The Alpha Father's Game

Chapter 22: Surprise Visit Part 1

Dorran had been by Lucky’s door listening to their conversation. He does not feel bad about stooping so low as to eavesdrop on them. It was the only thing he could think of to figure out how to gain back her favor. It would help him plan his next moves to capture her heart, and right now, his mind was swirling with ideas. One was getting her to open up to someone more than just her wolf. His heart hurt when he heard her confession about only trusting Star. She needed more than a beast to rely on, but it would be hard after what her family had done to her. He wanted it to be him, except she needed women in her life that would not backstab her for being the Luna and mate to one of them.

He kept ticking off things that she needed him to be, knowing that a few were a part of his personality. The rest he would work on, hoping that she would begin seeing him as a candidate, again.

This may not feel like a fated mate bond, but it is close. It was like something that he did not want to miss out on. He does not know how to explain this softness in his heart and the regret chewing it up at the same time. His mind swirled with anticipation about seeing her, while disappointed that she would not give him the time. He had even cursed himself last night for so long while pacing in his room wishing that he could go to her. He wanted to plead his case with her favorite flower in his hand, except he had no idea what flower she liked. It could not be like his get-well flowers that he just casually picked out. These had to be perfect, but no matter what he thought, it seemed to not be enough to earn her forgiveness.

Then, he heard Rick ask if he could take her out before lunch to go shopping. He already knew what his brother was up to. It was not like that man doesn’t have a competitive streak while getting what he wants from whoever. He would say that he would “help” him with something, except he would do it to the extreme. Hopefully, she would not give a player like him the time of day or would thwart his intentions towards her. He would love to see what she does to him when he ticks her off. It would please him to see his brother slack jawed as he was.

An idea suddenly popped into his mind. It drew a smile to curve up his face that looked half evil and half happy. His eyes even lit up, feeling the satisfaction of it running through him like he had already done it. He was lost in this blissful moment created by his imagination, until he heard the doorknob jiggle to Lucky’s room.

Quickly, he dodged into the room across from hers feeling his heart thumping in his chest. He knew that if he got caught by his father being a creep, it would not be good. Edge would make him feel the pain of his transgression. He must learn not to linger in his fantasies, so he does not suffer. Or maybe, that would endear him to Lucky… No, she would be horrified by his eavesdropping, he thought with a shake of his head at the stupid thought.

Just give her the flowers already.

What if she is allergic to them? She is not a full-fledged werewolf yet.

Stop being a p***y. We both know why you don’t want to compete with your brothers.

Dorran pushed Benton to the back of his mind, hating how much he pushed him to do something. He did not want to compete with his brother because he couldn't measure up to them. It was not about confidence. It was the truth. The paperwork he has no problem with other than it takes him a while to complete. He can take down rogues with his strength, but not while fighting witches or warlocks. That is something only his father and brothers could do, as he would turn and runaway. He could not face the pack if he became a coward. Lucky was right to cancel him from the list of prospects, since the alpha title was included in the contract.

He was worthless as an alpha. He may as well as be a Luna s***h alpha or a warrior with his caring, suspicious nature. He would not be a good match for her with that hanging between them. She would believe that he wants to screw her, anyway. His intention, his hope,was that he has to convince her to drop it for him. She would be good as his mate, Luna for this pack, and she would be good for him, if he could muster something in himself to want the title.

You can kick those skanky witch’s a**. You just need to listen to me and stop sniffing their rears.

That’s you. Is there anyone in the hall?

When Benton told him it was clear, he opened the door cautiously, feeling his heart thudding in his chest. His shoulders were bunched in tension as he poked his head out looking for anyone in the hall. He looked left and right, seeing no one, but he sniffed the air, smelling only the lingering scents of his family and Lucky. Her fruity smell drew a smile on his face that reminded him of this morning's training and that room. He wanted to revel in it, but he frowned when he realized that she was going to the mall with his brother. He wanted to take her to buy decent clothing, unlike Rick who would get her to buy s***'s clothes.

