After Six Years The Alpha Begs For My Return Chapter 03
I stayed in the hospital room all afternoon.
Toward evening, the man who had been the Calloway family’s driver for twenty years came to the room. He said my grandfather wanted me back at the main house for dinner. The house was also where the White Ash River elders often held banquets after council sessions. An invitation from my grandfather was never just about family.
I knew I couldn’t refuse. I gave a few instructions to the caregiver and followed the driver.
The wrought-iron gates were the same. The magnolia tree in the yard had grown thicker by a full ring. Inside, almost everything was unchanged. The White Ash River crest on the porch glowed a muted gold in the dusk.
The long dining table was laden with dishes, the crystal chandelier painfully bright.
My grandfather sat at the head of the table. To his left were my father, Franklin, and Ophelia. To his right sat Gideon. By pack custom, the Alpha’s right-hand seat belonged to the Luna. But tonight, Ophelia sat with the Calloway blood family, as if to remind everyone that she was a Calloway first and foremost.
The moment I walked in, every eye turned to me.
Gideon was the first to look up, his expression taut.
I met his gaze for a second, then looked away.
“So you do remember how to come home,” my grandfather said, rapping his ebony cane sharply on the floor. “You only show your face when Miriam is at death’s door. It seems you have no Calloway family left in your heart, and no White Ash River, either.”
I didn’t defend myself.
There was no point.
“It’s good that you’re back,” Franklin said, attempting to smooth things over before getting straight to the point. “You’re twenty-eight now. You’ve been alone abroad for six years. It’s time you thought about your wolf and your bloodline. Your grandfather and I have already discussed it. Graham Ellery—the eldest son of the Ellery family. You met him when you were young. He trained at the European Wolf Academy. His bloodline, ability, and family standing are all sound. Once your mother’s surgery is done, you will sign a pair-bond agreement.”
My grip tightened on my fork.
Of course. This dinner was never about welcoming me home.
“I won’t sign it,” I said, lifting my eyes, my tone calm.
“What did you say?” My grandfather’s face darkened. The lingering pressure of an elder Alpha rolled down the length of the table.
My wolf went on alert, but it did not bow.
“I said, I won’t sign it,” I repeated. “I will handle my mother’s care myself, and I will choose my own mate. I don’t need the elders to arrange one for me.”
“Nonsense!” My grandfather slammed his fork against his plate. “You ran off for six years, and the Calloway family preserved your bloodline trust and your family seat. We cleaned up the mess you left behind. By your age, your sister was already serving the pack as acting Luna.”
My eyes moved instinctively to Gideon.
He sat there, fingers curling once, his gaze lowered. He said nothing. He was the Alpha of White Ash River, yet he was silently allowing the elders to use my mother’s medical needs to trade for my obedience.
Suddenly, the whole situation seemed laughable.
“Just because her contract suits your wishes doesn’t mean I have to follow the path you’ve laid out for me.” I set down my fork. “I’m not going to trade my future for the sake of bearing someone an heir.”
The table fell silent.
Tears sprang to Ophelia’s eyes. She lowered her head and clutched at her dress as if I had dealt her a terrible wound.
“Avery!” Franklin barked. “How can you talk like that? Ophelia has looked after this family for years and taken on the duties of the Luna. Is this how you humiliate her?”
“Looked after this family?” I laughed. “By standing at Gideon’s right side in my place? Or by giving birth to his pup in my place?”
“You—” Franklin’s face turned livid, and he raised his hand as if to strike me.
“Franklin,” Gideon said suddenly, the command of the reigning Alpha pressing down on the room. “Avery just got back. Don’t touch her.”
My father’s hand froze in midair.
“You’re still protecting her,” Ophelia murmured, tears falling faster.
A wave of nausea rolled through me. I shoved back my chair and stood. “I’m finished. I’m getting some air.”
The evening breeze in the yard carried the scent of magnolia blossoms, cool enough to make me shiver.
The footsteps behind me were quick. Gideon had followed me out.
“Graham really is a good match. A warrior from the Ellery family would solidify the Calloways’ standing on the council, and your mother’s treatment expenses wouldn’t have to come out of your trust…”
I turned and looked him straight in the eye. “And what, exactly, are you to me as you say that? The man who once made a marriage pact with me? The Alpha of White Ash River? Or the contract mate of my adopted sister?”
He went rigid, his pupils shrinking. Alpha pressure flared before he ruthlessly suppressed it.
“Six years ago, you chose her. So stick with your choice. Don’t block my path at the airport, and don’t ask about my mates. When you do these things, do you ever stop to consider how Ophelia feels?”
“She is your Luna, your registered mate, and the mother of your child.” My gaze dropped to the wolf-crest ring on his hand. “I am only her adopted sister on paper. Please remember your boundaries.”