If Only (BxB)

I wonder when

“Irving? you there?”

“Uh yes Luna Mia, I-is there something I can do for you?”

I stutter through the mindlink, nervous at the thought of her knowing about the argument Gayle and I had this morning.

Though Gayle is their son, Alpha Zac and Luna Mia know nothing about our situation, since Gayle refrains from humiliating me infront of them, and those who do know about the reality of our relationship are strictly under Gayle’s control. Moreover, I don’t wish to burden them with my problems.

“Yes dear, if you don’t have anything going on could you drop by my house right now? it would be nice to see you.”

Before I could realize, I had already uttered a tepid ‘Yes’.

“Great! Then I’ll see you in a bit”. With that, Luna Mia cut off the mindlink.

I groaned as I slumped towards the couch.

Why did I say yes?! I don’t wanna go. My habit of being unable to say ‘no’ manifests at the worst moments.

My clothes reeked of sweat but a shower would delay my meeting with Luna Mia, I grumpily drag my tired body to the closet in my room and quickly change into something new. 

As I head downstairs, I smell the scent of my sister Ashlyn.

“Hey brat you’re home?” Ash enthusiastically made her way towards me, “When did you arrive? And… Mrs. Dale’s here too?!”

Ashlyn, looking as excited as a puppy seeing her owner, ran towards Mrs. Dale who was busying herself in the kitchen.

“Goodness Mrs. Dale, you're getting prettier every time I see you!”

“Oh spare me your flattery Beta Ashlyn, I know exactly what you’re after”

Without missing a beat, Mrs. Dale set out a plate of her mouthwatering Choco chip cookies, and Ashlyn dropping all the niceties quickly helped herself to them.

Savoring the taste, Ashlyn didn't forget to compliment Mrs. Dale’s handiwork, “My word Mrs. Dale, I could eat this everyday for the rest of my life.”

While Ash was busy sighing in content, I tried to sneak out of the house to avoid further interrogation. But it was simply impossible to accomplish such a task.

“Come to think of it, what brought you here? Not that I’m complaining”

Ashlyn voiced while sauntering towards me, her mouth stuffed to the brim with cookies.

“Wait…” Ashlyn stopped abruptly midsentence, then hurriedly grabbed my chin. Tilting my face upwards she lightly caressed my cheeks. “What’s this?!”

I froze hearing her words, from the corner of my eye, I could see that Mrs. Dale stiffened as well.

I completely forgot about my swollen cheeks!

Usually a werewolf heals at tremendous speed. However, it was an Alpha that hit me, an Alpha that didn’t hold back. It’s bound to take at least a day before it heals completely. If I were a powerless human, the consequences would be far worse.

“Irving who the f**k did this to you? Why aren’t you answering? Did someone bully you again?!” Ashlyn’s voice was dangerously low. Her angry words ended up disrupting the excuse I was brewing.

“Uh…I... I tripped down the stairs and landed on my face so…”

Ashlyn squinted, obviously not buying my pathetic excuse. "A fall down the stairs injured you to this degree?". 

Then suddenly, she seemed to have realized something but was visibly struggling with it. She tried to put her chaotic thoughts into words.

“Irvy… does... does Alpha Gayle have something to do with it? Did he… did he hit you?” she asked in a small voice, unsure of her own conjecture. I could tell from her expressions that she found it ridiculous.

But I got scared at how spot on she was.

“Why else would you be here… did you guys fight?...”Before Ash could continue I interrupted her thoughts.

“Ash it’s nothing like that, Gayle’s away on p-pack duties. I felt lonely so I took Mrs. Dale for a visit along with me. D-do you doubt my words?”

Ash stared at me for a few seconds before nodding, evidently relieved.

“Phew! I don’t doubt you Irvy and yeah you’re right how could a werewolf possibly hit his own mate, especially one as UH-dorable as you. But really Irv, you’re clumsier than I thought, where you hurt anywhere else?”. I vigorously shook my head on Ashlyn's question.

I felt horrible lying to my sister. Mrs. Dale shot me a worried look , apparently concerned about me deceiving Ashlyn.

But I had no choice.

I had no choice except hiding the truth from Ashlyn. If Ashlyn ever discovered the way Gayle treated me, her hot-blooded nature would lead to irreversibly rash decisions.

She would definitely attack Gayle, the son of an Alpha and heir to the pack.

As a result, her title as Warrior Beta would be stripped and even banishment wasn't impossible. She would eventually end up living the life of a Rogue. 

