Chapter 11.2:Warned
899 Words
Dax POV
Dinner that night was interesting to say the least. Aaron naturally blabbed, causing my mother and father to interrogate me while we were eating.
"So Dax. I heard that you got quite protective of the new girl today," my father spoke up, his eyes narrowed on me.
Fucking Aaron. Couldn't keep his mouth shut for s**t. I glared at him, and he shrugged, stuffing his face.
"I bumped into her in the hallway, that's all," I countered back smoothly as my mother smiled, listening to us talk with fondness on her face.
"Really? Sounded a little bit more than that," my father commented drily.
I was going to bury Aaron alive in the woods.
"I um, that is..." I trailed off, and my father snorted.
"I'm just playing, son. What is the new girl like anyway? What's her name?"
"Riley Sullivan," I said, digging into my food, my stomach growling loudly.
"What pack is she from?" my mother chirped.
"I think she's from Sofia's pack," I said thoughtfully,
"Really? How weird," my mother sounded confused. "Strange. I visit that pack often and have never heard that name. I'll have to ask Sofia about her when I see her next."
I inwardly groaned, fighting the urge to break into another argument with her over Sofia.
"Mother, honestly. The way you act with Sofia..." I blurted out, shaking my head.
Damn. There went the best intentions.
"What's wrong with treating Sofia so kindly? With everything she's done," my mother sniffed, "and is it wrong to want a daughter-in-law as sweet as her?"
"She's not sweet. She's the devil's spawn," I said bluntly.
"Dax," my mother reprimanded me, "that's no way to speak about Sofia."
"Alright, alright, leave it, honey," my father said quickly. "Dax, do you have feelings for Riley?" he frowned, "because you know that as Alpha, you're expected to have a mate worthy of you. If Riley is just a poor omega, that would not be a suitable match."
Always about the duty and obligation of an Alpha. About making a good impression and worrying about our reputation when I couldn't give two f***s about it.
"I already said that I want my fated mate," I said evenly, "and who cares if they are an omega? Things have changed, Father. It's not as taboo as it used to be. It's more important to me to find love than to worry about the status of my mate."
Silence. My parents grew up traditional and found it hard to move on with the times. I was stubborn, though, refusing to give in to the demands that I found to be unnecessary. I wasn't about to agree to a betrothal or take a chosen mate without at least searching for my fated one first.
"There's nothing we can say that will change your mind, is there?" my mother sounded resigned.
"No. Mother, you and Father were betrothed after both your mates died. You love each other now, but don't you remember how it felt to be with your fated one at first? "
Silence again. Mother and father don't make eye contact. I sigh. Go to push away from the table, and my mother quickly interrupts me.
"Your birthday is coming up, and preparations are being made," she divulged.
"I know," I said quietly.
"You only turn eighteen once, son. Let's make this a memorable occasion. All your friends and unmated female shifters will be in attendance, not to mention Alphas and Lunas from other packs. Don't forget that it's also a ceremony to make you official. Everything must go smoothly."
"I'm aware of its importance. But don't you think having so many people is overkill? Not to mention every unmated female shifter around my age?" I inquired, "It's obvious you intend to invite Sofia."
"Her parents are good friends of ours. Naturally, she would be invited," Mother said indignantly. "Honestly, I don't know why you're so opposed to Sofia."
I sighed. "It wouldn't matter anyway. Do what you want, mother. But I wouldn't bother getting your hopes up when it comes to making Sofia my chosen mate because it's never going to happen."
"They're already enquiring about a potential betrothal or contract between the two of you," my mother blurted out, and I stilled.
"Did you agree?" I snarled.
God, the audacity.
My fingers clenched, and I held tightly to the table, my temper barely hanging by a thread. Even Aaron stopped eating to look at me, concerned.
"No, but I am considering it. It would be good for the pack," mother started...
"Screw the pack. Screw our reputation. You so much as try to sign to make me take Sofia as my mate, I'll never consider you my mother ever again," I hissed, rising from the table as hurt swept over her face.
"I'm just trying to..." she protested, her voice rising higher.
"We're done here," I interrupted and walked away, Aaron following behind me, an uneasy expression on his face.
It was the first time I had ever walked away from my parents but I was sick of them trying to manipulate me or make decisions in regards to my future. If it continued, then I would have no choice but to take over the pack by force, parents be damned.
I just hoped that it wouldn't get to that, but for their own sakes, not mine.
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