Chapter 41

***Alpha Ethan***

*Yes, Alpha.*
Fuck me. 
I feel my wolf awaken inside my mind, and like a raw instinct, I sense Kral’s insatiable desire to protect and be close to her when hears her call us that, almost growling with joy, impatient.
Trying to ignore how fast my heart is beating, I give a small nod, catching sight of her nipples *again* through her shirt. More prominent than even minutes ago when I was checking her arm. 
She grins at me, her face lighting up with a radiant glow, matching the brilliance of her aura, and my wolf is overjoyed again. My blood heats, and my already hard cock gives an unwelcome twitch of interest. 
Not a chance. Not again. 
“Alright. No more searching for a new place to move in,” I say more harshly than I meant. But this time, Alicent doesn’t seem fazed by it. Instead, with a cute blush on her face, she just looks down, then smiles and nods.
Then, she starts walking toward her son, and I let out a small shuddering breath as I take in her sweet scent. 
Penny turns toward me, catching my eyes with a raised brow.   
I clear my throat, trying to keep my face impassive, I say. “Do you have anything else to discuss?”
She presses her lips together, and I can tell she’s trying really hard to hold back a grin. Then, she gives a slow, knowing shake of her head. “Nope. We’re doing our part to keep the human blissfully unaware of us, per your orders. A human. Though I have to say, Alpha, the kids love her.” With a gentle shift, her gaze drifts over to the other side, and a softness fills her eyes. I track her gaze to find that it is directed towards Alicent and her son. “She’s got a good kid there. Kind of reminds me of you back when you were that age. I’m pretty sure at least half of these gray hairs are thanks to those days, Alpha.” She chuckles, looks back at me again, and I can’t help but smile at that. The light filters through the leaves above us, catching the silvery strands she’s talking about.
Penny gives Alicent another look, then glances back at me, a spark of something knowing in her eyes. “Anyway, I’ve covered all the essentials,” she says, though her tone carries an edge of something unreadable. “I’ll send the rest along to Beta. Take care, Alpha.” With a respectful nod, she turns and strides back toward her office, her heels clicking rhythmically on the cobblestone path.
As she disappears, I turn to watch Alicent. She’s crouched beside her son under a sprawling oak tree, with the sunlight through the branches shining on them. 
A gentle breeze stirs the leaves, casting a dance of light and shadow over them both. Alicent clasps her hands in front of her. She looks ridiculous in that oversized, worn-out shirt that drapes all the way down to her knees. Yet, at the same time, I can picture the worn-out fabric draped across the back of my neck, with my head between her thighs. A thought that doesn’t help my hard cock.
Her face is soft and focused as she talks quietly with her little boy, who’s hanging on her every word. I’m about to go home when I can’t resist and listen to their conversation.
“But, Mom, then I won’t be able to be close to Lily anymore,” he says with sadness in his eyes.
“Az, you knew that eventually we would have to move to another place,” Little Dove says softly.
“Okay, Mom… but can I come with you to see the new place? I don’t want you to go alone. I wanna see if our new landlord’s a nice one. The last one was kinda mean.”
Well, look at him—definitely an Alpha male in the making, all protective about his mother.
What does he mean that the landlord was kinda mean? What happened?
I narrow my eyes at them, and my hands tighten into fists. I feel a growl building up in my chest. Kral didn’t like it at all.
“I’ll be fine, buddy,” she says, ruffling his hair with a soft smile. “I promise. Besides, I’m a good judge of character.” 
Alicent swiftly glances my way before I can school my furious expression. She frowns at me, stands up, and hastily pulls her son away, seeming scared of me.
Oh, fuck. She misunderstood my anger.

