Marked By The Billionaire Alpha

chapter 8

Alvarez

"We have a lot of catching up to do." Waldo spoke as we walked into the pack house.

"Yes, we do but I also need to rest. I'm exhausted."

"I heard what the warriors did to you. Sorry about that. You can go to your room for now. I'll send for you later."

I nodded and began walking away.

"Alvarez." I stopped in my tracks. "Not that way. Your things were moved to your father's chambers."

I pushed back the emotions and went in that direction.

"Oh my goodness, Alvarez!" A high pitched voice screamed my name from the dark hallway. The way was barely lit so it was a struggle to see where I was headed but I was familiar with every path in the mansion and I could tell where I was going.

"Anna?" I called out as the blonde head came closer to me.

"Yes, it's me. I heard you were around. I came out to see for myself and here you are in flesh and blood indeed." She stopped right in front of me and stared into my eyes with a pretty innocent smile on her face.

Anna was Waldo's daughter and my betrothed mate. Chances of finding mates these days were slim so werewolves mated whoever they fell in love with and marked themselves as mates. It was risky in cases where their real mates showed up but it was close to impossible. However, we've had disputes over issues like that in the past.

Before I could say jack, she fell into my arms and squeezed me hard, knocking air out of my lungs.

I inhaled her scent as I ran my left hand through her hair while my right hand wrapped around her body.

My mind went to Amanda as my wolf growled in annoyance. It craved her company and body warmth, but I was embracing another woman that wasn't our mate.

"Uhhm… that's enough. Do you want to smoother me?" I said as lightly as possible as I separated myself from Anna.

"I'm just excited to see you." She grabbed my arms as we walked down the hallway together. Wasn't she going in the other direction?

I didn't know how to send her off without hurting her feelings. I needed some time to myself alone before the coronation.

We've always done this bonding thing as betrothed mates whenever I came back to the pack but this was different. We can't do this anymore.

"I need to be alone." I said as we stood in front of my father's chamber.

Her face fell. "Oh, yeah. I understand." She shuffled her feet then walked away with a glum look on her face.

I watched her retreating figure. It was time to put an end to whatever this thing was. Her father and mine had initiated for us to be mates and I had agreed to it without care because I wasn't always around but now, my agreement was beginning to bite me back.

My encounter with Amanda has changed everything and I wasn't giving up on her anytime soon till I've learnt all I need to know about her.

I opened the door to my father's chamber and walked into the anter room. I looked around as a fresh dimension of grief washed over me.

Here was my moment of solitude before I walked into the new path that was set for me.

***

A knock on my door broke me away from my thoughts. The hour has finally come. All those hours of silence and reflection and I still wasn't ready.

"Come in." I said. The door opened to reveal an attendant with robes in his hands and arms.

Gilbert was right behind him grinning at me. "What's up, man?"

I frowned at him. He better learns to control all his human slang and diction.

"I want you to keep it on the low tonight. This is a crucial moment for me."

"I know, I know. That's why I'm here to give you that moral support." He came beside me and wrapped his arms around my shoulder.

"You would go back once my coronation is over and the rites have been completed." I said to his hearing while glancing at the attendant that was setting my dress on the bed.

"That soon?" He whispered harshly to my ears.

"Yes. You're not helping me here. You would go back to where you're needed. BAP Group can be crazy so she needs your help." A familiar emotion bubbled in my throat at the reference to her.

"Too bad you're chasing me fast. You also need my help for this fight that's been ongoing in the pack."

"I don't really need your help. Our enemies would withdraw naturally once they learn of my enthronement."

"Hmm… makes sense but you never can tell."

"You need to get dressed, Alvarez."

I gave Gilbert a look to f**k off before moving to put on the attire.

The coronation happened in a blur. One minute, I was marching down the aisle and the next, I was reciting my vows before pack members of Blackstone pack.

"We now proclaim Alvarez Liptin as the Alpha of the Blackstone pack!" The pack's priest boomed in a loud voice and it echoed through the hall.

Everyone bowed upon the proclamation and I sniffed, pushing back the emotions. Father, help me to lead and guide these people.

The after party was now in full swing and I watched from where I sat as the people partied away. Gilbert was on the dance floor dancing with some she-wolves so I was all alone. Weirdly, I craved his company even though he was a prick at times.

"How're you feeling, Son." I turned to my side to see Waldo beaming at me with pride in his eyes. In him, I could see a father I could trust. He has been my father's beta for years and I could trust him for guidance especially as I wasn't always steady in the pack.

"It's a bit hard transiting to whom I've become but I'm holding up pretty well."

"I understand that feeling. Your father was just a boy when he was crowned after your grandparents died in a pack war. I remember how he cried for three days over his new responsibility but I was there beside him all those while."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "My dad cried?" It was hard to picture him shedding tears and here I was, thinking my emotions were lady-like.

"Yes, he wasn't the fearless warrior you knew him to be from the onset, but that's by the way. I want to talk to you about Anna."

"What about her?" I asked though I could tell where the conversation was leading to.

"I'm about to begin plans for your mating ceremony with her."

Dread slowly filled me and just then, my eyes settled on Anna who was dancing with her friends on the dance floor. I couldn't picture her as my mate. This isn't something I can do anymore.