CHAPTER 6

(Alpha John's POV)

"John, where are you coming from?" my mother asked as I walked back into the grand foyer. It featured high ceilings, grand staircases, and impressive architectural details like chandeliers and large art pieces of my parents, my brothers, and me.

"Mom," I groaned and caught sight of Julian and James at the dining table. The guests had all left the house, and night had fallen.

"I went to check on something," I lied, avoiding her eyes.

"Why do I feel like you're not telling me the truth, John? Anyway," Mom said, her voice bubbling with excitement.

"I have good news for you," she added, and I scowled.

"What's the good news, Mom?" I asked, and she replied, "Come over. Let's sit at the dining table to talk before we have dinner. It's getting late."

"Alright, Mom," I said before following her to join my brothers at the table. They sat there discussing matters with our father, Alpha Sunny.

"So, John, your dad and I have decided that you pick a chosen mate, since you and your brothers can't find your real mates. We went to the Silverado Pack and saw the pack princess, Stephanie. She's very beautiful and will make a good luna for you. She gave us a warm welcome, and she's a good girl too," Mom said. I breathed out heavily.

"John, I know you prefer to be with your mate. But you and your brothers aren't getting any younger. You need to get married—after you, Julian, and lastly James," Mom said, her tone soft, making me sigh heavily.

"I'll need some time to think about this, Mom," I replied. I didn't want to dismiss her suggestion outright, but my wolf wouldn't approve of any other woman. I didn't know his reason for favoring Tonia, but like Julian said, she made a good plaything.

"That's fine. Once you approve of Stephanie, your father and I will invite her to visit you," Mom said, her tone bubbling with excitement. I forced a smile.

"What's her full name, Mom?" Julian chimed in, his ears perked with interest.

"Stephanie Bennett," Mom said, and I sighed.

"Fine. I'll need some time to think about her. When I decide, I'll give you my conclusion," I replied, regardless of the fact that my wolf didn't approve of her.

James chimed in. "Stephanie sounds good. What's her occupation, Mom? How old is she?"

Mom peered at us. "She's still a student, but she's a nurse. I'm sure when she marries John, she can apply to work in our pack's hospital."

"Mmm…" I scowled but didn't protest.

"That's fine. John needs to give it a thought. But for me, I want no other woman but my real mate," Julian said, but Dad cut him off.

"Even you, Julian. I spoke to Elder Victor just now. He said his daughter doesn't have a mate, and he wants a good match for her. So I'll invite her to the palace to meet you. She's a lawyer, so I'm sure she'll be of better use working in our law firm," Dad said, his tone firm. Julian's jaw dropped.

"Dad, you don't have the right to matchmake a woman for me. I have the right to pick my wife, not the woman you want me to pick. My wolf won't accept her. Don't forget, I avoid women," Julian said, but Dad scowled.

"Avoidance of women, indeed. Do you think I'm not aware of what you do in the club and how you shamelessly host young women to sleep with them?"

"Dad…" Julian's jaw dropped in speechlessness. He hadn't expected Dad to say that.

"That's not true. I only visit the club to have a drink. I won't approve of any slander against me. Whoever told you that must provide proof of me hosting different women," Julian declared, clearly pissed off, but Dad brushed him off.

"Now is not the time to provide proof. But get ready to meet Elder Victor's daughter by morning. If I leave you guys to wait until you find your real mates, who knows how many unwanted babies out there that you've fathered!" Dad spat, and our jaws dropped.

"Dad, that's not true. You got the wrong information," I said, but he cut me off too.

"I won't wait for any of you to make a choice. As the alpha and your father, my decision stands," Dad snapped, and we all fell silent.

"Fine. Do as you wish, Dad," I said, and he nodded.

Mom sighed. "I know you boys will have a say in it. But if you don't like the girls, we can invite more. Who knows—you might find your real mate among them."

Mom sounded excited, but I didn't want to continue the conversation. The more we spoke of mates, the more my mind wandered to Tonia Marco. Why did she linger in my thoughts even when I tried to reject her? Her tears, her pleading not to dump her, and how she pleasured my cọck. Before I could say a word, Julian cut in. "Mom, let's have our dinner. I don't want to discuss mates again."

"Alright, alright," she agreed and waved for the maids to bring our dinner.

After dinner, I rose to return to my room first, but my father stopped me.

"John, wait for me in my office. We have something important to discuss," Dad said. As always, he called on me as the oldest triplet, believing I'd relay his words to my brothers.

"Alright, Dad," I replied calmly before going to my father's home office on the first floor to await his arrival.

A few minutes later, Dad walked into his office. His expression turned frosty as he approached his seat.

"What were you and your brothers doing just now when your mother and I arrived? Do you think I'm not aware of what goes on under my roof!" Dad asked. I lowered my head and avoided his eyes.

Of course, as alpha, he knew when I lied.

"Take a look for yourself," Dad said. He turned on the flat-screen television in his office and set it to reveal the mansion's CCTV.

"John, I expected the best from you. Just this one month that your mother and I traveled, you took turns sleeping with a maid." Dad paused the fụcking video on the television screen, and I couldn't reply.