My Jolly Alpha - Burgov Series V

4. Orson

The ringing of my phone in the darkness of my bedroom pulled me out of my sleep.

"Hello?" - I answered my phone barely awake, not even checking who it was.

"Busy as always I see." - Igor's mocking tone had me groaning.

"You do remember about the time difference, right? It's f*****g dawn here." - I said, laying my head back on the pillow.

"Don't you Americans have some weird saying about early birds and worms?"

"If you haven't noticed I'm not any kind of bird, so cut this s**t, Iggy, and tell me why the f**k are you calling." - I said, aggravated.

"My pilot called me. Cilia is on her way. Could you pick her up and make sure she's okay?"

"I thought you didn't give a f**k what's going on with her?" - I deadpanned, smirking under my nose, and as expected Igor didn't answer this one. He was so obvious, but it wouldn't kill him to show he loved his own twin sister. - "Fine, what time are they landing?" - I asked, sparing him a painful answer.

"Around 1."

"And you couldn't wait till at least 9 to call me? Seriously, I don't know how Lettie is putting up with you." - I said with a groan.

"Well, if you keep your woman moaning at night, she won't bark during the day." - he said smugly, and this time we were crossing a rather unpleasant territory for me.

"Thanks for the memo, Gandhi." - I said flatly - "Don't worry, I'll send Teddy to get her. She'll be fine."

"Teddy? Can't you go yourself, that guy is drooling at her every time he sees her?"

I chuckled, because he was getting more and more obvious in his intentions.

"I have a few things I want to do before she arrives. Besides, Teddy offered, and I'm a good Alpha, I don't spoil fun for my men." - I said with a grin, knowing that my statement most likely had Igor's blood boiling.

"Is he old enough to drive a car at least?" - my cousin asked, leaving me in a full-on laughing fit.

"Yup, for like two years now, so she'll be fine, just drop it."

"Fine." - he said with a huff - "Orson, listen, could you…" - he stopped himself before he finished, but I had a feeling what was at the end of that sentence.

"I'll text you after I talk with her. I know I would have been mortified if I hadn't seen Uliana for eight months." - I assured him.

"I'm not mortified." - he said hastily.

"Sure you're not. But I'll text you anyway."

"Thank you." - he said, disconnecting the call.

I glanced at the screen, seeing I had ten more minutes before my alarm would go off, and since there was no point in going back to sleep, I dragged myself from bed, that once again, was cold and empty on the other side. Kimmy hadn't returned to my bedroom yesterday, even though I tried my luck. She claimed she was still sore, which, with our heightened healing, I found highly improbable, but that's her choice. If she wants to be hot and cold she can try, but that won't get her very far.

I dragged myself off the bed and went to take a shower, and there I decided I should hit the training with my warriors. Cilia and Kimmy's meeting was something I wasn't looking forward to. I love my cousin, she's fun and actually one of the few people who never rode my ass for anything. She would just take me just as I am, and that's why I never pointed out her shitty attitude either. We had that silent understanding that neither of us was perfect and we took the other just the way we are.

But Cilia is a little over the top and not everyone can feel her vibe. I know that Sean never did. And something tells me that if Kimmy had trouble getting close to even the nicest people in my family, like Uliana, Anya or Mikey, she wouldn't get any more luck with Cilia. But f**k it, she would have to endure it.

In the kitchen I found my Beta, and I reminded him about getting to the airport, but judging by his face, Teddy wouldn't forget Cilia was coming, even if he had his brain damaged and partial amnesia. Actually, he looked like he was ready to drive to the airport right away and wait five hours just to see her coming down the staircase. That made me almost hit a mental high five for putting Cilia in a different part of the house than his suite was.

Kimmy, however, looked like something bit her ass this morning, and since it wasn't me, she showed an attitude. Actually, she looked pissed. So she made her usual morning coffee, not even pretending to care about what Teddy and I had planned for ourselves, and she left just as soon as she came.

"Luna looks mad. Everything okay with her?" - Teddy asked.

"Yeah. She just isn't thrilled over Cilia's visit." - I said with a shrug.

"And can you blame her?" - he asked with a chuckle.

"What do you mean?" - I frowned.

"I know the Orlovs are your family and all, but it's like a celebrity coming home for dinner. This could make your self-esteem go down. Not to mention that Miss Cilia is like the Goddess reincarnated." - he said the last part with dreamy eyes, that left me gaping at him like he was insane.

