Fiona
The black car pulled up to the curb of the best nursing home in all of King Pack. There were several gardens, hot springs, a gym, and on-staff doctors. I smiled, thinking about how my grandfather would love seeing me in my wedding dress.
Even though I wasn’t married. I had wanted him to be at the wedding today. However, my father didn’t want to bring him. It had broken my heart. I loved my grandfather more than anyone. He always supported me. Even helped with my homework while I was in school. He wanted me to succeed as a strong Luna.
“Who lives here?” Alexander asked. Leaning closer to me to look at the building’s front decorative pillars.
“My grandfather. I would like you to come with me. So that he can meet you. You don’t have to say anything. You can just stand there. My grandfather likes to do all of the talking.” I couldn’t help but smile just thinking about him.
Alexander took me in and gave the nod. I was grateful. My grandfather’s health was failing, and I didn’t know how much time I had left with him.
Walking through the building, everything gleamed a brilliant white, and every item had its place. After an elevator ride past three floors, I stepped onto the fourth floor, scrambling to keep my dress out of the elevator doors.
He gave me a barely perceptible smile and helped me pick up my dress from the ground.
“I’m sorry.” I felt a bit embarrassed. Because of my father’s demands, I always maintained a perfect image to the public, but in front of this man, I always showed my most vulnerable side.
“Maybe I should have taken you home so you could have changed.”
“No, I want him to see my dress, makeup, and hair.”
At the end of the hall, I entered a large room with a beautiful view of one of the gardens. The sun glowed around the bed where my grandfather sat up, reading a book. I rushed in, forgetting about Alexander and the past two miserable weeks.
Sometimes it was hard to remember that grandfather was once the Alpha of the Red Moon pack because he had become so weak and had trouble remembering things and people. My father never came to see him. They didn’t care if each other lived or died, and I never understood why.
I had heard pieces here and there that they had had a fight a long time ago, and they never recovered from it. When my grandfather’s health had declined so much that he needed a healthcare provider, I had fought hard to put together the financing to place him in this nursing home. It was a hard-won achievement. The first to also show my business savvy.
As I rushed over to him, he struggled to focus on me. When he did, he held his hands out, and I rushed into his arms, hugging him tightly.
“How was the wedding? Let me look at you.” He let me go, and I stood up and turned slowly for him to see me. He clapped his hands together. “Perfect. Where is the lucky man? Did you bring him with you?”
“Yes, I did. He is by the door.”
Alexander took a few steps into the room yet remained at a distance with his hands in his pockets.
Grandfather blinked a few times, taking in the size of Alexander. He leaned in close to me, and I sat on the edge of his bed.
“Does he treat you well? Is he kind?” Grandfather’s face wrinkled with concern.
I glanced at my hands and then at Alexander. I gave him a smile that was only for my grandfather. “Yes, he is very kind and treats me well. If it were not for this man, I would be lost.”
Grandfather patted my hand, pleased to hear that. “I’m glad. You are too smart, beautiful, and strong to be with a mean-spirited man. You deserve a husband that will treat you as an equal. All great Alpha and Luna matches have been built on respect and love.”
Alexander raised an eyebrow, looking at me. I drew Grandfather’s attention so as not to give Alexander away.
“I have a surprise for you.”
“Really.” Grandfather held out his hands and closed his eyes, waiting for his gift.
I whispered into his ear. “You’re going to be a great grandfather.”
His eyes popped open, and his chin quivered. Then, a moment later, tears ran down his cheeks.
“Oh, grandfather, don’t cry.” I wiped his face and hugged him.
Without warning, Alexander was at my side. Grandfather took his hand firmly and stared into his eyes more intensely than I had ever seen.
When Grandfather was the Alpha, he had led the Red Moon pack to become the single strongest pack and was considered a legendary figure on the battlefield for having fought an elite troop of 100 vampires and killed them all. But things changed for the worse after Grandfather got old and my father took over the pack.
“Promise to take good care of my granddaughter. She is the one good thing in my life.”
Alexander, who usually had an expressionless face, softened his demeanor a bit. He shook Grandfather’s hand, saying, “Okay.”
After receiving Alexander’s promise, Grandfather nodded satisfactorily and placed Alexander’s hand on mine. To my surprise, Alexander held onto it tightly. Something stirred inside me.
Third person
After Fiona made it to the front door of her home, Alexander’s beta, Kayden, and best friend exclaimed, “Never seen you interested or concerned about a woman before.”
Alexander ignored him and waited until Fiona was in the house before telling Kayden to take off.
“Married. A baby. Never thought I would see that.”
Alexander felt Kayden’s stare from the rearview mirror. There was no need for a reply. His friend knew him too well. Alexander had never thought of marrying.
Though when Fiona’s arrival at his room was playful and full of life, he couldn’t resist her. She smelled like everything good in the world rolled into one. He had never experienced anything like it. His entire body hummed with excitement.
As if he had been waiting for her his whole life. He didn’t like it. No one had stirred such a feeling in him. And she was the daughter of his enemy.
“Fiona is a sexy-looking thing. Those tight legs and round hips make a man want to take her home. She could be good for you, all proper and calm. I have been asking around about her. Did you know she is among the nobles’ most desired Lunas? ”
Alexander raised a brow, more interested in what Kayden was saying than he let on.
“But for some reason, she has been tied to the Blue Moon pack since childhood. If you hadn’t found her today, other nobles would have tried to offer a marriage contract to her father.”
He leaned forward. “The other nobles want her, interesting.” He leaned back. There had to be a reason the Red and Blue Moon pack were desperate to make the match even though Baron had stated clearly, he didn’t want to marry her. It was something to look into.
Alexander frowned. “You’re right, Kayden. She is beautiful, but she is the daughter of an enemy, and I only agreed to the marriage because she was carrying my child. So the marriage will be nothing but a contract and end after the baby is born.”
Kayden continued to glance back at Alexander in the mirror. ‘Come on, Alpha, I know you. Don’t you think you might change your mind about getting a divorce for her?’
