The Alpha Father's Game

Chapter 10: Visitor

Lucky woke up gasping in fear. Her heart thundered into her ears, letting her hear nothing around her. A scream bolted out of her mouth only for nothing but air to come out. She found her mouth was dry and she was thirsty, needing something to wash away the stickiness in it. Her heavy breaths did not help it, making the tackiness worse. Her body felt sticky, too, making her skin and her clothes feel wet and uncomfortable. It was like nobody dried her after being dunked in water. Even her hair clung to her face and shoulders, but strangely, that was part of the nightmare. It had felt so real that even the pain that surged into her neck and head from her sitting up right too fast. She was sure Andrew and her father were trying to help her with the wolfsbane that was poured onto her neck by pouring water onto her.

“It’s okay, Ms. Green.”

A voice penetrated the fear bubble that had wrapped around her senses. She felt someone grab her hand, making her jerk around to see who it was. She ended up bouncing around in bed looking for that voice, until her eyes finally settled on Easter. This omega looked disturbed by her noiseless scream with her brows rising and a frightened look on her face. She wondered what she was doing here and why she thought that soft-spoken voice was in her head. It did not sound like Star at all, which made her feel more confused and worried about herself.

Did something happen?

“What…?” Lucky said panically, but air came out.

“Easy,” Easter cautioned with her hands raised after she calmed down. “Your voice will return momentarily. You just need some water, okay?”

She reached for a clear glass next to a pitcher that looked like the same design on the brown wooden nightstand. That was when she noticed it was black, not brown with glass at the four corners. A black lamp was on it with a white shade but nothing else. There were no drawers or a clock or decorative items like in her room. She started to become alarmed as she turned her head to see that Easter had been sitting on a chair beside this four-poster bed. Her eyes widened more at the sight of it, making her take the glass of water this omega offered and down it. She wanted her questions answered. Her first one being how the hell did she get into this room and whose is it?

While drinking her water, feeling its coolness wash away the ickiness in her throat, she looked around some more. This bedroom was oddly shaped with brown walls jutting out here and there. Two square, brown wooden dressers are in the corners of those formed walls while plants are in the others. A closet door was on her right between the two dressers with a trunk at the base of the window. It looked like a very small alcove that she could not see well, but she did see the white curtains over it. And something else was there that made her eyes narrow until she gave up. There was another nightstand like the one beside her, some mirrors, and a door that she presumed was her exit.

“There we go,” Easter cooed as she took the glass from her. “I am sure you have a lot of questions since yesterday was pretty…”

“How the hell did I get here?!” Lucky asked, sounding hoarse and frightened. “I mean… In this room?”

“Okay, okay,” Easter said, keeping her voice as soothing as possible to calm her fear. “First, what do you remember last? That may help calm you down and for us to skip ahead to your day, today.”

“I only remember dinner with the alpha,” Lucky snapped.

Try as she might, the memories of yesterday did not want to come to her. That dream, though… She wondered if it could be her memory instead. She did not want to believe that she could take on Alpha Edge or be brave enough to almost press her body against him. Someone had poured wolfsbane on her, too, which was terrifying enough with the burning still thumping pain into her head. She was sure that it was all a very vivid, nasty dream that she concocted because of seeing the alpha kill the beta.

“You used your aura against the alpha to tame him down,” Easter stated, making her gawk.

“My dream is true, then!” Lucky whispered in awe. She could not believe how eventful her first day in this pack was and how unlucky. “Did someone pour wolfsbane on my neck, too?”

“Yes, your father and future Alpha Andrew were trying to help you by rinsing it off,” she confirmed for her. “The doctor gave you a cream for your neck and extra bandages. That leads me to say that it is the afternoon. The alpha has been waiting for you to wake, so he could speak to you. I will mind-link him after you have showered and dressed.”

Lucky exhaled the breath that seemed to be stuck in her chest, making it hurt. She was stunned that someone would attack her and that she went against the alpha. He should have killed her, but he did not. The wolfsbane could have killed her if she wasn’t a newborn. That was the amazing part that made her believe her name was correct. She was lucky to be alive on both counts. But he could still change his mind, a whispered thought surged into her mind. She did not want to listen to that, deciding to relish her good fortune for a while longer. It was better than worrying about the what if’s and focusing on making a good appearance now.

Her mind still buzzed with everything that she thought was a dream, until she slipped out of bed. A chill went through her body that almost wracked it violently. She stiffened against it, but that was when she felt the need to pee, too. It hit her hard wishing that she had not left those velvety blue covers. She had felt toasty under them, and this little bit of movement made everything worse.

