Mom Is Mated To The Alpha

Chapter2 The Long lost father

"I'm not sure, but I already have a bad feeling about this place," Pam replied. "Everyone seems tense. I don't know if it's because of us or this Alpha returning, but something feels off."

Lizzie couldn't shake the same feeling. She noticed Kate gazing past her, unreadable. "Let's get you unpacked. I need to head to the café to close up," Kate stated, gently guiding Lizzie toward the front door.

"Okay, Kate," Lizzie replied, following her aunt inside.

Once inside, Lizzie took in the quaint sitting area and open floor plan, noting the kitchen at the back of the house. As they entered, the stairs rose directly in front of them. Kate paused to glance outside before carefully locking the door.

"Everything okay, Kate?" Lizzie asked, sensing an underlying tension.

"Everything's fine. Let me show you to your room so you can shower and rest. I need to check if Alicia has finished the cakes for the ceremony at the café." Kate led her upstairs, showing her the guest room with an en-suite bathroom. "I had this put in last week, anticipating your visit. Now, it'll be more convenient since you're staying."

The room was a comfortable size, a luxury compared to the small, makeshift spaces Lizzie had grown accustomed to during her travels.

"I got everything you might need, but if there's anything else, we can grab it tomorrow at the café. Do you want to pick up some shifts there?" Kate asked as she moved toward the bedroom door.

Lizzie nodded gratefully, aware that she'd be compensated for her help. "Yeah, sure." Just then, her stomach rumbled loudly, betraying her hunger.

Kate laughed lightly. "I'll make you some sandwiches and bring them up. Try to rest afterward—it's been a long day."

Lizzie covered a yawn, prompting a soft smile from Kate. "I'll bring up the food while you're in the shower."

Lizzie leaned in to hug her. "Thanks. When are you heading out to the café?" she inquired.

"As soon as I make your food. I won't be gone long," Kate assured her, pausing before leaving. "I'm going to lock the door from outside, just in case. I don't want anyone wandering in while you're sleeping."

Lizzie raised an eyebrow, the unease returning. Who would be interested in coming in here?

"Okay," she agreed reluctantly, feeling an inexplicable caution creep back.

Pam fought back a yawn, feeling both exhausted and on edge. "Are you okay, Lizzie?" she asked, clearly picking up on the tension in Lizzie's voice.

"Yeah, it's just something about Kate is bothering me. Did you hear what she just said?" Lizzie replied, stifling another yawn.

Pam nodded reassuringly. "She probably just wants to ensure our safety, even though we're more than capable of defending ourselves. She wants to make sure no one intrudes. Lizzie, you're running on fumes. You really need to rest. We'll go for a run once you wake up, though I have to admit, I'm feeling quite sleepy too."

Lizzie felt Pam's weariness seeping into her own consciousness, prompting yet another yawn. She glanced at Kate, who was watching her closely. "I'll see you later, Lizzie," Kate said before exiting the room.

With her remaining energy depleted from the journey, Lizzie managed to unpack a few clothing items. She grabbed her pajamas and headed to the shower, taking what felt like the shortest one of her life as pure exhaustion settled in. Emerging from the bathroom and quickly drying off, she entered her bedroom to find a plate of sandwiches waiting on the side table—Kate had clearly been in while she was showering. Lizzie slipped into her pajamas, set her suitcase aside, and crawled into bed.

As soon as her head touched the pillow, she drifted swiftly into a deep, untroubled sleep.

.......

**KATE**

Kate couldn't quite believe Lizzie was finally there. She had missed her immensely over the past two years. Lizzie had wanted to travel, and who could blame her given the tumultuous decade she had endured?

Knowing the calming effects of lavender and sage, Kate was certain it would lull both Lizzie and Pam into a deep sleep. Lizzie needed rest, but more importantly, she needed to be safe.

As she stepped outside and locked the door behind her, Kate was acutely aware that he was still lurking, watching Lizzie's every move as she returned home. Making her way down the driveway, she spotted him standing off to her right.

"She looks just like Lucia," he remarked, his eyes still fixed on Lizzie.

Kate shot him a grim look. Despite being Lizzie's father, his actions were unforgivable. Kate harbored her own resentment towards him for everything he put her sister through. "You shouldn't be here. She doesn't want to see you," Kate replied firmly. "By the way, she met your son, Paolo, and he asked to come to the party tonight, but she refused," she added with a sneer.

"I heard. She mirrors Lucia's fiery spirit," he commented.

"Stop saying my sister's name. You have no right," Kate snarled, walking around him.

He appeared hurt. "Kate, please, you know what happened?" he pleaded, guilt evident in his voice. "I had no choice."

Spinning around to face him directly, Kate could feel her inner Hybrid growling, ready to lash out. "You have some nerve saying that. I wouldn't be surprised if Lizzie knows more about what happened," Kate warned. "And you need to back off. She really hates you—actually, more like loathes you. Regarding your son, she doesn't know him or your daughter, so you'd better keep them away from her for now."

He gazed at her with a blank expression. "Kate, please, I want to know my daughter," he implored.

"Gregory," she replied with venom in her voice, treating his name like poison. "Back off. I'm warning you. You, your mate, your children, and that old Alpha you chose over your family need to leave her alone—or you might be surprised at what she's capable of. She's been through more than any of you could imagine," Kate revealed, realizing she might have said too much.

"What do you mean? What has she been through?" His face showed shock before he quickly masked it. Like hell she was going to tell him—that wasn't her story to tell.

Kate turned and walked toward the café, just around the corner from her home. "Kate, tell me, please," he called after her, continuing to follow. She opened the café door; it was closing time. They were shutting early because everyone was heading to the ceremony.

Alicia was behind the counter and greeted Kate with a smile that vanished the instant she saw Gregory. She despised him too.

"Kate," he insisted. "You can't keep this from me. She's my daughter."

Kate had reached her limit with this insufferable man. He hadn't cared about Lizzie for the past ten years, and she was only living there again for Alicia's sake. Turning to face him, Kate felt her patience snap.

"Listen closely, you worthless piece of crap. You've never been in her life. I don't owe you anything. You never came back for her, not even when I sent you messages. You are not and will never be her father," Kate hissed. "I raised her and Alicia on my own, without any help from you. If you want to know Lizzie, come in here and talk to her or wait until she wants to talk to you, which I can assure you will be never."

Kate could sense his shame, but before she could add more, his son Dave walked in with the new Alpha, Drake. The tension was palpable as both new arrivals assessed the situation.

"Dad, why are you here?" Dave asked, glancing between his father and Kate.

Gregory straightened, pressing his lips into a tight line.

"Kate, what is going on here?" the young Alpha demanded.

Kate regarded them all with disdain. Stupid wolves.

"She was just telling this jackass where to go and not to come back," Alicia interjected, stepping up beside Kate.

A growl erupted from Gregory. "Don't show disrespect in front of my Hybrid, or I'll kill you," he threatened through clenched teeth.

Alicia growled back defiantly. "You might be Alpha, and I might be part of the pack, but you will not ask my mother anything that doesn't concern you," she declared.