He breathed out silently and stepped out of the room, easing the door shut behind him. It was a relief that he managed to not get caught by his dad. He wanted to cheer and pat himself on the back. No one gets past the alpha, not even his favourite- Andrew.

A cough drew him to turn around quickly to see his father standing in front of Lucky’s door. He had a menacing look on his face with his red eyes glaring at him that made Dorran swallow hard. This was another reason that he did not want to be an alpha. His father has always scared him. He has seen him at his worst and knows what he will not allow and will allow. And his creeping around a woman's door is something that he gets angry over.

“What are you doing son?” Edge asked with an edge to his voice like he really wanted to kill him.

Stop shaking like a pansy and start being a man.

Easy for you to say.

Do you want her or not?

Dorran knew his wolf was right. No matter the fear his father instilled in him since youth, he must face it down. He must be the stronger man for what he wants and take the consequences. He could not help a gulp, though, as he breathed in readying to tell his father what he was doing instead of asking for permission or forgiveness.

“I am hunting my prey,” he stated weakly at first. “I need to know what you guys are doing before I can impress her to take me back and convince her to abandon the contract. And so far, I have gotten good intel about how to do that.”

“Do you?” he asked as he took a step towards him.

Dorran wanted to start shaking as his father came closer. He remembered how vicious his wolf liked to get when someone crosses a line. It does not help that blood coats most of those memories, but Benton promised that death was not going to happen. He trusted his wolf to help him through fighting his father if he had to do it. So, he straightened his posture more and released the tension gripping his shoulders. He prepares for an attack by his father if he says the wrong way.

“Yes,” he nodded while looking the man in the eyes. “While you and my brothers are eyeing her to be your ticket for the title, I am eyeing her for a better prize than that.”

“And what’s that?” Edge asked with his frown deepening on his face.

Dorran swore that he no longer looked like his father anymore. He looked like the hardened man of his nightmares that he remembered all too well. That man who made women cry over their lost mate and men become dismembered in seconds. That man was the one who fought like hell to get to his mother and him proclaiming them his possession and no one else’s. He wanted to give a shiver at that memory, but it would not help him now. He must push it back to sound firm, and face his father head on, understanding what he had to do.

“Her heart,” he answered quickly as he steeled himself for whatever might happen. He was about to speak the truth from his heart knowing that it could get him hurt. “None of you are going for it. You see her as just a chosen Luna. I see her much more than that- Luna, mate, wife, mother. I see her wrapped in all those titles plus some. You may want to build a relationship with her, but I want her love. Yes, it is almost one and the same, while it is not. It gives me the one thing that none of you have- determination to do what’s necessary to get what I want. So, if I am eavesdropping or snooping or doing anything to make her mine- then it is a part of the game that you set up. I will find a way to get back in her good graces, and I don’t care if I must stoop so low as to be on my hands and knees begging for that second chance. I want Lucky for Lucky. Nothing more.”

He waited for whatever his father was about to do to him. He was so close that he could smell his breakfast on his breathe, as he looked slightly eye-level at him. There was no shaking leg or nervousness filling his body. He kept his mind focused on Lucky. Everything he wanted to do for her and where he wanted to take her, whether in the pack or out on a date. His mind revolved around her as he stared his father down, refusing to be scared. This was for her, he told himself over and over again.

“If you…” Edge began raising his hand with his finger pointed at him, but Dorran grabbed his wrist.

His face hardened and his eyes narrowed as he said, “If you think I am going to listen to your warning, then think again. I am the only one among the four of us that wants something better for her than that stupid contract. So, I’m warning you, give up. She’s mine.”

Dorran walked away almost unable to believe that he had said that to his father. He had never spoken to him like that, but his anger had flooded him when he heard him start his usual warning. He should feel lucky to be alive right now instead of irritated. If he was anyone else but Edge’s son, then he would be dead, he was sure. The fact that he did not get a punch to the face from him said even more. He just did not care at this point, feeling a huge weight taken off him. It was like once he declared himself to his father about his intentions and told him what he thought about their courting… It made him feel stronger than yesterday or this morning. He felt like he could win her hand once he grovels a bit or made her happy. He wanted this like nothing else. His wolf was encouraging him to go for her. That was the weird part.

