Chosen By the Ruthless Alpha

Chapter 14: Another Chance

Kyra's POV

"No!" Parker's voice boomed as he looked at me with frustration. I rolled my eyes and circled around him. At the moment, Aubrey is getting dressed back in her quarters while I'm pestering this man here in his office space.

"Well, excuse me, but I'm not asking for your permission. I'm just informing you that I and Troy will take Aubrey out! Besides, you should be thankful that I'm doing this because I want her to warm up to this family! You locked her up for three days, for fuck's sake!" I huffed at him.

He glared back at me just like my father used to. They really are the same. "I kept her there because she needs to learn some respect!"

"My gosh, Parker! She's a seventeen-year-old girl who left her home for the first time to come with you. Of course, she'll be all distant! Did you ever think that maybe if you were nicer to her, she might actually end up liking you?" I exclaimed, trying to get my point through his thick skull.

He sneered at me. "I didn't make this pack the strongest in the world by being nice."

I shook my head. "She isn't just anyone. She is your mate!" I sighed, looking away as I added, "I don't want her to be a fearful Luna, alright? I'm helping you here, so help me back!"

"Okay, fine! Take her out with you, but what if she tries to escape?"

"Troy and I will be with her. We won't let her out of our sight at all! I can promise you that."

He stared at me wordlessly for a couple of seconds before sighing in annoyance. Still, I defeated him. "Fine! But don't leave her side, even for a second!"

I flashed a victorious smile. See, I could get my way with this stubborn man!

Aubrey's POV

Troy, Kyra, and I pulled into the parking lot of a fancy-looking restaurant and headed inside. I looked around in wonder as we walked toward the VIP tables. So, this is how the rich dine, eh? It's safe to say I've never been in a place as fancy as this. The lights are all chandeliers and the chairs are comfy. The tables are set beautifully, and the centerpiece is laced with golden levers.

Upon getting seated, we waited for a moment and placed orders. I wasn't familiar with the menu, so the two ordered my food for me. As we waited for the food to be served, Kyra began questioning me like an interrogator.

"So, what do you think of the pack so far?"

"Uhm, I don't know yet. I've only stayed in my room and, well, the basement."

"What? So you're telling me that Parker didn't even bother showing you around?!" Kyra huffed and rolled her eyes. Troy placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her an intimate smile to ease her out. Seems like these two love each other so much.

"It's fine. I can just roam around soon. By the way, I'm sorry if I'm here tonight. I mean, this could be your date but here I am, being a depressed third-wheeler. I could've just stayed back at the house, really," I apologetically said.

"Nonsense! You need a night away from my crazy brother," Kyra grumbled as our orders came along. We chatted and I began eating my heart out while they told stories and I listened.

"You know, Parker isn't always the way he is. Maybe someday he'll tell you about his issues. He has a lot of them!" Kyra smiled softly at me and I resisted the urge to tell her exactly how I felt. Honestly, I didn't want to know what caused Alpha Parker to be so heartless. If I came to find out, I was certain that it would brew something within me. Perhaps, I'd see him in a different light, allowing him to blindside me with feigned kindness before killing me or something.

"Let's see..." I trailed off, forcing myself to give her a small smile in return. After a few moments, we were given complimentary alcohol. I haven't drunk alcohol before yet, but I am somehow pressured to do so right now. My parents never allowed me near this type of drink, but screw their rules because I was away from them now.

Damn it! Now, I feel like I miss them so much.

Timidly, I held the champagne glass beside me. The yellowish tinge of the alcoholic drink made me gulp.

"Oh, it's okay if you don't want to drink, Aubrey," Troy said to me and I puckered up my lips.

"It's fine. I mean, I ought to try it for the first time. Better to do so with responsible people around me," I said, and Kyra nodded in agreement. She chuckled as I took my first sip of alcohol.

A heated line of liquid cascaded down my throat as I swallowed. I could easily taste the green grape flavor, but beneath that was a slightly bitter taste. Still, the sparkling flavor made it delectable.

"Holy crap! I didn't know alcohol tastes this good," I commented with amusement.

Kyra laughed, saying, "Well, that's because it's champagne. It's more like juice. If you drink lots, it might compromise you, though."

"I see..." I replied and found myself downing another glass as fast as Kyra and Troy had. Eventually, I started to enjoy the sensation and had my glass refilled faster. When I thought shots after shots weren't enough, I asked for a whole bottle.

Drinking really eased the knot that had been forming in my stomach ever since Alpha Parker threatened to seize me forcefully.

As we drank, we continued to chat.

"Frankly, I think you should give Parker another chance. I know he screwed up, but you don't know how badly he's wanted a mate. That's all he'd ever talk about as a kid. He wants his mate to be pretty, soft, and all that," Kyra spoke to me, and it took me a second to process what she was saying as my vision was spinning. Did Alpha Parker really think that way before? It's hard to imagine that he would be love-struck...

"Then, he must be disappointed because I don't think he likes me," I blurted out to Kyra, my words slurring.

"Why would you say that?" Kyra frowned, glancing at Troy and me.

"Well, he basically said he wants me to fulfil my duties as his mate like what?!" I scowled.

"He said that?!" Kyra snapped, causing a few people to look our way. Geez, she's quite the scene-stealer, isn't she?

"Shh..." I drunkenly hushed her, taking another gulp of the champagne.

"Uhm, Aubrey?" Kyra called, her tone sounding somewhat worried.

"Hm?" I replied, frowning as I couldn't see clearly. Everything seemed to move.

"I think you've had enough," she said, her voice trailing off at the end.

"Nah... I want more! More soda!" I replied, lifting my glass up as my arms wobbled around.

"Well, shit. Parker's definitely not gonna be happy," Troy groaned, but a small smile played on his lips as he looked at Kyra.

"I know! He's always so grumpy..." I groaned, causing Kyra to cover a giggle by coughing.

"What do you mean?" Kyra asked.

"Your brother..." I hiccuped and tried to gather my thoughts before saying, "He's always angry. You know, he's good-looking, but he can easily drive people away with how he's acting... More soda..." I muttered and pulled myself another glass.

"You're absolutely right!" Kyra chanted and clinked her glass with mine. "So, Aubrey, let's get wasted!"

"Uhm, I think this is a bad idea..." Troy said.