" Okay, kid. Wipe out that drool." - I nudged him with my shoulder, trying to snap him out of the trance he put himself into. - "And I hope I don't have to worry about you pulling off some weird s**t, huh? Remember she's coming with some Mark guy, and knowing Cilia, he's her boy-toy/ bodyguard, and I would love this visit to go without anyone fighting."

"Maybe he's just her gay friend. You never know." - Teddy said with a shrug, obviously not giving up on his chances with my cousin.

I shook my head and focused back on my plate, doing my best to ignore Teddy's daydreaming about becoming part of my family through Cilia.

After we were done with our breakfast, Teddy and I went our separate ways. He probably had to choose an outfit to impress, I to let off some steam with a squad of warriors.

The practice was more fun than it was exhausting, but it still did wonders to keep my anxiety at bay. It was great to be among the guys and for once feel like I belong and not just like an unreachable guy on a pedestal.

I wonder how Dad did that. Sure, he had a few close friends, among them Teddy's parents and our previous Gamma, and he never looked like the title bothered him. For me, however, it causes more problems than does any good.

It feels like, just because of taking over, people suddenly started being wary of me, and that's not how I pictured things to be. I always thought that Alpha was just one of the people but a tad stronger one, while in fact it seems like overnight I became everyone's boss and they treat me with reserve.

"So, Orson, have you given thought to the Christmas party?" - Malcolm asked after we were done with the sparring part and moved to the gym.

"Yeah. I've already booked catering and today my cousin is coming for a visit and the Goddess knows that if there's one thing that she can do, it must be how to throw an unforgettable party." - I said.

"Oh cool. One of the Burgov girls? Isn't one of them already taken?" - Malcolm asked with a frown.

"Yes, she is." - I nodded. - "But it's not Ellie nor Anya, but Cilia, the one from the Dark Woods Pack."

"Wow, Christmas party with an actual Orlov, now I definitely have to dress up." - he grinned, making me chuckle and shake my head.

My Cousins' last name was well known in every corner of a shifter's world. I don't think there was a single wolf who didn't know about the world's biggest pack and the family who ran it, and if there is he must live under a rock or something.

But what people tend to forget is that they are actual people, with good and bad days. A hard and easy decision to make. With the same struggles each and every one of us deals with. And their fame is nothing more than just another obstacle that makes their lives so much harder.

I watched Igor and Cilia grow up in an environment where they couldn't show their true colors to everyone. And while Igor dealt with constant attention focused on him quite well, Cilia was never a fan of it. And while Igor thrived surrounded by a flock of sycophants, Cilia hated she had next to no one she could truly trust in her own home.

People like Teddy or Malcolm see her just as a trophy. A beautiful girl with a right name, not the person she really is. She was desirable because of the fact who she was, and that can f**k with your head pretty strongly, turning you into a skittish shell with trust issues as big as Mont Everest.

That's why whenever someone was starting her subject, I tried my best to cut it short, and somehow protect her privacy. So I steered the conversation back to the party, and what my people longed for.

I learned that at least the younger half would like a casual gathering where they can just mingle with food and drinks sponsored by me. And to be honest, that's exactly what I liked best as well.

I had more than enough stuck-up dinner parties to last me for a lifetime, so it was actually a great thing that my people had a similar mindset. I wonder, however, what Kimmy would say to that. She's not exactly the type who would have fun with an eggnog in her hand, dancing to the most cliché Christmas songs. But I could be wrong. It's not like I know her all that well. I sometimes catch myself on having absolutely no clue what she's thinking, and that's really frustrating, because it seems like I just can't get through her walls.

My phone pinged in my pocket with a video from Sean that he took during Ellie's welcoming speech.

Shit. I should have been there. My baby Cousin is doing something major for our community and here I am, left behind, because my mate didn't feel like participating. I should have pushed Kimmy more to go. Especially, since knowing Ellie, she won't speak to me for a few weeks because of missing out.

I asked Sean to congratulate her from me and I shoved the phone back into my pocket, ready to take my frustration out on the punching bag.

I don't know how long I have stayed there, just mindlessly delivering one hit after the other, making the hard leather a bit frayed in the spot I targeted.

'Orson, we're back.' - Teddy's voice echoed in my head, and it made me take a double take and check out my watch.

Shit, I completely lost track of time. It seems like I really can't do anything right these days.

'Show them to their bedrooms, and make sure the guy stays in his. I'll meet with them in twenty.' - I said, gathering my stuff.

