Sold To The Billionaire Alpha
Chapter 36

Orion

“Good day, I’m looking for Talus,” I said, hoping that this person was and wasn’t him simultaneously.

If this was the right Talus, then Orchid’s father was an alcoholic and a black sheep in the Hawthorne Alpha Lineage. Thaddeus’ family was known for their open-mindedness and acceptance so if they were embarrassed of him, then he was a total mess.

“Who’s asking?” Croaked Talus.

Was he a chain-smoker too? He did not sound so well. Maybe, it was just a sore throat. I bridled at his rude tone though. As an Alpha, I was not accustomed to people speaking to me in such a tone. Only Orchid had ever gotten away with being rude to me.

“The Alpha of the Cold Moon Pack, Alpha Orion,” I said, introducing myself in a stern tone.

“Oh, um, why do you want to speak to Talus, Alpha?” Questioned the voice.

“I have reason to believe he’s the father of my mate and Luna,” I said impatiently.

“I’ve never fathered any kids,” said the voice.

“So you’re Talus?” I asked.

“What makes you say that?” He asked.

I sighed. I did not have time for this runaround.

“You just said ‘I’ instead of ‘he’?” I pointed out.

“Oh, um, I meant he has never fathered any kids,” said the voice that probably belonged to Talus.

“If you’re not Talus, there’s no way you could know if he has fathered kids or not with absolute certainty? I’m sure you’re not joined at the h*p to him,” I retorted.

“Fine,” said the voice, defeated. “I’m Talus but I don’t have any kids. I don’t have a mate.”

“You don’t need a fated mate to have kids, Talus. Are you saying you’ve never been with a woman?” I asked.

“Excuse you, boy, I was seducing ladies when you were a pup,” he slurred.

I was seething. Boy?!

“I’m not a boy, Talus. I’m a man. An Alpha,” I hissed.

“So am I,” countered Talus.

“No, that would be your brother, Timbre,” I said.

I was being petty. Second-borns and so on of Alpha lineage were still physiologically Alphas though the Pack went to the eldest in line unless there was a set of multiples: twins, triplets, even quadruplets. Only multiples tended to be co-Alphas. My little brother, Perseus, commanding the Snow Moon Pack, our brother pack, was rare and only happened when an Alpha Lineage had captured many new territories, enough to form a new pack.

“What do you want from me? Money?” He asked.

Yeah, he was a real winner.

“Talus, are you listening to me? I’m the Alpha of Cold Moon. Your alleged daughter is my mate. That would make her of age. I’m not calling you for a child support hearing. I just want to know if you really are her father, that’s all,” I said.

“Well, how am I supposed to know that over the phone?” He asked.

I could hear the tinkling sound of what might be empty glass bottles. Beer or liquor bottles? Wine bottles? He was knocking them over as he walked around a small space. Possibly a studio apartment.

“I can send for you if necessary,” I said. “But I need you to answer a few questions first.”

“How old is your mate?” He asked.

I had wanted to be the one asking the questions but perhaps answering a few of his would jog his memory.

“She’s twenty-five,” I said.

“What pack is her mother from?” Asked Talus. “I haven’t spent time in Cold Moon,” he mumbled as though unsure.

“None. Her mother is human,” I said honestly.

“Well, s**t,” he said.

“Yeah, so she did not know she was a wolf until recently. We still don’t know for sure,” I admitted.

I wanted to keep this under wraps until I knew more but he was a drunkard estranged from his family. Who would he tell? Still, I did not want random scammers showing up claiming to be Orchid’s long-lost father. Cold Moon and Snow Moon were both wealthy, strong packs. The father of my Luna would be awarded every comfort if he wished it.

“I hope I you understand how delicate this situation is. It’s a private matter. If I hear about it from someone, I’ll know you’re the one discussing it with others,” I said.

“I won’t run my mouth. Don’t worry. What’s her mother’s name?” Asked Talus.

“Clover,” I said quickly.

“Erm, I don’t know. What did she say?” He said.

He sounded like he was falling asleep.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“What’s the story? About me? And her?” He asked.

