The Alpha's Omega Mate-Chapter 177: Calling in favors.

~Dahlia’s POV~

I leaned into the cushion, sighing as I brought the wine glass to my mouth. The crimson liquid tasted sour and almost bitter, and I frowned, shaking my head in when its taste assaulted my tastebuds.

Right now, I sat across from my father who was busy reading through some scrolls that Kai had given him for perusal. Amara was sitting comfortably on his lap, playing with his long hair as he worked.

Well, that’s how they’ve both been since the first time they met— inseparable.

It felt as though she had wrapped up all the love she had for Zarek, rolled it into a massive ball, doubled it, and then threw it at my father. She loved him that much.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I felt eyes on me, and looking up, I was momentarily stunned to find both my father and Amara staring at me.

"What?" I shrugged defensively. "Is there something on my face?"

Amara shook her head with a laugh. My father only smiled. "I asked you a question."

Now, I was stunned. I didn’t hear him speak. "What was it?" I asked, setting down the disgusting drink.

"And what were you thinking about that had you so distracted?"

I fell silent for a moment, my mind swirling around the several— a thousand and one thoughts that had fleeted past my mind in the last half hour. I shrugged. "I just find you and Mara so adorable... and I wish you both had met earlier."

My words made my father fall silent for a while, his eyes moistening as he looked down at Amara who was already gazing lovingly at him. He smiled. "If I knew earlier that you were alive...and that I had a grandchild too... I would’ve come a long time ago."

"So Grandmama Lupe told you?"

"Yes."

"I wonder how she got to know about me... you know, who I was, and yet she never told me anything. She didn’t even..." my voice trailed off as a sudden burst of emotion clogged my throat. I coughed. "...I guess it was why we clicked so well... and also why she was so kind to me even though no one else was."

That made my father fall silent. He regarded me quietly, saying nothing, but I could feel the words he didn’t speak... could hear the thoughts he’s still not voiced out— if that is even possible.

He felt pity for me, but why? I had no idea.

"I don’t know either, but she definitely said she didn’t want to scare you. Moreover she also wanted to be sure... though I feel that’s a lie by the way."

"Which is a lie?" I mused playfully. "Not wanting to scare me, or wanting to be sure?"

"Wanting to be sure."

Now, that made me smile. "Why?"

"Because it’s just there. I mean, look at you." He drawled, pouting at me dramatically, "Who wouldn’t be sure when you’re the exact replica of your mom... and, and..." he trailed off, glancing away from me. "I just knew as soon as I saw you. She would’ve felt it too."

"Maybe she wasn’t ready to face you yet... seeing as she never got over the death of your mom."

Emotion rose in my throat like bile and I forced myself to gulp it down. The tears that sprung into the corners of my eye this time wasn’t one of sadness. It was one of pure satisfaction. A hope that now, I have other people with me to do life with.

"I wish she’ll come back soon though," I whispered... "I have a lot of things to say to her." And then as if a light bulb was suddenly turned on, I screeched; "Am I related to Dr Ava?!"

My father frowned, his face scrunching up as he shared a look with Amara. My face heated up in embarrassment when I quickly recognized that look— he thought I was crazy.

And maybe I am.

"What?" Now when I spoke, my confusion and irritation didn’t hide. I snapped; "I was just saying because Ava was the only family I knew that Grandmama Lupe had... so it is only normal to think that I am also related to her as—"

"Who is Ava?" My dad’s voice came next, sounding grave. "What is her full name?"

"I don’t know, I only know her as Ava... or Dr Ava."

Father seemed deep in thoughts. He tilted his head to the side regarding me with a look that I couldn’t quite decipher, but before I could make sense of what it was, Kai stepped into the room accompanied by two slaves holding a bowl of fried shrimps and some white wine.

He beamed a smile at me before asking the servants to set the tray before my father, who for some reason, he’s been spoiling rotten ever since his arrival.

"I asked the kitchen to prepare some snacks." He beamed, seemingly proud of himself.

I wanted to point out to him that the savory shrimps before us weren’t snacks but I quickly bit down the comment when Amara and my father excitedly dug into the food.

However, we’d just gotten deep into our chitchatting when George, one of the soldiers around here that I have come to know and like around here, stepped into the room. His eyes darted around us briskly before he dropped his head into a deep bow.

"Alpha... My lady, Alpha Kael’, there’s a guest outside who wants to see you."

As soon as he spoke, Kai turned to me with a frown as if silently asking if I was expecting anyone. I shook my head.

"Who is it?" He asked George who showed again before answering;

"Beta Orion of Shadowfang pack." He drawled, and when no one spoke, he added; "He says it’s urgent."

I froze.

What the Hell does he want now?

What can be so urgent that he’ll come all the way to this pack just to tell me?

A lump formed in my throat and the seasoned shrimp I was devouring earlier suddenly became tasteless too as I nodded to Kai who in turn gestured to the guard to let Orion in.

And gods, I could not hold back my irritation. I snapped as soon as George stepped out; "What does he want?"

"Beats me."

"Who is he?" This time, it was my father who asked, his eyes darting between Kai and I suspiciously. "And why does his presence make you both seem so flustered?"

I sighed. "I’ll explain it all to you later... just not now."

He nodded. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"And also, you’ll tell me tales of my mother later... and what you know about the fire that killed her, the fire that ruined our family... and everything else."

Those were thoughts I’d never voiced out before. They were things I never gave an indication of wanting to know. My father’s eyes widened infinitesimally as he regarded me, and I could swear I heard his breath hitch.

He swallowed. "You’re no longer a child... so I can do that."

"Thank you."

I rose from my chair and walked towards the window and as soon as I did, Beta Orion stepped in, followed closely behind by George who looked uncomfortable for some reason.

I didn’t beat around the bush, didn’t bore myself with the unnecessary pressure of giving him a half-assess welcome. I simply folded my hands across my chest, looked him dead in the eye and snapped;

"What is it?"

"Each day, I always end up seeing a newer version of you and that’s crazy." Orion mused, his eyes alight with amusement.

I blinked, looking away. "Maybe I’ve always just been like this, but had been too timid to let anyone notice it earlier."

A surge of strange warmth suddenly coursed through my veins, making me clamp my mouth shut to stop the groan from slipping past. I frowned. I felt like I was about to shift. Like my darker side... the sorry excuse of an alter ego, was trying to claw its way out.

I shuddered.

"Why are you here?"

"I am here because I want to ask you for a favor." Orion said quickly without a hint of hesitation. "I know you may hate what I am about to say next but I need your help."

My heart instantly fell, and maybe it showed on my face too because then Kai stepped closer to me, as if shielding me from Orion; and frankly, I was grateful to him for that.

He drawled; "I can ask him to leave if you don’t want him here..."

"I do." I quickly responded, placing my hand on his chest. "I want to hear what he has to say," and then turning to Orion, I asked; "What is it?"

Orion’s eyes skeptically darted to my father for a moment, thinning when he didn’t recognize who he was. He also watched Amara who was still perched onto my father’s lap, and then he muttered; "I want you to visit Shadowfang pack."

I frowned. A snarl slipped past Kai’s lips. "Why?"

"Wait... wait! Let me rephrase my statement. It didn’t come out the way I wanted it to... I need you to please visit Shadowfang pack. It’s very urgent."