The Alpha Father's Game

Chapter 24: Dorran's Surprise

Lucky exited the car after it stopped with her lips pursed together, until she saw Dorran waiting for her on the steps. Relief swept through her that made everything she endured in the last three hours better. She had not let her mind think nor process anything after that woman, Misty, kissed Rick. It was like she became something close to a mindless person that went to lunch, and now, was home. Plus, that woman was heading this way, too. She wore a smile throughout the whole meal and had a conversation that she just does not remember, right now. She had heard that woman’s jabs with her friends laughing about her looks and status as a newborn. It made Star growl and insult them, but she remained pleasant. Her supposed “boyfriend” only mildly stood up for her while declaring her Luna of the Dark Amber Pack. That intrigued them more, and they looked like vicious wolves ready to sink their teeth into her.

That was why she was glad to see Dorran. She needed a moment to get away from everything to come to terms with what happened. It was not just about the s****l experience in the fitting room. It was how Rick could so casually go from kissing another woman to like nothing happened. He did not pull her away for a moment to talk, but he did try in the car, which made Lucky blast the music.

What was she supposed to do?

You’re supposed to fight for the man. Take that b**** out and show her who is boss!

Is he a man worth my fists pummeling into some woman I do not know? I barely know him, and now, I am not sure if he is.

First Dorran and now Rick… Ugh! We’ll only be left to choose between Edge and Andrew.

At least, I am narrowing the playing field down.

“Dorran,” Lucky called shrilly. Her voice sounded a mix between happy and sad that perked his brow. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to have a moment of your time,” he answered casually. “I have something for you."

“Alright,” she nodded as she went to the trunk grabbing her bags. “I just need to drop these off real quick.”

“No need,” Dorran said, as he took them from her hands.

“Lucky,” Rick called gently as he hurriedly got out of the car. He tripped when getting out of it, ending up hopping on one foot before regaining his balance. She knew that if it was her, she would be flat on her face. “I was hoping for a moment to talk to you about Misty.”

She did not get to answer him as a navy-blue, luxury car pulled behind his car. That woman- Misty- got out excitedly with her green eyes sparkling all on Rick. She ran to him like they were long lost lovers, which made her want to scream at her that he was hers. The woman tried to grab his hand, but he yanked it away, looking angrily at her. It made her pout playfully like it was all a game they were playing when he was serious.

Lucky kept her head turned to Dorran to close her eyes for a moment, and try to sooth the pain inside her. She needed to put on her pleasant face and try not to scream or let her wolf make her fight. Her heart struggled to beat normally with her face flushed with a deep rosy color that betrayed her feelings. She breathed in deeply, reminding herself that she had to remain in control, or she would not be a good hostess, a good Luna.

It took some effort, but she turned and smiled at them hoping that it looked genuine. Deep down, she wanted to rip out their greasy looking hair that was supposed to be shiny from hair products. She does not understand why she feels this way for a man she hardly knows, but she holds herself back from acting out. It was utterly insane to have something close to possessive sending feelings and thoughts through her mind. She should not act this way when she knows damn well that she was not their girlfriend until they accept her, accept the deal. Rick had said nothing to the effect of that, but he did indicate that he wanted the title.

She looked at Misty’s black and her brown haired friends that had already got out of the car. She decided to focus on them instead of Rick and Misty. They wore heavy makeup, like Misty, and short dresses that practically showed what was underneath them. The difference was that the black haired woman looked older with a round face while the brown haired woman has a slender face. Both women are styled to perfection and are gorgeous, which was not something she could compete with.

“Dorran, if you could please, tell your father that we have guests,” Lucky said. Her voice was high-pitched with a fake pleasantness that hurt her face and ears. “Luna Ava’s daughter, Misty, and her two friends- Cara Conner, Alpha Gabriel and Luna Finely Conner’s daughter. And Rachel Winston, Alpha Night and Luna Regan Winston’s daughter.” She had tilted her head towards him just a little before looking at them keeping her smile in place. “Edge will be happy that you have visited our pack.”