“She says that almost twenty-six years ago, she had a falling out with her human husband. She went to a bar that she did not know was run and frequented by werewolves. She didn’t know of our existence at the time. She’s from the Human Realm and the bar is there but it’s werewolf-owned. She met this guy who she described as extremely handsome…” I said but I was interrupted.

“That sounds like me,” he grunted.

Good grief.

“Perhaps,” I said dryly.

“It’s probably me,” he concluded.

I rolled my eyes. Thank goodness we were just on the phone.

“I go to the Human Realm to drink and pick up chicks. Not so much anymore but twenty-six years ago, hell yeah! I think I know what bar you’re talking about,” he mumbled.

This could be him.

“Where are you?” I asked.

“In Berryndale. Where else would I be?” Asked Talus.

“Alpha Thaddeus has a Gamma named Westwood I believe,” I said.

“Yeah, I know, Thad is my nephew,” he croaked.

“Right, so Westwood is a cousin of the Triplets. The Alpha Triplets of Winter Moon,” I explained.

“Fascinating,” he said dryly.

My inner wolf growled.

“What I’m getting at is I want you to go to Alpha Thaddeus and Alpha Maze and use their portal to Winter Moon. They are friendly enough with that pack and so is my pack. I’ll call the triplets to ensure they let you take their portal to Cold Moon,” I explained.

I had thought this true. Berryndale and my pack had an Aly in common, Winter Moon. The triplets probably would not want to give this guy their portable portal but they had a permanent one he could step through. All four of the northern packs were peaceful with each other and had portals from one set of pack lands to the next. It was fairly common up north. I had let other Northern Alphas use my portal to the Human Realm. Those were hard to come by.

“Ok?” I asked.

“Ok,” he hiccoughed.

“Do you need me to call Thaddeus to ensure it’s ok for you to use their portal to Winter Moon or…”

“You think I can’t use my own damn nephew’s portal?” He asked angrily.

I sighed. Silence.

“Yeah, on second thought, you better call him and ask him,” said Talus.

Just as I figured. I called Thaddeus. He answered the phone himself this time.

“Alpha Thaddeus, Berryndale Pack,” he thundered on the phone.

“Thaddeus, it’s Orion,” I said.

“Orion!” Boomed Thaddeus.

He burst into raucous laughter for no apparent reason but that was classic Thaddeus.

“How are you, you devil?” He asked.

“I’m…stressed,” I admitted.

“What is it?” He asked, concerned.

“My Luna…” I began.

“Say no more!” Boomed Thaddeus. “Lunas are trouble,” he said pointedly.

I could hear Friday’s laughter in the background.

“Once a Luna has you in the palm of her hand, that’s it, you’re done for,” he joked.

“Is that so?” Asked Friday in the background.

“Was I speaking to you, Pretty little Luna?” He said, moving the phone away from his face and lowering his voice.

“Well, I never. I should go then?” Challenged Friday.

“You should go change,” he said. “Since when do you wear long dresses. Where are those little sundresses I look forward to?”

“Elizabeth bought me this dress,” said Friday indignantly.

“No wonder,” I heard Maze say,

Thaddeus’ laughter was so loud and deep I had to hold the phone away from my sensitive ears.

“What does your Luna need?” He asked.

“She needs to talk to Talus, your uncle. He’s not in any trouble or danger,” I added quickly. “May he use your portal to Winter Moon and from there the triplets will send him my way. It’ll be so much faster than a plane ticket,” I said.

I waited with bated breath.

“NO!” Said Thaddeus.

“What?!” I exclaimed, shocked.

Thaddeus roared with laughter.

“Of course, you devil!” Boomed Thaddeus. “The favour you want is for me to help my uncle go somewhere?!”

He was beside himself with laughter. Maze’s silky laughter was in the background.

“I like that kind of favour. Why don’t we have a portal directly to Cold Moon?” Joked Maze in the background.

“Actually,” I said. “That’s a splendid idea. I can get back to you as soon as my Luna has met with Talus and confirmed something.”

“Hmm, myserteous,” I heard Maze say.

“He’s probably her father,” said a soft voice in the background that was very similar to Friday’s voice but there was a different accent to it.

My heart began to race. Who was that? How had she guessed that so quickly?

