Chapter 25

Prue

I sat on the new bed, staring blankly at the walls like they were supposed to explain the meaning of life – or at least what the hell I was doing here. It had been hours since I arrived, yet my suitcase was still zipped up like it had trust issues. I hadn’t unpacked a single thing. Maybe deep down, I was hoping for some miracle where someone would burst through that door and say, “Surprise! Just kidding. Your dad’s here to take you home.”

No such luck.

I already felt… lonely. A sharp sting welled up behind my eyes, but I blinked it back. I was not going to cry. Nope. Not happening. I hit the quilt beside me with a dramatic thump like it was personally responsible for ruining my life.

A knock on the door cut through my emotional meltdown. Yes, I know what one looks like – don’t let the teenage label fool you. I’m self-aware. Unfortunately.

“Yeah?” I snapped, lacing my voice with maximum attitude. How dare you interrupt my brooding.

Andrew peeked his head in, damp hair clinging to his forehead. Fresh from the shower, huh? Did carrying my suitcase make the mighty young Alpha break a sweat? How tragic.

As he stepped fully into the room – shirt clinging to muscle like it had a personal grudge against air circulation – I had to look away. Great. Now he looked even hotter than before – like a delicious meal. My brain, ever the traitor, served me an unsolicited image of Andrew lying naked on a dining table with canapés delicately placed across his abs. I groaned inwardly. Stupid brain.

“You haven’t started unpacking,” he pointed out, master of the obvious.

“Nope.” I said, pulling on a loose thread in the quilt like it owed me money.

“My father would like to speak with you. About your living arrangements.”

And just like that, Alpha Mode activated. He was back to barking orders like he owned the oxygen in the room.

“Fine,” I grumbled, rolling my eyes as I dragged myself off the bed. I stared at the floor – because looking directly at him might trigger another round of Andrew à la charcuterie platter.

Two steps from the doorway, I stopped and waited for him to get the hint.

“What are you waiting for?” he asked, making me look up at him and see his raised brows.

“Lead the way? It’s not like I’ve memorized the mansion’s layout from every wing.” My voice practically dripped with duh.

“You’ve already been to his office. He’s there.” he replied, equaly annoyed.

“And I didn’t memorize the path, Sherlock. Not from this part of the house.” I snapped at him.

What I didn’t say was Get out first so your scent doesn’t cling to every inch of my room like a hormonal fog. I was trying to survive, thank you very much.

“Well then, follow me, Miss Princess of the Universe.” He sneered, turned, and walked out.

I followed at a safe distance, carefully not checking out his as.s. Nope. Not doing it. Shut up, brain.

You’re an idiot, my wolf cackled in my mind, flopping onto her back like this was the most entertainment she’d had in days.

“Shut up,” I muttered under my breath. Andrew glanced at me.

I threw him a What-do-you-want face that could curdle milk. He frowned and turned away.

Good. Look away, pretty boy. I’m none of your business.

So, you think he’s pretty? My wolf purred in my mind, smug and teasing.

If he wasn’t pretty, he wouldn’t have half the girls in his bed, I deadpanned.

They were just warm-ups. You’re the real thing, she replied.

I don't want to be anyone's thing! I exclaimed annoyed.

Just shut up, you need more brain cells to indulge in a proper conversation. I reprimanded her.

Now even my wolf will annoy me? What was wrong with the world today?

When we entered the office, his father sat behind the desk, looking every bit the broody patriarch. The Luna stood behind him, hand resting gently on his shoulder like a magazine add for Alpha & Wife: Dominance with a Touch of Grace.

Déjà vu hit me hard. Had I dreamed this scene? Probably one of those prophetic dreams I barely remembered – until they came true and creeped me out.

So, do I bow now or what? I thought internally. I wasn’t exactly well-versed in pack etiquette. Dad used to tell me bedtime stories about packs like they were bedtime fairytales – entertaining, but not real.

“Hello,” I said aloud, then immediately questioned my greeting. Was 'Good evening' more formal? Too late now.

“Welcome, Grace,” the Alpha beamed with an overly polite smile that looked like it hurt. Hemorrhoid-level forced. No one calls me Grace. Gross.

“As you’ll now be living here, I wanted to go through a few basics about pack life,” he began, using his I’m-talking-to-a-child tone. “Just to make sure you’re comfortable before I officially announce your stay to the pack. Your father mentioned this is your first time in a pack environment.”

Yeah, thanks for the kindergarten-level orientation. I nodded every few minutes like a malfunctioning robot, praying it would speed things up. Spoiler: it didn’t. It was all stuff Dad had already told me.

“We won’t formally merge you into the pack just yet,” he continued, glancing at Andrew. “We agreed it would be best until you two fully and willingly accept each other.”

Translation: My son’s being a stubborn turd.

