HIDING FROM THE MATEBOND

9. Responsibility

Aerion

I had expected backlash from my step mom after my decision to hire someone without her ‘permission'.

And as expected she had summoned me to the palace.

As I walked through the grand corridors of the palace I felt the same way I had every single time.This place never felt like home, not even after all these years.

As I entered the throne room, the Luna was already sitting on the high-backed chair, her cold eyes scanning me.

The tension was already thick even before she spoke.

Without any pleasantries, she cut to the chase.

“Aerion,” she began, her voice low and accusatory,

“I noticed an advertisement for a secretary position in GreyHound. Care to explain why you took liberties hiring someone without my permission?”

I could already feel the anger rise up within me but I kept my face expressionless. I did not want to blow up two seconds into our meeting.

"I wasn’t aware I needed to consult you on every decision now that I'm Alpha of GreyHound. Those are my responsibilities."

Her laugh was harsh, dismissive. “Your responsibilities? Don’t be foolish, Aerion. Your father put the pack under your control because his health is failing, but you still need guidance.

It’s exactly this kind of thinking that’s led to your poor performance as Alpha. If Marcus were in your position, the pack would be thriving. Instead, it’s... on a downward spiral.”

Drakos, growled in the back of my mind, his displeasure rippling through.

What a bit.ch! Drakos rumbled.

She is insufferable.

I couldn't agree more.

I allowed myself a small, bitter smile.

“Then why doesn’t the oh so great Marcus take over? For all I care, he can have it.”

I knew that would hurt her. Knowing that no matter what she said it did not change the fact that Marcus would not be leading the pack.

Amber scoffed, her fingers drumming impatiently on the armrest of her throne. “Don’t try to be smart with me.”

I let her barbs slide off. We had danced this dance too many times for me to be rattled by it anymore. Amber had always favored Marcus, her son, and that was never going to change. Marcus could be dead and I would still be compared to his corpse.

It was a battle I no longer felt the need to win.

I moved to my next agenda. Amber had gotten what she had wanted, now it was my turn.

“I want to see father,” I said firmly holding Amber’s gaze. It was rare that I came to the palace so I always took the opportunity to see my father then.

She shook her head, her expression unreadable. “He’s not well enough for visitors, not even you.”

My fists tightened at my sides, but I kept my voice calm, though it took effort. “His health is the reason he made me Alpha in the first place. I should be able to see him.” I pressed.

Amber’s lips thinned.

“And I said no. He needs rest, not the stress of your visits.”

There was nothing easy with Amber and I wasn't in the mood to fight.

The resentment between us crackled and I tried my best to reign in my anger. But then, Amber’s tone shifted, as if she was about to deliver another blow.

“There’s something else,” she said, her voice laced with bitterness.

“You’ll need to speak to Marcus soon. Anna's and you know who memorials are coming up.”

Amber said the last part with so much venom for anyone to know who she was talking about.

“I didn’t realize it was that time of year,” I replied. This is why I needed to get on top of things. The memorials were very important to the pack.

“You would do well to check on Marcus,” Amber added, her words biting.

“He has always taken that loss harder than anyone, as you know.”

I nodded, it was it one of the rare times she was civil with me.

“I’ll talk to him,” I said quietly, my tone softening, if only for a moment.

Amber’s gaze lingered on me, her expression unreadable once more. Thinking we were done for the day she cleared her throat as if to ask something and clear the awkwardness of that moment.

“So when’s the wedding?” Amber’s tone shifted, sharp but with a forced lightness that set me on edge. I knew where she was going with it.

I sighed inwardly.

The wedding.

The one to Rose that was supposedly going to happen in the near future. I had already allowed a magazine to run a feature on the engagement, but it was a hollow arrangement at best. To silence Amber, the council and other pack members.

“I’ve already made the announcement. That’s all I am doing for now,” I replied coolly.

Amber’s eyes narrowed. “You know the pack expects more. You’ve done nothing but make an advertisement. When are you planning to fulfill your duties as Alpha properly?”

“I’ve done enough for now. I’ll handle it when it’s time,” I replied, my voice sharper than I intended.

Amber’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t push further. She knew there was a limit to what she could tell me. Not giving her a chance to dig deeper into my choices, I turned and left without another word. That was enough toxic energy to last me until our next meeting.

Back in my office at the pack offices, I grabbed my phone and dialed Jack’s number. Jack had always been my go-to for moments like this—moments when the world felt too small and too heavy all at once and I did not want to disturb my parents. I was already old enough to stop calling them to whine about my responsibilities. He was my best friend from RedClaw and the closest thing I had to a brother.

“Aerion!” Jack’s voice came through with its usual cheerfulness.

“How’s the pack doing? Or more importantly, how are you holding up?”

“Barely,” I admitted, sinking into my chair.

“GreyHound’s the same as always. Amber’s breathing down my neck, telling me I’m ruining everything and that Marcus would do better. And then there is the mating thing. I swear, I would let it all burn if I could.”

Jack chuckled. “You have always had a flair for the dramatics. You are the only alpha I know who is complaining about being set up with omegas. You know your mom is also getting impatient. She will soon start sending omegas from here and you know how she can be.’’

All I could do was sigh. My mother was someone I feared when it came to the matching business. She had agreed for me to take an omega from GreyHound half heartedly but if she saw me dragging my feet she would take matters into her own hands. My fated had not shown up in almost 6 years, a clear sign that the probability was low and I needed to move on.

“ Don’t talk to me about mom,’’ I groaned.

“But hey, what about the new secretary position? You finally find someone who can deal with your grumpy Alpha attitude?”

I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. Now that was something I could talk about.

“Yeah, I hired someone. She’s… interesting.”

There was a pause on Jack’s end before his laughter burst through the speaker.

“Interesting, huh? I can hear something in your voice. Don’t tell me you’re already letting your libido endanger the pack?”

I laughed, shaking his head. “You’re an i***t. It’s not like that.”

“Uh-huh, sure. Just remember the pack is fragile right now. Don’t mess it up because you’ve got a thing for a new face,” Jack teased, his tone light but the underlying concern was clear.

I rubbed at my face, the weight of everything pressing down again. I missed the simpler days, back when GreyHound wasn’t my burden and I was free. And sometimes, in my darker moments, I wished I could just walk away.

“I won’t,” I replied, though I wasn’t entirely sure if I believed it myself.