Chapter 0025
The pack dinner ended, and I made my way to my father's office. The door stood slightly open, so I knocked before entering.
I froze.
There was my mother, perched on my father's lap, his tongue practically down her throat.
"Really?" I deadpanned. "You couldn’t wait until you were alone?"
My mother jumped up, cheeks flushing pink. They turned crimson when my father gave her backside a playful smack. She shot him a glare, but I caught the smirk tugging at her lips.
She turned to me, smoothing her dress. "One day, Adrian, hopefully soon, you’ll understand the pull of the mate bond." She tapped my cheek lightly as she passed, closing the door behind her.
My father watched her go, lingering until the door clicked shut. Then his gaze shifted to me. "What do you need, son?"
I dropped into a chair, resting one ankle on my knee. "I want to go with you to the Sinclairs' for dinner tomorrow."
This wasn’t the first time I’d asked. But this time, I had an ulterior motive—Evelyn.
"Adrian, we’ve discussed this. That’s my time with Grant. I owe him my life. This is the one day a week I dedicate to him."
"I want to show my appreciation too, Dad. I want him to know I understand the sacrifices he and his wife made—how much their family means to me."
He leaned back, considering. "I’ve been trying to get him back into warrior training for years. He doesn’t realize how much he still has to offer the pack."
"If his training with Evelyn is any indication, he might be the best we’ve got."
"He is," my father admitted. "Better than you or me." He studied me for a long moment before sighing. "I’ll think about it. No promises."
"Thanks, Pops." I smirked. "At least he’s coming to my birthday party. So you’re getting him back into the packhouse, one way or another."
A sly grin spread across his face. "I told him I’d be deeply offended if he didn’t show."
I shook my head.
The conversation shifted to pack business. For the next two hours, we reviewed finances, the rising rogue threats near our borders, the increased patrols, and housing arrangements for pack members coming and going. My father kept me updated so I’d be prepared when I took over after graduation.
When we finished, I bid him goodnight and headed to my room. I still needed to write the card for tomorrow’s gift.
As Adrian left, Alpha Alistair watched the door close thoughtfully. The entire pack was buzzing about the mystery man staking a claim on Evelyn Sinclair. Yet, despite the hours they’d spent together this week, his son hadn’t mentioned a word about it.
Another observation struck him—he hadn’t seen any young she-wolves sneaking out of the alpha floor at dawn lately.
A knowing smile curved his lips.
This weekend’s birthday party was going to be very interesting indeed.
He locked up his office, whistling as he went to find his mate. There was unfinished business to attend to.
What do you think Adrian's surprise will be?