3. Respect

Ford’s pov

The gall of this young lady.

‘Your mate.’ Callum, my wolf reminded me.

How could I forget?

I looked up at the moon as Nivia Evelien Leia Omari ran in her wolf form, her white wolf moving so quickly that it almost looked like a stripe passing by me.

Why, after so many years, would I meet my mate now?

For years my pack had urged me to find my mate. Eventually, when I turned 25, they decided I should have a chosen mate.

Having an heir was important, as was evident by my presence in the pack.

I was never meant to lead the Nightclaw pack. My brother, who I had never met, was to take over. But then, the Omari clan decided to wage war once again.

Their family has a tendency to be in the middle of every dispute or war on their continent.

I was in England at the time, unaware of what was happening across the ocean. I knew who my father was, and I was also keenly privy to the fact that he didn’t want anything to do with me.

Not until he and his heir lost their lives during the war. Then suddenly I was welcomed into the fold. Their beta had contacted my mother, and the rest is history.

At the young age of fifteen, I was sent overseas, thrown into a pack that was dealing with more than any teenager could handle, especially one without any alpha training.

They all still whisper about me, even now that I’ve been here for seventeen years. The illegitimate son of the great Alpha Henry Smith. The Bastard from overseas.

I’ve purposefully chosen to keep my mother’s last name. He did not want me, so I will not take on the name of my biological father. I will remain the bastard son that he sought to see me as.

Nivia ran back to her home, and I sighed internally before shifting as well and following her scent.

Nivia smelled like snow. Mother and I would go hiking across the mountain paths during the winter. She was a cold lady in many ways—a very stoic woman who would show little emotion or love toward me.

But during those walks, we would talk.

We’d reach the top, overlooking our pack, and breathe in the fresh scent of snow and the forest. For a brief moment, we would be a normal mother and child.

Once we got back down, we were back to being shunned for my mother’s choices.

What would she think of me now?

Once I reached the packhouse, I shifted back into my human form before demanding a set of clothes.

An omega provided some, and I followed my nose to the office of the alpa of this pack. Alpha Aeryn Omari, the stolen alpha. The famous daughter of the Iron Alpha and the granddaughter of the ruthless Alpha Osiris.

I had studied their family and had been eager to work with them. But instead they had shown me the discourtesy of sending their daughter to assist me. Their barely-of-age teenage daughter stared at me with such insolence during our video calls. 

Her words were polite, but her eyes told me a different story.

I am her senior not only by rank but by age, yet she speaks to me as if I were a mere pup she was imparting her wisdom upon. It would vex me beyond measure. The shear audacity of this young lady was unbelievable.

When I was asked to visit the Iron River pack for one of their balls, I gladly took the invitation in hopes of coming face to face with the girl who had treated me with such impertinence.

‘She’s our mate.’

She is. Bringing Nivia home is of utmost importance not merely to me but to my pack. Especially since my mate originated from such an esteemed family.

My chosen mate had been picked based on several stipulations. Pearle had been the right breed, the right age, and she had the proper demeanour a luna should possess. We did not have a relationship built on love, but we had mutual respect and trust.

“Alpha Rutherford, come in.” Alpha Aeryn said as soon as I reached the door.

The omega had brought me a pair of sweatpants and a shirt, something I would never wear in front of another alpha if I had been given a choice.

Alpha Aeryn was wearing a beautiful gown, her large head of curls surrounding her face. She was young still, but had already made a name for herself.

Nivia was sitting on the sofa in a large t-shirt with her knees up, covered by the shirt. She looked like a pup. Pink streaks in her brown hair revealed her immaturity.

She is a child.

‘She did not look like a child near the river.’ Callum spoke.

She had looked like a goddess. The moonlight had hit her body, illuminating its beauty. She’s a temptress; her body is the beautiful exterior of a wicked soul.

“So… um… this is fucking awkward, right?” Alpha Aeryn chuckled dryly.

“Mom!”

Such a child.

Alpha Aeryn ignored her daughter, “my mate is on his way, but I have to warn you, he’s a bit protective when it comes to Niv.”

“A bit?” Nivia said, looking at her mother in disbelief.

“Okay, a fucking lot.” Alpha Aeryn said with a smirk.

Storm, Luna Storm, whichever title he is called, stormed into the office, looking at me like he wanted to kill me.

“So, this is my daughter’s mate? This fucking guy?”

“Storm, let’s talk, okay?” Alpha Aeryn said, before kissing her mate in a way I did not think was appropriate with company present. Neither was their language. 

“So how old are you?” Storm asked, with lipstick smeared along his mouth.

“Dad, your face…” Nivia said, much to her mother’s amusement.

He wiped his face with the back of his shirt, “how fucking old are you, Rutherford, is it?”

“Alpha Rutherford Dashwood.”

“Oh, it’s Asswood!” Storm suddenly said, winking at his daughter. “This dude… The man you’ve been having all those videocalls with! The Moon Goddess has a sense of fucking humour.” Then his death glare went back on me, “so? Age?”