🐺 🐺 🐺

I couldn’t calm down, even after going back to the packhouse and taking two cold showers. I jerked off three times because I remembered her calling me Alpha. I felt my emotions intensify because of my wolf's reaction to her too. 
I head to my office to try to occupy my mind with something other than her. Not long after, Josh and his fated mate Maggie show up; she is an Omega who I give the position to handle the packhouse duties. Because of that, Maggie is also on the Pack Council, like Penny.
Josh leans back in his chair, a mischievous grin playing on his lips as he looks at me in a way that screams he’s about to ask for something ridiculous. “I need to talk to you about something!” My best friend says.
I raise an eyebrow, smirking. “If you’re about to spill your heart and confess your hopeless crush on me, Josh, just get it over with already!”
“Fuck you,” he says, smiling. 
“You have a fated mate, man. That would be inappropriate.” I say, and Maggie barks a laugh. 
He shakes his head, barely containing his laughter. But I can practically hear the gears turning in his head, plotting something big and utterly absurd. “I wanted to add a few things to the upcoming festival,” Josh says, his tone less playful. “It’s all here in this report,” he points to a portfolio on my desk. 
He looks at Maggie, who gives him a smile. She speaks to me, but still looking at him, “The festival this time will be important for us. We’re going to ask for another child.”
They already have each other. They already have a son. 
I have nothing. Except my stupid curse.
I push those thoughts aside. “Don’t worry, you can add whatever you want,” I say in a much firmer tone, but I turn to Josh and say playfully, “Maggie.” 
He laughs and shakes his head.
“Thanks, Ethan,” Maggie says. “Uh, Allie will like the festival.” She arches an eyebrow like she’s suggesting something. The two of them have been tight since Alicent moved in. 
Suddenly, Josh’s eyes go from vacant, like when we’re listening to someone via mindlink, to a wide-eyed look. At the same time, Maggie gives him a little push in the arm. It doesn’t take a genius to know that they’re talking to each other.
Josh asks. “Allie said what?” 
“Josh!” Maggie says, “I told you to play it cool!”
But he ignores her. He goes on, a smirk dancing on his lips. “*Yes, Alpha?*” He waggles his eyebrows. 
I point to my Beta. “Shut the fuck up before I kill you.” 
Seriously? The gossip has already reached here?
He just starts laughing.  “So, are you getting involved with her again? You know, she definitely isn’t a one-night type of girl, Ethan. I like Allie.”
“Josh! Shut up!” Maggie scolds him. “I like her too, though!”
“For Goddess’ sake. I’m not getting involved with her. And She will move out soon. Besides, once I break the curse, my fated mate will be waiting for me. She’ll probably be a strong she-wolf with no little brats attached to her.”
Both Maggie and Josh abruptly stop laughing, as if I’ve personally assaulted them.
“Uh... Let’s get back to the festival. I have some ideas for the packhouse,” Maggie says to Josh, the smile from a minute ago long gone. 
He starts sharing some things with her, and my mind begins drifting back to my earlier talk with Alicent.
Why is she even here? I could have already found her a new place, walked her to her door, and just left. 
I could call another person to deal with her, perhaps Victor, another teacher who works with her, who hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her earlier. 
I clench my hands at the memory. I’ve got no business being jealous. I also have no business deciding when she can or cannot move from here. Fuck, I have to find her a new place... well, but it doesn’t need to be right now... maybe in a few months...
*Yes, Alpha.* Her sweet voice echoes in my head.
Goddess help me!
Step back. Cool things down. I’d already gone too far. I should have forbidden her from calling me Alpha or at least made up an excuse as to why they called me that. I just stood there with my cock hard. Just like I am now again.
I hate this woman!
While Maggie and Josh continue talking, I mindlink Kelly because I can’t take it anymore. My cock is hard as steel. I can’t get her calling me Alpha out of my head.
‘Wait for me in my room.’ I pause. ‘I need you.’
I can hear the joy in her voice. ‘I thought you forgot about me. I missed your cock, Alpha Ethan. I’m going to take a quick shower and be right there. I got this new lingerie—’
I cut our connection before she finished saying it. My cock almost goes soft on her voice. I don’t want to fuck Kelly again, but I have no other option.
Alicent, what did you do to me? 
I clench my hands harder.

🐺 🐺 🐺
***Alicent***

After I finish my morning class, I rush to pick up Az so we can head out. With the weekend coming up, I want to take him to stay at his dad’s house today. Logan hasn’t exactly been eager for his visits, but this time, my son manages to convince him, and Az’s pretty excited about it!
At least I know this time Logan will treat me well since he’s been sinking my banking account to depths even the Titanic hadn’t reached. 
As soon as we step into the large mansion, I spot Ethan standing as if he were waiting for someone in the living room. I turn to Az. "Honey, go upstairs and shower, your bag is all set, okay?" 
He nods and heads upstairs, holding his backpack straps. 
Ethan looks tense, his hands fidgeting as I stroll up with an overly cheerful smile. “Well, looks like I need to ask you for yet another favor,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck, hoping the smile covers my nerves. He raises an eyebrow, clearly not thrilled, so I get to the point before I ramble myself into a hole. “I need to drop Az off at his dad’s house for the weekend. Any chance I could get a ride again?”
“When?” His jaw clenches in a subtle but unmistakable tick.
“Uh…now? Like, as soon as possible,” I admit, cringing a little. I know I must be asking too much—
“I’ll take you,” Ethan says, without a beat.
Both Kelly—who suddenly glides into the living room in a black silk robe and towering high heels—and I say at the same time, “What?”