Chapter 82: Orion’s Partner 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Orion’s partner," Caspian, the old wolf had said, staring directly at Orion.

A low groan rolled out of Orion’s chest. He didn’t even try to hide it. Across the table Ronan pressed his fist to his mouth to stifle a laugh, shoulders shaking. Just a few days ago, he along with Orion and Tobias had talked about how the elders would hound Orion into choosing a partner and how just because they were quiet now didn’t mean they wouldn’t still request he choose one and look where they were.

"Enjoying yourself, are you?" Orion muttered, shooting him a glare.

"Immensely," Ronan said, eyes glinting with mischief.

Orion sat up straighter, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This isn’t necessary. We’ve got bigger things to focus on than my marital status. The Forest. Skylur sightings. Trihydras making unnatural alliances. The pack’s defenses. You know, real problems." He flicked his hand at the elders. "Let’s drop this."

"Not happening," Caspian said,"You’re past the age your father was when he took a mate. The pack needs stability."

"Who said we aren’t stable?" Orion asked them.

Madam Tyler folded her hands neatly, a deceptively mild expression on her face as she ignored Orion’s words. "And an heir, we need one," she added softly. "A line of succession matters. Especially now. If the enclave tries to show its rotten character again, we must be prepared. We all know that politics and power don’t sleep."

Daniel leaned forward. His tone was measured, but firm. "It’s because your father, Alaric, had an heir...you..." he said pointing at Orion, "...that the alpha bloodline and our pack as a whole survived the enclave’s attack. Had there been no child, no one to inherit, we would’ve been divided, leaderless. And you know how that story ends."

Orion’s jaw tightened. He looked from one elder to the next, "With all due respect, if anything were to happen to me, the pack will survive. We have measures in place that will ensure the continuity and safety of the members. I’m not even needed most times."

"Wash your mouth boy," Caspian snapped.

"And with soap." Daniel added.

Caspian nodded and continued. "Nothing will happen to you. You have people to lead. People who depend on you. People who see you as a strong hold, a defender and a leader." The old man’s eyes flared, as he leaned closer. "Don’t tempt the Goddess with that kind of talk. You’re the Alpha. The bloodline still matters."

"Who was the one telling madam Tyler she was being fanatical?" Orion asked Caspian and the old man glared in return.

"As far as I recall, this conversation isn’t about what me and the old lady were talking about." Caspian told him.

Madam Tyler huffed in reply. "You are older than me you cow. But yes, we are talking about you, Orion. Alaric had already gotten married at your age."

"My parents were mated," Orion shot back. "They were childhood lovers. Fate bound. You’re comparing a bond like that to a...a political marriage?"

Daniel nodded once. "True enough. They were mated, yes. But the bond didn’t make them any less responsible for the pack. They still produced an heir. They still ensured our future. That is what you’re refusing to do."

"I’m not refusing," Orion said."I’m not just that interested in anyone?"

"Are you asking us?" Daniel asked him.

Ronan chuckled. "He’s doing it so it doesn’t show the fact that he’s lying. So he’s posing it as a question instead."

Orion’s glare cut toward him. "Shut up."

But the others already heard it.

"So that’s what he was doing?" Daniel asked with raised eyebrows. "So what you were or rather are trying to say is that you aren’t interested in anyone."

"Not interested?" Madam Tyler’s voice held a hint of amusement now. "And yet your behavior with Sophia suggests otherwise."

"I...what?" Orion blinked in surprise.

"You’re always at odds with her," Daniel said, rubbing his jaw. "Arguing, circling around each other, snapping at each other. It’s a different kind of different. You weren’t like this with your ex."He tilted his head, a knowing look in his eyes.

"I only date Holly when we were younger. Of course I wouldn’t behave the same way as I’m doing right now." Orion told them.

"So that means you know you are behaving differently?" Mary asked him but he just glared at her in reply.

"Don’t glare at her. She asked the question on everyone’s minds." Caspian said to him.

"You know what? Meeting adjourned. Let’s all go to our homes, the night is already upon us." Orion said as he stood up but one word from Daniel and he sat back down like a kid being reprimanded.

"Put your ass down boy." Daniel said to him.

"Yes sir." Orion replied immediately making Ronan laugh more.

Caspian grunted going back to the conversation. He did not care that Orion had tried to escape just now. "You pretend not to care about the girl but your actions prove otherwise."

"I don’t pretend not to care about her." Orion told them.

And that was the truth because he cared about her and he never pretended otherwise.

"And I don’t even know if she’s my mate." He told them.

"No?" Madam Tyler arched a brow. "But that’s not very much important though. A few among us don’t get mates. A minority, true, but it happens. Perhaps you’re part of that minority."

Orion shuddered, the thought cold in his chest. "Don’t say that."

The thought of not having a mate filled him with dread. He had always thought his relationship would be like his parents relationship. They were mated, they belonged with each other from the beginning and he wanted something like that.

"You wouldn’t know for sure," Caspian went on relentlessly, "until the mark shows. Or until you sleep with her."

"Get your head out of the gutter, old man." Ronan snickered. "Orion’s too much of a responsible adult go to do that."

Orion turned to his best friend, exasperated. "What does being responsible have to do with anything?"

"I’m just trying to help you." Ronan said with a shrug of his shoulders.

There was surprise on Orion’s face as he realized his friend was really trying to help him.

"Help?" Daniel asked Ronan. "Help yourself first. You are not even interested in any woman..."

"I’m interested in all women that are interested in me." Ronan argued.

"And that’s my issue with you, you just sleep around wrecking havoc everywhere you go." Daniel told him.

"Just like how you did before you met my mother right?" Ronan asked his father with a smile.

"How did I end up with you as a son?" Daniel muttered shaking his head.

"It’s the company he keeps. Only one of them is married, the rest are playing with their lives." Madam Tyler muttered out.

"I’m not playing with my life." Tobias and Orion said at the same time.

The old elders shook their head as they stood up together.

"So they say." Caspian tsked.

"Make sure to take care of your lovely partner okay?" Madam Tyler asked Lysander who was struggling nit to laugh at how much the situation had changed.

"Yes, madam." He told her.

Orion mocked his words while Ronan gave him an eye roll as Tobias pretended to throw up in his mouth. After the old elders left, the others stood up and exited too but not before making sure that the elders weren’t lingering around.