Ch.6

Tresia

The fork in Emereo's hand bent under his fingers.

I lowered my gaze to my plate, hiding the smile threatening to spread across my face. Father had just announced my marriage to Lincoln, and Emereo looked as though he was one more word away from tearing the entire dining table apart.

How unfortunate for him.

The girl he'd started wanting was being handed to his best friend, and there was very little he could do about it without exposing himself.

I picked up my glass and took a leisurely sip.

"Well?" Father's voice interrupted my amusement. "Do you have anything to say?"

I placed my glass down and looked at him. "About what?"

His eyes narrowed. "Your marriage, Tresia. Alpha Lincoln has expressed an interest in marrying you, and I've agreed to the proposal. Surely you have something to say about it."

I glanced at Emereo before returning my attention to Father.

"I'd be happy to meet him."

The silence that followed was almost worth the slap I'd received earlier.

Karen's lips parted in surprise before a delighted smile crept across her face. She looked between Father and me, clearly pleased that I had finally agreed to something that would take me out of her way.

Emereo wasn't smiling.

His fork remained trapped between his fingers, its bent handle pressing against his palm. His gaze was fixed on me, and I could practically feel the irritation rolling off him.

"You're agreeing to this?" he asked.

I tilted my head. "Is there a problem?"

"Yes."

His answer came without hesitation.

Father looked at him. "What problem?"

Emereo placed the damaged fork beside his plate. "You haven't even discussed the arrangement with her properly. You're deciding her future over breakfast."

"She has just agreed," Father replied.

"And you think that's enough?"

I almost laughed. How interesting that Emereo had suddenly become concerned about my opinion.

"Brother, I'm perfectly capable of deciding whether I want to meet someone." I reached for my napkin and dabbed the corner of my mouth. "Besides, Alpha Lincoln is a handsome man. I don't see why I should refuse."

Emereo's jaw tightened, I could see the words almost slipping from his mouth.

"Good," Father said, visibly pleased with my response. "I'll arrange for the two of you to meet and discuss the next steps."

"There's something else."

His expression changed as I placed my napkin beside my plate.

"What is it now?"

"Since I'm agreeing to this marriage, I'd like something in return."

Karen scoffed. "You haven't even met him yet, and you're already making demands?"

I ignored her. Father leaned back in his chair. "What do you want?"

"Access to my mother's estate's private auction records."

His brows drew together.

"The auction records?"

"Yes. Some of Mother's belongings have been appearing in private sales recently. I'd like to know which items have been sold, who authorised their sale, and what remains in the estate."

My mother had left behind more than the few things I'd managed to keep in her room. Jewellery, paintings, antique pieces and other valuables had been stored in the family estate. Some had begun appearing at private auctions, and I had no intention of watching everything she owned disappear into the hands of strangers.

I wanted the records. It was a simple request, especially considering what Father expected me to agree to.

"No." His response came so quickly that I almost smiled.

"You're refusing?"

"Those records have nothing to do with you. The estate is under my management, and I decide what happens to its contents."

"Some of those contents belonged to my mother."

"And I have already taken care of the matter."

I stared at him for a moment…Taken care of it?

Was that what he called selling my mother's belongings without my knowledge?

"I see." I rested my elbows lightly against the table. "So you're comfortable arranging my marriage without asking me, but allowing me to see what happened to my mother's possessions is where you draw the line."

"Tresia, don't start."

"I'm not starting anything. I'm asking for access to records concerning my own mother which only I have rights to as the only child and true blood of the Bellamy Alpha line."

"Tresia!” My father barked.

My mother was the direct bloodline of Bellamy, but a woman and the only heir she needed to marry a man who would become Alpha. When she found her mate, my father was crowned but he will have to take on the Bellamy name. So, by rights… Only I could be the next ruler, not even Emereo. But I don't care, since I couldn't fight my father and his mistress, we will all go to hell.

A quiet clink came from Emereo's side of the table.

"She's asking to see the records, Father. What's the problem?"

Father turned towards him but couldn't say a word to his beloved son. I looked at Emereo. He hadn't raised his voice, but there was something in his expression that made Father pause. Even Karen had stopped smiling.

For a moment, I wondered whether Emereo was more bothered by Father's refusal or by the fact that I had asked for something he couldn't simply give me himself and looking at it, father will have no choice which means, I would truly marry that asshole.

Either way, I wasn't complaining.

"That's enough," Father said, his voice hardening. "The answer is no. You will not be given access to those records, Tresia. Don't bring this up again."

I picked up my glass.

"Of course, Father."

His eyes remained on me, perhaps waiting for another argument. Instead, I took a sip of water and returned the glass to the table.

I had heard his answer. It didn't mean I intended to accept it. Father pushed his chair back and reached for his phone.

"Since Tresia has agreed to the proposal, there's no reason to delay the arrangements," he said, unlocking the screen. "A marriage between the Bellamy and Timberlock families will be beneficial to both packs."

Karen's face brightened.

"That's wonderful, Father."

She glanced at me with a smile she probably thought was subtle. I could almost hear her thoughts. Finally, the troublesome daughter would be someone else's responsibility.

Perhaps she was already imagining how peaceful the pack house would become without me. She might even have started planning how to get Emereo's attention without me standing in her way.

I took another sip of water.

She was welcome to dream.

"Timberlock is one of the strongest packs in the region," Father continued. "An alliance with Alpha Lincoln will strengthen our position and open doors for future cooperation. This is a good opportunity for our family."

"Our family," I repeated quietly.

Father ignored me.

Emereo hadn't touched his food again. His attention remained on Father, and the tension in his jaw was becoming difficult to miss.

"This arrangement is unnecessary," he said.

Father looked at him. "We've already discussed this."

"And I haven't changed my mind."

"Lincoln is your friend. Surely you understand the advantages of this alliance."

Emereo's eyes shifted briefly to me. "That's exactly why Tresia shouldn't marry him."

I rested my chin against my palm. How sweet. He was beginning to sound desperate.

"Emereo," Father said, his tone warning him against continuing. "Tresia has agreed to meet Lincoln. There's no need to turn this into an argument."

He turned to me just then and I smiled at him. "Don't worry about me, Brother. I'm looking forward to meeting Alpha Lincoln."

His gaze held mine for a moment. I could see the question in his eyes, but I had no intention of answering it. Father seemed satisfied with my response.

"Good. I'll speak with Lincoln and arrange a suitable date for the engagement discussion. His family will also need to be informed so we can settle the details properly."

"Will he be coming here?" Karen asked, unable to hide her excitement.

"Of course. It would be more appropriate to receive him at the pack house."

She nodded, her smile widening. Unfortunately, Emereo seemed to disagree with the idea of me looking at anyone else.

His fingers curled around his glass, and I caught the movement before he took another drink.

I leaned back in my chair, thoroughly entertained.