Mother of Alpha - Burgov Series III

3. Vanya

"I can't believe you let her do that?!" - was the first thing I heard exiting the freshly cleaned elevator into the main ground lobby. And sure enough there he was, my brother, hovering over Cassie and throwing his hands in the air like a maniac on the verge of manhandling her.

But Cassie, as always, had that bored expression of a lazy cat, who had been disturbed by an irritating fly. There was nothing in her demeanor indicating she was even the slightest bit worried that her Gamma was basically yelling at her in front of quite a large group of eavesdroppers.

"You know she's pregnant and you know those damn chemicals can be dangerous for Ellie. Don't you have any concerns over your future Gamma?!" - my brother's face was getting red from all the anger and I still tried to grasp what the hell was his deal. I know that he and Cassie were like water and oil, never truly mixing together, but because of the people they were involved with they buried the hatchet under the thin layer of pretend politeness. It worked most of the time, but we all knew whenever there was a banter they would back the opposite sides at best.

However, they never argued in front of the rest of the Pack before. That seems a bit too extreme. But apparently something changed today. And it must've been bad, given how agitated Ilia was getting.

I looked for answers around them, when my eyes landed on Grisha standing by the side with a smirk, obviously having the time of his life. But he wasn't of any help to me, so I searched the scene further until my eyes found Ottie not too far from my Beta, but her face wasn't smiling like Grisha's, but twisted in a scowl. And there was something different about her…

Ah, yes! Her hair! It wasn't light pink anymore. Her shoulder-length strands were now gray, almost silver, but you could still find her signature pink here and there. So that's what this is all about? Because she dyed her hair?

"Are you done yet?" - Cassie asked with exasperation in her tone, making Ilia gape at her in shock. It amazed us all how Norvin's little Omega could sometimes have no regard for the leaders of her Pack. She's the strangest woman really. Loyal for sure, of that I have no doubts, but even that couldn't stop her from occasional show of disrespect. With Ilia on a regular basis, but I still recall how she scolded me, her Aloha, that I should be ashamed of myself after I let Norvin drink himself to the point of unconsciousness. She definitely had the spirit, and now I understand the amusement on Grisha's face. This could be the best highlight of the day.

So I fixed the duffle bag strap on my shoulder and watched the events unfold. From a safe distance, of course.

Ilia was taken aback by her question and tone, but Cassie wouldn't even give him a chance to retaliate. Omega or not, she wasn't used to taking prisoners, born with a different rank, she would be a great warrior.

"Do you think I would put my best friend or my unborn niece in harm's way?!" - she asked accusingly.

Ilia started opening his mouth to answer, but Cassie wouldn't even give him that satisfaction.

"No! The answer is no! And you know what, Gamma?! There are things in this world that even you don't understand and let's agree that hair care is one of those things."

Ilia closed his mouth, because she had a good point here.

"She was the only one in the salone, with no sprays in the air and I used an ammonia-free hair coloring set, not that you have any idea what that is. But she… no, scratch that, they were perfectly fine and up until two minutes ago perfectly happy. Because instead of praising the mother of your child for how gorgeous she looks, you choose to throw a fit. Now tell me, who isn't considerate enough of her wellbeing?" - Cassie ended her rant with her arms crossed and the lopsided smile of a winner. But her victory would probably taste better if she didn't have to angle her head so much to meet my brother's eyes.

Ilia was thrown off and it was one of those delicious moments when my brother had no good comeback. He knew that by fighting harder he would dig his own grave. Every guy knew that. But I should have known laying down the weapon was not in Ilia's nature.

"It was still risky and unnecessary. She is gorgeous without it!"

"It was what she wanted!" - Cassie shrieked - "And my Mate said it was safe. Do you have a medical background to argue with that?"

Game… set… match. That's how easy Cassie wiped the floor with my brother. Poor bastard. But he needs to learn that not all battles are meant to be won. That could be a good time for that discovery, since he's about to become outnumbered by women in his own home.

I stepped closer to the spectacle and thankfully most of the Pack members had the decency to scurry away when they saw me. I clapped my brother's back feeling how tense he's been. He's probably still fighting with himself on whether or not to argue with Cassie further.

"Let it go, Ilia. Go talk with your Mate. She doesn't look happy, so groveling would be a good idea right now." - I told him quietly, so that only he could hear me.

He shot me a look and I could tell he was not ready to let go, but I was pleasantly surprised when he nodded and started walking towards Octavia while the rest of the crowd surrounding us dispersed. Maybe he is growing up after all.

I watched how Ilia reached for her hand, and how Octavia slapped his hand away. How he chuckled and against her squirming wrapped her in his arms and whispered something into her ear. I didn't want to know what he said, but her crimson cheeks gave me a pretty good idea that I would need the cleaning crew again sometime in the near future.

