Choosing Mr. Destiny - Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Arthur's POV
Starting the day with a workout was nice. I was able to continue toning my body in the way I desired it to be. Of course I wasn't doing this for myself but also for my mate. Well, you know what I mean. For my little mate Ash to enjoy when we go at it. But with those reasons aside, I also work out because I feel like it's a necessity, specially when I'm the Alpha.
Also, I love to work out overall. It doesn't just make me fit, toned, and healthy, it also made me feel confident with myself. And not just that, but for me, working out is also my little get away from my busy life as the Alpha and all my duties specially being the heir of my dad's construction company.
Speaking of Alpha duties. It's been good these past few weeks and not even one have decided to make any chaos in the pack. Surprisingly, no rogues were even detected trying to lurk their way into our territory, which is good news for me and the whole pack. But the bad part was the paperwork, which never ever leaves me the hell alone. Whenever I finish one, I feel like the second I take my eyes off of my work desk, a file would magically appear and one by one they will start piling up to a freaking mountain right infront of me. Well that was a bit of exaggeration but you get my point.
So with all those obnoxious paperwork, anything else that consisted with my Alpha duties were all a piece of cake. Okay, maybe not really a piece of cake since training the new shifted pack members was always a pain in the ass, but maybe a little manageable as I put it. Training them isn't that hard per say, but not also that easy. But when you train a newly shifted pack pup, you would sometimes wish you'll be working on the stupid paperwork instead of training them. But unfortunately, it has to be done. Not for my own benefit or the pack's, but for their own. They have to know how to fight and defend themselves whenever it is needed. Whether it may be when they grow up or during a war -which I'm hoping won't ever happen- I want them to come prepared for everything.
Anyways, right after I finished my 10 mile run on the treadmill, I decided to have a little rest so I can have my shower and continue on with the day.
After gulping almost half of my bottle of water, I made my way to the shower and cleaned my body from all the sweat that I got from working out.
When I was done cleaning myself up and showering overall, I took some clothes for the day and walked to my office to check if there is anything needed my attention to be put into. I wanted to make sure that before I do anything else, I finished all office and paperwork first. Knowing they sometimes are very important since most files are about the packs financial, pack member reports, and alliance request. So not attending all of those important documents and files first sounds like a bad idea.
After making sure my office table was clean of any papers and files, I walked out of my apartment then down the stairs. Making my way into the large pack kitchen, I saw some of our Omegas doing some cooking and preparing for breakfast.
"Good morning everyone." I greeted with a smile making them stop what ever they were doing and turn their heads at me.
"Good morning to you too, Alpha." The four omegas greeted back at the same time making me smile. I notice that they always do that. Greeting me at the same time.
"Not to sound rude or anything Alpha, but you seem to be in a very good mood today." Lacey said with a smile after I got the juice from the fridge.
"Starting the day with positivity, I guess." I responded back to her with the same smile.
She nodded enthusiastically. "That's nice. Hopefully it will stay positive the whole day for you and for all of us."
"Hopefully." I replied and she smiled brightly making me chuckle.
Seems like I made her day to start positive then. Which I hope will stay that way.
As I was about to leave the kitchen, Lacey stoped me on my tracks when she speak up again.
"Oh Alpha, I have a question though. But I hope it's okay for me to ask." She said looking skeptical.
"Sure Lacey, you can ask me anything."
She looked around the kitchen first before looking back at me with an unsure look on her face.
"Well uhm, is it true that you finally found your mate?" She asked while fiddling on her fingers nervously.
For a second, it made me nervous as well.
"I don't know if I can answer that Lacey but can I also ask you why you asked me that?" I questioned as nicely as I could manage.
If she looked nervous a few minutes ago then she looked terrified right now right after I asked her that question.
"W-Well uhm, I-I heard some p-pack members talking about it yesterday and I t-thought it would b-be best if...if I a-ask you, which I figured was a v-very stupid move." She stuttered out in part fear and embarrassment.
