His Chosen Mate

Chapter 6

"I can't believe this," My father said as I quietly had my breakfast, "It is not even a week since you came here and you're already being punished" He shook his head at me in disapproval.

He muttered a few other things as well but I was thankful for my limited hearing because I couldn't make out most of it.

I sighed, "I know," I said, taking one last bite of the pancake my mother made, "I am disappointed as well but there is no point in dwelling on it anymore. What's done is done. Besides, I have to help the Alpha for only a week" I shrugged, "I can manage that"

"I have a reputation here, Cora" My father started, "Isn't it enough that you're not a werewolf-"

"Mason" My mother intervened, glaring at my father.

I won't deny it. I did feel a pang of pain in my heart when my father of all people brought that up, "I understand you are disappointed in me for many reasons but I assure you, I won't cause any more disappointments after this" I said, surprisingly in a clear voice.

I guess being stoic is one of my superpowers.

Instantly, I could see guilt welling up in my father's eyes but he was too egoistic to apologize. He remained quiet for a few minutes, probably regretting what he said. He cleared his throat lightly when he was ready to speak again, "You better do everything he says" He said, "I do not want to hear any complaint from him after this"

It hurts me that he knows I am sad and it was his fault but he didn't even attempt to make me feel better.

Why did I come home after all these years? To hear this and get myself hurt?

The air around us suddenly felt too claustrophobic for me and I desperately want nothing more but to run up to my room and hide there so I can have an ugly cry but with herculean effort, I held myself together, praying I wouldn't crumble down in front of my family.

I could feel my mother's worried gaze on me but I didn't look up to meet her eyes. Mera was at the table as well and she too was watching my every move.

"Yes, dad," I said in a small voice, losing my mood, "I will"

My father didn't say anything after that. He simply stood up, seeming a little awkward, and then hurried out of the house. My mother watched my father's retreating figure until he disappeared from the line of her vision before turning to me, "He doesn't mean that" She shook her head, putting a hand on my shoulders.

"It doesn't matter" I sighed, "What's inside one's heart will be always revealed some other day" I quietly rose from my seat, "Don't worry, mom. I am not upset" I lied through my teeth when I saw her looking at me in concern.

"He was just angry, sweetheart" She tried to console me, "You know what they say, words that roll off from someone's tongue whenever they are angry is often sharp and they will regret it later" She continued, "I am sure your father is beating himself up for what he said"

I gave her a small smile, "I don't care, really" I lied again, "I have to go now. Alpha Noah warned me that he doesn't like it when people are late" I changed the subject smoothly.

"Yeah, that is true" My mother nodded.

I heard Mera clear her throat, "You're kind of lucky" She started when I looked at her, "If I were in your place, I wouldn't think of this as a punishment. This would be a golden opportunity to seduce the Alpha-"

"Mera" My mother interrupted her abruptly, "Please, have some dignity. I did not raise you to seduce men" She scolded, glowering at her firstborn.

"Whatever" Mera rolled her eyes and continued to eat her food.

I took a deep breath, ignoring my sister. Only she would think like that. I glanced down at my watch, "I have to go now" I said again, slinging my bag over my shoulder, "Or I will be late"

I was going to get there on my bike. One of the best things about Orchard Square is, everything is accessible easily on foot. The packhouse is in the center of the neighborhood for a reason. It was to make sure that all the residents of the town couldn't get there quickly in times of emergency.

It is quite a brilliant idea, really. I was told most of the packs around here used the same idea as well.

My mother nodded at me, "I want to say have fun but we both know you won't" She sighed, "I will be waiting for you during dinner" She added, waving at me.

"I will see you later, mom," I said before walking away from there, feeling my mother's eyes on me as I did.

As I had planned, I reached the pack house by bike. It took me a few minutes to reach the pack house and thankfully, I was there before eight. I ran up the stairs and went to the Alpha's room quickly, remembering how I got there yesterday.

Alpha Noah was just opening his room door when I greeted him, "Good morning, Alpha" I said, politely, "What should I do today?" I don't know what kind of tasks he has for me but I was so driven to ace them all.

The Alpa looked at me, his eyes narrowing a little, "You look different today" He noted.

I blinked. I didn't expect him to say something like that, "Is that so?" I asked, scratching the back of my neck awkwardly, "Um, maybe it was because of my hair" I shrugged. I was wearing my hair in a ponytail instead of leaving them down like I usually would.

Maybe that is why he thinks I look different.

"No, that is not what I meant," He said, opening the door wide open and getting out of the way so I can pass through. He gestured with his head for me to go in when I hesitated.

There is no way I could get into that room without making even the slightest contact with his body, "After you, Alpha" I said, waiting for him to go in first.

The Alpha's eyes gleamed with mirth and mischief at that, "Very gentleman of you" Alpha Noah smirked, "Come on, get in" He insisted.

Having no other choice, I stepped into the room, biting my lower lip when my body brushed against his a little while doing so. I heard his light footstep following me and a second later, the door was pulled shut.

"Did you have your breakfast yet?" The Alpha asked me, walking past me so he could sit on his chair, "If you haven't yet, please feel free to join me" He said, smiling up at me.