"He's an asshole, but he sure can be smooth when he wants to." - Cassie muttered standing next to me. And I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped my throat.

"That's true." - I agreed with her.

She smiled and sighed.

"And I guess that even with his obnoxious behavior they are rather cute together. A real couple's goal, don't you think." - Cassie commented and something in my stomach suddenly felt heavy. There's that green-eyed monster again. I'm well aware that it's highly unlikely that I would ever reach this level with anyone. Matings out of convenience are rarely as exciting and wild as the one my siblings have. And I wish I had that too, but apparently fate had other plans for me.

"Anyway, have a safe trip, Alpha." - she added, then spun on her heel and went away from the scene where my brother was currently brushing Ottie's hair with his fingers and kissing her temple.

I'm worse than I thought.

I walked over to Grisha, who lost interest in the whole ordeal and was checking something on his phone.

"You're gonna be okay on your own?" - I asked. He was the only one staying behind and it wasn't because Stacy hadn't invited him, but because Summer and her Mate were supposed to be in Stonewall too. The four girls, we saved from the Tarlons, made it a point to stay in touch and be there for every important moment of their lives. And little Stacy finding her Mate was one of those moments.

My Beta shot me a condescending look from above his screen.

"Yes, Dad. But if you want to leave some cash for pizza, I won't oppose it."

"I'm serious, Grisha."

He locked his screen and put the phone back into his pocket.

"It's five days, Vanya. I think I'll manage." - he said with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

And I knew he would, but I was still irritated over our schedule change. I didn't like to be taken off guard like that, so maybe I was hoping Grisha would give me an out to stay a day longer and fly to Stonewall tomorrow, instead of taking an eight-hour drive with my brother and his Mate.

"Yeah, I know, I know. But if anything comes up, call me."

"I won't, but thanks for the offer." - he smirked. I clapped him on the back and went to meet with the Gammas.

"You guys ready?" - I asked, breaking their hushed, and judging by Ottie's blush, very inappropriate conversation. They are like cats in heat. It's actually a miracle they don't have at least two pups by now.

"Yes, we are." - answered my brother lifting both of their bags.

"Are you sure, we can't leave tomorrow and take the flight?" - I asked probably for the tenth time, and I already anticipated what they would say, but it was still worth a shot.

"No, we have to drive. I've been feeling funny all week, I don't think I would survive all those ups and downs. Besides, Grace's parents are happy to host us." - Octavia said, sharing a knowing look with my brother.

Ah, so that's what this is about. Her pregnancy is just an excuse to drag me around in hope I would actually meet my Mate. I should have guessed.

I could have probably argued with her, even tell her that I already went there, but why bother? This would only make my pregnant sister-in-law feel bad. So I guess I can endure her badly planned scheme this one last time, if it would make her happy.

"Okay, so let's hit the road." - I said feigning excitement and pretending I didn't just see right through her. And it was the right call, because Octavia's smile was blinding.

As soon as we left Harvest Moon's lands, my brother lowered the windows allowing warm June wind into the car.

"Can't you turn the AC on? She'll get sick." - I said, c*****g my head to the back, where Ilia's Mate was sitting.

"No, no! I like to have something to breathe with. You know, it keeps the nausea away." - Ottie said quickly and I had to try really hard to keep my groaning at bay. They were as subtle as a sledgehammer, and not very creative either.

I'm well aware they don't agree with my decision, and it's not because they have something against Cynthia, Ottie actually treats her like an older sister. They simply want to give me one last chance at finding my true Mate. And because I already know it's pointless, I'm just irritated by the whole thing.

But I'm the sensitive one. So being dragged around like a show dog, just to make Ottie feel good, doesn't sound like the worst thing I had to do.

So I said absolutely nothing during the four-hour drive, with the wind blowing in my face. I even pretend I didn't notice that Ottie put on a warm hoodie… in the middle of July! And lastly, I pretend I didn't know the first thing about their agenda. Because that's what a responsible head of the family does. I turned a blind eye on more things in my life than I care to admit. All just to keep those around me happy.

I agreed to take two huge dogs, even though we had barely any money to go by. I was more than lenient to Ilia's every stunt, because it was hard to maintain the balance between being an older brother and role model, actually responsible for him. I tried to make amends with my Cousin, because everyone else loved him and wanted him around, so I had to put my own grudges aside.

But that's just what I do, I suppose.

My head started throbbing from all the thoughts and that damn wind swishing in my ears. Another small sacrifice.

"Can we make a stop in Portland?" - Ottie asked and I glanced at Ilia and shrugged, telling him it's up to them.

"What for, babe?" - he asked.

