Chapter 4 - Family meeting

Matei POV

I made my way to the office, deep in thought. I am sitting on a ticking time bomb, all the feelings and emotions I have repressed for so many years are now trying to crawl back to the surface, and I am sure that as soon as I see her; I am going to be in deep f*****g trouble.

Mom asked me once or twice what happened, because she saw me being completely attached to her when I was a young pup, but after the wedding and then the beach trip, I detached myself completely and took the cowardly route of hiding. Hiding my feelings, hiding myself, hiding from her.

Then family outings got scarce or at least I was on Alpha training or camp, and then here at university… So it has been so long since I have seen her. I still remember those two beautiful chestnut braids and that girly girl, full of ruffles two-piece baby pink bathing suit she was wearing the day I saw her at the beach house.

I still remember those two captivating amber eyes, full of tears because my friends decided to bully her on my account… I still remember the pain, the fear, and, most of it, the hatred.

It is a chilling reminder that we will carry with us every action we do, especially the stupid ones, that leave a mark on others and on us. Mostly I still remember Uncle Dante´s words, ´You will regret what happened later…´ and Oh! Boy, he was right… I have regretted that moment ever since.

I walked into my office and my assistant handed me my schedule for the day. I needed to bring an opening to go to the training grounds, so after making some adjustments, I headed to the conference room to tackle today´s endless line of meetings.

The meetings went fairly well, but in the back of my mind, I just couldn´t shake the idea that I might be running into her later… What would she do? How tall would she be? Would she have short or long hair? How would her body change? Would she like to dress in top fashion, or would she prioritize comfort?

So many questions, without an answer. The only thing that was a reality was that I was thankful to my secretary… because I had been so distracted that I would be needing her notes later.

“This is the last meeting, sir… Should I call your car?” My secretary asked me.

“Yes, please…” I nodded, not meeting her eyes, and made my way to the underground garage where my personal driver was waiting for me. I love driving around the city, but having a driver saves me a ton of time. While in traffic, I usually catch up on emails and messages, and I become more efficient.

“Where to, Sir?” Roger, my personal driver, asked me.

“To the training grounds…” I instructed him and he quickly moved around the traffic to make the best time from the office to the grounds.

I stepped out of my car and walked into the training area. “Alpha Matei, we were not expecting you at that hour…” The lady at the reception greeted me with a nervous smile.

“I was told my father and brother were around…” I said in a courtly way. I was not one to give explanations or to fraternize with strangers.

“Oh, yes… they are at the indoor facility…” She said and I made my way there. I usually train at 5 in the morning, it was very rare to see me around the grounds past lunchtime.

“Well, well, well… You have grown so much!” I said, tackling my brother to the ground in a playful hug. It was weird because I stuck out like a sore thumb in the facility. I was wearing a suit and tie while everyone was in trainers. It was a funny sight to see me rolling around in that formal attire, but I didn´t care, despite what anybody thought… I love my brothers and sisters, even when they come from a different mother than me. Their biological mother is my mother at heart and that is all that matters to us.

“Get away from me… you tall brute…” Stavros yelled at me,

I laughed, “I missed you too, brother…” I stood up, offering my hand for him to stand up. He took my hand and as soon as he was on his feet he gave me a warm hug.

“You are a muscle wall… Matty…” He said and I chuckled.

“You will get there, with the kind of training we do here, there is no way you will keep that scrawny look for long…” I joked, and Dad chuckled. My brother was a very well-built 18-year-old kid... but he had some growing up to do... I am sure he will be bigger than me.

“Hello, Matei…” Dad said and gave me a kiss and a hug. No matter how old I get, no matter how odd it looks, my father never hides his affection, and to be honest, I admire him for that… not many Alphas, males, or kings would kiss their grown-up pup publicly.

“Have you had lunch?” I asked them and Dad shook his head.

“No, we were waiting for you, son…”

“Well, then… Let´s go, there is a nice restaurant nearby with a great steak!” I said and my dad and brother were on board immediately. I have them at ´steak´…

“So Matty, after graduating from the program, can you train me?” My brother asked and I scrunched my eyebrows.

“Train you?” I asked him,

“Yeah… I want to be just like you, capable in business and a capable warrior… I think I would make an excellent Beta too…” He looked at me with admiration and I looked at my father confused.

“Brother, you are strong and capable already… and you are enough to be the Alpha of the Realm, never settle for a second position…” I said and his jaw dropped…

“But you are the firstborn…” He said and my dad growled. My father and grandfather had their minds set on me becoming King. I, not so much. I was the king of my business and that was enough for me.

