren't flaws, Orson, those are traits of a great man."

"There isn't even a single person in this family who thinks I'm great." - I said, turning away from her and looking at the ceiling.

"Of course there are, silly. I may have met only two of them by now, but I can assure you that both Cilia and David love you and deeply care for you." - she told me.

"Of course they do. We're family. But I'm sorry to inform you, but you landed the shortest straw of the entire clan."

"Orson, look at me." - she said, placing her hand on my cheek and moving my head to face her. - "Life isn't a race, and we aren't rats in a hamster wheel. Stop comparing yourself to others. So what if Igor has a bigger pack? So what if Dean got his title at just twenty? And Sean… Okay, I don't know anything about him, but the point is to be happy for them and also being comfortable in your own skin. And I can assure you, there's a lot of things to admire in you."

"Like what?" - I scoffed.

"Like the most amazing smile, self-restraint, the most gorgeous pack I've ever seen and the best sense of humor." - she said with a smile.

"Wow, so I'm good at cracking jokes and I have a nice home. Yeah, it sounds like I'm a catch." - I snorted.

"To me you are." - she said sternly, sounding a bit hurt at my mockery - "I don't want a man who's always chasing his tale, worrying about everything other than me. I don't want a man who's always first and on top of everyone else. Those guys may be admired by everyone, but they sound horrible to live with." - she pointed out - "However, I do want a man who would make me smile each damn day. Do you think you could do that?"

I nodded, feeling a little speechless at her words.

"Then I will never feel like I got the 'short straw', and don't you ever dare to call yourself that again."

I couldn't stop staring at this woman. She was perfect, and not because she hasn't seen me as a f**k up I am, but because she had a power to make you feel like a king of the world. And honestly, she's someone who gives you wings and helps you fly. Next to her, I feel like I could do anything.

"I really would love to kiss you right now." - I said and she giggled.

"Me too, big guy, me too." - she said with a pained smile. - "Go to your own room now, and I'll meet you in the kitchen and then we'll make a call."

I didn't want to leave her. To be honest, I didn't want to be away from her ever again. But it was almost seven and the entire house would be awake soon, so I had no other choice.

I tried to rush through my routine to be next to her as soon as possible. But when I entered the kitchen with a smile on my face, she wasn't there yet. But Kimmy's way.

It took almost all my strength to not scowl or even break her neck on the spot. I was never the one to raise a hand on a woman, but Goddess, she deserves it. The attraction that I felt for her two days ago, turned into deeply rooted hatred. And the scent that follows her makes me want to catch her arms and shake her until it's all gone, telling her over and over again, how it doesn't belong to her.

I schooled my face to stay calm, even though everything in me was boiling at the mere sight of her. She came closer and kissed my cheek, giving me the immediate urge to wipe my skin clean from her venomous lips.

"It's good that we're here alone." - she started and I had to turn away from her to suppress my eye roll. - "I've been meaning to ask you how long would your Cousin stay here?"

Of course she would ask about that. Cilia wasn't like everyone else in my family, she never pretended to like someone she didn't. And since Kimmy never even made an effort to be nice and welcoming, Cilia retaliated with disarming honesty, telling Kimmy exactly what she thinks of her and treating her like an intruder she is.

"I don't know." - I answered shortly.

"Could you find that out? She's mean and I don't feel comfortable around her." - Kimmy said, again playing those mind games she had done since the beginning.

There were more situations like this one than I care to count. She would often tell me that she didn't like Benny's sticky hands, so she wouldn't have to go to the Harvest Moon with me. She would tell me that Eve was giving her side looks, flaunting her pregnant belly, as if she was mocking Kimmy for not being with child yet. She would say that she heard my Aunts negatively commenting on her shoes, or whatever absurd thing she came up with. And I'm ashamed to admit it worked on me much too often. I would miss out when Dave was going to see his brother. I would fall for her fake insecurities, cutting our visits short, or going alone altogether. She played me like a f*****g fiddle all those months. But no more.

I put my cup down and turned to face her.

"No, Kimmy, you were the mean one. You were condescending to Cilia's friend, so she answered with the same, but it was you who started it." - I told her and secretly enjoyed her lips parting in shock, before her face changed into an angry frown.

"But I'm Luna of this pack, she should treat me with respect." - she said, and it took everything in me not to laugh.

