Return of romance: unpredictable homecoming

**Luna POV*** I didn’t want to make this trip but I figured a quick visit wouldn’t hurt. I was really surprised my father invited me in the first place. I guess he figured it was time to patch things up. We were all we had now after moms accident. How ironic. My only love took away the only person who really showed me any love. My only true best friend. To be honest I can’t really say that either. Moms always been an erratic driver. Not like me. I’ve mastered the skill. I just love cars. I was one of the best mechanic’s in Texas. My classics have a few prizes behind them to prove it. My life choices have always been an annoyance to dear daddy but I’d be damned if he seemed more than ok with me driving up to Kentucky instead of flying. My mom used to tell me stories of the size of the house and the parties they’d had so I was curious and agreed. None for her apparently since father’s family never approved of their um union. They weren’t legally married but that was beside the point. She was Wiccan and not everyone has a tolerance for it. From what I gathered he loved her deeply all the same and the separation was unexpected. The thought escaped my mind for a moment as I pulled up to a set of gates adorned with Wolf figures. No guard but a speaker was available. Before I could ring a voice chimed out of it. “Wrong house. Pull out. Now,” the rough voice said forcefully but without malice. It was more of a warning than a threat. Not that I was discouraged either way. “Um nope this is the address my dad gave me,” I replied calmly. It sounded like they pushed the button to respond a few times but decided against it. The hushed whispers were followed by the noticeable creaking of the gate. I laughed as I drove up the long driveway. I’d spotted some figures in the grass on the way up. They stared blankly. The suns last rays were barely visible. How strange for them to be wandering around. Judging by the general vibe I assumed they were security. I put the thought aside as I popped my trunk. “Mom said he was superstitious but this is ridiculous.” There was a clearing of a throat to my right. Great the old man himself. “I’m not really superstitious. I’d say it’s a quiet caution if anything love.” I didn’t expect much but a genuine smile would have been nice. Not this half hearted expression. “Um hi father,” I answered. He seemed displeased. As he gave me the look over I could feel the notable disappointment. “Is that how you greet your old da?” There’s the Irish brogue. I shrugged as he relieved me of my duffle bag. He was so formal. My mom used to say he was a wild, fun loving man. I just didn’t see it. What I did notice is the overly formal way he was dressed. He looked down at himself. “I’ve planned a small get together in your honor. Dinner with a few close friends. There will be a larger celebration on the next fortnight.” Great. Dinner with the elites. I rolled my eyes as we walked in. I barely cared to notice the house but I couldn’t ignore it’s impressiveness stepping inside. “Holy balls!” “Luna I hope you remember yourself tonight,” he said handing my things to a butler. He walked away and I was lead to my room on the second floor. The huge bed seemed tiny in the much larger room. Size being a recurring theme here was an understatement. Father was an exceptionally large man so it made sense. A vanity had been prepared for me and was covered in new makeup, perfume, and a bunch of other feminine things I’d have no idea of how to use. My version of a superheroes man servant must have seen the horror on my face. “I’ll have one of the ladies come assist you madam. I’ve also taken the liberty to set out a dress for you,”he said motioning to my bed. Dress? The skimpy red thing seemed to mock me. Yup this is going to be terrible. Well if I gotta be uncomfortable they’re going to be too. I’m gonna remember myself alright. **Collins POV** My father glared at me as our driver drove up the ridiculously long driveway. He wasn’t stupid I’ll give him that. He’s been on edge and rightfully so. I’ll thank my lucky stars my cousin would be present at tonight’s introductions because I would be taking the opportunity to announce my intention to take my place as alpha. I guess this will put a damper on da’s romantic interlude but he’ll live I thought with a half smirk. “I don’t know what you have up your sleeve but you’d best think of the pack before acting.” I gave him a side glance then quickly looked away as we came to a stop. “Oh I certainly am,” I said aloud not necessarily