Alpha's Tempting Stand-In Mate

Chapter 2. Alpha Killian Would Be My Mate

Killian 

"Alpha, your meeting with Alpha Conar…" My Beta, Slater, knocked on my study door.

"Cancel it," I stated without sparing him a glance, as my entire focus was on the treaty papers and other documents from the Green Wood Pack. After reading the main document, I continued calmly, "Recover the funds given to Green Wood Pack tomorrow."

“I understand,” Slater nodded, but I noticed some hesitation in his eyes as he debated whether to discuss something further. “Alpha, please forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I believe this bride of yours, Avery Fenwick, seems different from the previous two Alpha’s daughters.”

Slater lightly cleared his throat. He was the one who had brought Avery into the pack and secretly observed her.

“Other than being beautiful, she has honest innocent eyes. With one glance, you can tell there is not  a bit of scheming in this she-wolf. She is truly a likable woman. Surprisingly, she spoke very little on the way from Green Wood Pack to Crystal Bright Pack. The only times she spoke were to ask what you liked and disliked,” Slater paused then added with a sly expression, “It seemed as if she didn't pay attention to the rumors at all.”

Ever since my twins had jointly spread the rumors that I had an ugly appearance, a violent personality, and that I had killed and eaten two she-wolves, it had been difficult to find a she-wolf that was not afraid of me and wanted to become my Luna.

“Please, don’t let this woman escape your grasp, Alpha! She ran away because of the twins' prank!” Slater urged.

"It's a shame, if she can't even pass such a simple test," I disagreed as I focused back on the papers.

Slater stood there speechless, but I could read that his face was screaming: was it really a simple test? Little Alpha Flynt's outfit would even make a full-grown wolf tremble, let alone a simple-minded she-wolf who experienced it in a dark room.

“If this continues, when will you and our pack get a Luna?” my Beta sighed worriedly. I shot him a meaningful glance over his drama. He immediately shut his mouth.

That's when the doorbell rang. I got up from my seat to glance down through my window. Avery trembled while ringing the doorbell at the entrance.

"She returned?" I frowned in surprise. No woman had ever returned and no one could pass my son's test. She was different.

Avery

Taking a deep breath, I pressed the doorbell. Honestly, I had run into the woods with the intention of never returning to this pack, but just as I was about to cross the borders, I stopped. I had forgotten that running away had never been an option. So, I calmed my racing heart until my fear faded, hesitating for a long time, but ultimately I returned.

From the beginning, I knew that Alpha Killian was an ugly monster with an insane wolf after being burned. However, since I had agreed to this marriage, I should keep my promise and stop running away.

I pressed the doorbell again, my face pale. My heart couldn't help but beat wildly. I just hoped that I wouldn't come face to face with him at that moment. I knew I had to overcome my fear because I had to live with him from now on, but I needed some time, or at the very least a few hours.

Unexpectedly and luckily, the person that opened the door was not Alpha Killian or an Omega, but a handsome and indifferent little boy who appeared to be only four or five years old.

If it weren't for the fact that there was only this grand and beautiful villa on this pack's land, I would have definitely thought I was in the wrong place. The little boy glanced at me with a pair of cute eyes, turned around, and entered the living room. I followed him quietly as he pointed to the sofa and motioned for me to sit down.

I studied the child for a moment. Although I didn't know where he had come from, I had the feeling that this little guy meant no harm. I sat down on the sofa, still slightly cold and shivering, when to my surprise, the little boy poured me a cup of hot water.

"Thanks," I smiled softly as I held the glass of water. My mood gradually calmed. I watched him walk to the small cabinet nearby, as he rummaged around for something. What was going on here? Puzzled, I looked around, only to feel someone's eyes on me. I glanced up the stairs to the second floor. It was dark, but for some reason, I felt like someone was watching me.

"hiss--!"

I hissed and tore my eyes away from the darkness on the second floor as a cotton swab, dipped in cold disinfectant solution, made contact with the wound on my calf. It dawned on me that I must have hurt myself while running so fast.