Wolves love their fated mates. It was who they live for next to being in a pack, minus the few that like to be rogue. But when they get their fated mate, they act almost like Benton was doing, now, at the thought of Lucky. His tongue was lolling and his need to be with her heightened. Her scent was even pleasing to his nose, but Dorran’s wolf lacked something that he could not fathom. He knows that there are no sparks and tingles between them. It was the one thing that signifies a fated mate. The pull was there, though. It was not the mate bond pull that was driving them to her. This was different and he could not figure out what that difference was to make him stand up to his father like he had done.

“Son,” Edge called gruffly. He turned around expecting to see his father’s hardened face, but instead, it was softened. A small smile lifted the corners of his lips, and it shocked him to see happiness in the man’s eyes. Dorran’s mouth parted as he waited for what his father was going to say. “It’s good to see the alpha side of you finally come to life. I knew you had it in you.”

His mouth fully dropped after hearing that. He was stunned. He never thought his father would say something like that to him ever. The pride in his father’s eyes and the sad smile on his face made his heart beat heavily. He never got to say thank you before Alpha Edge rushed away like it was a crime to show his emotions, but that was typical of him. It made him want to laugh because he had only shown his emotions to Lucky. Maybe she was changing this family for the better.

This just made him feel good, and more determined to prove every word he spoke.

Lucky Green

Rick took Lucky’s hand the minute they had walked out of her room and pulled her to the front of the packhouse. It was like he was afraid that someone would snatch her if he did not hurry or keep hold of her. Lucky liked his childish exuberance that had them almost running to his car. She could not help the giggle that slipped out of her that seemed to make his shoulders relax. He even opened the car door for her, like she was something special that sent a thrill to her heart. She let her happiness fill her, choosing to let things go for a while, so she does not ruin this moment with him. While in the car, he kept everything upbeat, from music to their conversation. It was like he influenced her to become carefree, and she loved it. She had never felt this way before with anyone.

“We’re here,” Rick stated cheerfully after he parked the car in the lot.

Her head was already turned to a large, grey stone building that had automatic sliding glass doors. She saw a few women wearing things like G**** or even some new designer that she heard the popular kids talk about. She never kept up with fashion, but she noticed that, even in this cold weather, they were wearing slinky dresses. It almost made her gawk at them except she was sure that they were wolves. Her wolf hadn’t come out fully, yet, so she was going to feel the cold easily if she would wear something like that.

“What kinds of dresses are in there?” Lucky asked curiously as she turned her head around.

He was already out of the car and going to her door, leaving her to talk to herself. That did not give him any brownie points with her. It was like he cut her off before she asked any questions about the obvious and before she could demand to go somewhere else. But then, is that not like a typical alpha? They take them to places and make them experience it because they want to make them feel special. Don't mates change you for the best, like when you love someone in human terms?

A smile perked her lips to hide the nervousness, nibbling at her mind. She had no confidence to wear something so provocatively like those women entering the store. They had their heads held up high with a confident stride to their walk. They looked like they knew they were beautiful. Did Rick think she would dress like them? This was a new world for her and she wanted to fit in for once. Although she knows that it was not possible with a wolf like hers. She did hope to show some similarities to the other she-wolves and to open up to her new world.

“Thank you,” Lucky said when Rick opened her door, and she stepped out. “What kind of dresses do they sell here?”

“Beautiful ones,” he answered cryptically, with a mischievous grin.

She smacked his chest playfully and laughed as they started walking to the door and then went in. She did not even pay attention to anyone passing by giving her eyes. It was almost like they were jealous that she was on Rick's arm and he was catering to her by keeping her warm. She forgot all that when she saw the lingerie and slinky dresses that widened her eyes as she stepped through the doors. She was sure they would show her rear.

Well... she was sure it would show more than her rear. It made her heart thump at the thought of showing that off to every unmated male at the packhouse. She did not want to dress like those women who were flaunting themselves to multiple men for a one-night stand or power. She wanted to be respectable, but she wanted to broaden her mind. It made her want to turn around and walk away from this store.

