Chapter 67: Keep It A Secret
Alana🌸;
I’m in trouble. Oh, I’m in BIG trouble.
Alpha Liandria’s niece!?
I even bit her.
I’m dead. I’m so dead. What if she starts looking for me??
What do I do?!
If Alpha Liandria finds out what I did... I just wanted herbs for Master Elián.
I haven’t even spent a day here, and...
Maybe she’s nice? Maybe she won’t tell on me?
She’s an Alpha. I mean, I’m sure there is so much on her plate... she’s probably forgotten about me by now.
Light!
I nervously chew on my braid as my foot keeps tapping against the floor.
I stand up and pace about the room as I try to keep calm.
I... I just have to keep a low profile from now on. Whatever I do, I mustn’t bump into her again.
I don’t know how long we’ll be here... but that seems like my best bet.
Avoid her to avoid trouble.
Who knows... our paths might never cross again.
If I stay out of sight and by Master Elian’s side, she should forget my entire existence. Hopefully...
*******
Igma💙;
"Pa!!"
I scream as I rush into Father’s wing of the castle, but he doesn’t respond.
"Father, where are you!?" I yell again, and this time I hear clangs and clatter from the kitchen.
I rush over to it and find my father wearing an apron as he mixes something in a bowl.
He has flour stains on his apron and cheek, and I can’t help the smile that splits my face at how adorable he is.
"It’s barely noon, and you’re baking again?" I question as I lean against the door frame, and he finally looks up at me.
A huge grin slits his face as he looks.
"From the look of your clothes... It’s barely noon, and you went hunting again." He replies as he points a spatula at me, and I smile.
"We both have things we like. They’re what define us." He replies as he empties the batter in the bowl into a pan, and I watch as he turns around to put the pan into the oven.
"Hmm..." I reply as I walk into the kitchen and pick one of the blueberries on the table.
I toss it into my mouth, and Father turns to me with his grey eyes, watching me.
"Igi...?" He coos with a knowing look, and I smile.
"You look happy. What happened?" He questions, and I grin at him.
This man knows me like the back of his hand! How wouldn’t he? He’s the one who gave birth to and raised me. There’s no hiding anything from him.
"Come on, tell me. What’s got you glowing this much?" He pushes as he leans closer to me, and I can no longer contain my excitement.
"Guess!" I reply, and he raises a brow.
"You... broke a hunting record?" He questions, and I wave a hand dismissively.
"No. Think about something that is almost impossible but would be totally amazing if it happened!" I reply, and he raises a brow.
"Oh. Ugh... you..." He begins, and I decide to reduce his stress.
"I found my mate, Father!" I exclaim, and his jaw drops.
"Wh...what?" He replies, visibly stunned, and I smirk.
"I know, right! She’s right here. I came across her during my hunt. She’s a Floplin! And Father, she’s so gorgeous!!" I explain, but he just blinks at me.
"How... How do you... Are you sure she’s your mate?" He questions, and I blink at him.
"Yes, Pa! I felt the mate bond and everything. Even my wolf felt it. I’ve found my mate, Pa! Can you believe it!!" I exclaim, but my excitement drops when I notice that Father’s reaction to this isn’t mirroring mine.
Why does he look... Scared.
"Igma, is... is she an Alpha or at least a Beta?" He questions, and I pause.
I didn’t pay attention to that. Now that I think of it... She masked her scent.
I couldn’t detect anything from her scent, but there’s no way I’d meet another Alpha and not know that they’re an Alpha.
"Igma..."
"She’s... not an Alpha, Father. She’s either Beta or Omega." I reply, and Father’s eyes widen.
"Since when do we care? I don’t discriminate against your kind, Father..." I begin, but he cuts me off.
"Liandria does!" He snaps, and I blink at him.
"Igma, for your sake, no one must know you’ve found your mate. Especially if there’s a chance she’s an omega. Liandria will go after her." He adds, and my heart falls.
I pause as I stare at Father. I know what Aunt Liandria is to him. She’s a terror.
Before Father had me, he watched Aunty drown five of his babies.
Aunt Liandria called him a disgrace and kept bringing Alphas upon Alphas to get him pregnant in hopes that he’d birth an Alpha to continue the family line. She wanted him to be the only Omega in the family.
Unfortunately, every child Father bore before me... were Omega babies. And even before he had the strength to hold them... Aunty would order the babies’ executions.
I was his sixth child... and his redemption...
I don’t know who my second Father is. After my birth, Aunty kicked him out of the palace grounds, and since then, it’s just been Father and me.
Since then, he has raised me in the fear of Aunt Liandria... And that fear is exactly what I hate to see in his eyes.
"Father, I do not intend to hide my mate," I report, and his eyes widen in horror as he rushes over to me and holds my hands.
"Igma, you have to! Otherwise... Liandrian will have the girl killed. Liandria wants you to have pure Alpha children. What do you think she would do if she finds out your mate is an Omega??" He pleads, and my stomach knots.
"No one must know about this, Igma. No one at all." He adds, and I blink at him as heavy silence floods the space...
My face falls as I look away from Father. I didn’t even think about that.
I was so excited to find my mate that I didn’t even realise I could be a danger to her. Perhaps she knows this.
Maybe that’s why she ran away from me after I told her who I was.
"My dear..." Father whispers as he cradles my cheek, and I slowly look up at him.
"I didn’t say you should stay away from your mate. We both know the mate bond wouldn’t allow that... I’m just asking you to be careful. If you want, you can invite her over for dinner one of these days... we just need to be very... very careful." He adds, and a semblance of joy erupts in my heart.
"Really, Pa?!" I question, and he nods slowly.
"Yes, my little daisy. My arms are open to anyone who brings you happiness." He replies, and I can’t help my smile as I wrap my arms around him.
"You’re the best, Pa."