"Are you ready, Andy?" My father calls as he knocks on my bedroom door.
"Yes, just let me grab my suitcase!" I return. I push myself off of my bed and walk over to my suitcase that is in the corner of my room. For a human, it would be heavy, but it's nothing for a she-wolf such as myself.
That sounded conceited as fuck.
Let me try that again.
The suitcase would be heavy if it wasn't for my werewolf strength. I carry it by it's side handle, lifting it as if it's no more than a sack of potatoes. I walk over to the door, flinging it open with my free hand and walk out. My father is leaning against the wall waiting for me.
He offers me a small smile before pushing off of the wall and leading me down the hall to the stairs.
"I hope you are ready for this, Andy." He says sternly. "I really need you to show these Alphas who you are. Don't need them thinking the pack will be weak once you take over."
"Of course, Father." I reply. "I promise to not let you down."
"There are some things we need to discuss. Things you need to be prepared for." He says as he begins the hike down the winding stairs. "Here is a folder with all the topics that will most likely be discussed during this meeting." He hands me the folder.
"Okay, I will read over it in the car." I say.
He nods his head in approval. "I also included pictures of the attendees. Some are not recent, but they will have to do. Try to memorize them. It's crucial to know who you are speaking to in this meeting and will look good if you know how to address people." He orders.
"I'm pretty familiar. I've always tried to keep on top of the current Alphas and their Betas." I reply.
He nods again. "We also need to discuss the possibility of meeting your mate at this meeting." He says as he reaches the landing. "If this happens, do not lose your professionalism. This is important, Andromeda. I don't need you necking in front of the Alpha King or other Alphas."
"I know."
"You cannot show these people any weaknesses." He says, turning to me. "You must remain strong at all times."
"I know, Father."
"Good." He sighs. "This is a big step, Andy."
"I won't let you down, Dad." I say giving him a reassuring smile that he does not return.
"Let's go. I don't want to hit traffic on the way to the airport. You have everything you need?" He asks.
"Yes, Father." I reply, lifting my suitcase to show him.
"Wonderful. Let's go." He says, holding the front door open for me. I step out and walk over to one of our vehicles - a 2017 GMC Sierra. It's father's favourite and he doesn't leave the pack without it.
We throw our suitcases into the back of the truck. My father climbs into the passenger seat and I take a seat in the back. Beta David is already sitting in the driver's seat, waiting for us so he can drop us off at the airport.
"How's it going, Davey?" I say as I buckle my seatbelt.
I can practically hear him cringing when he replies, "Goddess, I hate that nickname Andromeda."
"Touche." I reply with a chuckle.
"Are we ready?" Father asks.
"Yes, sir. Your plane is ready for when you arrive and security won't be a bother this time. I saw to it myself." David replies.
"And your Luna is aware of our departure?"
"Yes, sir. I informed her about five minutes ago." He says.
"Perfect. Let's go." Dad says.
David shoots me a crooked smile through the rearview mirror before throwing the truck into drive and putting the pedal to the floor. The tires spin on the dirt, making me giggle and my father scowl.
I frown. "Dad, what's wrong?" I ask.
"Nothing." He mutters.
"You are so tense." I say. "Something is definitely wrong."
He groans, pinching his nose with his forefinger and thumb. "I'm not ready to face John and his fucking spawn." He spits distastefully as if the name burned his tongue.
"Will you ever get over this argument, Dad?" I ask quietly, already knowing the answer.
"Hell no, Andromeda! He disgraced our family! He disgraced your mother! He disgraced me!" He roars. "I will never forgive the man for what he's done.
"Claiming mine as his. The audacity." He mumbles under his breath.
I shake my head. "Okay, Dad." I whisper in defeat.
"Study that folder, Andy." He commands as he lowers his hat over his face, indicating that he is done talking. I don't bother replying, knowing it won't do any good. So, I pull the folder out and begin reading over everything inside.
It's mostly full of rogue reports, declarations of war, vampire migration and new Alpha announcements. It doesn't take me long to read over and it's all information that I have read countless times before.
Flipping over a report about how vampires have been sighted in Buffalo, my eyes land on the familiar picture of the Alpha King Zane Reyes. I can't help but roll my eyes at the picture. The man is the epitome of entitled. His head is always raised and he never looks at his subjects. He rules based on his own greed, unlike his father before him. He's an awful King and I cannot stand him.
The next picture is of his mate, Queen Lynda Reyes. She is a stunning woman with hair of pure gold. Many envy her and others - such as myself - admire her for her strength and grace. She is an Alpha Female in her own right with the way she grounds the Alpha King. She is a positive influence on him and I am glad he has found her.
I shift through pictures of various Alpha's from all across North America, pausing on the new Alpha of the Death Moon pack, Alpha Female Skylar Griffin. She is your average girl with shoulder-length light brown hair and hazel eyes, but something behind those hazel eyes is a strength that no woman I have ever met has. There is a story there that I do not know, but would love to hear.
"Hey Davey?" I say, interrupting the silence in the truck. "Do you know anything about this Alpha Skylar Griffin of the Death Moon Pack?"
"Not much. She's a newer Alpha. I believe she has been in power for about a year or so. She replaced her mate, Colton Myers." He states as he turns the truck into the airport parking lot.
"What happened to Myers?" I ask curiously as I look over her information.
"It's unknown." He says before clearing his throat. "Some say she killed her mate. Some say he died in combat versus the South Niagara Pack."
"That pack is now under the rule of Death Moon, correct?" I ask.
"Yes, Andy." He replies. "Anyways, there's not much information about her. I'm sure you will have the chance to meet her during this meeting.
"Hopefully she is a kinder Alpha than her mate." He mumbles under his breath.
I return my attention back down to the folder in front of me. I mentally note to make an effort to meet this girl during the meeting before flipping the page over to the Redwood Alpha.
Jonathan Denvers picture glares back at me and I find myself looking over the features he shares with Callum. They are virtually identical - if Callum was thirty years older, I suppose. The only visible difference is the eyes. Callum's eyes are these never ending pools of ice blue water, whereas his father's eyes are a dark blue, almost black. The man doesn't wear a smile in the picture, but you can see the harsh lines of years of laughter carved into his face.
It makes me wonder who the man really is.
YOU ARE READING
Simply Mates
Werewolf"It's not that I don't want you," I tell him softly as I wring my hands together. "Because I do, it's just complicated." "It's not complicated." He states, his voice hard and cold. "We're simply mates. There's nothing complicated about it." My heart...