“Who’s with you?” I asked hastily.

“My pretty little Luna, this classy bastard Maze and my lovely sister-in-law,” said Thaddeus. “Who happens to be Maze’s sister,” added Thaddeus.

What the f**k? I thought about that. I had heard the story. Maze and Friday were not related but they had a half-sister in common. Of course! Her assumption made a bit more sense now. She was in the business of long-lost Alpha Dads. This would be a good family for Orchid. A good support system. They hung out with vampires. They would be ok with a half-human for sure. We really should organise that direct portal between Berryndale and Cold Moon.

“Tell my druncle to drag himself here. Or should I send a car? He’s up? He’s usually asleep until late afternoon,” said Thaddeus.

“Druncle?” I asked.

“Drunk Uncle,” said Maze helpfully.

I snorted with laughter.

“We should send a car to be safe,” said Friday, her tone concerned.

“Yes, thank you to all four of you, send the car for Talus. He’ll need a lot of help. I’ll call the triplets right away,” I added.

“Done,” said Thaddeus.

“Thank you!” I said again.

“Theo!” I heard Thaddeus call before the call was ended.

I looked through the Pack Directory and called the Winter Moon Pack House. It rang twice before a chipper high-pitched voice answered, the complete opposite of the triplet’s voices.

“Hello,” she said. “This is the Winter Moon Pack House,” she added as an after-thought.

I smiled.

“This is Alpha Orion from the Cold Moon Pack,” I said.

“Oh, hi! I’m Luna Chasity! I know you! We met!” She said excitedly.

I vaguely remembered the triplets’ mate at a function back when she had just become their Luna. A petite girl who was more dark blonde curls than actual girl. She was tiny but had no problem sassing her huge Alphas in front of me. I remembered thinking it was hilarious how much their Luna had them wrapped around her little finger. Now, look at me, at the mercy of Orchid’s whims. I was surprised she had not coming looking for me until I heard a soft knock on the door.

“Come in,” I said.

Orchid.

“Hey Baby,” I purred, my wolf instantly getting excited.

“Who the f**k are you calling Baby?” Demanded a furious deep voice.

Felix. f**k.

“No, no, my Luna just walked in,” I said quickly.

Orchid sauntered in and plopped herself on my lap.

“Is that my Dad?” She whispered, her eyes wide.

“No,” I said quickly and quietly.

“Excuse me,” said Felix.

“Oh, sorry, my Luna is here, say hi, Orchid,” I said, wanting to show proof that I had not called Luna Chasity Baby.

“Hello,” said Orchid uncertainly.

“Oh,” said Felix. He laughed. “Hello! You must have your hands full, Orion. Congratulations on replaceing your mate! I heard she’s human. Hope she’s adjusting well. You had me going for a second there,” chuckled Felix.

I laughed too.

“I thought I would have to wage war just now,” he said, laughing, but I knew he was somewhat serious.

Now that I had my own mate, I understood why mated Alphas acted so crazy over every little threat to their Luna.

“No, the North can remain peaceful,” I laughed. “Orchid was the Baby I was saying ‘hey’ to,” I said.

“I told you,” I heard Chasity squeak.

“I was never mad with you, Baby. Go downstairs with Calix. You need to eat something,” I heard Felix say.

“You need to keep up your strength, Luna,” said a stern voice, less gruff than Felix.

Alex. I was pretty good at telling the triplets apart because I found them surprisingly different in their demeanours.

“Come on, Goddess! Wait till you see what’s on the menu! You’ll love it,” cooed a more upbeat version of the other two male voices. Calix. The easygoing one.

“We’ll be down in a minute,” I heard Alex say. “Let me see what’s up with Cold Moon.”

“Everything is fine over here. Just needed a little favour. I’m bringing Talus, the Uncle of Alpha Thaddeus, to Cold Moon. I wanted to expedite the trip. He’ll be using his nephew’s portal to Winter Moon,” I explained.

“Our pack lands. And you want him to take our portal from here to your pack?” Confirmed Alex.

“Yes, exactly,” I said, grateful they were quick on the draw.

“Yeah, it’s fine,” said Felix and Alex in unison.

I stifled a laugh.

