CHAPTER 9 I'm Here for Mia

　　Thomas's POV

As I pull through the gates at the Moonshadow Pack, the sun is beginning to rise. I didn't realize how much time I had wasted while picking Mia up off the side of the road.

The guards at the gate wave me through the gate and I make my way to the pack house. As I pull up to the pack house I am surprised at how run down the place looks. Normally the pack house is the most well-kept building in each pack. It is where all guests are introduced and entertained. But this pack house looks like an old farmhouse. The paint is peeling off of the siding and shingles are missing from the roof. It is no wonder Alpha Aiden is looking for money to marry off his daughters.

I gently knock on the front door of the pack house, not wanting to wake anyone that might be sleeping. The door swings open quickly and Alpha Aiden stands in the doorway with an annoyed look on his face.

"I have been waiting all night. This better be good," he growls at me.

"I think you will like my proposal," I tell him before I push past him and make my way into the run-down pack house.

Alpha Aiden follows me into the house and shuts the door behind him. "Let's talk in my office," he grumbles in irritation.

I follow Alpha Aiden through the pack house. The inside of the house is in much better condition than the outside. It is decorated with dark wood with bits of color here and there.

Alpha Aiden twists a key in the lock of one of the doors and gestures for me to come inside. I step inside the office and make myself comfortable on the couch in the corner. I don't miss how Alpha Aiden rolls his eyes at me as I cross my ankle over my knee.

"By all means," he says sarcastically. "Make yourself at home."

"Thanks," I say ignoring his attitude.

"Why have you kept me up all night?" Alpha Aiden asks me with a bit of a growl in his voice.

"I told you on the phone. I am here to ask for Mia's hand. I plan to make her my Luna," I state simply.

Alpha Aiden rubs his temples and lets out a frustrated sigh. "I am afraid that she has already been promised to Alpha Richard."

"For an embarrassingly low amount of money for a beauty like Mia," I chuckle.

"How would you know how much money has been promised to me for Mia?" Alpha Aiden growls.

"People talk." I shrug my shoulders. "You should know that by now. I would like to double his offer."

Alpha Aiden's eyes widen in shock when I tell him, once again, that I plan to double Alpha Richard's bid for his daughter. But soon laughter bubbles in his chest.

"You want to offer me a million dollars for a she-wolf that doesn't even have a wolf? Surely you have better options available," Alpha Aiden laughs hilariously.

"I have chosen Mia," I say ignoring the rude comments that he made about Mia.

Alpha Aiden rubs his chin, deep in thought. "I do have another daughter that is not yet mated," he thinks aloud. "Have you met my youngest daughter Cora?"

"I was under the impression that Cora was already promised to another," I cannot hide the frustration in my voice. "I am here about Mia."

"Let's be honest. Cora's current arrangement isn't as prominent as an arrangement with you would be. I think she would be a much better match for the Red Moon Pack. I am sure that you have heard of Mia's poor reputation." Alpha Aiden speaks as if he knows what is best for my pack.

"I told you that I am here for Mia and Mia alone," I snarl.

Leaning back in his seat, Alpha Aiden begins to mumble under his breath. "That must have been some kiss," he says with a hint of irritation in his voice.

"You have no idea," I laugh back at him but Alpha Aiden does not seem to be as amused with the situation as I am.

"We will plan a party in a week to announce the arrangement," Alpha Aiden finally says.

"I do not want to wait a week," I tell Alpha Aiden. "I wish to leave with your daughter tomorrow."

"I insist on things being done the traditional way," Alpha Aiden growls. "If you are to take my daughter from this pack then I insist on having a going away party for her."

I look at Alpha Aiden and try to figure out what his aim is. From what I understand no one in this pack will miss Mia, so what is the point of a going away party? He is up to something.

"Two days," I say harshly. "You have two days to plan something. Until then Mia will be staying with me."

"What!?" Alpha Aiden yells. "I will not hear of it. It isn't proper. Her reputation..."

"From what I understand, her reputation is already sullied so her staying with me for a few days could not possibly do any more damage to it." I hiss at Alpha Aiden.

"You are choosing the wrong daughter," Alpha Aiden tries to persuade me one last time.

"I don't think so," I say as I get to my feet. "Now if you will excuse me I would like to get some sleep."

Alpha Aiden quickly gets to his feet and tries to beat me to the door. "Why don't you stay here and take my daughter with you when you wake up?"

"That won't be necessary. I already have Mia with me," I say shortly.

"That little whore," Alpha Aiden growls.

His words ignite a fire within my soul. I move faster than I have in years and pin Alpha Aiden up against the wall of his office with my arm. "What did you call my mate?" I snarl inches from his face.

Alpha Aiden swallows hard and shakes his head back and forth quickly. "I didn't mean it," he chokes out as he gasps for air.

"If I ever hear you insult Mia ever again, I will burn this pack to the ground," I threaten him.

I release Alpha Aiden from my grasp and he falls limply to the ground.

"I will be back with Mia in two days so she can say goodbye to this pathetic pack once and for all," I say as I turn toward the door.

"What about my payment?" Alpha Aiden dares to ask me.

"Of course, you are worried about the money," I mumble under my breath. "You will get paid when I return to Red Moon with Mia."