She rushed to the bathroom and saw the toilet in the corner near the sink heading directly for it. She felt better after relieving herself, but then, she looked around in wonder. Why such dreary colors? The bathroom was black tiled with dark blue tiles mingled with them in no distinct pattern. The counter to the sink was dark grey. It almost looked blue, while the large shower stall had the same color as the tiles. Then, there was the tub that was colored the same with light brown built-in shelves that held dark towels and washcloths next to it. This much darkness did not make her feel good, but she did not have time to voice it.

In the time that she was looking around, Easter had gotten the shower ready for her. The steam was starting to rise in the air, producing a heavenly smell. She wondered how they put scents in the air. She could pick out a kiwi, chamomile, and strawberry. It had a wonderful fruity smell but she did not want to waste the water while pondering on it.

So, she stripped out of her damp grey pajamas, which was not easy to do. Then, she noticed they were not hers. It was unsettling for a moment before she switched gears in her head. She tried to sniff them to find out whose clothes they were, but her wolf was not there, right now. She could not smell anything other than her normal odor, which brought back her alarm.

Is Star gone?

“We know nothing about your wolf,” Easter said softly, like she had read her mind. Then, she busied herself with gathering the clothes off the floor that she had discarded. “Hurry into the shower. Alpha Edge has been anxiously mind-linking me to see if you are awake.”

It made Lucky feel uncomfortable that she was in someone else’s clothes, bedroom, and now, the bathroom. She did not have panties on under it all, which made her wonder who had changed her. She wanted to ask, but another shiver took her body that forced her to go into the warmth of the water. It was soothing until it hit her neck, making her hiss out in pain. She grabbed it, feeling a thick bandage there getting soaked by the spray. She was thankful that Easter stayed in the bathroom with her the entire time, even if it did not make her comfortable. It let her have some help pulling off the tape and helping her soap around her wound gently. It hurt no matter how she did it, even when she dried off with a towel.

Strangely, she felt comfortable being naked around this omega. She would have thought that she would be embarrassed by it or, at least, the omega would be. Is it the werewolf gene that makes it okay? She has less than two weeks before she becomes a full-fledged werewolf. That means she will either rip her clothes off, take them off, or wake up nude in front of people. Maybe this was part of the process, she thought.

She did not want to dwell on any of those thoughts like the pain that comes with shifting. Screw the nakedness that comes with it. She was worried more about the way her body will twist, burn, turn, and fangs and claws would rip out of her. The hair part does not sound so scary, since it is easy to think about in terms of her leg or armpit hair.

It was not long before Lucky was dressed, rebandaged, and her hair and makeup styled all by Easter. She tried to stop her, but she was not listening as she handed her a pair of jeans and an-off-shoulder blue top. It was not what she would have chosen to wear today, but she was not arguing after this woman had helped her.

This let her look at herself. There were dark circles under her eyes that looked way too big for her face. Her skin was pale with rosiness on it from the steam of the shower, but her eyes went to her neck. It was like a beacon with a neon sign added to show the raw, angry, red-looking skin. It was like someone had poured boiling water there, causing a second-degree burn. Her heart pummeled in her chest, feeling the tears welling in her eyes. She wanted to cry over it, but she did not have time, according to Easter.

The alpha was waiting for her to come out of whoever’s room.

She was not given time to mourn the parts of her hair that were burned off by wolfsbane either. It was not hard to tell since her hair was long. There are pieces that are way shorter than the rest and lack the pink tips that Star had put in her hair. She could not even fawn over how well Easter made her look after noticing she had looked like a zombie. The only thing she could do was sit and let the woman work her magic to make her look presentable to him. She was not happy about that, but she was sure that Alpha Edge may want to give her a piece of his mind.

Lucky found herself leaving the bedroom in a daze to an apartment suit. The hallway was semi-dark, but she could see that there were four doors and a beige carpet that felt soft on her feet. The walls are something close to white, but it was not bright enough for her to see clearly. When they came to the end of it, she saw a step-in, large living room that was colored beige, too. The couch, chair, and sofa all make a U shape with brown wooden stands holding lamps. The brown coffee table has a glass top with a beige set of bookshelves lining the back that are short. They did not hold books, but games, movies, game systems, and movie players. She was sure that they would have a theatre here, but she did not see anything that would resemble it.

Then, she saw a man sitting on the couch with his aura oozing off him. Even without it, she would recognize him immediately as he came to a stand. It was Alpha Edge with his arms crossed over his chest by the time he turned around, showing a frown on his face. She looked at him a little puzzled by this, with an urge to make him smile filling her. It was fainter than what it had been yesterday.

Then, Lucky looked him over closer. Her brows went up at the sight of his white button-up shirt open at the neck. She was sure that he would never dress without care or even bear the “devil may care” look except for yesterday. This other side of him seemed a little foreign, especially while wearing black slacks and dress shoes. Or maybe he was done with his alpha work for the day?