I didn't mean to come out as scary to her but what she told me kinda made me annoyed in some way. Is the pack really talking about it behind my back?
"It's okay Lacey. You're not in trouble because of that, so don't stress and worry yourself out, okay?" I told her while placing a hand on her shoulder telling her that I meant what I said.
She nodded and looked at me through her lashes. "But did I ruin your day now?"
I chuckled and ruffled her already messy brown locks. For a girl like her, I noticed that she preferred having short hair than most girls do, which I'm not saying that it doesn't look good on her but just plain different. A good different by the way. I would say that it fits her perfectly well and she looked unique from the others.
"Not at all Lacey. My day is positive. Well, positively okay that is." I said making her face contort into guilt making me chuckle once again.
"I'm just kidding Lacey. Calm down." I told her before she could think of anything else.
Well I wasn't really lying but I wasn't also telling the truth.
After knowing that the pack you are serving is talking something about your mate behind your back kind of decreased the positivity for today for me.
But on the other hand, I'm also some kind of happy that the pack is so eager to meet their future luna.
Also, I never really thought that they would find out this early, but I did expect them to find out sooner or later. Knowing the pack, they are sometimes very good at doing some ninja moves on sneaking informations. Which is sometimes a good thing but most of the times not.
After walking my way out of the pack house's kitchen, I went out to the yard to have some fresh morning air.
I sat on the bench and just observed the surrounding with what ever business they were up to.
Children are running around playing while their parents sat on the side watching their children just incase they got hurt.
10 minutes that I stayed and watched everyone do their own business, I decided to go back inside and check if there is anything I needed to do in the office. But before I managed to make a step inside the pack house, Brandon stopped me on my feet.
"Hey man, what's up?" He asked looking like he just finished training.
"Nothing much really. What about you?"
"Just finished training some warriors actually." He paused while wiping the sweat on his forehead. "Anyways, what are you up to now? Are you not planning to give Ash a visit?" He finished.
"Well, I was planning on it but then I figured the bastard would still be their like a leech on Ashley's side, so maybe it's for the best that I shouldn't. Knowing that when I saw Connor's face I'm afraid I'd loose control with myself and snap and break his neck right where he's standing." I admitted while gulping the water in my hand.
"Good point though, but then you're also giving Connor the advantage if you stop." He said making me nod my head understandingly.
"But you do know that I can't stand seeing Connor, right?"
"I know that Alpha, but what I'm saying is that, it's Ash you want to see, and not that Connor guy. So maybe you can just ignore Connor even being there and just went on with pursuing your mate." He said and I thought about it if it's going to work. "But then again, it's just my opinion. It's up to you to make any actions." He quickly added.
"Yeah. Maybe that'll work. Thanks man." I told him and gave his shoulder a pat. I'm glad he gave me some advice though. I kind of needed it at this moment.
"No problem Alpha. If it helps you get your mate and our future Luna then I'm happy to help." He said with a nod and a smile.
"Anyways, I'll better go prepare myself before facing my mate. I don't want to look like a homeless guy when I face him and give Connor the upper hand when it comes to the looks."
Brandon chuckled. "Yeah you do that."
"So I'll see you later Brandon. Watch the pack for me for a few hours please."
He nodded again then bowed his head at me. "I will Alpha. Don't worry."
With that, I walked into the pack's elevator heading to my apartment.
After freshening myself up and making sure I looked presentable, I fetched my wallet and keys from my office desk and headed down to the parking lot where my car was.
Driving out of the pack's driveway, I went to the dirt road heading to the highway.
A few minutes later, I made it infront of the Valdez' residences. However, before I made a move in turning my car's ignition off, a strange feeling suddenly struck me in the gut.
I feel like something is wrong.
But of course, I shrugged it off like it was nothing because I know everything is completely normal the way it was, and that it was just me over-thinking things.
Locking my car, I headed towards their porch.
The house was oddly silent, and so was the whole neighborhood. Which only made the strange feeling in my gut to worsen.
