Chapter 12: No choices

"You knew about this!"

Marcus exclaimed. Never in his life had he felt so betrayed. Not from anyone else but his mom!

His beloved mom!

Lady Bailey was in no hurry to answer. She went to the bar and poured herself a glass of wine. She took a sip, then slowly replied to Marcus, "What are you talking about? What do I know?"

Marcus frowned, unable to believe that Lady Bailey was still acting as if he didn't know anything.

"You know my bride is not Tina! You didn't even tell me! You tricked me into marrying a stranger!"

"Watch your word!" said Lady Bailey sternly, "How do we propose to the Browns? You said you wanted to marry the Brown Alpha's daughter. I had also given them your words. They did exactly what you wanted - A daughter of Edsel Brown. Giselle is his daughter. She is a Brown, too. Her bloodline to her father, Mr. Edsel, was proven. If so, what right do you have to say I'm deceiving you?"

Before Marcus could even respond, Lady Bailey continued, "We have done nothing wrong with your wishes. If you want to blame, you should at least blame yourself for not getting to know it well. Or at least give me a name! Did we know the Brown had two daughters? How can I know who you want to marry?"

Marcus couldn't say a word back. He gritted his teeth, turned his back to Lady Bailey, feeling lost for words.

He felt very displeased. Displeased at being deceived like an idiot, being made fun of in front of countless people!

What did the Brownson pack's action mean?

Obviously, they only have one daughter, Tina Brown. Tina herself said she had no sisters. So why would there be a girl named Giselle to jump in the middle of everything, saying she was Edsel's daughter?

Did Tina lie to him?

Was she not Edsel's daughter?

It was impossible!

Marcus dismissed this possibility himself. He had seen Edsel with Tina, and it was Edsel who said he was Tina's father?

So who was that Giselle girl?

The more Marcus thought about it, the heavier his head got. He gritted his teeth, determined to go straight to the door.

"Don't go looking for them," Lady Bailey quickly blocked the door. Needless to say, Marcus only wanted to go to the Brownson pack to ask for an answer then.

However, she couldn't let Marcus do that.

"I have to. Don't stand in my way!", Marcus growled.

"You came looking for them, yes?" said Lady Bailey, "How did you make them give Tina back to you when it was you who offered to marry 'Alpha Edsel Brown's daughter' and Giselle was his daughter? Don't be unruly, Marcus! You swore under the Goddess of the Moon that you had accepted Giselle as your mate! You were willing to do that! No one forced you!"

"But I was deceived!", Marcus frustrated exclaiming.

"The damage has been done! There is no turning back!" said Lady Bailey, "You've accepted Giselle. Luna has been your witness! You have promised to take Giselle in front of Luna! Don't be so selfish and childish!"

"I was deceived, mom! It's not childish, or selfish at all if I just wanted an answer!"

Marcus took a deep breath, calming himself down. He continued, "Mom, Tina and I are in love! I wanted to marry Tina. She's my soulmate!"

"Is she? Or you've made mistake?", Lady Bailey tilted her head, looking at a confused Marcus with a knowingly look, "Marcus, they married Giselle to you, not Tina! Don't be silly! What makes you think if you confront them, will they change Giselle to Tina for you? Not to mention, Giselle is not a commodity either. That girl doesn't deserve to be changed! I've raised you better than this, Marcus!"

"I'm the Alpha of Bailey's pack! They won't dare to mess with me!", Marcus retorded.

"Are you, Marcus?" said Lady Bailey, who walked over to the bar, sat down in her chair, took another sip of wine. She looked at her son in the distance, looking indifferent, seemingly uninterested in Marcus's rage.

"What?" asked Marcus, asking Lady Bailey. He looked at his mother, looking unbelievable.

"Are you the Alpha of Bailey's pack? Has anyone confirmed that? Or it's just you?"

Lady Bailey looked at Marcus dead in the eyes.

What did Lady Bailey mean to say, even if you're an idiot, you could still hear it clearly. Although the council made the condition that when Marcus reached adulthood, found a mate, got married, they would re-considered him to become the Alpha of the pack; But, the council had said "re-considered". If it was not positive, then nothing was certain.

More than anyone else, Lady Bailey knew Marcus needed this marriage. They need the Browns to be their backup.

And if Marcus continued to behave in such an unruly childish way, Lady Bailey wasn't sure Marcus should have become Alpha.

He was too emotional.

This was not good at all.

"Marcus, you're not a teenager anymore. You're a grown-up man now. It's time for you to think of our pack. Love is important, I know that. But this pack...this pack belonged to your father. Do you think it belongs to someone else? So your efforts in the past have all fallen into the river?

As I said, I know love is important. Yet, Marcus, if Tina loved you like you think she did, then where was she? Where was she when Edsel chose Giselle to marry you? Why did she not step in?"

"Maybe she is forced to stay back!"

"By who, Marcus? By who?", Lady Bailey countered, "Her father? Her mother? Giselle? Or herself? You should remember this, Marcus. If she was your soulmate, she would not be hiding away from you. Now tell me, Marcus, what do you feel when you excepted Giselle as your mate? Does it feel right? Or does it feel wrong?"

"I..."

Suddenly, Marcus felt lost for words. He did not know what to say.

"Think about it, Marcus. Only you can answer for yourself. Now, if you want to go to the Brownson pack then go. But remember, once you returned, I don't think you suitable to be the Alpha of this pack anymore."

"You threatened me?", Marcus asked.

Lady Bailey shook her head, "You had left me no choices, son."