“I am thirty-two years old.” Asswood. How dare they speak of me in this manner!

“And you’re British.”

And you’re not a moron, congratulations. “I am.”

“Oh, right. You’re the guy who came here because…”

I nodded, “I am that guy. So, while I have enjoyed this conversation tremendously, I would like to discuss what business needs to be taken care of before Miss Omari can relocate to my pack.”

Storm growled, and even Alpha Aeryn seemed agitated by my demand.

“See, mom! He just wants me to go home with him. Like, it’s not a big deal! He doesn’t even like me.”

“I don’t see why that’s a requirement.” I interjected.

Nivia shook her head in anger and got off the couch, her bare legs now visible. “I’m not going.”

“Good.” Storm said. “Just stay here, Niv.”

Alpha Aeryn was silent for a bit, tapping her finger on the desk. “What if you go there for a trial period? Just as a way to get to know each other. I mean, the option of rejection is always there, but the Moon Goddess must have paired you two for a reason.”

“Mom, he’s literally four years younger than you.” Nivia said, her eyebrow raised and her head titled like a teenage girl with sass.

“Niv is right. It’s fucking weird.” Storm scoffed.

“Grandpa Osiris was older than Grandma Lily when they met. He was almost thirty, and she was seventeen. So….” Alpha Aeryn replied.

“Perhaps this is a conversation to be had amongst family.” I suggested, not wanting to be part of whatever this was. “A car will be ready to take us back tomorrow morning. I would urge you to pack appropriately.”

Storm growled, but I did not pay him any mind as I walked off. “Once again, a pleasure meeting you in person, Alpha Aeryn.” I looked at Nivia, “miss Omari, I will see you tomorrow morning.”

“No, you will not!” Nivia yelled behind me, but I was not concerned with her outburst. If Nivia did not decide to follow me, I would make sure she would end up at my pack another way.

She is my mate and therefore belongs with me.

I mindlinked my beta, who was still mingling at the party. Unlike me, he enjoys large groups of people.

I have identified my mate, and she will be returning with us to the NightClaw pack tomorrow. Could you apprise the council of this news? I would like to retire to my room for the time being.'

‘You found your mate? Congrats, man. That’s awesome.’ Samuel replied. ‘Who is she?’

‘Miss Nivia Omari,’ I conveyed.

‘What?! No, way!’ I could not understand why Samuel kept trying to speak so casually with me when I had done nothing to show I cared for this way of communicating.

‘Yes. Goodnight, beta Samuel.’

‘Goodnight, Alpha Ford. Wow. The council will be impressed.’

I am certain they will cease to be impressed when they meet my mate in person. How these people have attained these reputations is beyond me. No respectable Alpha conducts themselves the way they have.

Nivia needs to learn how to present herself properly, not in the crude manner her parents have demonstrated. This wishy-washy way of handling pack business will not be tolerated at the Nightclaw pack.

I felt Callum’s displeasure with my thoughts, but as usual, I repressed his feelings on the matter.

My wolf has a lot more temperament than I do. His actions are based on instinct and feelings instead of calculations and logic.

As I entered my room, I changed into my own set of pajama trousers. On the desk was my tablet. I had promised my children a video call, and it was almost past their bedtime.

“Daddy!” My son Percival said excitedly as he saw me on the screen.

“Good evening, Percival.”

“Dadda! I see you,” my daughter’s face flashed on the screen as she ran past.

“Where is your nanny?” I ask, wondering why the pups are being so unruly just before bed.

“I apologize, Alpha. Ada, Percy, sit down and talk to your father, please.” My nanny, Madeline, spoke briefly before mumbling a few words off camera. I believe I heard the word "desert." I would have to have a word with her. Bribery is not the way to raise small pups.

I stared at the screen, waiting for my two children to sit down and speak to me in a civilized manner. Once seated, they received the attention they deserved.

“Adelaide, Percival, we will be having a visitor soon. I expect both of you to behave appropriately. She will be staying at the packhouse.”

“Yes, daddy.” My son answered, while my daughter fidgeted with her fingers.

“Adelaide?”

“Mmm? Yes, daddy.” She replied, clearly not paying attention.

“Well, it’s late. So off to bed, you two.”

Percival stared at the screen, “I love you, daddy.”

“Love you!” Adelaide said, blowing kisses at the screen.

“Sweet dreams.” I replied with a kind smile before hanging up.

‘Would it kill you to say it back?’ Callum asked. Regrettably, despite my utmost efforts, I couldn't prevent the kids from absorbing the American way of life.

Saying “I love you” at every turn seemed like an unnecessary activity. The sheer amount of it made the words lose their meaning. “I love you” has become more akin to “I appreciate your presence or goodbye,” than its original meaning.

Of course I love my children, but they do not need to hear it every night.

My mother never uttered the words, and I turned out perfectly fine.

‘Sure….’ Callum scoffed and retreated to the recesses of my mind.

Tomorrow things were going to change. Perhaps my pack would finally start to respect me the way they should have done from the start.