Chapter 5 - Zaine

The second I have stepped out into the fresh air, I feel stone cold sober once more. Any merriness from drinking with Presley has gone. The hand holding my phone is shaking as my Dad began to speak. “Ah good, you learned to answer your phone the first time.” I felt my eyes rolling. Still on my case despite ruining my whole damn day, and potentially ruining my chance at my exam…

“Hey to you too, Dad.” I greeted him. I can’t remember the last time he and I had got along…

Maybe it was before I had asked for the time to go away to college… the disappointment on his face… any parent, you would think would be proud… oh, not my father… in his mind, an upcoming Alpha's commitment was to his pack. He should be staying home and learning from his father. And, in his exact words. 'Not running around, galavanting, drinking, partying and sleeping around like a lower class human.' I only ever wanted some freedom before the pressures of pack took over...

“I assumed by now the exam is done.” Dad’s voice was blunt and to the point.

“Well, I wouldn’t be answering if it wasn’t.” I told him equally as bluntly. Surely that was self-explanatory, was it not?

“Turning into a smart ass, huh? That what college is doing for you? Needn’t bother bringing that attitude home.” Dad snapped, and my shoulders sagged.

‘We have the attitude?’ Blade snarled from within my mind. Even my wolf was beginning to tire of the way my father was with us, and he was all for the tradition of family, and respect… seemed it was only me that had to show respect. Evidently I did not deserve the respect myself...

“Dad, what is wrong? You said you wanted to talk when you called earlier.” I interrupted before he can continue to lecture me in anyway. I wanted to get this over with. I wanted to get off the phone to him. But also, I need to discover what was so urgent.

“Oh, nothing of importance. Nothing more than you should already know, at least. Your mother was asking when you would be done. At college, that is. We want to start finding a suitable bride.” His words make my heart feel like it had stopped beating within my chest. Finding a bride? No…

“What?” I stuttered.

“Well, you want your title. Or at least I assume you do. If you do not after all of this I would be greatly disappointed. But, we want a Luna to rule alongside you. So, as you are aware, arranged marriages are how this generally occurs now. Fated mates are becoming rarer, and you don't have the time to hang around. A marriage of convenience will suffice. One to benefit pack. You know all of this Zaine. Do not act dumb, especially not when we hve paid all that money for your education.” My Dad’s words were sharp, and I can’t help but note the dig at my additional years in education which given his way would never have happened. I would have been married off years ago if he had a choice…

He is not wrong. These are all things I was aware of. But, it was also things I hoped I could change when I became Alpha...

“I thought I would be Alpha before any of that.” I explained. Of course, I knew an arranged marriage was going to be likely. But, I had, clearly, naively, believed it would be further down the line. When I was in charge… so I had some say… never did I think my parents would dictate this... My stomach churned with nerves… nausea… while Blade snarled angrily at the back of my mind.

“Where did you get that idea? Marriage. Then a grand Alpha and Luna ceremony for the two of you.” Dad said shaprly. "No Luna. No title I am afraid Zaine. So, give us the say so and we will start that search. We will find the perfect candidate.”

A search? A search I don’t think I am ready for. And a perfect candidate? They make it sound like they are interviewing for a job vacancy, not my future life partner! I make my excuses to come off the phone before stumbling back to the door of the bar, my head a complete mess.

I stumble back into the bar, only to find Presley sat waiting patiently for me, exactly where I left her, drinks just as they were, and her nursing a large cup of coffee in her hand. A tall, auburn haired football player leaned against the booth in which we were sat, talking to her, clearly trying his hardest to gain my friend’s attention. But, I could tell from the vacant expression within Presley’s eyes this guy was on for a serious fail…

I strode straight on over to the table and dropped back into the seat alongside Presley, and the moment she caught sight of me, her eyes lit up and her face broke into a smile. The tall, buff, footballer rolled his eyes. Maybe he hadn't received a smile?

“I guess I will catch you later Paisley, let me know if you fancy tickets to our next match, huh? Would be such a moral boost having someone as beautiful as you in the crowd cheering me on.” He gave her sleazy wink making my skin crawl.

“Even if I was cheering the wrong name?” Presley asked him with her brow raised, and I had to hold back my laughter. The poor guy had seriously messed up. I thought Presley wasn’t paying attention but she, like me had noticed the not so smart footballer using the wrong name… and now his brows furrowed in confusion.

“Why would you do that?”

“Because you used the wrong name to me…” A look of realisation hit his face, and he looked like he was about to apologise. “Three times.” Presley added. “Two different names. Here is a hint for you big guy, it is little insulting.”

I couldn’t help the laughter now, even more so as the footballer doesn’t say another thing and simply walked away, clearly having given up. “You are vicious.” I told her, and she grinned.

“He was boring.” She told me. “And rude. Called me different names, and not one was my own, all while moving his head trying to get a better view down my top.”

Blade hissed angrily inside my mind. She may not be from my pack, nor related to me, but my wolf still saw Presley as somebody we protected. We cared for her. “I need to go and knock him out?” I suggested, and she giggled.

“No. You need to stop getting in trouble.” She wagged her finger at me playfully. “Now, what did your Daddy want? I have been sat here worrying about you.”

“I do not call him Daddy, and have not done since I was about five. I am not you, Pres. And, furthermore it may be better you do not know. Let us not ruin our drinking.” I explained.

“We can drink and get angry, make it more fun.” She offered me a suggestive wink, pushing the beer glass toward me, which I eagerly accept. Maybe she was right.

“He has told me they want to find me a bride.” I told her, but she does not even flinch at my words. There was no shock.

“Surely you knew that would come?”

“Not now.” I explained, and her face fell.

“They are planning it upon your return?” She questioned, placing her hand upon mine. The contact reassuring.

“I thought I would be Alpha before it happened. Maybe be able to change my pack laws... I don't know, Pres, I thought I’d have time…” My voice faltered, as my head falls to my hands. Tears prickling at the back of my eyes. “I.. I do… don’t want… don’t want this, Pres.” I whispered. Suddenly, Presley was sliding around the booth, her arms were around me, and her head was upon my shoulder.

“There has to be a way out, right?” She whispered. "If we think hard enough we can find a way around it. You should not be forced to do something you don't want to do."

I slowly shook my head, feeling defeated. I knew my father, and he had made himself more than clear. “No Luna, no title. I would loose my position as Alpha if I refuse, Pres. I could loose everything. I don’t understand why there is such an urgency…” My voice betrayed me as it wobbles. I was an Alpha's son. Since being young I knew I would be my pack's next Alpha. I could imagine nothing else...

An awkward silence falls over our table, until I find myself raising my gaze from the glass of beer in front of me, to find Presley’s big brown eyes looking up at me. “What?” I asked.

“What if you were already mated?” She suggested.

Her words took me by surprise, and my brows furrowed in confusion. “What?” I repeated.

“If you took control. Took a chosen mate. They do not chose your bride, you do…” Presley suggested, and her words suddenly makes sense. But would that work? I don’t know anyone. Not that I am close enough to be mated to so suddenly...

I shrugged. “I haven’t got time. I don’t know anyone. I don’t know enough Alphas...” My voice falters as my mind runs over all the things I would need to do to put something like that in place. Beside, if I was choosing my mate, I would want someone I know, and there was certainly no time for that. This was going to happen, no matter what I wanted. “I haven’t got time…” I whispered.

“You have me.” Presley whispered back, and in that moment time seemed to stand still as the seriousness of her words hit home. The gravity of her what I think she may be offering...