Alpha Brothers - the King (book 1)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8
Callum
Sitting at my desk, I stared blankly at my laptop. I was supposed to be thinking about the continual rogue problem but I couldn't possibly think. Not when my mate was in the same house as me. To stop my wolf urges, I left her in Archie's hands to show her the house. I didn't want to mess this up. I had one shot to make this work between us and that's it. One week. I was beginning to find ways to make her stay more comfortable. Starting with clothes. She couldn't keep wearing the same clothes all week and I didn't know how comfortable she would be wearing Allie's clothing.
So here I sat, staring at an American clothes website trying to figure out where to start.
It was only now that I was starting to realise that I didn't know anything about her. I didn't know what she liked or disliked. I didn't know her history or even know where she was from. I was choosing clothing for a woman I didn't even know.
And yet, I was already picturing a future with her.
"Hey," I jumped at the sound of Allie's voice as she came through the library doors.
"What are you doin'?" She asked pacing over to me.
I was about to escape from the site but she had already seen it.
"Was just lookin' up, wolf...stuff?" I lied horribly.
"On a clothin' site," I froze, "an American clothin' site. Oh Callum."
"You have to help me," I begged making her smile spread, "I don't know anythin' about woman's clothin' or anythin' about Olivia."
"Well that's why you're supposed to get to know her. Where is she anyway?" She asked.
"Archie's showin' her the house."
She looked surprised.
"Really, after last night, I thought after the way you were actin', you wouldn't let anyone go near her."
I sighed feeling guilty.
"Allie, about last night -."
"Callum, you don't need to explain. I was just shocked," she said not looking into my eyes, "I mean, I've been growled at by Graham, Archie and even by the brother that has disowned his wolf life," she paused, "but not by you."
I nodded understanding why she was upset. I was their brother, their Alpha, their King and even a parent, but I had never acted like the animal I could become around them.
We all had our bad sides. Allie could become murderous when she was given the fuel to. Graham was reckless, thought rationally about everything and was a hot head. When Archie wanted something, he became unstoppable and stopped at nothing until he had it. Malcolm was a switch. He could never fully control his wolf and sadly someone paid the price of it. But I was the calm brother. I thought things through and I was always in control. Until last night. When the future of my mate hung in the balance.
"I really don't know what to say," I admitted, watching her click on a different site and scroll down to look at the clothing options.
"Your my - is that real silk?" I asked, looking at a pink silk robe.
"Yep," Allie answered, clicking on the robe.
It came to a different site that gave more information about the robe including price, due delivery date and other material options.
"Okay, how do I buy it?" I asked.
She chuckled at my lack of knowledge.
"Well, how about we put it in our trolley so we can buy all of it at once?" She said clicking a button with a shopping trolley on it.
"Aye, sure, great idea," I said not knowing what else to say.
"Don't you think it would be better if you showed her the house?" Allie asked, clicking on other items and placing them in the trolley.
"I have one week to convince her to stay forever. I need all the help I can get," I told her, "besides, I'd rather show her the grounds. They're more interestin' and -."
"Private," Allie finished with a cheeky grin on her face.
"I was goin' to say different but I suppose they are."
"I know what you're doin' Brother, there's no point in pretendin'."
I sighed, feeling caught.
"Aye, I want to be alone with her. I'm only human."
"Well, half human."

Olivia
Archie was trying to kill me. No one would make someone walk so many flights of stairs without wanting to kill them. As I jogged to keep up with him, I regrated turning down Amy's offer to do yoga with her every Wednesday morning. I was too puffed that I wasn't even listening to his stories of the grand rooms with arched ceiling, old dusty paintings and passage ways.
Soon it became too much making me stop and lean against the walls so that I could catch my breath.
"Stop, Archie, before I cark it," I said breathing, and waving him back.
"I'm surprised, you're such a small thing," he stated, walking back over to me.
"I've never been fit," I admitted, "Doesn't help that I'm following giants?"
"I'm not that tall, you're just really short," he said in denial.
"Please," I groaned, straightening up, "You're like six foot."
"Six foot two, actually," he corrected.
I rolled my eyes, "you're just proving my point."
He just shrugged, "Well if I'm a giant then you're a smurf."
Without even realising, I was giggling.
"Okay, fine, I'm a smurf," I said accepting my title.
"Are you right to continue?" Archie asked, noticing that I had caught my breath again.
I nodded and followed him down the hall.
"So, where are you from?" he asked, "In America, I mean."
"New York," I told him.
"Ah, New York. I've been there a couple of times. Great clubs."
I chuckled, shaking my head. Typical.
"I really wouldn't know about that," I admitted.
"Not a party girl, huh?"
I shook my head.
"We can always change that. Trust me, a week with us and you'll have a taste of parties. Graham and Allie were plannin' on goin' tonight. They thought you should come."
"Ah, that's probably not a good idea. I don't have any clothes and –."
"Look, Olivia, there's really not much to do around here and there's only so many times you can go around the house or the garden. Sayin' you have no clothes isn't a valid excuse around here. I don't know you, but I think you should let your hair down."
I froze. His words reminded me of my promise to Maddie. I groaned stamping my foot feeling frustrated. I never broke promises and now I was being given an opportunity to have some fun. I could practically hear Amy's voice telling me to live a little.
"Okay, I'll go."
His whole face lit up and a smile spread across his face. I frowned at his sudden happiness but then shrugged it off as we continued down the hall.
"Oh and Archie, my friends call me Liv. Your brothers and sister can call me that too, now that you're giving me a place to stay."
He nodded, "Well, I hate bein' the same. So I'll call you Little Liv."
I giggled, shaking my head but accepting his name for me with my head held high.