Hopefully it was nothing.
When I came infront of their door, I knocked twice.
When no one answered, I knocked again.
And again.
And after the fifth knock, I heard shuffling inside and I assumed it's either Ash or his sister or anyone from their family.
After unlocking the doorknob, the door flew open revealing Ashley's mom, Cathy.
"Oh Hi Arthur, how are you?" Cathy greeted with a beaming smile.
"Hello Cathy. I'm doing really well, what about yourself?" I asked politely while checking if Ash was around.
"I'm perfectly great actually." She responded back happily. "Anyway, what brought you here?" She asked while motioning me inside their comfy house.
"Oh uh, I just want to know if Ash is here? I, maybe he wanted to hang out or something?" I asked feeling a tab bit shy as I followed Cathy towards their living room. She sat on the couch while I sat across from her.
"Oh my, I'm sorry to say but Ash isn't here right now." She said and I fought the urge to frown. "He's gone for probably two or three weeks. He went to Colorado with Connor and they left 2 days ago." She said sounding sad and I feel like every blood in my body instantly drained out after I heard it.
"Oh." Is all I said trying my best not to let my voice show any sign that I was terrified of what that bastard might do to Ash.
"It was kind of odd too, though." She admitted crossing her legs.
This time, I frowned.
"Odd?"
"Well, it was like, Connor's in a hurry to leave or something." She said with a thoughtful look on her face. "Which made me worry about Ash. But I do know Connor will take good care of him, it's just that, this strange feeling keeps bugging me after they left." She added.
So it's not only me who have this strange feeling. Cathy also felt it. But what does it mean?
"Or maybe, it's just me being a paranoid Mother. Specially when it comes to my youngest. I can't help but be a worried mess all the time." She sighed deeply and looked at me with a small smile.
"It's completely normal to feel worried Cathy, specially when it's your son you're talking about. But I'm sure Ash is fine." I told her in hopes of making her feel less worried. More so, convincing myself at the same time that nothing bad will happen to Ash.
"I really hope so."
"Anyway, maybe I should go since Ash isn't here right now. Maybe I'll ask him if he wanted to hang out when he gets back." I told Cathy who stood up from the couch.
"Yes, maybe that will work. But don't you want something to drink or snacks first?" She offered and I politely declined.
"No I'm good Cathy, thank you."
"Are you sure?" She pushed and I gave her a smile.
"Yes. I'm sure."
After leaving their house, I immediately called Brandon using our link telling him to tell Connor's pack I'm also going to give them a little visit.
F*cking shit. If they left two days ago then I don't know what Connor have already done to my mate by now.
What I'm scared the most is him claiming Ash.
We all know that once a person that was already destined to be with someone, being claimed and marked by a person who isn't their mate will cause death. But I'm sure Connor knows that when he marks Ash and something goes wrong, he'll finally realize Ash is not his mate. But then Ash will also be in danger.
If Connor did what I'm afraid he'll do, then goddess help me.
We've been in flight for almost an hour now and I can't wait until we finally land. I'm not afraid of flight or anything, it's just the thought of Ash in danger makes me feel so damn uneasy.
If ever we came in too late, I don't know what I'll do. If Connor did marked Ash then I don't know if there will be ways to remove the mark and to reverse the mating process.
But also as much as possible, I want to be as optimistic as I possibly can. But I can't help myself but let some negative thoughts flood my mind. It's inevitable not to think something negative though, no matter how you convince yourself that everything will be alright; that Ash is alright, I still couldn't help but feel scared that what if things gets worse.
"Alpha." Brandon spoke, snapping me out of my worried thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"Are you okay? You've been staring out that window for almost half an hour now." He asked with worry lacing his voice.
"I'm fine Brandon."
He doesn't look convinced that's why he moved on his seat and faced me.
"You don't look fine to me." He stated obviously.
I sighed. "Just thinking."