“How dare you speak the alphas’ name without their title!” Misty shrieked, turning her smile into a frown. Her anger slowly crept in at the way this woman tried to humiliate her and shame her for what she knows was right. “You may be a newborn, but you…”

“I have every right, Misty,” Lucky snapped with her eyes, glaring daggers at her. Her body was stiffened at the sound of her voice, which sounded with authority. She did not even know that she could sound that way, but Star was there giving her the strength to do this. She could not be more thankful for that as she feels like curling up in a ball at this woman’s aura pushing at her. “And how dare you tell me to defy what the Alpha said to me. Shall I tell him that you are trying to usurp him?”

“No, no, no,” Misty said quickly, looking terrified for a moment before swishing her arms in front of her. They crossed over her with her palms out and she plastered a smile on her face with her voice going shrill. “You don’t need to do that. I know that whatever the alpha says goes.”

“Yes, it does,” Lucky asserted with a firm nod and a smirk of satisfaction that burned this woman.

“Are you staying for dinner?” Dorran asked curiously as he tried to divert the she-wolves from fighting.

“Yes,” Misty sneered, with her two friends nodding in unison. “I was visiting Cara when my mom called letting me know that she will be here tutoring the new Luna.”

“Yes, it is most gracious of her to do so,” she said before Dorran could respond. “I cannot wait until I can dive into my responsibilities, but of course, I must make a choice first. Which one of the four men will be my mate?”

“Aren’t you worried about your fated mate?” Rachel, the brown haired woman, asked loudly like she was shocked.

“Come, Lucky,” Dorran called firmly, putting her hand on his arm. “I have something I want to show you.”

“I am sorry. I almost completely forgot,” she said, a little airy. She turned to him, giving a genuine smile. “I would love to see what you got me.” She looked back, noticing the frown on Cara’s face. She wanted to smirk, but instead, she looked at Misty, seeing that she was, once again, trying to clutch onto Rick. “I’ll send an omega out to get your things and show you a guest room.”

They walked inside with Lucky fuming at the way those women were making her angrier by the second. She wanted to say something nasty to them while hiding in a shell where they could not reach her. She was too afraid a hole in the ground would let them dig her up, torture her, and then throw her back inside. Women like that were always the same with their vindictive nature, just like Misty proved a moment ago. That was why she hid behind Edge’s words and accused her of challenging his authority. From what she could tell, no one wanted to challenge him.

“You held your ground well with Misty and her nasty, lice-ridden pack,” Dorran whispered in her ear.

Her head jerked at him in shock. He did not sound like he was fawning over those beautiful women, too, like his brother. It gave her hope that Andrew and Edge would not either, or she was stuck with no one as a mate and hurt. She could already see that they would be drawn to women like them, which made her look like a homeless woman on the streets. She did not want to have a fight with them, either, until she got used to the supernatural world and its intricacies. The werewolf pack has many rules that she was not familiar with, yet. It would be bad on her part if she dived head long into something that she does not understand.

“Thank you,” Lucky said softly. “Is there anything that I missed that I should have done as a Luna? I don’t want your father to be disappointed in my skills and terminate the contract.”

“I will message an omega to assist the trio and tell the cooks that three more are joining dinner,” Dorran chuckled. “You have no worries. Once you get your wolf and we can induct you into the pack, you’ll be able to mind-link yourself.”

“I know,” she nodded. “Thank you by the way.”

“You’re welcome,” he said with a shrug as they climbed the stairs. “I was going to ask you what was wrong, but Misty’s arrival explained enough. I am going to warn you that those three have been trying to become our mates for the prestige of being Luna.”

“I had a suspicion that they would be like that,” Lucky huffed.

