The Challenge Two Alphas, One Girl

Chapter 11: Fenestra Family Reunion

Friday’s POV

The massages were heavenly. Afterwards, Thaddeus watched me get my nails done, manicure and pedicure. I had never had either one done before. I felt so brand new and sparkly leaving the spa. I remembered how Fallon called pampered people shiny people. He would say you could always spot the shiny people. I had been dull my whole life until now.

Thaddeus and I ate lunch at a restaurant in the heart of the down. It was called Wolfish and served freshly caught seafood. Everything was delicious. I was sad to return to the pack house when we were done. I almost fell over when I spotted my parents, brothers and Maze waiting for me in the common living

area on the ground floor.

“Congratulations, sweetheart,” said my Mother, standing up to give me an awkward hug.

That was the first time she had hugged me in my entire life. She had her dark wavy hair in a bun, her golden skin looked dull as though she were in poor health and her big brown eyes had bags underneath them. My Mom was usually referred to as a beauty but her alcoholism had caused this to deteriorate. My father ignored me. He had never wanted a daughter or “a fourth mouth to feed” as he usually called me. I saw Fang nudge him.

“Congrats,” my father said. “On what?” I asked my parents.

“On becoming Luna! We’re so proud,” said Mom. “First a Beta son and now a Luna daughter. We’ll have Alphas for grandchildren!”

“Unless she only gives birth to girls,” my father grunted.

Thaddeus was looking at my father warily. Maze stood up. ” “I wanted to meet your parents,” Maze said. I was confused. My father was the former Beta to his father who was the former Alpha.

“Wouldn’t you have met them before?” I asked. I was not allowed in pack meetings but I knew Alphas and Betas and their families usually sustained close bonds or at least, they were civil.

“I met your Dad a few times when he was Beta to my father but I only glimpsed your Mom. I never knew them as your parents,” Maze said. “I wanted to meet with them in that context.”

Maze was always so formal. “Ok,” I said, smiling. Thaddeus said softly, “Today is my day.” “I’m aware of that but this is your potential Luna’s family,” said Maze. “From whom she is estranged,” said Thaddeus plainly. There was an intensely awkward silence. “And you don’t want to fix that?” Maze inquired.

“Only if Friday wants to fix it. It depends on why they’re estranged and how they plan on treating her now,” Thaddeus said.

“I know your father,” said my Dad suddenly to Thaddeus. Thaddeus seemed surprised.. “He was always boasting about how you phased at only seventeen. Is that true?” Dad said. Fallon and Fargo gasped.

“That’s remarkable,” said Dad. “You know Friday has no wolf, right?” Wow. Was my father trying to talk Thaddeus out of liking me? “Yeah, I know,” said Thaddeus. “She’s twenty,” Dad said. “Should have phased two years ago.” “I’m twenty-five,” Thaddeus said as though we were just going around the room calling out our ages.

“What will your father think of a wolf-less Luna? He was so proud you phased so early. What will your Beta and Gamma think?” Dad said.

“My father ran a town where there are humans, witches and vampires. My Beta already adores Friday. He thinks she’s adorable. My Gamma’s mate is completely human so I doubt she’ll be phasing anytime soon,” Thaddeus said.

I found myself getting a little teary-eyed. I had never been defended like this by anyone.

“What if your children come out wolf-less? The next Alpha can’t be wolf-less,” my father said matter-of- factly, not moved by Thaddeus’ defence of me.

“I doubt that would happen but my children will be loved as they are. Children don’t exist to please their parents,” Thaddeus said, shrugging. Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

I wanted to get on my knees and beg Thaddeus to claim me immediately but I had to act natural.

“Um, this is so wonderful,” I said, matching my mother’s fake tone. “However, today is Thaddeus’ day so I think he has a lot of stuff he wants me to do.”

“Not necessarily,” said Thaddeus simply. My eyes widened in shock. “Talk to your parents for a bit,” he said, bowing to me. He took my hand and kissed it.

“There are strange bruises on my mate’s palm. Have you seen them Fang?” Said Thaddeus absentmindedly.

Fang paled.

“As a Beta, tell me, what do you think the punishment for harming the Luna should be?” Thaddeus asked innocently.

“What if the person was not Luna at the time?” Said Fang, practically admitting his guilt.

“Answer my initial question before you ask me a question, please,” said Thaddeus in mock friendliness.

“The punishment should be whatever the Luna decides,” Fang said. That was clever. He knew I would not punish him as harshly as Thaddeus. “Luna, what should be the punishment for harming you?” Thaddeus asked. “Banishment,” I said, shocking myself. Fang looked horror-stricken.

Whoa. Where had that come from? There was a weird feeling in me. Something protective and fierce was stirring inside of me.

“The next person to harm the Luna even accidentally shall be banished,” pronounced Thaddeus, looking at Maze.

Maze nodded in agreement. I wondered if Maze realised Fang had caused my bruises. I wondered if he cared.

Thaddeus left me with my family and Maze. I sat in an armchair facing them. They were all together on a large couch. We stared at each other. Maze got up suddenly.

“Friday, I’ll leave you to spend some time with them catching up,” he said

My family members gasped at me calling the Alpha by his first name. My Dad was angry. “That’s your Alpha whether or not another Alpha wants to f**k you!” Yelled my father. I stared at him, disgusted. Who spoke to their own daughter like that? “Mr Fenestra!” Snapped Maze. “Are you out of your mind?”

My father stiffened. “Sorry, Alpha, I was embarrassed by my daughter. She forgets herself. She was raised better than that. We taught her to respect her Alpha.”

“And she has done that,” retorted Maze. “I asked her to call me by my first name.” My family looked completely besides themselves with shock. “Perhaps, this was a mistake,” said Maze softly. “No!” I said suddenly, eliciting a grumble from my father for disagreeing with the Alpha. “It’s ok, Maze,” I said, emphasising his name.

He smiled slightly. I was so angry. I wanted to make my family squirm. I gathered all my courage. It would be humiliating if he did not react well but I thought I’d give it a shot. I copied how Thaddeus talked to

“Wait, baby,” I said lovingly. “Don’t go just yet.”

Maze halted in his tracks. He was staring at me like I was a lunatic. It was too late to back down now. I got up and wrapped my arms around him. I kissed his cheek.

“I’ll be up in a little while, ok?” I said, feeling like a complete i***t.

To my surprise, he put his arms around my waist. He seemed to be enjoying being this close to me. I could tell he was inhaling my scent.

“Ok,” he said softly, his eyes darkening. He hugged me tightly. He kissed the spot on my neck where I would be marked one day. Tingles ran through me. He sucked the spot. Was Maze out of

his mind? He licked the spot and nibbled it. I felt a little unsteady. Maze put me back in my arm chair. He took one last look at me and then headed upstairs.

My family just stared at me in total silence for several minutes. Eventually, I sighed and walked away from them. No one tried to stop me. They were all still dumbfounded. It was pretty satisfying to be honest.