She looked at him for a moment, struggling to come up with a smile to the gleam in his eyes. She knew he was a playboy that liked his women to show skin. This was a bit much. She would rather have something that covered her private parts. This hurt.

“What is it?” Rick asked, noticing the hurt look on her face.

“I… I don’t dress like those women,” Lucky said shakily with her arm lazily lifting to point at the customers.

“You’ve never dressed any way but down, have you?” he asked with a serious look on his face. She nodded her head, feeling slightly embarrassed that she had not really gotten in touch with her femininity. She would have if the guys at her school were not obsessed with her sister and used her to get close to Lucy. “Then, I think it is time we changed that. You are going to pick up as many outfits as you want today and when you’re ready to wear them, then do so.” He slid behind her with a smirk on his face and leaned down to her ear, sending his breath onto her neck. He had not gotten close enough to make her arousal flare, until now. She felt it all the way through her body, tightening it. Her breaths quickened and a thrill went through at the sound of his low voice. His hand stretched to trail his fingers up her leg as he huskily speaks. “And when that day happens, expect a very good response to what I see.”

Rick stepped away from behind her and went to a nearby rack, leaving her breathless. She was clenching her core tighter than she had ever before, especially after this morning. Her heart was thumping in tune with her body, wondering why she let him touch her like that. He had not done anything inappropriate that would make people gasp. His finger trailed up to her mid-thigh, jolting her. She was flushed by it for no reason, but if the she-wolves’ smirks that were nearby said anything, they could smell her, too.

Oh, they can smell it. That man is good. Can we dry hump him, too?

Lucky wanted to respond to Star, but she was too worried about male wolves coming to take advantage of her. She rushed to Rick, hoping to keep near him while keeping her distance at the same time. He was too much a womanizer to let her guard down. However, she needed to focus on getting him to talk to her, so she could think about him as a potential mate and not a s*x toy.

“Rick,” she called hesitantly. She bit her lip thinking about how to word what was on her mind. “I want to make a deal with you. I will allow you to pick two outfits- one dress and one lingerie- if you tell me two things about yourself that is personal.”

He looked amused at her for a moment. The smile on his face twinkled his eyes in desire like he was thinking about it. She could not help the blush darkening her face, but she, also, felt her defenses come up. She knew that he was thinking about her wearing his chosen outfit that would make her feel like she was nude. She felt the tension grow in the silence that followed with only the small chatter from the others in the store. A part of her hoped that he would not accept the deal.

“I don’t supposed mating me would be tossed in with that deal?” he questioned as he slumped his posture.

“No, but I will wear it in two days,” Lucky countered, hoping that would appease his s****l needs. “I will be making you three a dinner then.”

“Oh, how I wish it would be tomorrow,” Rick purred as he took a piece of her hair and twirled it in his finger.

“Tomorrow the Luna arrives,” she stated as she took a brave step forward and lifted onto her toes. Her body rubbed against him slightly, which made his wolf growl in approval. “So, I must put my best foot forward.”

“I could unleash that hidden sexuality of yours, you know,” he responded to her little tease with an arm wrapped around her waist.

“Then, you would not be able to play this torturous game,” Lucky replied breathily. “You know. The one where I get questions answered and give you the tease of a lifetime that may or may not build up to something special.” She took her fingers and had them walking on his chest, feeling how his breaths had become heavy with just that. She softened her eyes to look playful and put a small smile on her face hearing her wolf's encouragement. “The one where you can fantasize about me knowing what is underneath that dress while I’m cooking for each of you…”

“Deal,” Rick said quickly, showing that her method was working on him.

“Good,” Lucky smiled widely and stepped away. “I will begin looking through these… dresses and you begin talking about two personal things.”

She went to a rack and saw a sheer dress that was see-through. She felt horrified that he would pick that one up for her. It made her gut twist that her body would be nude in front of people. She hoped for something more conservative than blatantly showing it off. She had to turn her head away to look at another dress before she said something that would break their deal. Then, her eyes landed on another dress with a high chest line to reach her collarbone with no back. She picked it up feeling a bit of trepidation hit her stomach, but it was workable.

