Chapter 58 Slimy Little Slug
November 11th
"Good evening Alpha Xander Kusov," Leo said as he opened the door to two tall men. The tallest
one, who I presumed to be the Alpha had dark brown hair- almost ck, and icy blue eyes. His
features were sharp and many and had a light stubble only enhancing the already perfect jawline and
as an Alpha normally is, he was overall pretty good looking.
The other looked remarkably simr except for a few inches height difference. They were like brothers.
"Good evening Alpha Leonardo Loren," The tallest man said in a thick Russian ent as they shook
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
hands. "This is Josef, both my Beta and my brother."
"Good to meet you, Josef," Leo said shaking his hand too. "This is my Beta ir, my Gamma Luca and
my Luna E."
Xander then shook ir''s hand then Luca''s before his eyes floated to me and he smiled. On the
surface, he seemed friendly enough but there was a patronising undertone in his expression as his
eyes shifted across my face with the smile frozen to his lips.
I tried not to look at him in the eye as he stared at me for a few moments. Leo ced his hand on the
small of my back, offering me an air offort but it didn''t block Xander''s peer.
"Very pretty," Xander said his eyes still on me. He held his hand out for me to shake. I took it and he
held mine tightly just like Haden had done. I immediately nodded respectfully and smiled.
"Congrattions Alpha, she''s very obedient and beautiful too."
"Thank you," Leo replied with a nod as he smiled at me in satisfaction. "Doe in," he continued
stepping aside so that the Alpha and Beta coulde in the house.
As they came through the door I noticed just how tall everyone was. Leo was stood directly next to me,
Luca on the other side of me and ir opposite so as Alpha Xander and Beta Josef past I suddenly felt
incredibly small surrounded by men all over at least 6 ft 4. Slightly intimidating too. They each had a
strong authoritative scent, Leo''s was the most powerful, then Xander, then ir and then Josef then
Luca. I guess knowing Leo was still the most powerful man in the house brought some kind offort.
As Leo led the guests into the kitchen still talking to them I found my self at the back with ir and
Luca.
"Obedient? Yeah sure," Luca whispered sarcastically as ir let out a slight snigger.
"Shut up," I said smacking him where it hurts the most as we walked side by side. "I can be obedient if I
want to be."
He winced slightly and bent over, but got over it quite quickly, or had to pretend to for the benefit of the
guests- I didn''t do it thaaat hard.
"Luca please could you get the wine out the fridge and some water for E," Leo said.
"Of course," he squeaked and I had to hide a smile.
When we reached the dining table, Leo pulled a chair out and gestured for me to sit. He then sat
beside me and then Xander slowly positioned himself opposite Leo and adjusted his tie and jacket
before giving me a brief, slight nce with his bright eyes and a stern expression.
"So how long have you known your mate?" Xander asked shifting his eyes back to Leo.
"Just over a month," Leo replied as we walked down the hallway to the kitchen and the table.
"And you already have your heir on the way?" Alpha Xander said. "Good going Alpha."
"Well it is my Luna you should be congratting. She''s doing all the hard work," Leo said.
Xander turned to me and nodded, "Congrattions, E. How many weeks along are you?"
"Oh-um- two we think," I replied.
"Any luck finding your mate?" Leo asked.
"Not yet, but soon enough," Xander replied.
For the next half an hour the talk was pretty boring, something about a war agreement within the
alliance pack. ''An attack on one is an attack on us all'' seemed to be the only thing I really retained.
Luca brought round the starter about 15 minutes in. Which I sat and ate quietly without saying a word.
Luca wasn''t saying much either. We were sat opposite and he kept making goofy faces at me to which I
had to try and contain my smile.
"Stop trying to make me do something wrong," I mouthed at him to which he responded by pointing to
himself and put an offended look on his face as if I had just used him of murder.
Another 15 minutester Luca brought round the main cause which was the pasta thing. As he sat
back down his long leg kicked me. I sat there for a few seconds trying to work if it was intentional. I
eventually concluded that there was no way his leg would have naturally been going that far under the
table whilst sitting down.
I swung my leg out to get him back but the end of my shoe only just grazed the end of his knee. I saw
him smirk as he took a sip of his wine.
"Nice try shorty," he mouthed before plucking up a piece of pasta which promptly slid off his fork and
onto hisp like a slimy little slug going down a water slide.
And that was the end of me.