I couldn’t let my proud sister face such severe consequences for my sake. I’d rather… suffer in her stead. Besides, I’ve already lived the last four years in torment a few more shouldn’t make much of a difference.

I flashed a smile at Ashlyn and informed her of my plans with Luna Mia.

Once out of the house, I quickly remove my clothes and hold them in my mouth while shifting into my wolf.

I reach Luna Mia’s house in less than ten minutes.

The pack house belongs to the current Alpha and his mate. Even though Gayle is technically an adult, his coronation won’t be until he’s twenty one, which is an year later. 

Despite being called a 'pack house', none of the pack members actually lived in it, they resided in the cluster of houses surrounding the pack house.

I find Luna Mia in the enormous garden at the center of the house. Luna Mia is an avid fan of anything green, and Alpha Zac being the romantic he is, dyed the whole house… green.

From the bed to the chandeliers, the wallpapers to the kitchen utensils, even the toilet seat , everything was a different shade of green. I still remember how the color blinded me when I first came to the pack house with Ashlyn.

Luna Mia was currently watering the Peonies, her short auburn hair akin to Gayle’s fluttered in the afternoon breeze. Noticing my presence she gestured me to follow her.

Leading me towards the gazebo, she ordered a few maids to bring tea and snacks.

“Take a seat Irving”

“Thanks Luna” I timidly sit across from her.

“Now Irving how many times have I told you , you can just call me Mia. We’re family already you don’t need to be so formal” Her hazel eyes gazed kindly at me as I nodded my head.

“So how’ve you been these days? Has that foolish son of mine caused you any trouble?“

Here it comes. I carefully choose my words and answer, “Not at all Lu-Mia, he’s doing fine”

“Hah, that reckless boy never ceased to give me headaches, It’s only because you are his mate that I finally feel at ease.” Mia sighed as she poured tea into my cup and passed it over.

She took a sip from her own cup and continued, “Gayle is very much like his father in some aspects, the stubborn desire to believe that they are the only ones right, runs in their blood. I had a pretty hard time taming that dog”

Dog?! Is she talking about Alpha Zac?!

I cough as the tea I drank went down the wrong pipe. Mia quickly pours me a glass of water and pats my back soothingly.

“What? Was it that surprising?" she questioned whilst chuckling, “Considering the nature of our relationship it’s not that big of a deal, you and Gayle will be the same after a few years”

I hide the imminent sadness I felt hearing her words. Mia, unaware of the rocky relationship Gayle and I had, expected the impossible from us. 

"I hope so too" I mumble quietly.

“You can look forward to it. Come to think of it, I myself am waiting for two things to happen. First is Gayle’s coronation which is just an year away, and the second is... meeting my grandchildren, I wonder when that’ll happen” She glanced at me with a playful smile on her face.

But I only felt dread rising up in me. Gayle loathed the idea of touching me, let alone entertain the thought of having kids with me. I didn’t dare hope for the impossible, but I couldn’t bear to hurt Mia’s feelings either.

Facing her expectant eyes I could only say, ”I wonder when myself”

Probably surprised by my response, Mia leaned closer and looked at me earnestly, “Irving, is Gayle doing something stupid again? I know that boy’s a bigger i***t than his father but he does have a good heart deep down. And Irving is such a sweet boy, who couldn’t possibly love you? I know that best since I’m the one who raised you after your parents left. So don’t worry dear, you can make anyone fall for you”

I felt like something was stuck in my throat, even though Mia knew nothing about Gayle and my relationship, she still spoke such encouraging words. Once again I wonder, how did a son like Gayle come from a woman like Mia.

It’s always Mia who usually does the talking while I do my best to listen. Sometimes Mia even recounts stories she has already told me several times before, but I patiently listen to her every word. We discussed about Gayle's birthday preparations and other mundane things before a slightly jealous Alpha Zac whisked Mia away, and I too made my way back home.

Today was a hectic day for me and I felt beyond exhausted right now. I went straight to bed the moment I entered my room.

It had barely been four hours of restless sleep when I heard the doorbell ring. There seemed to be no one home so I dragged my body off the bed and went downstairs .

I glanced at the clock which showed 6:30 in the evening, Ashlyn had the keys to the house so it definitely wasn’t her. 

Did Mrs. Dale come back from grocery shopping?

I wonder as I opened the door, but the moment I saw the people standing infront of me, I stiffened in horror. They were none other than my parents.