Her heart started thumping the closer she got at how sexy he looked just standing there. Her eyes are picking out certain features that just call to her- his hands, his eyes, and definitely his muscles. Her body tightened at the thought of all of them on her, but she shook her head of that nonsense. She did not want him to smell her arousal or feel the way his aura lightened when she arrived. It would mean too much when she knows that he may want to kill her for last night. She had to keep her defenses up and hope Star comes to help her.

“It is about time,” Edge huffed. He looked at her wearing that same cold mask he had on when she first met him. “Women! They always take so long.”

“Excuse me, Alpha,” Easter said softly. “It was me. I had grabbed the wrong clothes for Ms. Green. We were in a hurry last night, so I only grabbed what I could, and then, I took care of her wound. I had to be gentle with it.”

“Fine,” he huffed, pulling down navy-blue suit jacket. “Let’s get her fed."

Lucky was thankful for Easter speaking for her. Her mouth went dry just like it was this morning as she tried not to gape at him. She was sure that she was losing it, at this point. The man was almost her father’s age. He was considered taboo, right? It was not stated like that in the contract, she reminded herself, which further concluded that she had lost her mind. Did he make himself a suitor, too? She needed to read her notes, again, and the contract. If he was, then she needed to see if she had it in her to date a man that was a lot older than her. Her body and mind seemed not to mind it and he was pleasant to admire, but she was still unsure. He has a fowl temper.

She was offended by his comment. She could tell that it was from his lack of patience, but it still hurt. She does not usually take long to get ready, unless it was for a special occasion. Then, she takes her time making sure that her makeup was just right along with her hair looking good. The outfit was usually the easiest, depending upon the function. He should have understood that she was not in her element being in someone else’s room.

“Please, sit,” Edge stated sharply.

Lucky had been lost in her own thoughts that she did not realize they had entered the kitchen. She had seen it first from the hallway, but now, she was in it looking at a white counter and black cabinets. It matched the black and white tiled floor and walls, which made the brown table and chairs stand out. This room was rather small for them, giving Easter very little room to move to the stove and grab their meal. She managed, though, and went to the microwave.

She sat down slowly at the brown wooden table, feeling the harshness of the wood on her rear. The table was not very big either. It seats five people, which made her wonder if his sons still live with him. That thought went away as Easter set a plate before her piled with sausage, bacon, eggs, toast, and pancakes. It was a buffet that made her drool.

“Good,” Edge chuckled dryly as she began eating like she was starved. “You still have an appetite. After last night, I did not think you would.” He grabbed her free hand in his, jerking her attention to him to see that his face had softened. “Last night, you were attacked on my territory, my packhouse. I am sorry that my pack did not protect you, my guest, and my soon-to-be daughter-in-law. That is being rectified. Your room is cleaned out and inspected for anything that may harm you, and guards will be with you at all times. I should have done that first thing, but I thought I would have more time. There is no excuse I can give you for my lax care and security.”

“It is alright, Alpha,” Lucky said, giving him a smile. She gripped his hand, making him look at her and gave him a tight squeeze. She appreciates his apology even though it sounded rehearsed, making her insides cringe. Does he not care about her? Does she care that he was not sounding as caring as he should? “I am alive, and you took charge and care of me. I believe this is your apartment in the packhouse, right?” He nodded, looking unable to speak for a moment. “Then, you did right, no matter how you feel, as long as you improve before the next time occurs. And… You are showing that.”

“Thank you for your kindness,” Edge responded with his voice less dry than before. “My sons were livid, too. They went and patrolled the lines while I questioned the guards. No one saw anything. Did you see who attacked you?"

“Just a darkened figure,” Lucky said with a mouth full of bacon. She chewed it quickly then grabbed her orange juice and drank some. “It was dark in my room. But… um… thank you for caring for me after I was spent using my aura.”

“That was stupid, and it was my son, Andrew, who took care of you,” Edge snapped. “Moving on. Your father confessed about what your mother and sister were up to. He tried to reason with me…”

She nearly got whiplash from his sudden mood change. First, he was angry that she did not hurry to dress. Then, he was nice and apologetic and almost had her heart thudding with happiness. And now, he was back to being angry, again, about her actions last night that drove anger inside her. She could feel her face flush with indignation at his words that showed his thoughtlessness towards her. She wished Star was awake to give her comfort from these torrent of emotions- his and hers. She did not want to take this man on without her support.

“Stupid?” Lucky clipped, holding the fork tightly in her hands. Her eyes are looking at her plate and feeling the food churn in her stomach. “I would say the stupid one is you who accepted the contract that my mother sent you. Can you not read, or do you depend on everyone to do your work for you?”

She glared at him and he at her while Easter stood shaking off to the side of her. She did not care that the omega felt his aura hit her in waves. This man just insulted her no differently than her family had done. He could growl, snap, and snarl at her all he wanted, she thought angrily. She was not stupid. She has intelligence. He may not understand it and chose to hurt her instead of asking her a single question.

