A serious conversation

Chapter 6

Harper's POV

I gently knocked on the Alpha's door after breakfast. He didn't have breakfast with us but Andrew instructed me to bring him his coffee since I was already on my way to meet with him.

"Come in," his deep voice sounded from within. I took in a deep breath before pulling the door open and stepping in. I didn't know what to expect from the Alpha. He was way too intimidating. I closed the door behind me. His office was huge with bookshelves filled with books. No family portraits, just one picture of him and the triplets which had no traces of warmth. It looked almost as if he were in a picture with a stranger rather than his sons. He looked up at me.

I gently placed the coffee on the table trying to keep my hands steady. "Good morning. I brought your coffee." He hummed in response. I took a seat in front of him with my hands clasped firmly on my thighs.

"I haven't been able to see or speak to you ever since you moved into the pack house," he began. I nodded in agreement. I had hoped we would keep it that way, but unfortunately, here we were.

"You must have been taken by surprise. My alliance with Stella was a bit...rushed."

"I'm still surprised. Why did you choose to marry her? There are lots of other women in the pack you could have chosen to marry," I voiced out my confusion rather hurriedly.

He smiled but it didn't ease my nerves. Rather it made me more wary of him. "Are you saying your mother isn't worthy of the position I have given to her?"

I shook my head. "No. I want to know why she was chosen." He took a look at his coffee, his hand moving towards the mug but then he suddenly paused. I frowned. Did he think I added anything to the coffee?

"I think that should stay between Stella and me," he retorted glancing back at me. There it is. I knew there was something else I wasn't aware of. There just had to be.

"I know your relationship with my sons hasn't been pleasant but they are your brothers now and you are their sister. I need you to put the past behind you so we can all move forward as one big happy family," he added. It was an order. I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me that.

"You meant to say how they've bullied me all these years?" I inquired. He stood up from his chair and walked towards the bookshelves.

"Bullying is quite a far stretch, don't you think so Harper? You all were and still are kids. I've implored the boys to treat you as their little sister. The news hasn't made it to the press yet so it's better if this stays between us family." Anger bubbles deep within my chest. I was so close to losing my mind and probably saying some dumb shit that could leave me lifeless in a ditch but at the moment, I didn't care.

His cellphone suddenly rang.  He picked it up and waved at me dismissively. I had a feeling he wouldn’t care even if he found out but I didn’t realise it was going to be this dismissive. I clenched my fists tightly. My eyes fell on the cup of coffee on the table. I felt like reaching for it and….

“Yes, that’s the one.”

His voice snapped me back to my senses. I got up on my feet and headed out of the room. The house was a bit too quiet. I wondered if the triplets had left for school. Not that I cared. I wanted to be certain no one would catch me unaware.

"My darling Harper," Stella called out in a sweet sing-song voice. She descended the stairs in her flowing night robe like royalty. She definitely didn't take long to fit right in. She glanced behind me making me turn towards her direction. Of course, the triplets were standing right there. That was why she was acting so sweet.

She pulled me into a hug and I fought the urge to throw her off. We stayed in that position for a while. I felt like throwing up. She finally pulled away saving me from the torture. I could see the look of disdain in her eyes but she masked it perfectly. Anyone meeting us for the first time would think she absolutely doted on me.

"How did you sleep? Very well I presume?" she asked with a raised brow.

"Mother-daughter bonding. How nice of you Stella," Noah muttered sarcasm dripping from his tone. Hayes was helping Cole with his tie paying absolutely no attention to us.

"I was thinking we should all have dinner sometime. I know we all have different schedules but we can make it work, right sons?" she inquired with a bright smile.

"Absolutely not. I would get indigestion if I had a meal with either of you," Noah retorted. Stella's facade cracked for a brief second before she wore her bright smile once again.

"Your father always told me you were the funny one, Noah." He rolled his eyes. Hayes threw some car keys over to Cole and he caught them. The trio walked out completely ignoring me as if nothing had happened last night. I couldn't help but wonder why they all looked so worked up. They made it clear it had nothing to do with me but I couldn't shake off the feeling.

"Anyway, I will be making the dinner arrangements. You all have fun in school," she called out to them. I tried to walk out as well but she held onto my arm, her nails digging into my flesh. Her eyes burned a bright golden hue.

"What did you say to the Alpha?"

"What?"

She dragged me closer. "Don't play dumb with me Harper. What were you discussing in there with the Alpha? I won't ask again."

"Nothing that had to do with you. Why? Is there a part of yourself you don't want the Alpha to find out?" I inquired.

"I see you are beginning to have a smart mouth. We need to talk when you get back from school," she snarled. What was it with everyone trying to have a talk with me? She pushed me away abruptly and smiled sweetly once again.

"Off you go. You don't want to be late to school again, do you?" She walked past me towards the dining table which had been set for her as if nothing had transpired between us. I shook my head and stepped out of the door. The triplets had gotten into one of the numerous cars which were parked on the driveway.

"Want a ride?" Noah asked pulling down his sunglasses to take a proper look at me. I really wished I could refuse but I was running late. I no longer had any allowance to take a cab and the bus might leave me behind if I decided to walk to the bus stop. They were kind of my last hope right now.

"Are you offering?" I asked hesitantly.

Cole snorted. "You wish." My hope simmered down. I never should have raised them. It sounded too good to be true. Noah started the ignition. Hayes looked as gloomy as usual staring down at his phone.

"You should shift and run if you don't want to be late," Cole taunted before they drove off leaving a trail of dust behind. I coughed, waving my hands in the air to get rid of the dust.

"Assholes!" I yelled out at them hoping they would hear me. This wasn't the time to feel sorry for myself. I tied my shoelaces and sprinted towards the direction of the school bus stop. I was a great runner thanks to the numerous times I had been chased around in school. I sighed in relief when I sighted the bus but just before I reached it, it began to move.

"No! Wait up!" I yelled repeatedly running faster. It was a futile attempt. The bus never waits once I miss it. I placed my hands on my knees panting as I watched the bus leave when suddenly, it began to slow down. I thought it was my eyes but then it suddenly stopped. I saw Scott beckoning to me through the window. I rushed towards the bus and got in. I got disgusted looks as soon as I came into sight.

"Why do we have to be late because of her?" I heard a boy's clearly annoyed tone.

"Freak," another muttered. I ignored their side talks and made my way to Scott.

"Are you okay?" He inquired worriedly moving over for me. I nodded with a smile taking a seat beside him.

"I was so worried. I rushed over to the party yesterday but you weren't there anymore. The worst part, no one said a word about what had happened. Your cell was unreachable as well."

"Right. I'm sorry. I forgot to charge my phone last night. I'm completely fine. I will tell you everything that happened later. Thank you for stopping the bus for me." I haven't told him about my new family. I made a mental note to explain everything. I didn't want any secrets between us.

He furrowed his brows. "The bus? I didn't stop the bus. Only one family has the power to do that or the principal herself who made the rules."

The Whitmore family. Could it be? But why would they care? They left me to my fate after taunting me. Was there perhaps a bit of warmth underneath all that hostility?