Chapter 0030

Theron wheeled himself into the living room with practiced ease.

"Hey princess, what's cooking today?" His grin was infectious as always.

I exhaled sharply. "I'll tell you, but we need to talk. It's urgent. You know I wouldn't interrupt training unless it was serious. We need to discuss this before Alpha Alistair visits tonight."

"Shoot. Let's sit down and you can tell me everything."

Dad positioned his wheelchair directly across from me, giving me his full attention. I started from the beginning - the mysterious gift basket, the escalating notes. From Monday's cryptic riddles to today's blatant declaration of wanting to claim me.

"Sweetheart, Guardians always attract admirers. Your mother had suitors lining up for her favor too. With your birthday approaching, this isn't unusual. What's really bothering you?"

"Dad, right after I opened today's gift, Alpha Sebastian marched into the cafeteria carrying a massive black bear carcass. He looked like he'd just come from battle - blood still staining his clothes, that wild fight scent clinging to him. Dorian announced it was an offering for Selene."

Dad let out an impressed whistle, but I didn't let him interrupt.

"It gets worse. When Selene accepted Dorian's offering, Theron growled a direct challenge. Maybe he thought Sebastian and Dorian were disrespecting my secret admirer, but regardless, if Donovan hadn't dragged him out and I hadn't distracted Dorian, there would've been bloodshed. Over ME."

Dad studied me thoughtfully. "And you're certain why Theron challenged Dorian?"

"Clueless. But Sebastian's serious about making me his Luna. We talked last week. He knows I'm waiting for my mate, but believes HE is that mate. He was content to wait... until someone else started courting Selene and me."

"Evelyn, have you considered Adrian might be your secret admirer? Maybe Sebastian recognized him as legitimate competition."

"Dad, hate to break it to you, but Adrian doesn't even know I exist."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because he had the audacity to ask my name and which pack I belonged to at school yesterday."

Dad's jaw actually dropped before he recovered.

"So who's left on the list?"

"I had Nathaniel check the betting pool - you know there was one."

Dad smirked. "Obviously."

"Top contenders were Adrian, Donovan, Sebastian, Sebastian, and Nathaniel." I wrinkled my nose at the last name.

Dad raised an eyebrow.

"It's not Nathaniel. He's my best friend and even he thought being in the top five was disgusting. That leaves Donovan and Sebastian as possibilities. Never got any vibes from Donovan, so..." I met Dad's eyes. "That leaves Sebastian."

Dad's gaze drifted to the backyard, his expression distant. When he turned back, his voice was measured. "Sebastian's a strong possibility. Skilled warrior, would want an equally strong mate. But I don't see Alpha Adrian challenging Alpha Sebastian over a perceived slight. Males fight over Alpha females all the time - no reason for him to react so strongly." He focused on me. "How did it end?"

"Well..." I drew out the word dramatically as Dad's curiosity visibly grew. "I had to distract Dorian from fighting Theron while Donovan and some Blackthorn warriors escorted Adrian out, so..." I blurted out the rest in one breath. "I kind of invited Sebastian to train with us tomorrow and stay for dinner to eat whatever bear dish you make."

I braced for his anger. Instead, Dad burst into laughter.

"You're telling me I'll be training one of the strongest Alphas alongside the most powerful warrior alive tomorrow?" He rubbed his hands together excitedly. "This is going to be epic!"

My shock must have shown. "You're seriously not mad?"

"Mad? You should worry about Alistair. He's been begging me to train his warriors for years, and now I'm training another pack's Alpha. Good luck explaining THAT tonight."

"Wait - why tell him at all? He doesn't need to know!" Even as I said it, I knew how naive that sounded. Of course the Alpha would need to know about another Alpha visiting his pack member.

Dad chuckled and patted my shoulder as he wheeled past. "Oh, I can't wait to see his face. First his son nearly starts a war over my daughter, then she invites a rival Alpha to training. Tonight will be interesting."

Put that way, it sounded disastrous.

"Um..." I followed him to the kitchen. "I have tons of homework. Maybe I should skip dinner and..."

"Not a chance!" Dad cut me off. "You're a Guardian, not a coward. Besides, I'm curious to hear Alistair's take on why his son reacted that way. My guess? As the involved Alpha he is, he already knows who your secret admirer is."

That possibility hadn't occurred to me. This might actually help uncover the truth.

"Fine. What can I help with? And speaking of dinner - do you even know how to cook bear?"

"Sebastian will probably bring steaks or ribs. Either way, they're going on the grill. It's meat, Evelyn. I can grill anything."