"It won't even take for a blind person a second to guess who." He said. "Well, I'm sure Luna Ashley is completely fine." He said optimistically.
"I hope so." Then he got quiet for a minute.
This time, it's his turn to sigh. "Yeah. I hope so too."
I averted my gaze from the window of the plane to Brandon's face.
"I swear, If Connor did something as much as hurt my mate, I will kill him to shreds."
Brandon nodded. "We are with you on that. But let's just think positively that Ash is unharmed..." He trailed off. "Or unmarked."
I looked away from him and back into the plane's window. "I don't know what I'll do if ever that happens Brandon."
"All we can do at this moment is just pray to the moon goddess that Ash is alright, Alpha." He said and agreed to him.
He's right. There is not much I can do while we are in flight but to pray and beg the moon goddess to keep my mate safe.
"I know." I said while silently sending a prayer to the moon goddess.
After an hour and a half of flight, we finally landed at the airport. We all took our things and headed to the cars that are waiting for us. For me and Brandon, we used the car that my dad have offered while the rest of the guys that came with us here, went to the Van.
Right when we drove out of the airport, I just had the urge to barge my way into that pack and get Ash unharmed then leave as fast as possible. But of course I couldn't do that when I know it's not my pack I'm walking into. So as the kind Alpha that I am, I have to be there and be nice even though I'm ready to shred anyone who gets in the way of me getting my mate.
The drive from the airport towards the Blood Sunset Pack wasn't that long. It only took us approximately 20 minutes of silent and tensed drive before the GPS told us we were only a mile away from the said pack.
Just like back home, we had to enter a dense forest and drove into a dirt road before the Pack house came in sight. But before we were able to get to our destination, a pack of wolves with deadly looking eyes -which I'm guessing is there warriors- came out of the shadows and escorted us into the pack house.
What a warm welcome for us, eh?
A minute later, we finally stopped in front of a huge mansion -not as big as ours back home to be honest- with a well built Man standing in front of the door with a petite woman next to him.
I'm lucky guessing they are the Alpha and Luna.
Turning the car's ignition, we all piled out and walked infront of the man who's wearing a stoic expression on his face while the woman which I'm guessing is his wife, wrapped her arms around the mans arms.
"Alpha Arthur Trevino." The man said a bit too dryly in my taste.
Doesn't he know that my pack is a lot stronger than his? That if he decided to be an ass to me and my guys then the alliance he was asking will be discarded?
I think he doesn't realize that.
"Alpha Kellan Mathews." I responded back as dryly.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Arthur." He said offering his hand.
And of course I took it and we shook hands.
"This is my wife and also the pack's luna, Francheska Mathews." He introduced his wife, and this time, she offered her hand for me to shake, and again I took it and we both shake hands.
"It's nice to meet you Alpha Arthur, and oh, you can call me Cheska as what everyone calls me." She said with a smile.
"Likewise, Luna Cheska." I responded back. "Anyways, this is Brandon our pack's Beta and behind us are some of my most trusted warriors. I won't name all of them as we all see there are 25 of them in here, and I figured it would take so much of our time if I did." I stated.
"That won't be a problem Alpha. So I have gathered that you came here because you are looking for someone, am I right?" He asked straight to the point.
"Yes. You are correct."
He nodded. "So may I know who it is you are looking for?"
"My mate."
His eyebrows rose at what I said and nodded once again. "I see. And may I know your mate's name?"
"Ashley Dale Valdez." I stated proudly.
He looked shocked right after I said my mate's name. "Ashley Dale Valdez? Isn't that...." He trailed off while looking down at his wife confused.
"Yes but, that is the same exact name of Connor's mate, our beta." His wife Cheska said looking confused as well.
"Well then I'm afraid he claimed the wrong mate." I told them with anger starting to bubble it's way up to the surface.
Cheska looked at her husband in question. "Let's talk about this inside, shall we?" Kellan said with furrowed brows and I nodded.