As they walked down the hallway of the third floor, she could not help letting her mind wander. Why did she get hurt when Misty kissed Rick? Was it because of what they had shared moments before? That was the only logical conclusion, but she could not help wondering if her new werewolf senses said it was something else. Does she really want to be with Rick and no one else? She had got him to open to her a little, and she found that he was still hurting inside. Still, she knows so little about him that she cannot say if she wants to be his mate.

Then, there was Edge who made her feel wild with lust and laughter. Is he the mate she will choose? She finds herself wanting to get to know him, too, with these feelings developing for him. She wanted to explore another avenue of their relationship except she was struggling to deal with her internal issues. The four men she was dating may get jealous and act out their anger on each other. She could not do that to a family, but she was already intimate with two of the four men. It made no sense to her why she would worry when it had already happened and none seemed to be mad. Even now, Dorran does not seem angry even though she was sure that he could smell Rick on her in a s****l nature. However, she belatedly realized that he was a bad example. He does not want her or the title.

A sigh escaped her while oncoming footsteps drew her eyes to Andrew moving swiftly towards them. It drew her thoughts to this man who had not really spoken to her, and yet, she had a distinct impression that he was warming up to her. He did do something nice for her- Marabella’s and beginning the path of forgiveness with her father. She should thank him one day for that, except she was not willing to trust the new relationship with David. He could still be her mother’s pawn for whatever scheme she cooks up in her head.

She believed that he was going to walk past her without saying a word to her. She thought that he had gotten word about those women. Instead, he slowed his steps and looked at her with a small smile on his stoic face. It almost offset her, but she knew that she had to smile back hoping to appear open enough for him to talk freely with her.

“Lucky,” he called to her, sounding the same as ever. There was no excitement in his deep voice that sounded rich as honey to her ears. It was just bland, which made her yearn to hear something more than that to come from him. “I am glad that you made it back. I was wondering…”

“I got to her first, Brother,” Dorran chuckled, “but if you want to come with me, please do. In fact, I think you want to. Misty and her s*** squad are here.”

“Grr,” Andrew growled with his wolf along with him. “Why?”

Dorran and his brother both looked at her waiting for a reply. She sighed heavily, knowing that they wanted an explanation, but she just did not want to remember it. She knows it was in part her fault that those women were here. She should not have said anything at lunch, but Star was angry. She was sure that when she transformed into her wolf next week, she would seek them out. She did not want that on her conscious when there was a better solution, like getting to know them.

“She was on her way here when Rick and I ran into her at the store,” Lucky responded with another heavy sigh. She tugged on Dorran’s arm to continue walking down the hall as she continued to explain what happened. “Then, we all went to lunch. Rick tried to get them to let me sit with him, but they pretty much booted me out of the seat to sit at the end. The topic of conversation went from bad to worse as they prodded about me and how I got the status of Luna of Dark Amber Pack. I was honest about it all. I know you two can smell Rick on me and, no, we did not have s*x, but I can say that my wolf needs to tone down her arousal. The reason I am stating it now is because they could, too, and insinuated that I was a w****. Rick did take up for me, especially with more than one can handle bit. That was referencing taking all of you to bed- him, you, Edge, and you, Andrew…”

“Okay,” Andrew breathed out as they reached the fourth level. He looked irritated by this time, which made her gulp at how he looked a lot like his father when angered. “I want to know how all of that came to them coming here now.”

“Like I said, they were already on their way to the pack when they had stopped to go shopping,” Lucky stated. “So, I said, please, allow me to leave first, so, like a good Luna, I can greet you. I know that was the dumbest thing I could have ever said in my entire life.”

Yeah, it was. You should have stabbed those b****es with a fork. They should know better than to mess with my human!

“Sorry,” she said, looking at both of them surprised after her wolf pushed a growl from her. “Star is not happy about what happened at lunch.”

“We understand,” Andrew smirked, “but I think that tomorrow’s training is going to be interesting. I hope it is a repeat of what happened today minus the moment that embarrassed you, which is why I wanted some of your time. I did not get to tell you that I am sorry if something I did caused…”

“No,” Lucky sighed as Dorran stopped and released her to talk to him. “It was me. Well, more like my wolf and me."