“Thank you, both of you!” I said enthusiastically.

“Talus,” whispered Orchid, her eyes boring into mine.

I nodded wordlessly at her.

It might be him, I said in her mind.

She took a deep breath.

Wow, that was fast. This is such a whirlwind, she breathed.

I knew she had gone through the world of change in the past few weeks.

I know, Baby, I murmured. I hope it’s ok that I sent for him right away. I thought that would be best. If it’s not him, we could then start looking again without delay.

Truth be told, I was worried if I did not send for the ‘Druncle’ Talus right away, he would fall and hit his head or disappear of the radar. He seemed equal parts unstable and shady. Orchid deserved answers.

“Everyone’s snow globe hopping all over the place these days,” I heard Felix say offhandedly to his brother.

“I hope you don’t mind…we’ll be letting him use the permanent one so he won’t have the snow globe with him for the return trip unfortunately,” specified Alex.

I would not trust one of my portable portals with the notorious relative of a foreign Alpha either.

“Thaddeus is great. Our cousin Westwood has suggested on occasion that Talus isn’t on good terms with Timbre…” said Felix bluntly.

“I know he drinks a lot,” I said honestly, being more blunt than blunt Felix.

I glanced at Orchid but she had a faraway look on her face. I was not sure if she had heard me.

“Oh, ok, yes, you know the drill,” chuckled Felix.

“We’ll make sure he gets to you once he arrives here,” said Alex.

“Thanks Alphas,” I said.

“No prob, Alpha,” said one of them.

They sounded very alike when they began to agree. I wonder if Chasity ever struggled to tell them apart. I doubted she did. The mate bond was like a window into someone’s inner self, the true self that people usually kept hidden.

“You look more worried than I feel,” said my beautiful mate.

“I love you, Orchid. I want you to be happy. I don’t like that your supposed Dad could be another source of disappointment for you,” I admitted.

Orchid cupped my face and pressed her lips to mine sweetly and gently. I kissed her back softly, drawing her in, deepening the k**s. We parted but kept our foreheads pressed together.

“How long until Talus gets here?” Whispered Orchid.

“Possibly an hour,” I estimated.

Orchid’s eyes were as wide as saucers.

“It’ll be ok,” I promised her, feeling her anxiety.

“I need to change. I need to make a good impression,” she said suddenly, more to herself than me.

“Baby, he’s a bit rough around the edges I think,” I said gently.

“Like he’s tough like you,” she said.

“No, he’s a lover of cocktails like your friend. Kat,” I said.

Orchid laughed nervously. Talus probably drank his liquor straight actually.

“So should we mix some drinks?” She asked, trying to make light of the situation.

I kissed her forehead.

“Let’s offer him some water to start with,” I said absentmindedly, running my fingers through her hair.

She nodded. She kissed the tip of my nose and pulled me down the hallway towards our bedroom to get ready. I spotted Perseus and Rose in the hall, their hearts racing. They had been eavesdropping outside the door and had rushed away from it when we exited my office.

“I spotted them on my way in,” said Orchid.

“Orchid!” Said Rose indignantly.

“We’re just curious,” said Perseus.

“And concerned,” added Rose.

“Perseus, please, get the staff to prepare for Talus, the Uncle of Alpha Thaddeus. He may be their Luna’s father,” I said.

Rose gasped.

“Will do, Brother,” said Perseus dutifully.

Orchid

It was so much to process. I was terrified and yet so hopeful. My human father had left me so disappointed after he had sold me to pay his gambling debts. My mother had been a part of that too and she had kept this from me. Orion and I were finally seeing eye to eye and I was feeling like his equal and not his captive but I missed feeling like I had a parent I could count on. Talus did not sound that responsible but he had not betrayed me. He simply had not known I existed. I could already feel myself getting my hopes up and I was scared to have them crushed. What if Talus and that entire side of the family wanted nothing to do with me?

That’s not true.

It could be! I gasped.

“What’s wrong?” Asked Orion quickly as he shut our bedroom door.

“Did you just say something? Did you mind-link me?” I asked.

I already knew the answer. That had not been a male voice. It certainly had not been Orion’s deep voice. That voice sounded like…mine.