"Then act like it, and at least try to be nice to my guests."

"But she doesn't like me, and she made a fool out of me in front of my Beta and Gamma." - she argued further, probably hoping I would once again cave and let her have it her way just to be done with the argument.

"Cilia is VanWoert by blood, and if she's telling you that you aren't keeping up to the standards this family is run by, then maybe she has a point."

Her eyes went wide, but man, that felt good.

"Are you seriously taking her side?!" - she asked with her voice getting a bit high-pitched and squeaky.

"I told you I'm done discussing my family, they aren't going anywhere, and it's only your call to either become one of them or not. So the ball's in your court, Kimmy."

She glared at me with a ferocity that could startle even stronger men, and I hoped this little argument hadn't made her too suspicious. I probably should have played it cooler, but it's getting so hard acting civil around her that I'm not quite sure how long I would be able to keep this charade going.

"Ahem." - Dave's not so subtle throat clearing had both Kimmy and I step away from our standoff. - "You guys are okay?"

"We're fine." - Kimmy snapped, then she reached for her to-go cup and she disappeared from the kitchen.

'Dude, what the hell?! You were supposed to play it cool. You said you could do that.' - Dave mind-linked me, making sure that Kimmy had no option to overhear us.

'I can do that. But she wanted me to tell Cilia to leave.'

'Well, Cilia hates Kimmy's guts and she isn't shy to speak about it.' - he pointed out.

'Good, it's fun to watch.' - I chuckled - 'Has Uncle Ilia found anything yesterday?'

'So far nothing. He followed her all day, but all she did was pay a few house calls, just like Luna should.'

'Tell him to have an eye on her. She will have a slip eventually.' - I asked him.

'Sure. But he's been blowing my phone with questions. Are you sure you don't want to tell him the real reason why?' - Dave asked, as I was preparing myself a plate.

'I don't know. Ask me about that later, because after breakfast Markie wants me to call my parents.'

'And you're gonna do that?!' - he asked in shock, and I glanced at a smirk forming on his face. - 'Two days and she already has you on your back wagging your tail. I like her style.'

"f**k off, Dave." - I said out loud, making him laugh.

We were soon joined by a half-asleep Teddy and both Cilia and Markie, who were chattering about some sweaters and only when she was close by. I felt better after the encounter with Kimmy and I was able to stomach my breakfast.

After he had his coffee, Teddy started another funny story about what had happened in our home since Cilia was last here, making us all laugh more than once.

"Okay, I have to ask." - Teddy said, looking at my cousin. - "Why haven't you visited us as often lately?"

"Oh, you know, busy schedule and all." - Cilia said evasively, hiding her face behind the coffee mug.

"That sucks. This place seems brighter when you're here." - he said, grinning at her like a Cheshire cat.

"Dude, too strong." - Dave chimed in, clapping his back and breaking the creepy stare he was sending Cilia. - "Besides, did you know that your father used to bang her mother? It would be almost like scoring your step-sister, so stop making things weird."

Ah, yes. Classic David. Dropping a bomb and watching from the sidelines how things progressed then was his domain.

And I wasn't even a little bit surprised when Cilia choked on her coffee, Markella's eyes got big as saucers and Teddy's cheek started getting redder and redder by a second, before he excused himself.

"Well that was a shitty thing to say, Dave." - Cilia said when my Betta scurried away as if his ass was on fire.

"Oh come on, Cuz, you really want to tell me you would rather have him chasing after you your whole stay, driving all the potential hookups away, than to be embarrassed for like thirty seconds among family and friends?" - David asked with a smirk, not even a little bit ashamed of his words.

"So do you expect me to thank you?" - Cilia asked, crossing her arms.

"You don't have to. I was just tired of listening to how hot and awesome you are." - he said, rolling his eyes. - "Which, by the way, you're not. I saw you drooling in your sleep once, and there was nothing hot about that."

Markie snorted, probably also seeing the unlady-like posse Cilia sleeps in. Seriously, she could be perfection on the outside, but even she had those small quirks only her closest circle was aware of.

"I sometimes really hate you." - Cilia said with exasperation, but we all knew she didn't mean it, and especially the small lopsided smile gave her away.

"Orson, could I use your landline to call my grandparents?" - Markella asked, and I right away knew it was a cover up.

"Sure. You can use a phone in my office. I'll show you the way." - I offered.