As we entered their pack house, me and Brandon, along with Kellan and his wife all went straight to where I assumed is the Alpha's office leaving the warrior in the living room.
"Please make yourselves comfortable." Said the Luna who sat next to her husband.
And with that, we sat on the black leather couch.
"Anyway, are you saying that Connor claimed your mate as his own?" Kellan asked continuing the subject.
"Yes." Is my only reply without any expressions on my face.
"Are you sure? I mean maybe...." Cheska said but I cut her off before she could finish what ever she was going to say.
"I am one hundred percent sure Luna. The pull and mate bond that I feel towards Ash is enough for me to know he really is my mate. I'm sure Ashley felt it everytime I'm near him with the way he reacts. So I hope that's enough to prove it." I stated.
She was silent for a short while, before her husband once again spoke up.
"Our wolves and feelings never lie." He said looking like he's in a trance then he suddenly looked up at me. "We should get this fixed before everything is too late."
"Oh my. Didn't Connor said that they're going to complete the mating process as soon as possible? Kellan, we have to do something." Cheska said now looking worried.
Her husband nodded and then his eyes looked like they were void of any color, meaning he's using their pack link.
"I've already called him over." He said after his eyes snapped back to it's normal color.
As I remained seated in the comfortable leather couch, I took in a huge amount of breath readying myself for what's to come.
"I will make sure to get all of this fixed before dusk, Arthur." Kellan said determined and I send his way a small smile of appreciation.
Without uttering a word, I nodded my head as my only response.
A few minutes later, a knock interfered our conversations making all of us went into a halt.
Even without telling, I know it was Ash who's on the other side of that door with the scent that came flooding through my nostrils. The sweet scent of strawberries that was freshly picked from it's stem, along with the smell of delectable vanilla and also it was topped with the smell of fresh coconut. The familiar scent of my mate that I can't seem to get enough of. But an odd scent invaded my senses along with my mates sweet scent, and if I'm not mistaken, it's Connor who I hated with every f*cking fiber of my being.
As the doorknob started to turn, I feel like the air had suddenly stopped supplying my body with oxygen.
Then after it flew open, Connor came into view first before my mate finally caught my sight.
"You called Kellan....." Connor said but cut himself off when he saw me sitting on the couch.
I stared at him with the urge to kill and the lust for blood swimming visibly in my eyes.
Then I heard a gasp.
"Arthur?" A voice said which I know of by heart. My mate.
I cut my gaze from Connor and looked at my mate who was standing uncomfortably near to Connor for my liking.
"Hi Ash." I greeted softly with a smile.
And with that, his cheeks became red as  a tomato making him so f*cking adorable.
"Uhm, h-hello." He responded back with a little wave of his tiny hand.
I smiled a little wider. "How are you?"
"I-I'm okay..... but how did you get here? W-What are you doing here?" He stuttered adorably with red cheeks.
I smiled at him. "I'm here to take you home."
"Take me home? But I just got here like 2 days ago."
"I know, but we need to go home, Ash." I pushed.
"But why?"
"You're not taking him away from me." Connor chimed in as he held Ashley's arm.
Sending my gaze back to Connor, I gave him the deadliest look I could ever muster.
"And do you think I'll let you do that?" I spat back.
"Well if you try then I'll kill you." He said as his eyes changed telling me that his wolf is starting to gain control.
"Not when I kill you first." I said as venomously with Zion also taking control of my body.
"Wait stop! What the hell is going on here? Are you two seriously fighting in someone else's house? Didn't your mothers taught you some goddamn manners?" Ash said sounding pissed off.
"Ash is right. We can always resolve this without blood being spilled." Kellan chirped in making Ash nod his head in agreement. "And I also want to clear something up about you Connor." He added which Connor took notice as his name was being called.
And right there, his eyes told me he knew where this conversation is going.
"Cheska, can you take Ash for a few minutes? Connor and I along with Arthur and his beta..... I mean friend, Brandon, will have something important to discuss." He said and his wife didn't waste a second and took Ash out of Kellan's office, leaving the four of us in a tensed atmosphere.
