The Crimson Alpha

Chapter 5: Am I In Love?

~Mabel's P. O. V.~

I woke up in the hotel bed with Laila sleeping next to me. The poor girl must have been equally as tired. Wait, where is Seth? I looked around for him but he wasn't anywhere in the room. I felt kind of sad. I only met him yesterday. Why do I feel his absence? And why does it hurt? I had to shake this feeling off. I can't be like this. I got up, got into the shower, dried and styled my hair, got a new outfit on and leashed Laila. I passed a lot of the staff here and most were giggling housekeepers. I saw some waiters and butlers look away from me with blushing cheeks When I got to the door, the bellhop bowed to me.

"Have a good morning, ma'am and pooch." The same man who tried to argue with me yesterday about Laila said. I was sort of weirded out by this. A limo pulled up to the side walk revealing a very tense Roxy. She opened the door and grabbed me and Laila. Then, closing the door as quick as she could.

"Sorry for the theatrics today." She started, "Yesterday's meeting got out and you are the prime topic." She pulled out a newspaper. 'Lennon Daughter: Who Is This Girl?' It had a picture of me from yesterday at the mall.

"It seems as though Lennon LLC had a major secret that was locked away. Until yesterday, that is. Their own daughter Mabel Lennon, she was their secret." I started reading the article. "Her father, Jackson Lennon, had made a surprising, yet revolting deal with Shuttler Kuhn's CEO Eustace Kuhn for him to marry the Lennon girl." Who wrote this? How do they know? "Needless to say, we are all flabbergasted at this insight. What was more surprising is what happened during the meeting when Mabel was not inside the room. Our own Seth Lakeland, Head CEO of The Knight's Palace, King's Court, Queen's Garden and Night of a Thousand Yachts, made a declaration for Mabel. Will these 2 see the light of day together? Or will their ship sink?" Ship? We aren't on a ship. I was confused.

"Ship means romanticizing a couple of people and putting them together. Like um, Peter Pan and Wendy Darling. People ship them together because they think it would look cute. And a sinking ship is like Romeo and Juliet. They both died." Roxy explained to me.

I nodded and continued. "Miss. Lennon, as far as we know, was a girl who grew up in solitude. With the deal getting close to being sealed, the little miss comes out with a raging fire." I looked at the next picture. It was me in that red dress. I regret wearing it ever. "I am not talking about her outfit of course; it was in her eyes. A hatefulness stirred in them. Yet, when she came out of that office, she looked a bit different." The next picture was of Roxy and I. "Someone calmed her storm. We can all guess that it was Mr. Lakeland who did so. And we can all say, good luck to this new couple. The world is now your oyster." Oysters, yuck. I mentally gagged. I looked at Roxy. "What does this mean?"

"It means, you are going to be slammed with the press at your every stop. Which is why, I am packing your things tonight and Seth is going to meet us at his family cabin. It's in a beautiful forest with lots of meadows and rivers." She pet Laila and put her face close, "Isn't that right, sweet puppy? You are going to have so much fun out there. Yes, you are." Was she baby talking my dog? I almost laughed. The car was starting to get uncomfortable; people were holding up signs saying, 'Down with Jackson.' or 'Kill Kuhn!' I mean, I hated my father and Eustace, but to say that? I spotted one sign that made me sink into my seat. 'Marry me, Mabel!' I should have never left my room.

"Where are we going, Rox?" Afraid to look out the window. Thank god the windows are darkened and it's a one way look out.

"Seth wanted it to be a surprise. But I have something for you first." She pulls out a box with a phone on it. My own smartphone? I took the box. Then, it began ringing. Opening the box, the Caller ID said 'Grandparents'

I answered, "H-Hello?"

"MABEL! My cute grand baby!" Grandmother screamed over the phone. "Roxy and your mother came to us this morning about this damned newspaper." I think she was crying. "Don't worry, sweetheart. Your father will never see you again. We will make sure of that."

"Honey, let me talk to her before you fall all to pieces." Grandfather said. I smiled at his joke. "Mabel, kiddo, are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

"No, grandfather." I paused. "I missed you. I know it's been almost 15 years since I saw you last." I started crying over the phone. "Father and Eustace caged me. I was so alone and helpless."

"We know, honey. And Jackson will never do that to you again." He paused this time, "Seth Lakeland, I did research on this young man. He's not that much older than you." I sniffled and wiped my tears. "Says that he's not only got a huge family, but huge pockets. I approve of this man." He chuckled. "How do you feel about him, honey?" How do I feel? I don't really know. I missed him this morning.

"She's blushing." Roxy cooed.

"Oh, so you do like him?" Grandfather asked.

"Well, maybe? I only met the man last night, grandfather." He laughed. I could have sworn he fell over. "Are you alright?!"

