Alpha's Stolen Mate

Chapter 10

Dressed in an emerald green exquisite midi dress designed from silky flowing fabric in a flattering figure-skimming silhouette and a generously gathered bodice with a plunging V-shaped neckline, was the girl he was starting to like. Her low heel chunky ankle boots kicked dust as she approached him with a megawatt smile plastered beautifully on her face. Her light makeup was on point, enhancing her beauty just right.

"Hey, superstar," she greeted, tugging on her black puffer coat, and stepping closer. The scent of her floral perfume filling the space between them.

"Hey yourself," he replied, slipping his hand into hers.

"You made it," he mentioned, grinning at her. She tilted her head, her expression softening. "Yes, I did," she replied, leaning up to plant a quick kiss on his cheek. The touch was light, but it sent a rush of warmth through him. And he hated that. This was his first step to showing how serious he was about her and to make her fall crazily in love with him that she was willing to do anything for him. The deal with his cousins was still on. And he was running out of time. But it seemed time wasn't the only thing he was losing. His sanity was constantly fading away every time he was around her. She was amazing, smart, and beautiful. But come on, Ashford, surely you'd been around smart and beautiful girls before. This couldn't be any different. He wouldn't allow it.

After promising her aunt about her safety, they drove away. Their houses weren't too far away from each other, just in different streets. And to make the short journey shorter he decided to share some tidbit about his family.

"I'm sure you're wondering about what my family's like?" He started, looking in her direction briefly before turning his eyes back on the road.

"Maybe," she replied.

"Well, my family is a bit strange. We're thirty five in my family. We all live together, but it's just a few of us who stay in the main house.," he started. Thea, remained quite throughout his narrative of his family, questioning where she wanted clarity, and nodding her understanding. As he approached a tighter curve, Conrad's focus sharpened. His jaw tensed slightly, a sign of his concentration, but his eyes remained calm and alert. He eased off the accelerator and smoothly steered through the turn, the tires gripping the road with a reassuring firmness. Once through, he pressed gently on the gas, the car picking up speed seamlessly.

"We have two uncles, Nate and Theo. You've met Nate at school." He continued, his hands, placed at ten and two on the wheel, adjusted with a controlled grace that spoke to his growing familiarity with driving.

Thea nodded.

"Uncle Theo is the best. And his mate-"

"Wait, his what?" Thea cut him off, staring as if awaiting an explanation. Such things were the reason why his father, the alpha had always been wary about. Because any slip of the tongue would expose their identity to the humans. They had kept their family secret hidden for a century now, and he was about to unveil it. He cleared his throat, his mind seeking for an easy explanation that wouldn't make her curious than she already was.

"I mean soulmate. He's married," he said.

"Oh okay,"

"And then there's our great-great grandaunt. The headmistress. And then our father, Emric Ashford aka history teacher," he said, letting one hand drop to the gear shift, tapping his fingers lightly in time with the music playing softly from the car’s speakers.

"Wait what? He's your father?" Thea gawked in disbelief. Apparently whatever he was telling her completely surprised her.

"Yeah, kinda. You see when his siblings died, I mean when mine and my cousins' father's died, he just kinda like became our guardian. We don't call him uncle, because he's more than that to us." He said, pulling into the driveway. The sensors embedded in the stone pillars on either side of the gate detected the car’s presence, triggering a soft, almost imperceptible hum.

Slowly, the heavy gates began to swing inward, the well-oiled hinges moving with a fluid grace that belied the weight of the iron. The two halves of the gate opened wide, revealing the final stretch of the driveway, lined with lanterns that cast a warm, inviting glow in the twilight.

"So he's the patriarch of the family?" Thea asked, as he jumped out of the Jeep and circled to come open the passenger's door.

"Yes, he is," he answered.

"What about the rest of your family. Why do you live in separate houses?" She asked again, as she turned to pick up the bouquet of flowers she came with from the back seats.

"That's a story for another day, sweetheart. Time to meet the family," he said smilingly.

She paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Her mind probably racing with all the possible scenarios, the things that could go wrong, the awkward silences and potential missteps. But if only she knew that she wasn't supposed to worry about impressing his family. Because his plan didn't include making her a part of his family. But he needed her calm and less anxious.

"Okay, just be yourself. I'm very sure they're going to adore you," he encouraged, and took her clammy hand in his.

And before he could open the door, it swung open to reveal the graceful Jasmine Ashford. With their super hearing abilities, they might have picked up the sound of his car, or the steady whir of the wrought-iron gate. As far as he knew, she was the most excited person here to meet Thea. She was excited to have another human around.

“Welcome, Thea. Make yourself at home,” she said, her voice warm and reassuring.

She shot a glance at Conrad and smiled.

"Now, this is my lovely uncle Theo's wife, Jasmine." Conrad told Thea.

"So I'm not lovely huh? I'm just your uncle's wife?" She asked feigning hurt.

"You're my awesome aunt," Conrad said, placing his arm around her shoulders.

She smiled and then turned to Thea.

“Thank you, Mrs. Jasmine,” Thea replied, stepping inside and handing her a bouquet of flowers. "I brought these.”

“Oh, chrysanthemums! Thank you, dear,” Jasmine said, her smile widening. “Emric's favourite.”

Thea nodded, trying not feel more awkward.

"Okay, everyone is waiting for you two. I'm just going to put these in the vase. You both go ahead." She said, and jutted down in the direction of the kitchen.

Conrad placed a reassuring hand on Thea's back, guiding her to the dining room. “Ready?” he whispered, his eyes full of encouragement. Thea replied with a wide smile on her face.

As usual dinner was served in the dining room, just that today, it was adorned with elegant, understated decor. The table was set with fine china and silverware, and a centerpiece of fresh flowers added a touch of color.

On the walls hung portraits of ancestors in ornate frames, their stern gazes a constant reminder of the family's storied history. Like all of his other cousins, Conrad knew who was who, how were they related, everything they have done for the Ashford clan, and how, when, and where they died.

He took his seat, flanked by Thea on one side and his cousins on the other.