"Restroom and something to eat. I could eat a good steak." - she said and her voice trailed off in that dreamy way as if she was already imagining chewing on tender meat.

"Haven't you said you were nauseated?" - I asked because I couldn't help myself. There was something oddly satisfying in pointing out the small cracks in their perfect plan.

"Amm yeah…" - she looked perplexed and quickly started looking for an excuse. - "But that was before, now I have cravings."

"M-hmm. It sucks to be a pregnant woman." - I commented while watching her in the rearview mirror .

"You have no idea." - she murmured - "So what about that stop? I found a place with great reviews."

"I'm game." - I said, because I knew she was really hungry, and if experience with Sasha taught me anything, isn't definitely to feed the pregnant she-wolf while she's still in a good mood, otherwise she might turn into a gremlin, and not the fuzzy, cute one, but the one that someone poured water on.

"Perfect. Turn left here." - she said to Ilia.

No more than five minutes later we were standing in front of the restaurant called the Meatology. The name made me snort, but the smell was promising, so perhaps Ottie chose the good one.

We stepped inside and it was really cozy, all in either royal blue or in polished, dark wood, with each table separated from the other with a wooden partition to give more privacy. Pretty cool actually. But the best was the smell. I know chances are low, but if Chef is by any chance a werewolf I will for sure make him a good offer to come to Harvest Moon.

The hostess led us to the table in the back and now I kind of hated those partitions, because I wanted to peek into other customers' plates to check what smells so good. While I was looking around I noticed my brother's eyes on me, and I shrugged.

"What. It smells amazing."

He arched his eyebrow as if he didn't know what I was talking about, which I know was just an act, the guy's a pure blood Gamma, he could probably smell what most of the guests had for breakfast.

"I'm starting to wonder which one of you is actually pregnant." - he said.

"Hey! Be nice!" - Ottie warned him, pointing her fingers at his nose. And the second the mischievous grin flashed through Ilia's face, I knew I would witness something only a therapist should hear about.

Sure enough my brother, having no regard that we were in a public place, took the pointy finger between his teeth and sucked on it.

Dear Goddess, not this again. I would pay a good price for a decent distraction, right about…

"Hello, I'm Diana, I will be your waitress today. Have you, esteemed guests, chosen already? The Chef recommends the Minotaur T-bone." - I looked to the side where the voice, answering my prayers, came from and my heart stopped and my mouth fell open.

There she was, the source of that divine scent I was looking for. How could I be so stupid and think that human hands could have created that, while in fact it was a natural fragrance of the most exquisite creature that walked this eart.

I found her.

Somehow the crazy plot planned by my sister-in-law paid off and I finally found her.

My Mate.

And she was more than I ever could have dreamed of. Slender, but at the same time graceful in a majestic way. Not just cute or pretty, but a beauty that is hard to even explain. Smooth milky skin, sprinkled with freckles on her nose and shoulders. Hair in a gorgeous shade between golden blonde and red, tied up in some complicated hairdo, exposing the perfect column of her neck. Regal face with cheekbones that could cut through glass, and lovely puty lips that were meant to be kissed.

But those eyes…

Holy s**t, those eyes… the deep emerald shade that could make you die a happy man just from looking into them.

She was wearing a white robe, styled like an ancient grecian gown, but that only added to the electrifying impression she was making.

And her name… Diana… a proper name for a Goddess, my Goddess.

Our eyes locked and I waited for her to feel it too, but she held eye contact for a moment then raised both brows expectantly, but I still was rooted to my spot and unable to speak.

"Okay, I see you need another second." - she said in a sweetest voice and like nothing ever happened sauntered away from us.

"Jesus, Vanya, you're acting like a creep, stop staring at people like that." - I heard Ilia scolding me, but I still couldn't take my eyes off the woman, who should by now know who I am for her.

"Vanya?" - I felt Ottie's hand resting on mine and I turned to face her, trying to figure out why Diana didn't react. - "What's going on?" - my sister-in-law asked and her blue eyes filled with concern.

"She's… that waitress, Diana, she's my Mate." - I said in disbelief, because I honestly thought this day would never come.

Ottie beamed and turned to Ilia.

"I told you this would happen!" - she said, but my brother wasn't listening. His eyes flashed in blue, and I knew he was pushing his wolf to the surface, sniffing the air.

When his eyes turned back to the gray shade we shared, he knitted his brows as if he was thinking hard.

"What is it?" - I asked, knowing he felt something.

"I don't know how that's possible, but she's just a human." - he said, sounding unsure of himself and I know any doubts he might have weren't caused by a possibility he was mistaken, because he never was, but because that was simply impossible. Werewolves and humans don't mix. At least I never heard about it. - "I'm sorry, man." - he added sincerely.

And I was too, because I had no idea what to do now.