I must have been in a funny mood because in hindsight, it wasn''t even that funny.
A giggle escaped my lips before I pped my hand over my lips. I caught the attention of both betas
and both Alphas.
Luca was also trying to hold in augh by squeezing his nostrils. What is that even meant to do?
"Is everything okay Luna?" Xander asked me.
"Yes, thank you," I said quickly trying to keep a straight face.
He stared at me for a few moments as I continued to contain myughter and simultaneously get more
and more ufortable. I had to turn away and cover my mouth with my napkin as another fit of
giggles came through.
"She''s brave?" Xander said looking at Leo.
"I think just a little maturity failure from our youngest two diners," Leo said smiling taking my hand off
myp to hold on hisp under the table as I tried topose myself.
I nodded before looking back at Luca which brought the picture back up again and made me have to
p my hand over my mouth again and holding in theughter.
Leo rolled his eyes and sighed, "E, do you need to be excused for a moment?"
"No, I''m sorry, Leonardo," I saidposing myself as best I could again.
"Care to share what''s so awfully funny?" Xander asked.
"What is this, school?" I asked. "I''m alright, thanks."
It took a few moments and hard stares from people at the table for me to realise what I just said and in
what tone.
I slowly covered my mouth with my fingers and lowered my head, looking at Luca as I went with wide
eyes and gritted teeth.
"She is brave," Josef said in an even thicker ent as he exchanged a grin with Xander.
It was as if this was high-ss entertainment for them.
"How old are you, Luna?" Xander asked me.
"17," I replied.
"And do you fear anyone in this room?" Xander asked.
What kind of question is that?
"Umm..." I said looking at Leo who only gave me a stern look.
"E," he urged with a nod. "Answer the question."
"It depends," I said as I watched Luca desperately trying to stab another piece of pasta on his te.
"Right in this very second. Are you afraid?" Xander asked watching me intently. I know I couldn''t lie,
because he would know, but I was also concerned that the honest answer was the wrong answer.
"Why are you asking this?" I said avoiding having to answer altogether. Leo squeezed my hand as
some kind of warning.
"Because everyone in this room could crush you like an ant and I''m fascinated as to why that doesn''t
scare you," Xander replied his voice deepening.
Luca looked up at me and smirked before shifting his eyes to the side in Xander''s direction and letting
out an almost inaudible snort before continuing with his pasta unphased by the situation.
"Luna," Xander urged.
"It seems to me that you already know the answer then," I said as Leo quite forcefully squeezed my
wrist.
"Tell me why," Xander ordered his voice deepening even more.
"I don''t know," I answered finally after daring to look him in the eye. I was going to be tolerant but he
was pissing me off now.
"She''s not afraid because it''s who she is. As you rightly said, she''s brave and strong-willed and so
unafraid to be herself. People criticise me and say I should train it out of her but personally I think she''s
quite incredible just the way she is," Leo said. "However, I appreciate others aren''t quite so entertained
so we try to keep it at bay when in thepany of others. I apologise for any offence. E, you are
excused," he added wiping his mouth with his napkin and standing up.
"But I haven''t finished eat-"
"E," he repeated in a deeper tone as he pulled my chair back for me.
I stood up kissed Leo on the cheek.
"I''ll be upter," he said, guiding me away from the table with a gentle hand on my waist.
I then left without another word.
"You''ve got a fiery one here Alpha Loren," Xander said as I left the room. "Does she ever challenge
you?"
"Of course," Leo replied as if he was trying to remain calm.
"Do you beat her?" Xander asked.
"No," he said bluntly.
"And here lies your problem," Xander. "How are people supposed to know their ce if you don''t show
it to them?"
"She is not just any person. She is my mate and I refuse to harm my own mate Xander," Leo said. "And
I disagree with using my strength against her unless necessary."
"She''ll survive and be less likely to challenge or disrespect again," Xander argued.
"I can control her without the use of violence," Leo replied.
"She doesn''t fear you," Xander pointed out.
"Why would I want my mate to fear me?" Leo asked. "Like I said, I like her the way she is."
"So that she shows you respect," Xander said mming his fist into the table. I nced over at ir
giving him a nervous look.
"Yes, perhaps she''d be more respectful but she''d also be miserable and I wouldn''t wish that upon the
girl I care about most," he replied. "And maybe respect is overrated and perhaps her honest opinion is
more valuable."
That was kinda sweet, I''ll give him that.