“Okay, now I’ll inform the pack that their future Luna is already staying with us,” he added with a fake-chipper tone. “They’ll be thrilled and less likely to treat you like an outsider.”

“Wait. No.” I blurted.

“What?” His brows slammed together like a pair of angry caterpillars.

“I don’t want that. Tell them I’m an omega,” I said, pulling a totally-not-desperate idea out of thin air. “Say I’m just passing through. Here temporarily. Needing rest and safety before I move on.”

He looked confused, and slightly offended. “Why would I do that?”

“Because it’s what I want. I’m not just choosing a mate here. I’m choosing a pack. And a pack is judged by how it treats its lowest members.”

Boom. Manipulation 101. Sweet smile, wise-sounding logic – works every time. He stared at me, chewing on the idea.

“How about warrior rank?”

His dad tried to negotiate, like this was some kind of business deal instead of my actual life.

“Your dad said you’re training well,” he added, which made Andrew swivel toward me with one eyebrow raised.

Yeah, douche. What, did you think I was just some weakling female? Pfft. Stupid, prejudiced mind.

“Nope. I’m only agreeing to omega status.” I crossed my arms, trying to look like I had leverage – like I actually had something to bargain with. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. But hey, fake it till you make it, right?

His father’s lips pressed together. “Well, every rank contributes to the pack. Omegas usually help with cooking, cleaning, laundry… things like that.”

He spoke so cautiously you’d think I was a bomb about to go off. Why was he walking on eggshells? Did he seriously think my dad would come storming in to crush his balls if I complained about being forced to scrub a few toilets? Huh. Maybe I could play that card.

I mulled it over, chewing on the possibilities. Cooking, I liked - for myself and Dad. But peeling a thousand potatoes every mealtime? Nightmare fuel. Cleaning random people’s toilets? Yeah, equally disgusting.

“Laundry. Put me on laundry.”

The words tumbled out of my mouth before they had the chance to suggest something worse. Laundry duty seemed like the least offensive option. Clothes I could handle. Toilets? Not a damn chance.

“Hmm. I suppose we can do that. You will be on duty after school.”

Score.

“My team already knows you’re my mate,” Andrew cut in, voice tight.

“And have they told anyone else, even though it’s been over three weeks?” I snapped back.

“No.”

“Then go and Alpha-command them to keep it that way,” I said sweetly. “Obedience is kind of your whole thing, right?”

His growl was subtle, but my smirk was not.

“Yes, Andrew,” His dad added. “Run along and tell your team before I open the pack-wide mindlink myself.”

Andrew looked at his dad, their silent eye conversation probably full of mindlink magic. Whatever. I didn’t care. He finally stormed out, and just like that – air. I could finally breathe without inhaling his infuriatingly perfect scent.

Alpha Dad sighed, then gave me a sad little smile.

“I’m sorry my son didn’t embrace the mate bond immediately. We thought we raised him better.”

Was I supposed to say It’s okay now?

“Yeah, maybe follow up next time to check for personality defects,” I said flatly.

Oof. Direct hit. His face twitched.

“We… had a situation,” he continued, choosing diplomacy over drama. “A lone wolf we took in turned out to be dangerous. She killed Andrew’s grandparents – my parents. Tried to weaken me because she couldn’t get to the Luna.”

Oh. That was… awful. Still not an excuse. Was I supposed to feel guilty for being a lone wolf and, by their logic, some kind of ticking time bomb? Yeah, no. Not even a little.

“Not a justification for him being a jacka.ss.” I said flatly, clearly unimpressed. He was seriously starting to get on my nerves.

He winced. “Fair.”

“We didn’t tell Andrew much about you. We wanted to let the bond develop without pressure.” He spoke cryptically. But really, what was there so much to say about me?

“Well, congratulations. It's going terribly.”

He smiled tightly.

“You’re safe here, Prudence.”

The sound of my name on his tongue felt like someone chewing tinfoil. I tried to keep my expression neutral, but who was I kidding? The disgust on my face was probably loud enough to speak for itself. Besides, I felt so much safer back at home – here, I was an outsider, still carrying the scent of a lone wolf. In this place, I wasn’t an equal: I was a rabbit dropped into a wolf’s den.

“I don't want to influence your decision, but I hope you'll give my son a chance. He's a good kid. I've watched him grow – he has a good and loving heart.”

Yeah, to people who worship him.

“You’re a biased parent.”

He laughed with a full-body shake.

“That I am. You caught me.”

The Luna finally spoke: “Have you settled in Andrew’s room?”

“No. I took the one next door.”

A pause. A little too long.

“Oh,” she said, clearly surprised. Her mate quirked a brow while thinking about my reply.

“Well, off you go then,” he said, dismissing me like I was a mildly annoying child. “I’ll inform the pack now.”

“Sure,” I mumbled and left. Shoulders slack, mood deflated.

This sucks. I thought as I walked back to my room.

Big time.