Chapter 196

196 The Alpha And His Mate Were Full Of Surprises

After delivering Lucien to Ronan’s bedroom, Jake went back to his apartment and slumped at the entrance as soon as he got inside.

Cassie, his mate, rushed out with their little daughter Willa in her arms.

“How is the Alpha doing?” She asked while pulling the Beta to his feet.

“I don’t know,” Jake answered truthfully. “I picked Lucien up and left him at Ronan’s apartment. I hope he can coax him somehow.”

Cassie sighed.

Willa made baby noises and stretched her tiny arms at her father. Jake took her into his arms and pressed a kiss on her forehead.

“Good girl, Willa.”

“It was so sudden,” Cassie pulled at Jake’s elbow and led him to sit in the living room. “I don’t know what to make of it.”

“Her nurse said that she passed away peacefully. That was not too bad, was it?” Jake pressed his chin against Willa’s head.

.....

“Her death might not be that bad, but the way they handled her body...”

“Cassie, say no more,” Jake pleaded. “It was Mr. Dane Silverback’s prerogative. It is none of our business.”

Cassie clicked with her tongue and furrowed her brows.

“It is not,” she agreed. “But it doesn’t mean that I can’t speak up my mind within the safety of our four walls.”

Jake said nothing. He played with Willa’s tiny fingers instead.

If he were to be brutally honest, he too could not understand Mr. Dane Silverback’s way of thinking sometimes.

Upon being informed of his ex-mate’s death, the elder man rushed to St. Clarence and ordered an immediate cremation.

By the time Ronan arrived at the mortuary, his mother’s body was already set ablaze.

He did not even get to say goodbye.

Heartbroken and shattered into pieces, Ronan had to swallow his bitterness in public.

Jake still got chills in his spine whenever he remembered the way Ronan looked at his father’s back when the latter left.

It was filled with utmost hatred. Ronan was never going to forgive his father for treating his mother’s corpse this way.

It was undignified.

It was heartless.

The Alpha waited for hours until the ash cooled down and collected inside the urn. During the ride back home, he held the urn close to his heart. His gaze was empty and no word escaped his lips.

That was the last time Jake saw him, because after that he locked himself inside his bedroom and rejected all attempts of communication.

The Beta took a deep breath.

Please, please, Lucien.

You are my only hope.

Please get Ronan out of the bedroom.

We still need our Alpha.

The afternoon went without news. The night arrived and there was still nothing. Jake went to sleep with a chaotic mind.

Sleeping for a whole night had its own benefit. He felt a lot better.

After breakfast, he went to spend some time with his wife and his baby daughter; cherishing family moments that were hard to come by.

Werewolf pups, particularly alpha pups, grew up faster than normal human being babies. Willa was able to crawl when she reached the age of three months.

These days, Cassie was busy training Willa to walk and talk.

Jake was told to sit still and encouraged Willa as she stumbled and fell on her way to her father’s arms. Babies were so cute, Jake thought. He would love to have more.

Once Willa was older, Cassie might be open to the discussion.

‘Jake.’

Jake ripped his eyes open in shock. He was so surprised by the sudden call that he choked on his spit and coughed violently.

Cassie took Willa away in a hurry and stared at her husband. “Jake? What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing. I mean... Wait.”

‘Yes, Alpha?’

‘I need the car keys. I am coming down to your apartment now.’

‘...’

Oh, Goddess.

Lucien, you are a miracle!

You are the savior of the whole pack!

Jake jumped to his feet and grabbed the car keys from a basket that hung at their door entrance.

By the time he reached his front door, Lucien was about to push the doorbell.

Jake gaped at the couple.

He smelled something different about them.

Their scents had changed. Ronan’s sandalwood scent now carried an air of sweetness while Lucien’s sweet orange scent was now laced with a distinct, exotic aroma.

Jake’s eyes unwittingly wandered to Ronan’s neck, but it was covered perfectly under his clothing.

Ronan and Lucien had marked each other!

It happened last night.

There was no mistake about it, Jake was pretty sure.

Ronan regarded Jake with a cool expression.

“Keys,” he said.

“Oh, here,” the Beta hastily handed over Ronan’s keys.

The Alpha took the car keys and put an arm around Lucien’s waist.

“Thanks. I will be gone for a while.”

Jake stared at Lucien, demanding some sort of explanation. Lucien, unfortunately, had nothing to say. He merely gave Jake a wistful smile. In his arms, he held the urn that contained the remains of Lady Adele Fangblade.

“Um, Alpha, excuse me. Where are you planning to go?”

Ronan furrowed his brows in annoyance. He looked at Lucien, who gave him a subtle nod.

“It’s fine, you can tell Jake.”

“To the North Ridge Forest,” Ronan said solemnly.

“Oh,” Jake said in response.

He gaped at Ronan and Lucien as they departed.

Once he got back inside his apartment, he went to the kitchen to pour himself a drink.

“Why are you drinking vodka in the morning?” Cassie complained. “Was that Alpha Ronan?”

“Yeah,” Jake said, emptying the glass in one gulp despite Cassie’s objection.

“Is he out of his bedroom? That’s wonderful! Fine, you can drink one glass.”

“They marked each other,” Jake blurted like an overflowing fountain.

Cassie’s jaw fell open.

“They what?”

“I said, they became bonded mates.”

Cassie stared.

“Your eyes were playing tricks on you,” she decided.

“I also smelled it.”

“So was your nose.”

“...”

.....

Jake poured himself a second glass before he continued, “They are reporting their wedding plan today.”

Cassie stared at Jake in disbelief. “What the hell? No way!”

“He told me that they are going to North Ridge Forest,” Jake said with a gloomy face. “I am pretty sure that’s why.”