"That is understandable," Xander replied eventually. "Perhaps when I meet my own mate, I will feel the
same."
"Well, I would hope that you find the same happiness with yours as I do with mine."
I sensed the tension in the room diffuse shortly before the doorbell rang. I was quick to get down and
open it.
"I''ll get it," I said heading towards the door.
I opened it to see Be.
"Hey Be," I said.
"Hi, I was justing round to drop off this. My Dad found it on one of the Northern roads," she said.
"My phone!" I eximed, "Max threw it out the car window, how on earth does it still work?"
The screen was cracked but lit up when I pressed the on the button all the same.
"I don''t kn-" she began before her attention was stolen by something behind me.
Xander hade out of the kitchen and Leo was directly behind him with ir, Luca and Josef.
He looked down at Be, examined her and smiled.
"Hello," he said stepping forward.
Be smiled back and blushed.
"Who is this girl?" Xander asked Leo.
"My sister," Leo replied shortly.
"Hmm," Xander said. "Come closer."
He beckoned her closer with his finger. She did without a question and he put his hand on the back of
her neck massaging his fingers into his neck.
"Fuck," Leo muttered.
I gave him a confused look before they looked directly into each other''s eyes and a satisfied smile
swept across Xander''s face whilst Be just kind of stood therepletely awestruck.
"Mate," he said deeply.
"Oh," I whispered.
"What is your name?"
"Be," she stuttered.
"I am Alpha Xander. It''s lovely to finally meet you, Be," he replied pulling her gently into his chest and
wrapping his arms around her breathing in her scent.
He then turned to Leo.
"Alpha Loren, when I leave in the morning for my pack, I''d like to take your sister with me," he said
running his fingers along her hair.
At that point, Be suddenly lifted her head off his chest with wide eyes.
"Aren''t you gonna take her out for a dinner first?" Luca asked. "You can''t just-"
"I can and I will," Xander said deeply and Luca backed down.
"Um-" Be began. "I''d prefer to wait to get to know you first."
"You have this evening," Xander replied. "I shall take you back to where I am staying. The flight is at 9
in the morning."
"Leo, per favore digli che non può farlo" Be said to her brother so that Xander couldn''t understand.
I''m nowhere near fluent in Italian or Latin yet, but I think it meant something like ''Leo, please tell him he
can''t do that''.
Leo stood silently thinking his jaw tensed along with the rest of his body.
"Alpha non possiamo avere una ripetizione di Lia e Haden," ir said meaning ''We can''t afford to have
a repeat of Lia and Haden'' or something simr in English.
"Lei è tua sore. Nonsciarlo," Luca protested meaning ''she''s your sister. Don''t let him''
"Leo," Be begged. "Say something please."
Leo suddenly snapped out of his thought and looked at Be and then Xander (who didn''t seem too
impressed by the sudden shift innguage)
"Xander, you will not be taking Be anywhere until she isfortable," Leo said authoritatively. "So
please, everybodye and sit down and enjoy the pannacotta my Luna and I prepared for dessert."
A flush of frustration swept across Xander''s face.
"If you wish to challenge me, very well," Leo continued. "I am willing to fight for my sister, but I am more
in favour of going back to our meal and discussing this whilst we enjoy the fresh, homemade
pannacotta."
Xander spent a few secondspromising before nodding his head and everybody in the room
breathed a sigh of relief.
Crisis averted...for now.
"I understand where your distrust for mees from Alpha," Xander said as we took our seats again
this time with Be next to Xander. "The circumstances are very simr to those that resulted in a war,
however, you must not confuse me with Alpha Haden."
"It is not me you need to convince. The decision is in Be''s hands," Leo said as Luca served the
pannacotta.
Luca looked up to Leo and then quickly back down again and put some pannacotta on Be''s te.
She gave a meek smile as Xander put an arm around her.
Half an hourter, the pannacotta was gone and so was the wine. I noticed how slowly Be was eating
here''s. Maybe she felt sick from nerves or maybe she was prolonging the decision.
"So Be what do you want to do?" Leo asked. She looked at him, worry in her eyes, and then to
Xander, fear in her eyes.
"Tell me in Italian," Leo said noticing that Be was reluctant to say in front of Xander.
"I don''t see a problem with English," Xander said his voice deepening.
"Be tell me in Italian," Leo ordered ignoring Xander.