"You want me to go with you , Hun?" - Cilia offered.

"No, I'm fine." - Markie smiled at her - "Besides, I wanted to ask my Grandma about something in her herbology book."

"Not this again." - Cilia groaned. - "Okay, I'll be in my room when you're done."

Markella nodded and followed me down the long hall to the last room on the ground floor where Alpha's office had always been.

"You read herbology books?" - I asked after closing the door behind us.

"Yes. My people, and especially my Grandma, are big on natural medicine." - she confirmed - "But don't change the subject, call your parents." - Markie said in a very authoritative tone, and I knew there was no going against it. She simply wouldn't let me.

I sat by my desk. The same desk I've been playing under my whole childhood, watching my father work, and my heart sped up.

The same old story. Orson f****d up, and he needed his parents to come and help him.

That's so embarrassing and to be honest, it's getting a bit old.

I stopped with the phone in my hand, and I looked up at Markella.

"What exactly do you want me to tell them?" - I asked.

"First ask if Kimmy had anything to do with their departure." - I knitted my brows together, and she sighed as if giving up. - "Cilia believes Kimmy chased them away so that you would have stayed alone."

"You told Cilia?"

"No!" - she denied right away - "She was just very verbal about her dislike for Kimmy and said that she probably pushed your parents to go on an extended vacation, and with everything I know, I think it might be the right assumption."

Well s**t.

I watched Markie for a moment, before nodding and dialing my Mother's number. She was always my go-to parent whenever I messed something up, which happened rather often.

Dad was always harder on me. I don't mean it as he was a bad parent, because if anyone was bad in our relationship it was probably a bad kid they had. But yeah, Dad was never as calm as Mom, and he often jumped to conclusions too suddenly, trying to make all the amends and decisions by himself afterwards.

Not to mention, he completely lost it after Uliana announced she was expecting. But secretly it was a nice time, not being the worst VanWoert.

"Hello." - Mom answered after a third ring, sounding a bit surprised.

"Hi Mom. How's the Dominican?" - I asked.

"Hi, Honey. It's good. Too hot for me, but you know that I feel best in mild temperatures."

"Then why torture yourself?" - I asked with a chuckle.

"Because your father is a sun child, and if he could buy us a trip to Mars he probably would just to see me squirming in the heat. But don't worry, I'll get even with him." - she assured me and I smiled to myself. - "He hasn't seen his new costume yet." - she added in a whisper, making me boom with laughter.

"You know, you could have picked a spot you both would enjoy, right?" - I pointed out.

"We tried that. But we always fail during the picking process, so trust me, it's actually better this way. I suffer a little, then he suffers. It's all good."

My smile fell a little, because that was the mistake I made, to accept being miserable, but I forgot that when I gave in or agreed to something my partner should too on something else. But it was never give-and-take with Kimmy, more like give-and-give.

"Mom, listen, I'm actually calling with a purpose."

"O-okay." - her tone immediately got guarded.

"I know it might sound strange, but I need you to tell me if Kimmy had anything to do with your constant traveling? Has she said anything to make you feel unwelcome here?" - I asked, and the silence on the other end that lasted too long made me look at the screen in fear of bad reception that disconnected us.

"Why are you asking, Honey?" - she asked softly.

"Just answer please, and then I'll explain everything."

Mom released a deep breath and just by this I knew something was up.

"Well, it was suggested to us that you two need some time alone to move on with your relationship." - my Mother admitted and I felt my blood boiling in my veins.

"So that's why you have barely been home in the last three months?" - I asked.

"Well, yes." - she confirmed - "Orson, what's going on?"

I released a deep breath, the one that you do before pulling the band-aid off.

"Kimmy isn't who she said she was. In fact, she's not even my mate, and I know that because Cilia came to visit with a friend, to whom I feel an even bigger pull." - I said and, as expected, the answer didn't come right away. I guess that's exactly the kind of news that leaves you speechless.

But then my phone started ringing and I glanced at the screen and frowned.

"Are you FaceTiming me?" - I asked.

"Yes." - my Mother confirmed.

I answered the call and her face filled the screen, looking at me with the deep concern that always appeared on her face when she was afraid of her kids' safety.

"How are you holding up, baby?"

"Barely." - I admitted, shaking my head. - "The moment I found out I almost did something I probably would have regretted later, but Markie and I talked and she pointed out that we should be smart about it."