"Oh, sweetie. Your grandmother and I fell in love at first sight. It's okay to admit it."

"I think I am in love."

~Seth's P. O. V.~

When she said those words, Blake howled in my head with joy as he did the zoomies. She doesn't know it, but I tapped into their conversation. I know, I know, that's what a jealous boyfriend would do. But in this case, I am protecting her. This damn newspaper article has put a target on her back. She is still Heiress to Lennon LCC, I want to make sure that there are no assassination attempts on her. With protesters going about and people chanting violence against Lennon and Shuttler Kuhn, I want to make sure I can get to her quickly if anything goes wrong.

"He made you feel secure, didn't he?" Roxy opened her mouth. I told her how Mabel fell asleep on me last night.

"Yeah. I have to admit, I felt an emptiness this morning. Not seeing him there. Is that weird?" Her heart knows who it belongs to.

"No. I felt that way with my Dimitri before he died. And even now still." I need to help Rox find the people who killed him. He was my friend too.

"I would say no as well, kiddo. When I woke up the next morning, it felt as if my life was never the same." Her grandma chimed in. I knew I couldn't say anything, I was just happy to hear that she's developing feelings.

"I didn't think I would open up to anyone about this." She started crying again. "Talking to him last night, it felt amazing. I couldn't understand why I felt comfortable around him. He was just easy to talk to. I lost out on love once, I won't let it happen again." Wait what? Lost out once before? With who?

"We know. Your maids and butlers told us about him. Rest assured he has been relocated to another city where no one can harm him." Her grandpa stated. Who was he? I don't like that she kept this from me. However, I do want to know to thank him for being there for her when no one else was. Give me a name damnit. Would I be comfortable with him? No. I am just appreciative that he took care of her.

"Why did father do it?" She asked.

"We don't know, yet. Your mother is bringing him now. Do you want to listen in?" Um, yes! I want to know why too. This is the topic I wanted to know most of all.

"Yes, please." She whispered. I wanted to be there for her. Hold her when she hears the truth. I need to be near her to keep Blake calmed for this.

"Are you sure?" Roxy slowly asked. Mabel must have nodded. "Okay, then. We would like to hear this, sir." I heard some shuffling going on. It wasn't long before we heard yelling and cursing. The slamming of a door told me that they just entered the room. I heard heavy sighs.

"Jackson." Mabel's grandpa stoically said. Venom laced in his voice.

"Martin." Jackson responded in kind.

"Jackson."

"Libya. Nice to see you again." The utter disrespect for his in-laws is ridiculous.

"I do believe that Sylvia has a reason for bringing you here, Jackson." Martin swirled his drink, the ice clanking against the glass.

"We, as in the grandparents, want to know why?" Libya slammed something down. It sounded like a folder. "Our granddaughter used in a business deal?!" She yelled at him. "What demon possessed you to do such a thing?! And to an older man?!" I heard a slap happen.

"It doesn't concern you." Jackson responded. I could feel the tension from my car.

"The hell it doesn't." Martin's voice became aggressive. "She is our granddaughter!" I heard glass breaking. "You will tell me!"

"You want know? Fine." He cleared his throat, "Eustace Kuhn came to me years ago when he noticed that my employees were leaving. Told me that he could help keep the business as being his partner. In exchange for his help, he wanted Mabel. At first, I refused," I narrowed my eyes. "Then, she showed me what he truly was." He didn't?! "Needless to say, he terrified me, blackmailed me and threatened Sylvia if I didn't." Eustace told Jackson of our kind?! He will pay for that dearly. "Over the years, I paid Mabel no mind. She was just a tool to be used to keep the company afloat." His voice turned to hatred. "I stopped caring about my daughter to keep my company. I didn't care if he raped her, she wasn't mine to care for anymore. Eustace could do whatever he wanted with the little b***h and I don't give a damn." My heart sunk for Mabel. I knew I had to stay quiet and so did she. Blake was trying fiercely to take control. He didn't care that Eustace would have treated her as nothing?! What stopped Blake's attempt was a sound of a gun fire.

"I missed on purpose, boy." Martin's voice was low. "Get out of my house. Stay away from my daughter and granddaughter. Sylvia is taking back the company and Mabel will keep her title as heiress. You? You'll be lucky to even get a job serving tables. Now, GET OUT!" Martin roared. The sound of the gun clicking for another shot was heard. Feet scrambled as Jackson was screaming in terror. We heard the doors open and shut. "Divorce papers. Tomorrow. Am I clear?"

"Yes, father. I already have an attorney working on it." Sylvia answered. "Good day, father." With clicking of her heels, she too left the room. Once the door was shut Mabel lost it. Roxy was shushing her, telling her it would be okay.

"I'm sorry that he thought of you that way, honey." Libya calmly said. "Dear. It left a mark on the granite."

