Chapter 235: Alpha Being Forced To Participate

Zara

After breakfast, it was time to decorate the Christmas tree. Asbela and Olfi brought boxes of Christmas ornaments.

The living room was filled with the strong, fresh scent of pine. A fresh, but bare, Christmas tree stood tall in the corner, awaiting decoration.

Luna’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned over and examined a box filled with delicate glass balls.

"Where do we begin?" she asked, turning to her son, who was standing near the tree, looking at it as if he wanted to freeze it too.

"We can start with the garlands," Alpha said halfheartedly, as if he were being forced to participate. His face didn’t reflect his mother’s enthusiasm.

"Come on, Kane. I know you’re not much of a Christmas person, but do it for Zara. She’s new to us." Luna knew of her son’s dislike of the holiday, and I wondered what was going on.

His dark eyes fixed on me, and I watched him silently.

"Okay," he replied absently, lost in some distant thought.

"Zara, would you like to weave these garlands and secure them with ribbons? If you’d like?" Luna asked cautiously.

’She sounded very different from the one I’d met in the capital of the Sterling Empire.’ Nova amused.

’Either she’d changed her mind, or she’d been faking it too well.’ I replied Nova.

"Yes, please." I could still use my hands and find a use for them.

Luna brought over a box of thread, decorated with bright paper flowers and red ribbons. She placed it on the table where I was eating breakfast.

"Here, let me know if you need any help." She smiled at me, and I smiled back before picking up the thread and needle.

Luna returned to asshole Alpha. They took a garland of gold light bulbs and began weaving it into the branches. Alpha worked from the top, since he was tall, and Luna secured it at the base of the tree.

’They worked in perfect harmony, and I knew this wasn’t their first attempt.’ Nova rolled her eyes.

After the garland, they moved on to tinsel, stars, baubles, and other decorations. The glass snowflakes seemed incredibly delicate and mesmerizing as Alpha took them out and hung them.

They stretched, revealing his bulging biceps. His black shirt lifted slightly as he reached up to hang the snowflake, and my sly gaze fell on the sculpted skin beneath.

’Why was he crafted to perfection?’ Alpha’s sight amused Nova, too.

"Is everything ready?" Luna’s voice brought me back to reality, and I tore my gaze away from the ice devil and focused on his mother.

"Yes, yes. Here." I handed her the garlands I’d made, and my phone rang.

***

Kane

Zara’s eyes remained fixed on me, though she tried to hide it, but I saw her glance out of the corner of my eye.

How my wolf wanted to just grab her and kiss her senseless under that Christmas tree.

Self-control: I had to summon all my wolf’s self-control.

She handed the garlands she’d made to Mom when her phone rang. Quickly picking it up, she glanced at the caller ID, and a slight smile appeared on her lips. But instead of answering, she cut it off and started typing.

Who’s calling her? I thought.

Mom was busy hanging the garlands, and I was focused on my mate. Subconsciously, I walked up to her and quietly asked, so Mom wouldn’t hear,

"Are you okay?"

Her gaze darted to me, and I didn’t expect an answer. But she answered sadly, "It’s my dad, asking when I’ll be home."

The sparkling melancholy in her eyes stirred my heart beyond words.

"Oh! What did you say?" I asked.

"I told him before Christmas. I twisted my ankle at the office, and now he’ll be really worried."

I had a feeling she didn’t want to. It would burden her family, and they might be seriously worried about her. And if they decided to come here, it would create an awkward situation with my mother.

"I’ll talk to your father."

"Oh. Let me," I blurted out suddenly, making up my mind, and she looked at me as if I’d suddenly sprouted a multitude of horns.

"What do you even say?" She narrowed her eyes and pressed her soft lips together.

God! How I wanted to kiss them!

"Trust me," I offered quietly, and she snorted, seeing that Mom was too busy hanging the lights and humming a Christmas carol to herself.

"Trust you? Seriously?" she frowned, shaking her beautiful head.

"Just this once," I emphasized, and she stared at me for a moment before agreeing.

"Okay, but don’t lie too much, or he’ll see right through you," she replied, pushing her hair out of her face, and I nodded.

Zara shared her father’s number with me. After excusing myself, I left the pack house to call Zyar Kincaid, Zara’s Dad.

A cold gust of wind in the woods hit me, piercing me to the bone, freezing me. But the nervousness that gripped me wasn’t just the cold. There was something special about this man.

I pressed the call button, and he answered the first ring.

"Hello!" his deep voice rang out, and I felt a kinship with Zara.

"Mr. Kincaid, I’m Kane Sterling," I tried to speak calmly, but my voice trembled.

Why?

The silence seemed to last an eternity.

"To what do I owe this call?" he finally asked, with such polished skill. I couldn’t make out anything in his voice.

"It’s about Zara. I’m sure she told you she twisted her ankle at the office."

His voice wavered as he asked, "Is my daughter alright? Is she safe? She didn’t answer my call."

This man was deeply concerned about his daughter.

"She’s fine, she’s being well cared for. You don’t need to worry, she’ll talk to you soon. I called to let you know my mate is in my care."

"I understand. It wouldn’t be wise for her to travel in this condition; I would have come for her." The man sounded concerned. Perhaps that was the heart of a parent.

A piercing cold pierced my skin, and I slipped my free hand into my pants pocket. I was still in my nightclothes.