A Matter of Convenience

Twenty

~Ericson~

I wait for Kira to leave. There’s no real reason for her to be here other than my father’s misplaced plan to get us together. I would never accept Kira as my mate, no matter the situation.

When Kira closes the door behind her, he walks from behind his desk. He stands in front of me with his arms crossed. “What the hell did you do?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Cut the sh.it, Ericson. You’ve been pining after that damn fated mate of yours, determined to see no one who isn’t her. You’ve refused to take a chosen mate, no matter what the elders said. Now, all of a sudden, you’re telling me that you’ve mated and marked a chosen mate?! Do I look stupid to you?” Before I can answer, he reaches out and grabs the back of my neck. He pulls me to him so fast that I lose my footing and almost fall to the floor. He grabs the neck of my shirt and yanks it down. He does it with so much force that I can hear the fabric rip.

I watch as my father’s eyes get big when they land on my mark. I’m able to push against him and get free from his grasp. I stand and peel the shirt off my body. “Was that fu.cking necessary?! I told you that we are marked and mated. You could have asked to see the mark instead of man handling me.”

“How the hell could you choose her out of all the she-wolves available?”

“I don’t understand your issue with Isis. She’s the daughter of an Alpha and a future Alpha in her own right. What’s the problem?”

“You just stated the problem! She isn’t a Luna. Do you plan on fighting her for control of everything? Do you think she would willing take a step back and allow you to lead as you’re meant to?” I throw my head back and laugh.

“Please! Don’t act like you are so concerned about me and how things are going to go for me. You have an ulterior motive and I will find out what that is.”

~Isis~

I watch that Kira girl walk out of the office and stand off to the side. I have no idea what she has to do with anything that’s going on, but she seems to be have an in with Alpha Trevor. I guess I don’t need to worry about her since Ericson appears to have little patience for her. I just don’t want her to be able to expose our plan. “You’re wasting your time.” I feel her eyes on me, but I ignore her. She doesn’t know me, and there should be nothing for her to talk to me about. “I know you can hear me. You should go ahead and walk away from him now. It will hurt less.” I continue to stare into space, ignoring her entire presence. “I don’t know what he sees in you anyway. You look much too butch to stand next to a man like him.” I shake my head at how ridiculous she sounds right now.

Now, I’m not going to lie. I feel really stupid for letting her get so close to me. One minute, I’m ignoring her, and the next, she's in my face with her hand raised above her head. I’m about to be an Alpha, and I let an enemy get much too close to me. I really need to do better.

She must have the backing of Alpha Trevor to feel okay with walking up to me anyway. She has no rank; her aura is nothing special. I know she can tell I’m a ranked member and even more so an Alpha. Yet, she’s walking up on me as if I’m nothing more than an everyday pack member. I wonder if she treats everyone that way.

Her hand comes down, and mine shoots up to intercept hers. I pull her hand down and pull my arm closer to my body, causing her body to follow. “Do you know who I am?” She tries to break free from my grasp, but it’s a wasted effort.

“You’re just some bi.tch that’s standing in my way.” I pull her closer to me, wanting to make sure she truly hears my next words.

“Nah. I’m the future Alpha of the Scarlettmaw pack and the future Luna of the Scarlett Moon pack. Basically, I’m your worst nightmare.” Her eyes get big, and she struggles even more against me. “I don’t know who you are or who you think you are, but I won’t allow you to come at me any way you please. The next time you come at me like this, I will make you regret ever even setting eyes on me.” I push her away from me and let go of her arm. She falls back, landing on her butt.

“You’re going to pay for that. I will make sure Alpha Trevor teaches you a lesson.” I smile and look down on her.

“Yeah, sure. I’ll make sure to clear my schedule, so I’m available.” Footsteps have me on alert, and Kira stands to her feet. Whoever it is, is coming up behind me, and it seems to be someone Kira doesn’t want to deal with. She straightens her clothes and stalks off.

The scent wrapping around me is similar, but I can’t place it exactly. “Alpha Isis?” I turn and see Luna Delilah.

“Hello, Luna Delilah. It’s been a while.” She walks up to me and wraps her arms around me.

“You have gotten so beautiful, my dear.” I smile and nod in thanks. “I was so sorry to hear about your father. It, uh, it must be hard.” The emotions threaten to take over, but I don’t want that right now. I will deal with my father and his illness later.

“Thank you. He’s hanging in there.” The Luna nods at me as she strokes my back.

“To what do we owe this visit? Are you here to see my mate?”

“Yes and no. I-” The door opens, and his presence is wrapped in anger and frustration.

“She’s here with me, mom. Isis is my chosen mate.”