“Careful Matei…” My dad warned me.

“Alright, Dad… but to answer your question… Sure, I will train you…” I winked at my brother… we have a very good relationship and I know we could benefit from knowing each other better.

We walked into the restaurant and immediately a host showed us to a table. We ordered and had a pleasant talk. The issue of the transition of power was never addressed. Dad wanted to retire, and I wanted to get away from the burden of the responsibility of leading an entire race. We would never meet eye-to-eye on that one, so we avoided the subject.

“Matty, how are things going with your new neighbors?” Dad asked,

“Yes, Mom filled me in. I didn´t know about it, so I didn´t see Iris,” I said in a casual voice. Somehow, calling her my cousin made my skin crawl.

“Oh, I bet she called you to keep an eye on her…” Dad chuckled and I gave him a nod. Yeap, Mom and her sisters are like that, three peas in the same pod, and there is nothing one wouldn´t do for the others.

“I know they expect you to watch over her, but remember that she is moving to the city because she feels drowned back at home… Keep an eye, but don´t smother her.” Dad advised.

“What do you mean?” I was confused. As far as I knew, she was the little princess, spoiled rotten… there was nothing that would possibly make her unhappy or complain about her life…

“Just what I said… think about when you moved here when you were 18, just like your brother… it was exciting and you felt all over the world, you became an adult… and you experienced freedom… sort of…” Dad said and I nodded,

“Yeah, sort of…” I mumbled. Dad was very strict and he kept me in line from doing careless s**t even while living alone.

“Well, she is 20, and this is the first time she has experienced that… just let her be, don´t ruin that for her…” Dad said and I nodded.

“Dad, but what about her tendency to get in trouble?” My brother butted in… “She could benefit from a grown-up guy helping her out…”

Thanks, asshat for pointing out our age difference… I thought. I hated it when they reminded me of the 6-year gap that there was between Iris and me.

“If she manages to get into trouble, she will have to learn to get out of it…” Dad shrugged his shoulders and I looked at him with a questioning look.

“You know what is going on around the city… there might be certain situations where she would not be able to read or avoid… and those are life-threatening situations, Dad…” I said, wanting to protect her with my life. I have no idea where that came from, but the reality was that if I had a say, I would keep her locked in my room… Wait what? I haven´t seen the girl in ages.

“Well, in that situation… of course you have to intervene…” Dad rolled his eyes as the difference was completely clear to any reasoning being.

“Anyways… I think Darius would keep an eye on them… Since Vicky moved in, I barely see him…” I said, shrugging my shoulders casually. I wanted to change the subject, and my wish was granted…

“So, are you ready for the next mate ball? You are now, one year older than me when I found your mom…” Dad pointed out, and I shivered. Be careful what you wish for… is a common saying, and it is abso-f*****g-lutely true.

“Yes Dad… but I have no idea why, I believe my mate died… because it's been too long, too many mating balls, and nothing…” I said, trying to play the victim card, which has always worked.

“Well then, you might want to think about a chosen one…” Dad pointed out and I scrunched my nose. I wanted my perfect soulmate, not just an enhanced replacement…

“We will see, Dad…” I said and left the subject open with a loud sigh.

“You know, Nixie, the youngest mermaid princess, is available, and she is 4 years younger than you…” Dad paused, “Keep your mind open about it…” Dad finished.

“I know Dad… I just don’t want to give up on the mate bond…” I said, defeated. I wanted what Darius had… what my own father had… a true mate, someone that would be your perfect other half.

“I know son…” He sighed and lifted his hand to order dessert.

“Dad, that sweet tooth of yours is going to kill you one day…” I said and he chuckled.

“I am strong as an oak, son… so just let me enjoy my food…” He said in a childish voice, making me and Stavros laugh.

We finished lunch, and I stood up. Dad wanted to pay for our meal, but the restaurant we ate at was one of the restaurants I owned with Angelo. Dad didn´t know about that side business, and I wanted to keep it that way. So I lied, telling him that I was a regular here and that they would send me the bill…

We made our way back to the training grounds, and I said goodbye to my dad and brother, with the promise that Stavros would come and stay with us during the weekends. He is 18 and deserves to have fun.

On my way back, I had a lot of messages from my friends. I didn´t want to bother with it, so I decided to head back home and then catch up with them personally… What can be that important, anyways?

“Roger, take me home…” I instructed and resting my head back, I dozed off.