to him. I lingered outside as he glared at me in growing anger. “I’ll be having a quick smoke and come up in a bit.” He nodded. I suspect he wanted a chance at a good impression before introducing me, his man w***e of a son. I pushed the thought aside. The gleam from a beautiful muscle car had my feet drawing closer. “Oí! It’s a sight isn’t it?” Cousin Angus jogged towards me and the green goblin I was admiring. I almost didn’t hear him. I was suddenly light headed. I didn’t actually smoke and I wasn’t ill. It surprised me. Fae folk were prevalent in this wood. Hopefully none were up to any tricks. “Yes interesting for this crowd. I took them all for the boring sort.” His grin widened. He smacked me on the back. Hmm playful as ever I see. He was a few years my senior but you’d never know it. “It’s the duchess’s. She’s a riot. Came down in a cocktail dress with black and white Jordan’s.” “Oh I think I’m ready to go inside then,” I replied ready to see the shock on father face as he eyed his intended. He was in some sort of midlife crisis. A little time with someone spirited would be just what he was looking for. We walked in and I spotted her immediately. She seemed to stiffen as my father was introduced to her. Perhaps because he wasn’t looking at her feet but scanning her longingly lust awash on his face. Neither was I. The old man lucked out. Beautiful dark curls floated about her head wildly. She was fair skinned under freshly tanned skin with ethnic features. Latina maybe. She made my heart race, I noted to my confusion. My wolf stirred as my father reached for a bottle that hung around her neck. His fingers grazed her chest. The air conditioning blasted a fresh gust on wind towards her from a near by vent sending her delectable scent towards us. As I swallowed hard and stepped back Angus grabbed my arm. “Oí, you well man?” He was clearly confused at my brief stupor. I shook it off quickly. “Mine,” I answered in a low growl as she smacked my fathers hand away disapprovingly. I had no time to think before saying it. My body felt so different. Every hair on my arm stood at attention as my skin tingled. I was walking intently towards them all at once every cell in my body exploded with a strange electrical reaction I couldn’t categorize into any specific feeling. My body hot with a mix of anger, realization, and want. I was proud at her words. I wanted to consume her inch by inch as a reward for her actions. “Hey buddy look but don’t touch.” That’s right save it for me. As if she’d heard me she quickly turned toward me. The full force of her beauty hit me. What a seductive figure my mate possessed. Luscious curves barely concealed by a skin tight sequined long sleeve dress and slightly revealed by a low plunging neckline. How she could be modest and extraordinary temping all at once eluded me. She wasn’t as blessed up top but those hips, that waist, and her face. I didn’t know where to look at first but her expression captivated me. She had plump lips that teased me as they quivered, a cute little nose that pointed toward me defiantly, and the loveliest chocolate brown eyes I’ve ever seen. She didn’t stand more than 5’ 5” but she was a magnificent goddess. My wolf was going insane. She was also shaken by my reaction. I stood there a brief moment towering over her. It seemed my presence was too much for her as well and she was brought down a bit. I looked down at her legs. Her knees wobbled a bit. I scooped her up immediately sensing her instability. Her hands pressed against my chest amplifying the sparks between us. Our size difference was suddenly much more apparent as she stood on tip toe. She gasped and I winked at her. “Holy balls,” she whispered as she stared into my eyes. Her gaze suddenly moved to my lips and she swallowed. She wanted me. Oh little one how satisfying that you react so well to me. I craved a taste myself. Especially with the way her plump lips danced. I ignored my fathers protest for the moment and placed a hand on her cheek. She never stepped back or pushed me away. I absentmindedly thought I was much too enthusiastic in this public worship of her. She blushed as I brushed my thumb closely to the edge of her lips. Not so much from the physical contact but because she’d involuntarily leaned into my hand. “Not exactly but they are a sight,” I mused. She smiled at me mischievously biting lightly on her bottom lip and it was all over. I held no reservations about stealing her or the focus away tonight. “Collin how dare you! Unhand her!” I turned to see my fathers impending