5. Marriage Proposal

Alistair’s POV

"Where have you been?" Sam, my Gamma, asks. He paces back and forth in front of me, wearing a worried face.

"I just got some exercise," I reply, sipping the coffee he served me. "What’s the big deal?"

Sam slams his hands on the table, earning a growl from me. He’s overreacting again.

"You went missing for almost two hours. What do you expect me to do? The house is in chaos because of the sudden power interruption, and my dear Alpha is missing!"

Ah. That’s it? I want to ask him that, but I can already imagine how he’ll look if I take his concern lightly.

"I still don’t understand why we’re in the Lightcrest. Do you really want to marry that woman?"

I put the cup on the table, glaring at Sam. It irks me when he refers to her as ‘that woman’.

"Watch your mouth, Samuel. Who do you think you’re talking to right now?" My penetrating gaze silences him. I’m the Alpha here, and I do what I want.

"My apologies, Alpha."

Sighing, I unbutton my shirt. "Get me a new shirt. I will go and meet Alpha Henry."

"Yes," Sam replies, taking my order.

Alicia Elrod. A fine lady with a strong personality. She has all the qualifications for being a great leader and partner. If it’s not her, I won’t have anyone else as my Luna.

After hearing the news that the Lightcrest Pack has welcomed the new Beta, I feel relieved when it turns out to be someone else, and not her. Alicia deserves better treatment than being her father’s shadow. And I’m here to offer her that.

But of course, not everyone will like the idea of me marrying her. Her father is one, for example.

Henry Elrod is an eccentric man who only listens to his conscience. The thing is, he doesn’t have any. Just letting him do what he wants doesn’t sit right with me. But knowing he’s also an Alpha of a great pack, I have to go through the formalities to take his daughter as my bride.

"He shouldn’t reject the proposal when I tell her she’s my mate," I mumble, staring at the huge portrait of Alicia on the wall. "I can’t wait for her to be officially mine."

—--------------

"Thanks for having me here again, Alpha Henry." I smile at the elder Alpha, who remains seated with a blank expression on his face.

"Don’t mention it, young Alistair." Henry signals his people to give us some privacy before he continues. "I don't have all day to entertain you, so spill it."

I smile. His direct approach is still the best.

Now I can see where she goes with such an attitude.

"I know you’re aware of it. I’m already at a marriageable age, and I need a partner." I wait for his response, observing his reaction.

"Not really," Alpha Henry replies. You're here two years later to find a bride. By the way, you’re not here to ask me to help you with that, are you?"

"I want to marry your daughter," I state, ending the small talk.

Alpha Henry looks at me for a while before drinking his tea. "Alicia will not like it."

Oh. So he cares about her thoughts, after all.

"However," Alpha Henry smirks as he puts down his cup. "She can’t do anything if you insist."

I see. He wants me to appear as the bad guy, forcing her daughter to marry me. And here I thought he'd do the job, as it’s natural for him to do it.

"But why my daughter? She’s good-looking; I can see that, though I don’t think her physical appearance is enough to have you think of marriage with her," he says, squinting his eyes as if he’s staring right through my soul. "Are you that infatuated by her beauty?"

"Name your price," I say. Alpha Henry isn’t concerned about Alicia. He only wants to know how much he can gain from this marriage proposal.

"Oh, you’re smart," he comments. "You remind me of her stubbornness, you know. Let me tell you this, Alpha Alistair." Alpha Henry sighs and continues. "Alicia is not the one suitable for you. She’s not someone you can easily control. Find someone else. I’ll even lend you a hand if you do that."

Easy to control? I’m not looking for a puppet or a doll. One thing I like the most about her is that she knows what she wants, aside from being capable.

"I only want her," I respond. "I won’t change my mind, no matter what you say about her."

"You’re still too young to go against me, Alpha Alistair, and we’re talking about my daughter here," Alpha Henry says, clenching his jaw. "You heard me. Alicia is not for you."

"Why is that?"

Alpha Henry clasps his hands together. "She’s someone else’s mate. Her destiny is to be with that man, and that man isn’t you, Alpha Alistair."

Mate?

This old man does not know, but Alicia is also my mate. The reason I'm so drawn to her is that she's my mate. I won’t even think about marriage if she isn’t the one for me.

"She’s my mate," I retort. I don’t like negotiations, but they can’t be avoided. "Alicia Elrod is my mate," I repeat.

Alpha Henry’s eyes are shaken for a moment before he regains his composure. "How do you know that?"

"The mate bond? I felt it when we first met. Things like that are hard to explain, but you should be able to understand the feeling, right?" I hand him a blank check and a confident smile.

"Name your price. I know you want to get something in return for this at least," I say, looking straight into his eyes. "I’m not telling you to sell me your daughter, but I’m willing to pay as much just for her hand in marriage."

"You should talk to Alicia about this," Alpha Henry replies, taking the blank check while hiding his smile. "If she agrees, then you can marry her. If not, you’re not getting back this check. How’s that sound?"

He’s so cunning. Is he that confident that Alicia won’t marry me?

"It doesn’t matter. You can keep the check," I say, grinning at him. "She’s going to marry me anyway."

—--------------

"No!" Alicia yells as she glares at me. She’s acting differently than when we’re alone in her room. "I won’t marry him," she continues, glancing over at the young man standing behind her father. "Or anyone."

Alpha Henry laughs. "You heard it. She’s not interested," he says, mocking me with his annoying smile.

"We don’t know about it yet," I reply, walking close to Alicia, who’s put her guard up. 

"Marry me, Alicia." I hold and kiss the back of her hand. "I promise to treasure you for the rest of my life."

"Why?" Alicia stares blankly at me. A hint of doubt spreads across her face.

Cocking my head to the side, I lean close to her ear. "Because you’re my mate. Why else?"

Alicia scoffs. "I reject you, Alpha Alistair." She pulls her hand away.

"Well," I say, licking her earlobe before I continue. "I reject your rejection, mate."

"Asshole," she says, clenching her fists.

Adorable.

How can I be insulted by her comments when all I can think about is her face while she moans beneath me?

"Six months," I mutter. "Give me at least that much time to prove my love for you." I beam my finest smile, the type that makes women squeal.

"And if I don’t want to?" She rolls her eyes at me, contrary to what the others do when they see me smile.

Really, she’s something else.

"Don’t worry, princess."

Alicia’s eyes pop when she hears what I say. Her face turns red as she looks at me. "Uh... What?"

"Hm?" I turn to face her father and shrug. "Alpha Henry, I formally invite Alicia Elrod to temporarily stay in my territory. Do you mind me taking her?"

"Haha! I can’t believe you still want her after her firm rejection." Alpha Henry glances at his daughter with a grim face. "Alicia, you heard the Alpha’s proposal. You’re not going to decline and embarrass me, are you?"

Pursing her lips, Alicia looks at the Beta of her pack. Her eyes scream for help.

I can’t help but feel my blood boil watching her look at another man.

"Alright," Alicia mumbles. "I’ll take up on your offer, Alpha Alistair."