"Markie? That's her name?" - Mom asked.

"Yeah. Actually, it's Markella."

"What is she like?" - my mother asked with sadness in her eyes. She was smart and empathetic enough to know this situation wasn't ideal for either of us.

"She's here with me, do you want to meet her?" - I asked, glancing up at Markie, who shook her head, telling me a silent no.

"Of course!"

I caught Markella's wrist and pulled her to my side and she smiled awkwardly when she was in a camera shot.

"Hi Mrs VanWoert."

"Oh wow, you're gorgeous." - Mom gasped with a big smile forming on her face, and Markie's caramel cheeks started getting crimson red. - "Now kids, tell me everything that happened."

And so we did, from the moment we met, about the fact Kimmy emits the exact same scent as my real mate, not omitting our conclusions or sharing the news with David and asking Uncle Ilia to follow Kimmy.

"Hmm." - Mom hummed when my story was over. - "I have a few theories about what she might be after but I need to check if it's possible first."

"So you're not mad?" - I asked.

"Mad?! What do you think I should be mad about?" - Mom asked.

"For creating another ruckus. Marking the wrong woman. Being too stupid to see right through her. You know, the list goes on and on."

"Orson." - Mom said softly - "The only thing I'm mad about is that I'm not there with you. And trust me, nothing here is your fault. It all sounds like a thoughtfully prepared scheme that anyone would fall for, so don't blame yourself, but be glad that Markella came at the right time."

I looked up at the hazel eyes that were smiling down on me.

"I am, Mom. I don't think I could have been more happy." - I admitted, intertwining my hand with Markie's.

"You guys look lovely together." - Mom grinned. - "Okay, so here's what we're gonna do, your father and I will take the next available flight back home. In the meantime, I will go through the rights that each Luna has. Maybe that will point me at what Kimmy's end game was in all this. And you two, keep the charade going. It would be even a good thing to lull all the suspicions Kimmy might have so far."

"How?" - I asked.

"I'm not sure, but you can either give her some important function to do, or pretend to be working on your relationship."

At that, Markie started growling and my mother put her hand up.

"I know it's a lot to ask for, but Kimmy can't suspect a thing. And if you're all of a sudden cold to her, she will. Women can feel that." - Mom explained her point.

"She's right." - Markie agreed, but her expression said how much it cost her. - "You should spend some time with her. Take her for dress shopping or something."

"Oh, that's a good one." - Mom agreed enthusiastically, and looked at me. - "I like her."

"Okay." - I admitted with a sigh, feeling ambushed by the two of them - "Then shopping it is."

"And son, you should tell Ilia what he's looking for exactly."

"But wouldn't he tell the rest of the family?" - I asked.

"Ilia?! Goddess, no!" - Mom chuckled - "He's like a vault, but he needs to know the context and that stake can be pretty high."

"Fine. I'll call him after we're done." - I agreed.

"Good." - she smiled - "And kids, remember that everything happens for a reason, but it seems our family is still favored by the Goddess if she sent us my daughter-in-law to open my son's eyes. I couldn't be more grateful for you, Markella."

"T-thank you Mrs VanWoert." - Markie said shyly with her eyes getting watered.

"No, honey. You either call me Sasha or Mom, but not that Mrs VanWoert nonsense. We're all in debt to you."

Markie nodded, looking as if she was trying really hard to swallow a lump in her throat.

"Okay kids, I'll see you tomorrow or in two days tops. Stay safe till then."

"We will, Mom." - I nodded, disconnecting the call. It went better than I thought actually.

I leaned back in my chair and glanced at Markie just in time to see a few tears escaping her eyes.

"Hey, why are you crying?" - I asked, taking her hand in mine.

"It's just… It's been a while since I called someone Mom." - she admitted, wiping her cheeks. - "Your mother seems great. Very no-bullshit woman."

"That she is." I chuckled - "But you heard her, she's your mother too now. In fact, all of my family is yours now, unless you don't want it. I know we can be overwhelming."

"Of course, I want it." - Markie assured me hastily - "I have been dreaming about being a part of such a big and close family since Cilia first told me about you guys."

I smiled because with her everything was easy, not a struggle like it was with Kimmy. I should have known that with the right woman, pieces would simply fit together.

"Of course you did, because it was always meant to be yours."