003
1009 Words
~Onyx Pov
My footsteps are near silent as I stride through the corridor.
"Where do you think you're going?"
I halt, grimacing before turning. My mother emerges from her office, dark brows raised expectantly.
We are almost the same person, sharing many similar qualities. Unfortunately for the both of us, I'm not just talking about our physical similarities.
"Nowhere mother, I was coming to speak to you," I lie. I had done such a good job avoiding her today.
"Mmm, I thought so." She crosses her arms, tapping her fingers against her biceps. "Did you look over those profiles Sienna was meant to bring you?"
"Strangely enough, Sienna was walking into my room, tripped, and sent every profile into the fire." I smile, patting her shoulder.
She brushes me off, rolling her eyes. "Onyx."
I sigh at her exasperated tone. Her and Sienna act like the Pack is about to dissolve without a meaningless union.
"I read them," I affirm. "And I'm not interested."
Her angular face refuses to shift in expression as she remains unsurprised. "And why not?"
"They aren't what I'm looking for."
"They are women of noble birth. Or they"are filthy rich. What more could you want?" She steps forward, the top of her head barely reaching my chin. She brushes at an invisible piece of lint on my shoulder.
"I don't know."
I'm not lying to her for sport. I genuinely do not know what I'm looking for. Just not...them.
Her expression softens as she cups my cheek tenderly.
"I think I do," she murmurs. "You want love, my dear boy."
"I couldn't care less about love." Her hand falls away as I shake my head. The hard, pointed look she gives me tells me she doesn't believe me.
Alpha's don't marry for love. I've been raised to believe that, even though my parents were the exception. My father, before he died, told me never, as an Alpha, to believe love, outside of blood, to be genuine.
I've always believed that. Until I met Sienna.
"This Pack needs a Luna. Other Packs are sensing weakness here," mother insists, worry burying between her furrowed brows.
"I'm the strongest Alpha-"
"Perhaps, but without a Luna, doubts will spread. Your people are anxious for an heir. The last thing you want is for them to think something is wrong with you."
I rub a hand over my eyes, sighing.
I would do anything for my people. I've already sacrificed so much for them. This aspect of the job is the most difficult to perform, I'm finding.
"Maybe there is."
Mother's gaze considers me. "If you don't make an effort to find a wife, I will bring these women here and make you pick. Understand?"
I let my silence and long, cold stare tellher how ridiculous that sounds.
I understand that I have a duty I must adhere to. I have pressing obligations. All I want is more time. Weeks, months, maybe even years.
"You can't bring them here," I tell her calmly.
"Why not?"
"I'm not going to fall in love with one of them just because they are in my proximity," I insist, steadying my breathing.
I never let my mother see me angry. Frustrated, maybe. Sometimes irritated. Mostly, I let her see a sturdy, calm version of myself.
My stomach hollows at her wicked smile. "It worked with Sienna."
"Sienna is different. They aren't...they won't be like her." I ruffle my hand through my hair. "And I'm not in love with Sienna."
She levels a look. "Mmm."
Ever since Sienna and I became friends, I've heard such accusations. It's easy to brush off claims that she's my plaything, my fun in bed after a long day because that's not true.
Being accused of loving her is a much harder accusation to dismiss.
"She's my best friend. That's it," I state firmly. It's true. I'm not lying.
Mother steps forward, buttoning some of the top buttons I usually keep loose, her glossy red nails vivid against the dark of the fabric. I let her.
"Alpha's do not have friends. Everyone in an Alpha's circle must have a title." Her steely grey eyes flicker between my face and the buttons.
I run that over in my head. What is she insinuating?
"Are you saying Sienna is not worthy of being my friend?" A shimmery veil of rage starts to materialise in front of me."I don't understand, I thought you loved her?"
Mother exhales slowly, smoothing her hands over my shoulders before stepping back. It's right of her to figure some distance between us is for the best with this manner of conversation.
"Sienna has worked diligently for me for many years, and I care about her deeply. This has nothing to do with worth. However, it is evident to everyone looking into this home that Sienna is here due to your generosity, not mine."
"So?"
She tucks her hands behind her back, all poise and elegance. "So, it is time to take Sienna as your mistress."
My heart beat stutters.
Mistress?
Vivid images of Sienna splayed out on my bed, her naked form nestled between my ivory covers, her sweeping curves beneath my palms flashes unbidden across my mind.
I shake the thought from my head. No, Sienna will not exist to serve me in my bed. She is much more than that.
"Mistress? How-"
"She needs a title. She needs a function, or else you must cut ties with her." Mother's tone is sharp, unforgiving.
She doesn't make mindless proposals. I'm the Alpha, but she knows I value her opinion too much to turn her down.
"Why are you doing this?"
"You know why. It is time to step up. Alpha's from Pack's all around us are closing in, waiting for you to slip." She shakes her head, a single black cluster of strands falling from her pinned up-do. "A friend is a weakness. A friend can be exploited."
I swallow thickly. Historically, Alpha's don't keep friends, but I don't mind being the exception. Just this once.
- Writer