“Is there anything that I can do to make it easier for you to not get aroused?” Andrew asked curiously.

“Not really,” she said glumly. “I guess this is a part of the growing up my wolf has to do."

“Yes, and no,” Dorran responded quickly while leaning on a door. “Some she-wolves do become hypersexual, but it always depends on the type of wolf given to you. Yours is definitely going to be sensual or at least empathetic, which is great for a Luna. It will help you with the omegas and warriors.”

“I hope so,” Lucky mumbled.

“Well, I have something that may cheer you up,” Dorran stated as he opened the door. “I told my father that I wanted to give you your own room near ours. He and I argued whether you were ready or not for it, but I won my case. So, I got you closer to us where you could be better protected and have your own living space. If you want your father to live with you, you can invite him. However, your mother is still with him while confined to their room. I don’t know if he…”

Lucky gave him a hug, feeling like he had just given her the keys to a new car. This gift touched her as much as his nervousness did. She could hear it when he spoke and see it with the way he tapped the key against his leg. He seemed to be unsure if she would like it, but really, she loved it. It was her own space where she could hide for a moment to get away from people like Misty. This was the best gift.

“Thank you,” she breathed in his ear.

“You’re welcome,” Dorran chuckled, giving her back a rub while inhaling her scent near her neck. She stepped back, drawing them both into reality that Andrew was nearby looking like a third wheel. If she had to say what he truly looked like, it would be someone who was cursing himself with that grimace. His eyes even hardened a little, until he forced a smile onto his face. “I thought you might want space every now and again. And well… I’m sorry for what I said yesterday. It was wrong of me. I know that I should have had more sense than to believe the worst in you after everything that your sister and mother had done to you. My father pulling out the proof of their transgression should have had me seeing you in a better light, but I let my suspicious nature get the best of me. I’m sorry for hurting you, Lucky.”

“I forgive you,” she chuckled, “and, just so you know, all you had to do was apologize.”

“Then, I am in your good graces?” Dorran asked eagerly with a smile on his face. He almost looked like a puppy wagging his tail. She could not help a small laugh that made her feel better.

“Yes, but I will still not consider you as a mate,” she answered, which made his face fall. She felt a little guilty and even Star was huffing at her about this. “I’m sorry if it hurts you, but I don’t think it would be right after everything you said to me. You don’t even want the alpha title.”

“Is power all you think about?” he asked harshly.

“I signed a contract,” Lucky said, a little startled by his sudden flare of anger. “I must fulfill the terms I agreed to. You know that. If I do not, well, then, I do not want to know what your father will do. There was no backlash written down.”

“You know father and his contracts, Dorran,” Andrew jibbed in taking up for her. “She cannot back out. It is legal and binding and he is the ‘sheriff’ of the packs. He will pursue the matter.”

“Yeah, I know,” he mumbled sadly with his shoulders drooped. “I just…”

He walked away looking disheartened, which made her want to go to him. Andrew had a hand on her shoulder, though, to keep her in place. It made her look at him curiously about why he would hold her back from soothing him. He seemed to look at his brother sadly and with an understanding that made her withhold her question.

“Give him time and space,” Andrew advised. “He just… is Dorran. He was always a brooding child.”

“Oh,” Lucky said, giving a nod.

“I can take you tomorrow after lunch to get whatever you need for your place,” Andrew offered. “Or before lunch, if you would prefer.”

“Umm, I don’t know when Luna Ava is to arrive,” Lucky said and pinched her lips together. “I guess when we find out her arrival time, then we can decide. I don’t want to miss greeting her. Plus, I don’t know if she is going to start teaching me right away.”

“I will ask father and then arrange the time to go,” Andrew nodded firmly. “And from the looks of those bags, it seems you need to go shopping. We will do that, too.”

“Yes,” she said with a blush on her face. “I will need more appropriate clothes than what Rick wants me to wear. Mind you, I agreed to wear it for our first dinner together, so it ought to be interesting.”