"I don't care. Mabel, if he ever comes near you again, call Seth. I have a feeling he would protect you." He said.

~Roxy's P. O. V.~

I couldn't believe what I just heard. That man would rather have kept his CEO title than to keep his own daughter safe?! Rose wanted to come out and tear this bastard a new one. I know Seth listened in on the conversation, Blake must have wanted to do the same thing since I heard a soft growl earlier that didn't come from me or Rose. Seth was never a good sleuth, for Mabel's sake and mental health, I will speak to him about this later. I said thank you to Libya and Martin as I hung up the phone. Mabel needed to get out of the city. This conversation will not be hidden from the public eyes forever. When this gets out, Jackson will be hunted down along with Eustace. I sense a pack war was about to happen. Seth took away their leverages.

"It will be okay, Mabel." I rubbed her back as she cried into me. "You have me now and Seth and Al- all of Mr. Corey's people too to help you." s**t! I almost said alpha. A text came through to my phone.

I know you probably heard me. Sorry. Don't tell Mabel? :'( Oh, my goddess. How pathetic can he be? Of course, I won't tell Mabel that he was basically spying on her.

You're secret is safe with me. Blake needs to be quieter. Rose and I heard him growl. >:( What angered me a lot more than Jackson's words was Eustace's part. You don't think...?

I do, actually. Eustace has always been too prideful. He told Jackson about you-know-what. Which means...

Yeah, I know. Mabel needs to be relocated. Today. Not tonight. I had to respond quickly before Mabel saw what we were talking about.

Agreed. I'll have my second man come and pack her things. Take her to Horseshoe Meadows. You remember where that is. Thankfully, I do remember where. Seth and I were kids and that was a vacation spot for all 3 of our families. My parents and Corey gave up their parts for Seth because we didn't use it as often. Seth still lets us vacation there whenever, though.

Are you going to tell her soon? He knew what I was asking.

No, she needs time to heal. Telling her now would only harm her. He made a fair point. Mabel didn't need to know about us quite yet. I almost didn't notice, but she cried herself to sleep in my lap. Laila came up and curled at her feet. This dog was just as loyal as Seth is to her. Blake better be on his best behavior. We would have to hunt when we get there. Rose will want to have some time to herself and run in her element. It's been weeks since we got here and I can feel her wanting to get out.

This trip will take 8 hours, so I ordered my driver and staff to pack up food and drinks for the road. I made sure to get a better form of transportation that wasn't a city limo. My family is a bit humbler than what anyone would expect. We ditched the limo for a new SUV. I had my Beta place the sleeping Mabel in the back seat with me and Laila jumped in after us.

"Ready, Luna?" I gave my Beta a hard look. "Oh, sorry. Ma'am."

"I am. We'll meet up with Seth about half way. Let's hit the road, Alden." I ordered him. We started to drive away from the city. It was close to noon, so we should make it there before the sun is fully set. I hope Mabel will like where we are going. I missed it. The beautiful assortment of flowers, the long green grass, the brook that ran in the middle. The cabin house that could fit a family of 15 in it. Rose couldn't wait to hunt the deer that were there. They were huge, but not as big as elk, thankfully.

Rose: If I don't hunt deer soon, I'll hunt down Alpha Eustace and that other piece of s**t.

Calm down, Rose. No need to get antsy about it. Seth will probably declare war soon. Then, you can have at Eustace Kuhn. And when you do, make him suffer.

Rose: No need to ask, babe. I will tear out his throat with my teeth. She projected an image of Eustace's black wolf bleeding out from the neck. Her own teeth dyed red. She purred at the thought. I had to admit, I loved the look of a dead Eustace Kuhn in front of me.

Mabel started to stir in her sleep. The poor girl. I wish I didn't hear her father say those nasty things about her. How could a father be that stone cold? I don't know. I began stroking Mabel's hair to help her sleep.

"Please..." She muttered. "Don't leave me... Seth..." Awe, sweetie, Seth would never. A human feels the bond too when she or he meets their destined mate. It's not nearly as strong as a wolf's, but it's there. Mabel feels this bond. When she said she felt an emptiness earlier, I knew it was because her heart knows who her true love is. They both deserve happiness with each other. Dimitri, I hope you can see this. You and Mabel would have been good friends too. My Dimitri would have been the first in that meeting to make sure Eustace didn't come out unscathed. He always thought the Luna was ranked higher than the Alpha. She ran the pack with him, but it was her who made every decision. Oh, Mitri, I miss you so much, my love.

I didn't realize it, but I too must have fallen asleep. I was woken up by Alden. "Ma'am. Seth wishes to talk to you." He whispered. I wondered what about. I wiggled my way out of Mabel's grasp and met Seth at the behind the building.