Alpha's Mate (Completed)

Chapter 35

~Kimbriella POV~

''I would say it's nice to see you, but it's not.'' I inform him, shutting the door behind me despite the strong urge to flee at the sight of him. I would show no fear, I would be brave and protect Ryker and my family. He chuckles, so different from the warm, hearty sound of Ryker's laugh, chills me to the bone.

''I wouldn't expect anything different.'' He proceeds to examine my day-old outfit of a t-shirt and Ryker's shorts, making me feel rather uncomfortable. ''Are those your shorts?''

''No.'' I scoff, resisting the urge to blush. Why would I blush? I had no reason to be ashamed of wearing Ryker's clothing. Well, actually, I might've, but I definitely was not wearing his clothes for that reason. ''We didn't- I didn't-I'm still a- It's not what it looks like'' I stutter.

Decker laughs, but a quick glare from Ryan him up real fast. ''You just happen to be wearing his clothes?''

Reluctant to discuss why, I go for a simple answer. ''Yes.'' To my utter relief, nobody presses.

''Then let's get you changed, sweetheart.'' I cringe at the pet name, sounding so wrong coming from his mouth. ''But-'' I protest, not wanting to leave the smell of Ryker behind.

''No buts. You ought to be presentable.''

''For what?''

''You'll see, dearie. You'll see.''

Cautiously, I follow him up a flight of stairs, and then up another, after that to a room directly left of the staircase. As he flicks on the lights, I can see that it's a giant walk-in closet, with tons of clothing, the largest section being dresses, which I make a face at. Perhaps I should be excited to having my own wardrobe, but instead I flinch. How long had he been expecting and planning for my arrival?

''Pick a dress, any dress.''

''I'd rather not wear a dress, if that's okay.''

''NO!'' He booms, eyes darting around the room. ''If you don;t want to pick one, I will!''

Somehow I got the feeling that this conversation is going exactly where he wants and anticipates it'll go. I need to change that. ''On second thought, I'll actually pick my own dress.''

He leafs through them, seeming looking for one in particular, only adding to my suspicions that he has something planned.

''No, no. Don't move an inch-ah! Here it is.'' The deep green fabric was dazzling, as were the tiny silver beads in the upper right corner of the dress. ''Go! Put it on!''

''Must I?''

''NOW!'' It was terrifying how he switched from fatherly to angry in a half second. Obliging, I hurry to the nearest room, shutting and locking the door behind me. After a quick glance around to assure that mine is the only presence in the room, I strip and the long green grown.

It's so long that it covers my feet with ease. But not by as much as I had expected. It almost seems made for me. The tied bow over my left shoulder is currently hidden by the unruly fierce waves of my hair, which had curled crazily in the afternoon humidity. Mermaid style, it hugs all my curves and then then curves out sharply at the bottom, creating an elegant look. I look elegant. Powerful. Sophisticated. A whole lot of things that I never look. I feel a strange, special connection to the dress. With a pair of short heels, the dress will be perfect. Exiting the room, I head back to the closet.

''So beautiful, like your mother.''

My head snaps up to stare at him coldly. ''My mother? You knew her?''

''Ah, yes. A long time ago, we were friends. Here, take these heels.'' The gleaming silver, open-toed, three inch heels are perfect accent for it. I spin around, the fabric twirling with me. ''In fact, this was her dress, once.''

Freezing, I stop twirling. I'm wearing a dead woman's dress. My dead mother's dress. While that explains my strange connection to the dress, it's also undeniably creepy. ''That seems... somehow wrong.''

''Nonsense, dear. Come along now. Time to meet some people.''

''Who?''

''Curious, like your mother.''

I don't like this tone of voice when he talks about my mother. It gets all... dark and creepy. Like mayby the reason my mom was dead was because of her curiosity. ''Patience, patience.''

That was creepy too. Everything about this guy is creepy. Retracing our steps down the staircase, he guides me to another room, furnished with a long, long, table, that could seat mayby a hundred people, and an exquisite chandelier that sparkles and lights the room. Kaden and Decker stand in the corner.

''What is this for?''

''PATIENCE!'' He roars. I resist the urge to flinch. I can't let my friends and family down.

''Yes, sir.''

''Don't call me sir. It makes me feel old.'' He mutters irritably.

''Yes s-uh, okay.''

''Take a seat at the head of the table.''

I don't ask why, since I would only get a 'Patience' in reply, or perhaps some screamed lecture, or another odd fact about my mother. Mayby my father this time. Instead I walk over, trying not to stumble in the heels, a foreign concept to me. A warm hand on my arm saves me from actually falling over. I glance up at the owner of the hand. Kaden.

''Thanks.'' I say, offering a soft smile.

''My pleasure.'' He responds, unsmiling. I wonder if I've done something, but can't think of a thing. Decker pulls out my char, a bored expression on his face.

''Thank you.'' I murmur. He eyes the dress. I smooth it with my hands, feeling awkward.

''Why are you all dolled up?'' He asks, his eye contact with my body breaking. ''I know as much as you do.'' I say, shrugging.

''Thank you for your help.'' He rolls his eyes. I'm about to respond with a biting retort, when people suddenly start to flood into the room.

''What on earth..?'' They all begin to bow their heads submissively. To me. Astonished. I glance around the room. ''You can stand up now..''

''NO!'' Ryan again. ''Let them show their respect.

''Why?''

''Again with the questions.'' He glares at me. I don't back down this time.

''Seriously, why?''

''Because you are their Alpha, the only remaining heir.''

''Say what-'' All the pieces suddenly fall into place. This is my pack. The pack I was born into. The Canterbury pack.

Oh, crap. This is more complicated that I had anticipated.