“I think I will try this one,” Lucky stammered as she looked at it for a moment. “But I don’t hear anything coming from you."

“Alright,” Rick said, taking a deep breath in, like he did not want to do it. “If you haven’t noticed that my brothers and I are three years apart.” She gave a nod to him to continue talking. “My mother was a beautiful woman that had a smile on her face all the time. That is what everyone said, anyways. I never met her. She died before I could remember anything about her. Every time I think about my mother and how I was robbed of her, hatred fills me for my father. I learned to become an alpha not because of anything more than to kill him. I don’t know when or where I lost that hatred. It may have been because of Dorran’s mother or the people around me. Hell, it could have been Andrew before he became the mopey man you see today, but I began to appreciate my father. I began to love him and all that he taught me.”

“Grief and loss hurts us all in different ways,” Lucky said softly. “I’m sure your father understood that given h… his age.”

“He told you his age?” Rick chuckled, giving her a sideways glance.

“Yes,” she nodded firmly, “but I am not sure if he is sensitive about it. He told me yesterday when he spoke of you three. It was so lovingly that I had thought… Well,” she blushed hard, “he almost sounded like a father missing his children.” She picked up another dress, feeling the butterflies swirling in her stomach. She did not really pay attention to what it looked like, feeling too uncomfortable talking about Edge and his age. “I think I will try this one, too.”

“Are you getting any lingerie?” Rick purred in her ear.

Her head jerked around to look at him standing almost right behind her. His face was too close to hers, making it heat up and her legs shifted in place feeling uncomfortable. Her body became in tune with him suddenly. His heat made her lower stomach tighten with her mind fluttering around a thought. She wanted a kiss. It drove her arousal higher. She tried to fight it, but it was like she was succumbing from him being so close.

Kiss him! Kiss him! Kiss him! S*x him!

“Are you going to tell me why you started hating your father?” Lucky countered sassily.

She was trying to ignore Star and deflect his attempt to seduce her, as her urges tried to drive her mad. It wanted her to become a promiscuous woman. She had never been like that before becoming a werewolf. However, more and more, she finds that her libido is getting out of control around these alphas. She knew that she had to control it or she was going to be in their bed.

“Touché,” Rick continued to purr in her ear, sending more thrills through her. “I hated him because he got my mother killed. If he had not been her fated mate, then she would have lived.”

Lucky looked at him curiously, wanting to know what that meant. Her heart drummed in anticipation and fear. Will Edge get her killed like that? She wanted to ask so many questions, but he pulled out a lingerie outfit that nearly made her eyes nearly pop out. The bits of leather mixed with the thick silk had her heart thumping in a different way. It was a mix between fear and lust slamming low in her to where she clenched her core tighter. Something warm wanted to pool out of her that she refused to allow to happen while in public. She could see what all three brothers would do to her in that one piece connected by snaps. Their hands, their tongues, their…

She shook her head at the images, wanting to tell him to put it back, except she had agreed to this.

“I think this would be a nice touch for an after-dinner snack,” he chuckled and draped it on her arm.

She could only nod her response, feeling something tighten in her throat. She did not know what it was that made her go speechless other than a dry mouth. The images came back to her with what he said, which did not help her either. Teeth, claws, and silk flew everywhere and made her wish she were back at the packhouse. She even felt her thighs clamping together. Her body was beginning to yearn for his touch.

Lucky breathed in and took a step away from him to look at the other clothes. There was no barrier in this navy-blue painted store for her to hide what she was feeling for him. She wanted someplace to hide for a moment to cool down her arousal and her reddened face. She felt heated all over with her mind racing with too many thoughts that made her skin become sensitive. This man was s*x incarnate. It was bad enough that he looked sexy as a god with the voice of the devil to make her want to melt into him. She had to get through this shopping trip without succumbing to his slippery words, or she was going to end up in his bed.