“I’m sure,” Andrew chuckled as he roved his eyes over her. “I know Dorran had your stuff brought over but check to see if he had a bed put in for you to sleep on.”

“Alright,” Lucky nodded.

She went inside and began to look around the place. It began with a short hallway before opening to a walkway. The black and white kitchen floor was straight in front of her with the living room somewhat on the left. If she was right, there was a hallway that curved to the right just ahead of her. She decided to make mental notes about redecorating her new home after seeing the teal-colored walls of the kitchen. It looked tacky against the brown cabinets and silver appliances. She wanted to fix the oddness of it, but the brown paneled living room was empty. It needed furnishing, plus curtains were needed for the three windows that were almost side-by-side.

Lucky continued to walk slowly to the end of the wall, finding another hallway. She almost cheered that she was right. There were three brown doors that she looked at for a moment before choosing the one at the end of the hall to be the master bedroom. She walked to it trying to keep her footsteps light, so it did not echo. She did not want to get the spooky feeling empty places give her. Any noise would make her jump at this point while her heart is thumping heavily in her chest. Still, she loved this place that was hers, hoping that Dorran did not mind it.

She opened the door and looked inside, finding that her stuff was, indeed, in her bedroom and so was a bed. Everything was placed where she would put it, so she knew it had to be Easter that did it, but the one thing that got her the most was the drawings. Like with the foyer, the lower part of the walls in the two hallways, and in this bedroom have paintings on the lower half. Someone had drawn the mountains and the sky, but it looked unfinished and freshly painted. Her breaths caught in her throat, wondering if Dorran had done this or knew the artist. Her heart thumped with a warmness that made her feel. At the same time, it was difficult to feel this way while knowing that they cannot be together. She could feel the pain go right to her heart knowing that he will never be an alpha.

She wanted to take her fingers and trace over it, but she did not want to ruin the artwork. It was too beautiful for her for words even with it half finished.

I think it is him.

I guess he wants another chance.

I don’t think he wants a chance at the title, but you… His eyes were practically begging for you to want him.

Yes, I saw, but you still have some explaining to do, Star. Why are we horny as hell?! Why does my heart hurt whenever one of them is with another woman? They are not mine, yet.

Lucky had to distract herself or she was going to go running for the man that she could not have. She could not break the contract no matter how this man made her feel. It will pass like all the others, she told herself. She wanted it to be true. She needed it to be true, so she did not renege on the deal. That was why she needed to focus on something else instead of the love budding inside her for him.

It is growing up. Like Rick, Cullen, Edge, Andrew, and Dorran have all said- you are coming into me, your wolf. We will experience things like hormonal shifts while I am slowly developing in you like a baby. Be thankful that the Goddess of Wolves had the forethought to let me be able to talk instead of leaving you wondering if you’re going crazy.

I already feel like I am going crazy. One minute I am adamant about not s*xing those men and the next I find their lips on places that have my toes curled.

Yes, Rick did a marvelous job of taming our appetite.

Is it going to stop?

Lucky had to know. She was about ready to barricade herself somewhere, so she did not do any more damage to her relationships. It was not just about getting s****l with them. It was about getting to know them before doing that. She does not want to be like Misty or any of those other she-wolves that flaunt their bodies and spread their legs. She wanted to create a bond with them so she could choose one alpha or another for her mate.

I get it, I get it! You feel like your lust is getting in the way of knowing them, but the mark will do that for you.

I was a human before this, Star. I need some piece of mind that things have not irrevocably changed.

They have and they haven’t. I am healing you of the damage that was done by your family. It is what I do, I told you. So, you, in part, are responsible for the horniness that you feel towards them. I only add on a bit.

So, you mean to say that I am lusting after them?

Something like that. The werewolf gene is enhancing that lust. You just need to think of something disgusting or neutral to nullify it. I can’t say that it will stop me, though.

I’ll try the next time.