vengeance on display. He knew full well what I was capable of with my appetites. He held no chance at discouraging me before with common females but her. This treasure. Hmm I’d fight him to the death for her. I felt her unease and gently guided her behind me. She instinctively clutched at my blazer then opted to putting her arms around my waist. I felt her inner turmoil and I instinctively gripped her hands. A blast of confused energy vibrated between us. I suppose this was unlike her. I bared my teeth, my wolf itching to escape control. My instincts all the more heightened. “I said MINE!” My da’s expression changed to realization. His beta shifted in response to my declaration. My mate screamed after catching a glimpse of the scene past my arm. I instinctively turned and caught her as she fainted. In the confusion I nearly lost my resolve but seeing her there so helpless in my arms I knew what I was about to do was needed. She’d be a queen yet. I’d do good to act as the king I am to be. As I scooped her up like a baby I eyed everyone in the room. They understood the gesture and awaited my announcement. “You have come tonight to meet this lovely creature but also that my father and hers could announce an alliance through marriage,” I announced clearly disgusted. Sudden visions of them together had me tasting bile. My father held his man back. He must have seen my nightmare of nightmares. I continued. “That will still happen but to my fathers surprise and my gleeful acceptance of this mate bond I will be the one to join her in this union. Let he who disagree meet my fury!” The room filled with hushed whispers. Bernard stepped forward to take his daughter from my hands. I hastily accepted. I admit if he wasn’t her father she’d have to be pried from my hands in the state of territorial he man I was in. He always held a cool elegant demeanor but I knew he had to be pleased under the facade. “You do understand what this means don’t you?” I looked to him full of resolve standing tall hoping to look worthy of his daughter and nodded. “Go ahead then,” he answered in return with his own nod. A clear challenge was needed after all. “I, Collin Hargrove, challenge my father for the place of alpha. I lay claim on my mate and request a union of these our individual packs.” The witnesses to this stepped back. These exchanges sometimes had casualties. My father though upset seemed uncharacteristically proud if only for a moment. He collected himself well. “There will be no need for a challenge in physical nature. I, Thaddeus Hargrove, hereby concede my place to my son Collin Hargrove due to these . . . new revelations. May he lead well.” I was expecting some fight. A wayward spiteful comment was all and it made me suspicious. He loved being alpha but I suppose even he wouldn’t go against moon goddess. Still I’ll remain vigilant. He had never been very close to me. Hell he wasn’t even the least bit fair or decent. He took pleasure in punishing me. Bernards words shook me just then. “I accept by moon goddess’s virtue. The fact my daughter knew not of her true nature will be hard for her but I see now her transition will be eased by a formidable mate.” Wait this beautifully unruly creature had no idea of what she was? The thought was quickly pushed aside followed by my unbelievable anger. No wonder she was so uncharacteristically disobedient for a female. She stirred in her unconsciousness and whispered something as she turned into him. My poor mate. How could they not tell her and thrust her into this union. I will earn her before I mark her I thought intensely. She quickly turned again this time reaching out to me and whispered again. This time I heard her clearly. My manhood threatened to stand proudly prepared as I processed her statement. “Daddy, don’t leave me.” Bernard c****d an eyebrow at me. I really should be embarrassed but well even he knew the rumors from our pack house. “I knew she wasn’t speaking to me. She can barely stomach me. But you. She’s taken a shining to you. I hate to admit it but I think she was referring to you as disturbing as that may be.” I almost pitied him. I was far too pleased in the moment to feel anything negative though. He motioned for a man servant who quickly lead me away from prying eyes. This went much smoother than I anticipated I thought laying a kiss on her brow. My forever responded by snuggling closer. She tugged at my dress shirt a small hand gracefully disappeared within. I would give her what she asked for I thought with a mischievous smile. Oh yes soon enough little one.