'Well, I don't think that's something you have to worry yourself about.' - my Beta answer and his tone sounded amused for some strange reason.

'Why? Is he really gay?'

'I hope not. But either way, you have nothing to worry about. They really are just friends.' - he assured me.

'Okay. Anyway, I need to hit the shower and then I'll come meet them.'

'I'll pass the message.' - he said, ending the mindlink.

I rushed to the Pack House, knowing that I was smelling really bad, and Cilia would not let me live this down. I jumped into the shower, washing the workout off of me.

I actually can't wait to see her. It's been way too long since she came down to Midnight Banes. Not to mention that, for the last couple of years, she has been visiting America less and less for some strange reason. There once was a time when the Orlovs would celebrate each Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and other human holidays my Aunts Chelsea and Diana forced on us. I guess the women from the older generation were the glue holding this whole family together.

That's why it doesn't sit right with me that my own woman is moving me away from the whole clan.

After I was done with the shower, I threw on a black polo shirt and jeans, not even bothering to properly dry my hair, not wanting to keep my cousin waiting for too long. The Goddess knows that Cilia was never a patient one.

'Where is she now?' - I asked Teddy, and he right away replied that he was keeping her company in the family room.

Walking downstairs, I felt the sweet scent of caramel and I cussed under my breath that Kimmy and Cilia had met without me. This first encounter could have gone wrong on so many levels that my skin felt like crawling at the mere thought of that.

But surprisingly, when I stormed into the family room, Teddy and Cilia were the only ones there filling the silence with some awkward weather small talk, and completely fake giggles from my Cousin.

"There she is!" - I said, walking closer to the couch. Cilia turned towards me with the biggest grin and she rushed into my open arms for a hug. - "How's my favorite Orlov?" - I asked, twirling her around and smiling at her squealing.

"I thought my mother was your favorite Orlov?" - she asked back with her usual sas.

"Your mother is VanWoert, so she doesn't count." - I said, putting her back to her feet. - "How are you, squirt? You did a pretty amazing job of avoiding us all."

Cilia smirked and flipped her long black hair to the back.

"Don't call me that, I'm twenty-four, and I never avoided you." - she pointed her red-painted finger at me.

"But you did your brother." - I pointed out, crossing my arms.

"Can you blame me?" - she scoffed. - "I still can't believe he blocked all my credit cards. What kind of Asshole does it to his sister?!"

"The one who's afraid of her safety." - I answered.

I'll admit that Igor is as subtle as a wrecking ball, and he usually goes around things the wrong way. Especially with Cilia. But he isn't a bad guy, and he does care for her.

"Afraid of my safety, my ass." - she muttered, rolling her eyes. - "Would you have done it to Uliana?"

"Well, it would be a weird thing to do since she's been a Razin for a while now." - I answered with a smirk, making Cilia glare at me.

"You know what I'm talking about, Ors."

I sighed and shook my head.

"No, I wouldn't have done it. But neither would she leave our home for eight months." - I pointed out. - "You know that he did it to twist your arm to come back, right?"

Cilia snorted unamused.

"Then the joke's on him, because I'm not going back that soon." - she said defiantly.

"But at least you're with a family that cares for you, so if you ask me, Iggy still got exactly what he wanted." - I said, tapping her nose with my finger.

At first she glared at me just to lose a bit of her feisty spirit, and looked as if she was truly contemplating my words. I bet that she hasn't even considered that her brother may have had her best interest at heart. They were really the worst siblings in this family. I may not be perfect, I may not always be there for Nicky and Liana, but at least we aren't playing pretending that we hate one another.

"So, where's your fella?" - I asked, deciding to change the subject.

"My fella?" - she arched her brows - "Are you drunk or something? I haven't met him yet."

"I know you haven't met your mate." - I rolled my eyes - "But Igor said you were traveling with some Mark guy."

Cilia threw her head back and started laughing her ass off.

"Oh, dear Goddess, that was good." - she said, wiping a happy tear from her long lashes. - "First off, it's Markie, not Mark, and it's short for Markella. And I can assure you she's very much a girl. I found that out when I had the biggest hangover of my life, and I walked in on her taking a shower." - she said with a pointed look, that had me rolling my lips - "But anyways, she went to the ladies' room."

"Oh, in that case you should probably tell Iggy that. I think he has high hopes you two will end up together." - I was a little surprised by this news, but also somewhat relieved. I know Cilia is a grown woman, but there are guys who wouldn't shy away from using her to get their gain.

