Her secret mate

Family breakfast I

Taking a few deep breaths, I straightened my back and forced a fake smile onto my face.

"Silly me, I expected to find some old clothing, but I guess it got misplaced in the midst of renovation."

I said to my mother while completely ignoring her and pouring myself a cup of hot coffee.

Without even looking at her, I knew that my comment hit her pride a bit. There are only a few things that she really cares about and her home-keeping abilities are one of the pillars of her personality. So me pointing at her failings like that, even if they were intentional, was angering her a bit.

Sure poking at my parents when they are clearly still pissed at me, was not the best idea especially because I am stuck here for the next week, but what else can I do?

Let them walk all over me?

I let them do it once upon a time, but that will never happen again.

Taking a big sip from my cup, I lifted my eyes only to find Colin staring at me.

Not wanting to speak right now, I lifted one eyebrow in question, when he noticed that I caught him staring, he averted his eyes away from me and turned his attention back to his lady friend.

He is so weird.

I couldn't understand him and it was pissing me off a bit. Most of the time, I was very good at reading people... but he was confusing me. One moment he is openly dismissing me like I am some stupid kid, the next he is making sure I eat dinner... and then here is his lady friend. He does not look like one of those alphas that would cheat on his mate. He looks more like the one that would rip anyone that touched her apart... but maybe that is my imagination talking.

Not that it was any of my business.

After this week, I won't be seeing him ever again.

Six more days and I will be eighteen free from this pack.

Free from my father and free to mate Darcy.

Ah... Darcy...

My mind turned to the message he sent last night... and... and I lost all appetite all together.

Lowering my cup back to the table, I made a bit too loud of a sound and everyones eyes turned to me.

Shit.

"Sorry, my hand slipped."

I said with a fake smile as I looked up at Alisha and Colin, without even looking at my parents. I knew that there was a very clear disapproving look on both of their faces.

Alisha sent a soft smile my way and lifted what looked like tea to her lips.

"So Valery, your father told me that you had just finished highshool."

"Yes, the graduation ceremony was actually two days ago."

"Oh? That's great. Which school did you go to?"

"She finished the academy, of course. Every one in our lineage went to the academy. It was actually one of our ancestors that helped to start that academy."

My father took over the conversation and pulled attention to himself and his pride of our lineage. It is actually quite hilarious how he does it every time the conversation turns away from him for more then a few minutes.

"And you, Alisha? Did you go to the academy?"

The moment my father asked that question, the girl's cheeks went pink.

I kind of felt bad for her...

"Alisha couldn't attend the academy, her health was too weak for her to attend the academy. She had private tutors."

"Oh that's a shame, private tutors or not, nothing can match the level of education only the academy can provide."

I almost laughed at his words, but somehow managed to keep that sound in... unlike Colin.

"You disagree with me?"

Colin met my father's eyes heads on, not something I ever saw before.

Most alphas get too scared of the intensity of the old blood alpha power my father radiated. Or maybe they were scared of offending him and getting obliterated by his army.

But Colin stared at him head on, but averted his eyes at the last moment, which was a bit of a let down. I guess no one is stupidly brave enough to challenge my father. Even Darcy chose the safe path of showing him fake respect to make our relationship easier... well, at least that is how I explained it to myself.

"No, the level of education there is great, but then I am pretty sure that the academy is more important for making connections, than getting the best education."

Silence set in the room for a moment and I was even holding my breath.

It was bold of him to disagree with my father... that never ends well.

Slowly, I turned my eyes from Colin to my father, ready to see him flaming with anger like usual, but to my surprise, he started laughing.

"Well you are right about that, didn't you go to the academy?"

My eyes shot back at Colin and now I knew that my father was offended by what he said, but he decided not to rip him apart physically like he did multiple times before, but shame him instead.

What the hell is going between them?

It is so unlike my father to hold back like this.

"Yes, I did, but I never finished. The educational route was never one for me, I guess."

Colin answered with an ironic smile, but it was clear that my father had hit a sore spot... what happened to him at the academy?

After those words, silence set in the room and the atmosphere changed, turning into this heavy tension that was broken by mother as she got on her feet.

"Alisha, darling, would you like to see the garden roses we talked about yesterday?"

"Of course, I would love to see them."

Alisha followed my mother's lead and, with the help of Colin, got to her feet.

"Thank you for a lovely breakfast."

She said with a charming smile on her face to my father and then turned to me.

"I am sure that we will have a chance to talk more later."

After that, she turned to Colin, kissed his cheek and left the room, following my mother.

The moment her lips touched Colin's cheek, the same jealousy resurfaced.

What the hell?

Why was I feeling jealous?