THE ALPHA'S VIRGIN SLAVE: Submit Alpha Ian's curse - Chapter 401: Chapter 401

August's POV
"Will they be okay?" Tanya asked with concern while I drove.
“Who?” I asked simply.
“Kyle and the others; they drank so much,” she answered.
"Of course, they will," I said simply.
Yesterday was very nice and so much fun. We got to dance, drink more, and just spend the night laughing and chatting.
I was very exhausted because I had slept for only a few hours, yet I couldn't stay long or spend another night in the pack.
Tanya had classes tomorrow, and I needed her to rest comfortably at home.
She loved spending time with everyone, and even when she was at her limits, she wouldn't say no when asked to do something. I had to intervene and respond on her behalf.
Through our shared bond, I could tell how she was feeling even when she said otherwise.
I glanced at her when she yawned, then pulled over at a café.
I had been driving for hours, and we were back in town and very close to my apartment.
"Why did we stop?" she asked simply.
I got out and shut the door behind me, then went around to open the door for her.
"How about we get some coffee?" I asked seriously when she stepped out.
"Coffee sounds great right now," she answered.
I shut the door behind her and grabbed her hand.
As we approached the café, I picked up a familiar scent that made me stop moving.
Tanya instantly stopped too and looked at me seriously.
"What is it?" she asked softly.
I knew I could walk away or even run away from them if I wanted to, but then again, I really wanted to be with my mate and sort things out.
I took a deep breath and then turned to face Teresa, who was approaching us with a man laughing.
When her eyes met mine, she stopped walking, and the man stopped and looked at her with a concerned expression on his face.
Her eyes went to our linked hands, and she furiously marched to where we were.
"Mom, Dad, I can't explain," Tanya said loudly as she quickly moved in front of me when Teresa raised her hand.
I quickly moved aside as the slap landed on my cheek.
"How dare you!" she screamed furiously.
She was about to slap me again when Tanya caught her hand in mid-air.
"Tanya, stay out of this," she warned loudly.
"No, I won't," she answered firmly.
"What's going on here?" the man asked as he moved closer.
"Dad, I think it's better if you take Mom home and leave us alone. When I get back, we will talk," Tanya said seriously after she let go of Teresa's hand.
"Leave us alone? Are you stupid or insane?" Teresa asked as I held my breath, swallowing hard.
I hated the disrespect she was showing towards my mate, and I didn't fucking care if she was her daughter or not.
"Keep calm; she means a lot to our mate," Ried warned me to keep me in check.
"Teresa, calm down. I'm pretty sure whatever has made you this upset can be talked through," the man tried to reason.
"You are saying that because you don't understand," she answered loudly.
"Then make me understand," he said loudly.
"Were you fucking me while fantasizing about my daughter? Is that what it was? Do you like them young? Did you manipulate her and make her think...?"
"Enough," the man said furiously.
"I now understand what is going on, but this is no place to talk or argue. You are attracting unwanted attention," the man said seriously.
"I don't care about that, Cian. Tanya, we are going home now," she said coldly.
"I am not going anywhere with you, and just so we're clear, I won't allow you to say shit about my man. Say anything offensive again, and I promise you I won't ever step foot in your apartment," she warned.
Teresa quickly looked at Cian with widened eyes.
"Tanya, there is no need for you to say that or overreact," Cian said softly.
"Overreact? What the hell is wrong with you? Why aren't you angry with him and her?" Teresa screamed furiously.
"Teresa, I know you are upset, and I do understand why you are so angry at me. But Cian is right; please, let's find a reasonable place to talk," I said when I noticed a few people watching us.
"You have no right to tell me shit," she answered coldly.
"I am not telling you; I am asking you," I said seriously.
"Screw you," she whispered.
"Dad, if you won't handle your wife, I swear to God I'll go crazy on her!" Tanya said loudly.
I grabbed her hand and walked her to my car.
"August...,"
"Get in," I said seriously.
"But she...,"
"Get in, please," I said softly and then opened the door for her.
"Okay," she answered in a low tone and then got in.
I closed the door and walked to where Teresa was.
"Cian, if you have time, how about you follow us to my apartment? There we can talk things through," I said.
"Sure," he answered.
"I am not going anywhere with you, asshole!" Teresa exclaimed.
I ignored her and focused on Cian.
"Sure, my car is parked a few meters away," he answered.
I walked back to my car and got in with a low sigh.
"I'm sorry," Tanya whispered when I started the car.
"It isn't your fault," I answered, and then drove away.
"Please don't stay away from me or regret ever loving me. If I lose you because of her, I will never forgive myself," she said through our mind-link.
I could feel her emotions clearly—fear, anger, and sadness.
Gently, I moved one of my hands to her thigh and smiled. “It takes two hands to clap, you know that? I love you, and I chose to be in this relationship with you. So don’t worry—no matter what, I won’t let you go,” I said softly.
“Thank you,” she whispered, placing her hand on top of mine.
“I will make sure Teresa knows what I am. No more hiding,” I added seriously.
I was determined to show Teresa and Cian what I truly was. They needed to understand why Tanya was so important to me.
I would seek their forgiveness and acceptance for as long as it took, even if it meant a few years of effort.