"Of course he does. The asshole probably can't wait to get rid of me." - she said stubbornly.

"Now, now…" - I said, wrapping my hand around her shoulders - "Stop frowning so hard, we wouldn't want that dollface to get all wrinkled up, would we?"

"Has no one kicked your balls recently?" - she asked back with a glare that was softened by her lips curling up.

"As a matter of fact, no. However, Ellie had an attempt to make me sterile a few months back."

"What did you do to her?" - Cilia asked with a smirk that said she enjoyed this information more than she should.

"I tried f*****g with her mate."

"Goddess, how I love that girl." - Cilia said with pride, and then her eyes drifted behind my back. - "Oh, there's Markie."

Before I even turned, I was hit with an overwhelming sweetness of caramel, very similar to Kimmy's scent, but not quite like that. This one was not only stronger, but it had so many additional undertones that it made my mouth water instantly, playing on my senses like nothing ever before.

I followed Cilia's sightline, not knowing what to expect, because no further than ten minutes ago I was convinced I would have to endure some sappy lover boy chasing after my cousin. Not the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.

The first thing I noticed was how tall she was. She was easily 6 feet high with a slender figure and legs that went for miles. Her skin, just like her scent, was caramel, making her look warm and silky smooth. I almost hated that her body was covered in a white sweater that nicely accentuated her darker skin tone and jeans, wondering if the rest was just as smooth as her face.

And what face that was… She had one of those chin dimples, just below the most pouty lips I have ever seen. Crazy humans pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to achieve such an effect, yet never get even close. She had the smallest button nose, perfectly rosy cheeks and big hazel eyes. Not just your usual dull brown turning into equally dull blue. No, this woman had a deep chocolate shade by the pupils turning into amber, and then a forest green around it. A poet could spend his entire life trying to put this color on paper, never really giving her justice.

But the most alluring thing was her hair. Mane of countless little curls that framed her gorgeous face all the way to her shoulders. It was mostly dark chocolate with just a few lighter strands up front, most likely the souvenir from her voyages with Cilia.

I couldn't stop staring at this woman, as if someone had enchanted me to it. And my wolf has been going absolutely insane inside my scalp. But how could it be? I already have a mate, yet everything about this woman was pulling me in. Her smell, the way she looked, even the terrified look in her eyes when our eyes met, all of this makes me want to wrap her in my arms and take her far away from everyone.

What the f**k is going on?

"Markie, this is my Cousin, Orson VanWoert." - Cilia spoke, taking me out of my trans - "Orson, this is Markella Evans, aka Markie."

Her lips parted in shock as she was staring at me, and she started incoherently mumbling one word, the same word that had been pushing itself on my tongue as well. But something wasn't right here, and I didn't know what.

So, in an attempt to stop Markella from announcing to the world what I felt as well, I crossed the room and wrapped her in a bear hug, feeling like my whole body awoke the second I touched her.

"Wow, see I told you he was friendly." - Cilia commented with a giggle, but I chose to ignore her.

"Do you feel the pull towards me too?" - I whispered into Markella's ear, and she slowly and barely noticeably nodded. - "Please keep it to yourself for now, okay?" - she once again nodded and I stepped back searching her confused face for even a sliver of understanding. Maybe by some strange luck she would read my confusion correctly.

"Oh, we started an introduction already, I see." - Kimmy's voice came from the other side of the room, as she started coming closer towards us.

Seeing her coming over, I tried searching within me for the same reaction I had to Markella, but I got next to nothing. Her scent was the only thing that truly attracted me to her. Sure, she is an attractive woman, but standing next to the exotic beauty I just met, she simply looked pale. And my head started spinning trying to understand what the hell was going on?

Is it possible that Markella was really my mate?

Am I supposed to have two? Maybe, but that wouldn't explain why one was affecting me stronger.

And the shady deal with the same caramel scent. Something was very off here, and I have to get to the bottom of it, because as my father's past taught me, unresolved matters can kill you.

I narrowed my eyes at Kimmy, walking in fast strides towards Cilia and extending her hand.

"Hi, I'm Kimmy, Orson's Luna." - she said with the biggest smile on her face, and all I managed to do was look to the side at where Markie stood with her face now full of pain and on the verge of crying.

No, no, no! That definitely isn't good. I just hope she will let me explain later. Although I'm not even sure how to begin to explain this situation.