"Non voglio andarmene mattina" She said meaning ''I don''t want to go to with him in the morning.''
"Be won''t be leaving with you in the morning," Leo stated. "You are wee to stay on the territory
or leave for your pack alone."
"With all due respect Alpha, I''d rather be back with my pack by tomorrow evening."
"No," Leo replied.
"And why not?" Xander asked.
"Because we are on my territory and she is my mate and my sister," Leo replied and ir and I
exchanged nervous nces for about the fourth time that evening.
"You are denying me of my mate," Xander growled.
"I am giving you the option to stay on my territory with her until she is happy to leave with you," Leo
replied his voice also deepening and getting more and more growly with every word.
"Since when did we involve women in decisions?" Xander said Leo shot me a re warning me not to
say anything back.
"Do you think I want you to take my sister against her will? I know exactly what you will do and how you
will treat her from what you said earlier and what happenedst time one of my sister''s got mated to an
Alpha," Leo growled his voice filling the room.
At that point, Xander stood up pulling Be with him.
"I am taking my mate back to my pack tonight," Xander replied shortly before Leo too got out of his
seat.
"Let. Go. Of. My. Sister." Leo snarled slowly and authoritatively whilst leaning closer to Xander.
Xander didn''t let go of Be''s arm. Instead, he stood silently ring into Leo''s eyes.
"Are you challenging me, Xander?" Leo asked and Xander continued to stare.
Secondster Leo had him pinned on the wall.
"ir and Luca take Be and E to my parents'' house now," Leo ordered.
"No, Leo," I said. "If you''re going to fight-"
"E, now is not the time to argue," Leo growled back before I felt Luca seize me around the waist and
carry me out the door following ir and Be.
"Luca, let go!" I screamed as I saw Leo get a fist in the jaw.
Something deep inside me churned and lurched. An unbearable sickness burdened my stomach and I
begged and begged Luca to release me. When I realised I couldn''t break out of Luca''s hold and he
wasn''t going to let me go, all I could think to do was close my eyes not wanting to see it anymore.
Shortly, afterwards I found myself in the back of ir''s car with Luca whilst Be and ir sat in the
front.
"He''ll be fine," ir reassured as he started the car. "If he''s stronger than Haden, he''s stronger than
Xander."
"That''s why I''m more worried about Xander," Be replied putting her hands on her face for the rest of
the journey.
Ten minutester we were at the door of the Loren household. Be opened the door and we all
followed her in.
"Be, what took you so long? I was getting worried-" Rosa said beforeing out of the kitchen to
see her teary daughter and ir, Luca and I behind her.
"What''s going on?" she asked getting concerned whilst looking at ir and Luca''s suits and my dress.
"I found my mate Mom," Be sobbed. "And he''s an Alpha from Russia and Leo is fighting him at this
current moment."
"Oh dear Lord," Rosa eximed. "Come through into the kitchen," she said putting one arm around
Be and beckoning us with her other. "Antonio!" she called. "Antonio!"
Antonio came down the stairs followed by Mateo.
"Your son is fighting another Alpha as we speak," Rosa exined. "Mateo could you please make
some hot drinks."
"Alpha Xander, I presume?" Antonio asked and Be nodded.
"He''s my mate," Be said.
"Your mate?" Antonio said shocked.
"This isn''t going to be a repeat of Lia and Haden is it?" Rosa asked.
"I''ve met Alpha Xander. He''s strong but he''s not a match for Leonardo," Antonio replied.
"Sit down boys you''re making me even more anxious," Rosa said to ir and Luca who were both
nervously pacing around the room. They sat down either side of me on one of the long sofa''s whilst
Antonio and Rosa sat either side of their daughter on another.
Maria and Elena were out together whilst Lia and Lisa had gone to the mall together so none of Be''s
sisters were there.
Marco, Carlos and Lenny hade down a few minutester and began helping Mateo with the
coffee.
Another ten minutes and we still hadn''t heard anything from Leo.
"We should go and check," I said breaking the silence.
"No," ir said.
"He could be dying in a pool of his own blood. We should go and check," I said standing up. A few
seconds before the doorbell rang. I didn''t even hesitate before spinning around to go to the door.
"Stay here...just in case," ir ordered me as he and Antonio went to answer the door. I sat back down
on the sofa shaking my legs up and down.
The entire room was tense.
From this point, the situation could go one of two ways and it all depended on who was at the door.