Billionaire Alpha's Human Mate

A single tear falls to the fresh dirt covering my father’s grave. Trenton Dale Anderson. I sniffle as I remember his warm smile and his gentle way. A hand touches my back and I lean into my mother as she comforts me. “Your father was a good man,” She mutters. The funeral has been over for hours, but she and I linger at the cemetery. My father was shot and killed in the line of duty last week. He was a police officer in this rough city. “He served this city well,” Mom says. “We needed him,” I say. Dad was supposed retire in a month but that would never happen now. He and mom were finally going to take a trip to Paris. I had come home from college to watch my younger siblings. “Are you guys coming?” My brother Parker asks. He is dressed in his uniform. He was off at training as a Marine but came home for the funeral. “We will be right there, Parker,” Mom says. I sigh as more tears fall. “I think I am good,” I say. “Dad isn’t here,” Parker mutters. “He’s gone.” “Parker,” Mom grumbles. “People are waiting for us at the house,” Parker points out. “Come on, Avery,” Mom touches my shoulder. I nod and take one more look at the headstone before following my mother and brother back to the van. My other siblings are all waiting. I am the oldest of five. Parker is the second oldest followed by Jayden and the twins Kaitlyn and Amanda. “Took long enough,” Amanda snorts. I say nothing as I get in the driver’s seat. The ride back to the house is silent as my siblings are all lost in their phones. There are a bunch of cars in front of the house when we arrive. “I asked Carol and Leanne to set up,” Mom mentions our two aunts. “Cool,” I say as I park the van. My siblings and mother all scramble out of the car while I linger to smoke a cigarette. I light just as Uncle Roger walks out of the house. Roger is my father’s older brother. He too is a cop. “Caught you,” He laughs. I look at my uncle. He and my father look so much alike only Uncle Roger is a bit taller with darker brown hair. “That’s a nasty habit, Avery,” he says as he lights up his own. “I got it from you and Dad,” I joke and take a drag. “Tragic,” He sighs and shakes his head. We lean against the van in silence for a few moments. “Dad?” I hear my cousin Logan calling. “Dad?” Logan walks around the van. “Grandma is looking for you.” “Tell her I will be right in,” Uncle Roger mutters. “Hey Avery,” My cousin smiles and I wave before he walks off. Uncle Roger takes a deep breath. “We better go in before Grandma comes and strangles us both.” “Right,” I say and drop my cigarette on the ground and stamp it out. I follow my uncle into the house where I am immediately accosted by Aunt Carol. “What were you doing?” She yells. “Nothing,” I shrug. “You smell like cigarettes,” Aunt Carol complains. “So?” I shrug. “I’m twenty-four years old.” “Avery,” My mom says. She is sitting with my grandmother and Uncle Roger’s wife Leanne. “Mom,” I walk over to her. “Sorry, I just needed a smoke.” “I don’t care about that,” She takes my hand. “I just care you are here.” I smile at her. “Are you going to stay in town long?” Aunt Leanne asks. “I have a few weeks left of school,” I say. “Of course she is going back to school,” Mom says. “Trenton would be upset if you quit.” “But you need me,” I argue. “We will be fine, Avery,” Mom sighs. “Well, Randy and I will be here for you,” Aunt Leanne says. “Right Randy?” she yells catching my uncle with a drink in his hand. “Sure,” He mutters a response and turns back to talk to someone else. I move through the house to speak with the guests. “We are so sorry about your father,” A neighbor tells me. “He was a good man.” “Thank you, Mrs. Arnold,” I tell her. I find the snack table and grab a cupcake to devour. “You have frosting on your nose,” Kaitlyn points. “Thanks,” I say as she hands me a napkin. I wipe off my face and continue to mingle among the guests gathered to remember my father. “Hey, Avery,” My cousin Cynthia walks up to me. “Cynthia,” I say as her husband Jacob and their children Chloe and Luke join us. “How are you doing?” Cynthia asks. “I’m doing,” I shrug. “I miss my dad.” “I miss Uncle Trent too,” She frowns. “He was so funny.” I smile, “Yeah.” “So, are you staying in town long?” Cynthia asks. “I’ll leave on Sunday,” I mention. “I have to get back to school.” “Your dad would be upset if you didn’t finish,” Cynthia remarks. “He would,” I agree and move on. After the funeral reception I help my mother and aunts clean up before retiring to my old room. I sit staring at my phone texting my best friend Sean. He does his best to comfort me. I sign off and fall asleep. Two days later I am on a plane on my way back to Oregon for school. I felt bad leaving my mother and siblings, but she assured me that they were fine. One thing my father instilled in all of us was to always take care of each other. “Hey, Avery,” My roommate Lucy greets me as I walk into our apartment. Her little Pomeranian mix Dudley runs up to me. I lean down to pick up the little dog. “Hi, Lucy,” I say as I snuggle Dudley, “And who is my little peanut?” “I think my dog likes you more than me,” Lucy pouts. “He kept whining at the door.” “Aww, did you miss me, Dudley?” I say as the pup licks my cheek. I set him down and take my bags into my room. My betta fish Snacks seems to be waiting for me too. “I haven’t fed him yet,” Lucy comes in behind me. I quickly add some food to the tank for Snacks and watch him nibble at it. “It’s good to be home.” “I don’t know what I would do if I lost my dad,” Lucy sits on the bed. “You are lucky. Your dad is computer something,” I say. “He could still be shot,” Lucy frowns. “It’s dangerous out there.” “Tell me about it,” I say and sit beside her. The next day I am walking out of my first class when I get a phone call. “Hello?” I answer it and stop be a wall. “Avery,” Jayden says in a frantic tone. “What’s going on?” I ask. “Some guys were just here at the house and now mom is crying,” he says. “What happened?” I ask. “They said that we have to move out,” Jayden responds. “What do you mean?” I ask. “Did you call Uncle Roger?” “He is on his way over,” Jayden responds. “He’s here. I’ll call you back,” He hangs up and I am left stunned wondering what is going on. I text my aunt and uncle’s phones and start towards my next class. They respond just as I sit down. I sigh and make the decision to get back up and step outside to call them. “Avery,” Uncle Roger answers. “What’s going on?” I ask. “It’s a mess,” he says. “Apparently your father took out a loan on the house before he died.” “Okay?” I say. “Anyways, the men he got the loan from came to collect their money- “He pauses. “Your father owes a lot of money,” He sighs. “God damned Trenton,” he says, and I hear him spit. “So, are they going to take the house?” I ask. “Your mother has a few months to pay but she doesn’t have enough even with Trenton’s pension,” Uncle Roger breathes out. “I can help but just a little.” “I’m coming home,” I say. “I’m coming home and getting a job.” “Avery, no,” Uncle Roger says. “You have to finish school.” “I have to help Mom,” I say. “Whether it’s to keep the houser or help her pay for another one. I am coming home.”