Lowering my head, I discovered the cute little boy holding the disinfectant in one hand while meticulously tending to my injury. The bright light from the glass lamp illuminated his long eyelashes, casting a delicate shadow on his eyelids. This child possessed such a tender heart.

A warmth spread through my chest and a small smile graced my lips as I spoke softly, "Kid, what is your name? How is it that you are in Alpha’s pack house?” 

The boy paused for a moment, having completed disinfecting my injury and carefully placing a band-aid on my bruised wound.

"Flavio," he said, raising his head to look at me with his striking blue eyes. "My name is Flavio."

My heart swelled at his adorable seriousness. I couldn't resist the urge to reach out and touch his chubby cheeks, but the clever little guy skillfully evaded my touch. Standing up, he made his way to the sofa opposite mine, climbed onto it, and took a seat.

There was a certain maturity in those clear eyes that defied his age. I couldn't help but wonder if there was Alpha blood running through his veins.

"Why did you come back?" he inquired, his eyebrows arching slightly.

"This is my future home and pack," I replied with a smile. "Alpha Killian will be my husband and mate from now on. So, of course, I had to return."

I noticed him lowering his head slightly as he toyed with his tiny fingers. "Aren't you afraid?"

His question caught me off guard. How did this young child possess such insight? Nevertheless, I responded earnestly, "I am afraid, but I have no choice. I made a promise to marry Alpha Killian and I can't go back on it."

Returning to the Green Wood Pack was a risk, but I couldn't afford to run away. If I messed up this time, Alpha Martin wouldn't secure the treaty and financial support from Crystal Moon Pack, then my future would be far from easy.

"No matter how ugly or scary he is, I will work hard to overcome my fear and be a perfect wife and mate to him," I whispered to myself, though it was still audible to the child.

I wasn't sure why I was sharing these thoughts with a child I had just met. He probably couldn't fully grasp the weight of my words. However, in this unfamiliar packhouse, where I was all alone, I had no one else to talk to and this little boy had turned out to be a good listener.

"He's not ugly," Flavio raised his head and gazed at me with serious eyes. "You don't need to worry too much," he added.

I couldn't help but stare at him with wide eyes. If the figure back in the bedroom wasn't ugly, then what did true ugliness entail? However, the way Flavio spoke about Alpha Killian gave me the impression that perhaps the Alpha went out of his way to not reveal his true appearance to this child. He must have wanted to shield this innocent soul from anything that might frighten him.

I took a deep breath and offered him a warm smile. "Are you hungry, Flavio? Would you like me to prepare something delicious for you?"

There wasn't anything particularly remarkable about me, except for my cooking skills. As a gesture of thanks to this adorable little boy and in an attempt to bond with him, I decided to treat him to a tasty meal.

Little Flavio glanced at the time and responded calmly, "You still have half an hour."

I was taken aback. Was this child giving me a deadline to finish cooking? "What do you mean?" I asked.

"I don't eat after eight o'clock, and it's currently seven-twenty," he explained matter-of-factly. With that, I had more than enough time to head into the kitchen, which turned out to be spacious, clean, and well-organized. Although there weren't many ingredients, all the essential spices were available.

***

Killian

"Wow, she actually dared to come back?" Flynt stared at Avery with wide eyes as he perched on the second floor's railing. "Daddy, do you want me to scare her again?" he asked, glancing up at me as I stood in the shadows, observing the little woman preparing food for my son. However, I hadn't anticipated Flavio tending to Avery's wound. 

I frowned slightly and replied, "No."

Outsiders were only aware of the rumors shrouding me, but only my pack members and a select few close individuals knew that after the fire accident five years ago, I had two adorable twin sons. My eldest son, Flavio, had adopted my nature of being cold and quiet, while the younger one, Flynt, was naughty and quirky.

Yet, at that moment, the fact that Flavio, who had always been aloof, was tending to a stranger and even fetching water for her was genuinely surprising.

"She's trying to cook to please my brother?" Flynt mused, reclining on the railing with a pout. "She doesn't know my brother is famous for being a picky eater." 

I watched Avery intently, my eyes slightly darkening.

"This woman gives me an inexplicable sense of familiarity," I murmured.