It is only then I realized he was holding a small paper bag in his hand, "Thank you, Alpha but I already had my breakfast" I smiled at him again, "I will wait for you outside until you're done if you feel uncomfortable" I suggested but he was already shaking his head before I even finished talking.

"There is no need for that," He said, beckoning me to come forward, "Come, sit here" He pointed at the seat directly in front of him.

I eyed the seat warily. This is going to be a long week if I have to sit in front of him for the rest of my punishment.

"Is there a problem?" I heard the Alpha ask when I made no move to sit in that chair.

"Nope, absolutely no problem," I said, hurrying to sit in that chair.

Alpha Noah smiled at me. Something told me that he knew I was uncomfortable. He took a file from his right and handed it to me, "You can start by sorting out these files. Check for any grammatical errors or typos" He said as I opened the file to look at its contents, "I have done most of it. This is about the new tram service that I am planning to install on the other side of the town"

Is this man all about developing Orchard Square all the time?

"I see" I nodded my head without looking up at him, "Let me see what I can do. Can I get a pen so I can make a mark?" I asked.

From my peripheral vision, I saw him grab a pen from his stationeries and extend it towards me. I reached for it while still being immersed in the file that I accidentally brushed his fingers and a gasp left my lips, "Sorry, Alpha" I muttered under my breath.

He didn't say anything in return. I heard him unpack the paper bag and take out something from it, "Are you sure you don't want to eat? These sandwiches are really good"

I shook my head, "Nope" I said, making some marks here and there where the document needs to be corrected.

About fifteen minutes passed and all that while, I could feel his intense silver eyes on me. I didn't want to point that out at him but decided to do so when it got too awkward for me.

"You're making me uncomfortable now, Alpha," I said in a small voice without looking up at him, "I can't really focus on what I am trying to get done if you keep looking at me while I do my work"

How can I focus when he was watching me like a hawk?

I heard his soft chuckle and something in my stomach flipped at the sound of it, "I am sorry" He said, sounding not sorry at all, "You just fascinate me"

This time however, I looked up at him incredulously, "There is nothing interesting about me to be fascinated about" I shook my head, "You're just interested to know what type of person I am because I am new here" I said as matter of fact.

"Except there are a few" The Alpha disagreed with me, "You like coffee, right?" He asked me out of the blue.

Before I could answer him, there was a knock on his door and Alpha Noah immediately granted his permission to the person who was waiting at the other side of the door to enter the room.

Beta Kade entered the room with two large cups of coffee straight from a cafe and quietly put them on the Alpha's desk.

"Cora, I believe you already met my second in command, Kade Winters" Alpha Noah officially introduced me to his Beta.

"Yes, I did but we never talked or anything," I said, smiling up the Beta.

Beta Kade nodded his head in acknowledgment, "It is nice to meet you, Cora" He said.

"Likewise, Beta," I said.

The Alpha and the Beta talked about some pack matters for a couple of minutes before the Beta walked out of the room, leaving the two of us alone again.

Alpha Noah reached for the coffee and placed one of the cups next to me, "One is for you, of course. How can I finish two cups in one go?" He asked.

"Thanks but you didn't have to do that," I said, "I don't like having something with someone else's money" I added so he wouldn't repeat this in the future.

"It is a token of appreciation for helping me out," He said, taking a sip of his coffee, "Don't be shy. Just have them. I know you like coffee"

Of course. He saw me at the cafe with a large cup two days ago.

My eyes flickered to the cup, "So one can get rewards while getting punished?" I asked, raising my eyebrow at him.

Amusement spread on his face, "If they are on their best behavior" He nodded his head, "Were you working while you were studying in London?"

What is with his random personal questions? Why was he so interested in my life?

"Yes" I nodded my head, casting my eyes down to the file again, "I did part-time as a waitress at one of the restaurants there" I added knowing what his next question will be.

"I see" He hummed under his breath, "You told me that you're only planning to stay here for a month" He trailed off.

"Yes," I nodded again.

"Then when you are planning to come back again?" He probed.

I let out a small breath before looking up at him again, "To be honest, I wish I can say never" I said, "But my family is here so I think once in every few years" I shrugged. I haven't decided on how frequently I would visit Orchard Square.

I rather fly my mother all the way to London and spend a week or two with her there.

"Why not just find a job here?" He asked, "You can move in here again" He suggested.

I shook my head, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips, "I don't feel like I belong here"

"This is your home, Cora" He reminded me, "You belong here more than you can ever belong anywhere else"

I thought about it for a second and shook my head again. My father's words from earlier rang clearly in my ears. I certainly do not belong where I am a disappointment.

"Cora?"

I looked up at the Alpha with wide eyes, "I am sorry, I didn't hear what you just said" I blushed a little.

He flashed me a soft smile, "That's alright. I just said that I am going to go out to check on the warriors for a couple of minutes" He said, standing up, "I will be back soon"

"Okay," I nodded.

"But you should consider moving back here, Cora. I really would like you to be here" He said before exiting the room.