“However astute you are, you lack the respect to say it,” Edge growled with his eyes turning red.

“I thought one insult deserved another,” Lucky retorted with sass. “Oh, I forgot! You don’t consider anyone’s life worth living to give them a chance to be better. Maybe I should reconsider the contract, since my life has been nothing but s***.”

She did not know why she had to provoke him. She knew that if Star were there, she would have helped her through this. Her fear was trying to rise and make her quake at the anger she felt coming off him, but she couldn't show it or back down from this man. It did not matter that it made her want to retract her words and ask for forgiveness. She does not want to become that submissive woman, again, that allowed bullies to beat her down. After gaining her wolf, she felt empowered to stand up for herself like she had not before. She cannot do it. She knows she must hold her ground with him to show that she is strong even while weak.

And he still wears that bland, cold face that irks her nerves which pushed her to snap.

“Like your mother? Your sister?” Edge pointed out sharply. “You think that after everything they have done to you, they should live without punishment?”

“I did not say that,” Lucky stated just as sharply. “What I said was that they do not deserve death, or how else are they to see how happy I am? How are they to see that they no longer affect my life with their vile intentions? What? Do you think that their spirits will linger about? Or that they will remember it in the afterlife (whatever it is)?”

“You would be surprised at what I know about the afterlife, Ms. Green,” Edge grumbled as he pulled back his anger. “For now, eat. I have done nothing to your family or the Crescent Pack’s alpha. He apologized and is going to punish your sister. However, Alpha Cullen’s punishment was losing his beta…” He held up his hand and pinched his lips to stop her from saying anything. “But your father pleaded his case about Beta Ross. That is the only reason the Crescent alpha’s beta is not mine now, but your father is. He asked to be traded for him and as a punishment to your mother. She will be here with him, and under guard as long as he is mine.

“Your father loves you. He is deeply sorry for everything and wants to make amends, Ms. Green. I think the plan that you ruined was evidence of that, but all went well in the end…”

“Thanks to me exerting myself,” Lucky pointed out.

“Yes, yes,” Edge agreed, just to drop the subject and his anger. “I would have killed them if you had not used your aura, but you probably killed your wolf, too.”

She looked at him, shocked to hear that. Is it possible? Is Star gone and she is just deluding herself to make everything better instead of chaotic? She did not want that to be true. She could not have m***ered her own wolf for the sake of blood not being spilled last night. Her heart thumped in her chest at the realization. It hurt her to know that she may have done it, but she could not lose hope. The moment she did, she knew that she would be dead inside.

“And how can we tell if my wolf lives?” Lucky asked slowly, hoping with everything in her that there was a way.

“You must see the Elders,” Edge answered gently, sensing her anguish. “They are gifted, old wolves that have had a lot of experience. Mine are more so than other packs, because I only take the best and dispatch them when it is needed. That is another reason I am here. I am going to escort you to them.”

“Alright,” she nodded.

She did not want to see those old men. Star had forbidden her from telling anyone the truth about her. She did not understand why, but she trusted her beast to know what was dangerous in this world. It was all new to her, and she had no idea how to navigate it well. Her wolf just kept telling her to fail the Elder’s test instead of passing it. So, she did. And now, she was going to see Dark Amber Pack’s Elders. Should she fail the test that they gave her? She really needed her only friend to be awake to guide her.

Star. Star!

She tried yelling at her in her mind and even imagining a finger poking at her wolf’s nose, but nothing happened. There was no snort, growl, or even a voice to give her comfort. She could barely feel anything of her wolf’s essence, which made her worry that she was imagining it all. She wanted to cry at the thought of her wolf being gone and leaving her vulnerable, but she could not. There was still hope that she might be alive to end the hollowness filling her. She had to hang onto it and give her wolf whatever she could give to her. She did not want to lose her only friend that had made her feel better than she had in years.

“Why would someone pour wolfsbane on my neck?” Lucky asked suddenly after she finished her breakfast.

“We think it has to do with the marriage contract,” Edge answered hesitantly. She looked at him worriedly. Does one of his sons have a woman that would hold a grudge? Or is it women instead? “Do not worry about it and focus on completing the contract. That is why I have guards to watch over you.”

“Okay,” she nodded, feeling like her life had just turned upside down.

She did not want to feel like she was a target or that she would die any minute. Everything was starting to affect her, from what happened at dinner to the attack last night. She could see her life having one long series of attacks on her from women that want her dead for accepting it. Then, there was the alpha’s sons, who seemed to not want anything to do with her. They are not here to tend to her. She did not know how to get their attention when she was an average woman. Even dressed up last night, they did not seem to take interest in her except for Rick, who wanted to s*x her. Is that the way to get them to consider her as a mate? She hoped not. And for that matter, why was she still doing the contract when her family was now in trouble with two alphas? Doesn’t that mean she is free?