"So Connor, you might want to take a seat." Kellan said and Connor quickly abides.
Kellan took a deep breath first before he started to speak up. "I will be straight to the point." He paused. "Connor, I want to know the truth."
Connor sat there taken aback by his Alpha's question.
"What do you mean?"
"Ash isn't your mate, is he?" Kellan asked.
Connor furrowed his brows and sent me a deadly gaze which I wasn't even near fazed by it.
"O-Of course he is. You already knew that." He stuttered stupidly.
Kellan shook his head. "That's what I knew before Arthur told me the truth." He said his voice raising a bit higher.
"No, he's lying. Ash is my mate, I know he is."
"Or are you telling us that to convince yourself that your not a f*cking wanderer?" I spat with the urge to slap the truth to his face.
"Shut the f*ck up."
I smirked. "Oh why would I? Is it because what I said is the truth?"
"Connor, I know it's hard to accept that fact but you do know that claiming someone else's mate is wrong, right?" Kellan said sounding annoyed.
"Why are you telling me this? I've already told you, Ash is my f*cking mate." He yelled hardheadedly and it took everything in my very being to not snap his neck right where he's seated.
"Connor if we keep up with this denial thing then you leave me no choice."
Connor frowned. "What are you saying?"
"I'll leave this matter in the hands of our elders. If you're too stubborn about this then I have no other choice but to let them decide." Kellan admitted. "Face the consequences Connor if you stand in what you believe and I'm telling you now, the elders are very unpredictable when it comes to them making decisions." He added.
Connor was silent for a while which I'm guessing he's deliberating with himself.
Then he frowned and looked at his Alpha with determined look on his face.
"Then so be it." He spoke in which I glared daggers towards him.
Kellan raised his eyebrows.
"Do you hear yourself Connor? Once the elders finds out what you are on about, they can give punishment as far as death." He said but Connor wasn't near fazed by his words.
"I'm not giving up on my mate." He said making the rage to boil up inside me once again.
"He's my mate." I growled through gritted teeth.
"He's my MATE!" He fought.
I was about to stand from my seat when Brandon held me back.
"It's not a good thing to lose control of your temper, Alpha." He whispered as I continued to glare towards Connor.
"Once the elders finds out you're lying, I will kill you myself." I growled lowly as I stared deadly at Connor.
He growled in response.
"Not when I kill you first." He retorted.
As he made a move of standing from his seat, Kellan decided to intervene.
"Enough." He yelled. "We'll give the decision to the Elders. Until then, we won't know who's telling the truth."
I turned to Kellan and glared.
"Are you saying I'm lying?" I gritted feeling a lot more enraged.
He shook his head. "That's not what I'm trying to mean Arthur." He paused. "I just want the elders to give the answers on who's telling the truth about claiming Ash as a mate. He's human. We can't risk putting him in danger."
As much as this situation angers me, I have to wait for the elders' decision. And if it's for Ash's safety, I'll go with the process.
I sighed. "Very well."
I turned to Kellan.
"In one condition." I spoke.
Kellan furrowed his brows at me.
"What is it?"
I looked him in the eye with all seriousness.
"Keep this bastard away from Ash." I stated as I pointed at Connor.
He glared. "And why the f*ck would I do that?"
I glared back. "Until the elders give their decision, you can't go near Ash."
He folded his arms on his chest.
"Well then, I say it goes the same for you." He said a little smug for my liking.
I frowned.
"Until the elders give their decision, you can't go near Ash." He repeated what I just said with a satisfied smirk on his face.
I glared at him intensely.
"I think it's only fair that the both of you stay a good distance from Ash for now. Until we know who's telling the truth, no one can be with him." Kellan chimed.
I groaned in annoyance.
"Fine." I stated turning my gaze to Connor. "Let's get this over with."
Kellan nodded.
"I'll set up a meeting with all the elders so we'll have this settled once and for all." He said.