CHAPTER 41: SHE’S A CRAZY BIT-

"You actually came." The woman at the bottom of the stairs crosses her arms over her busty chest. The spaghetti strap navy dress she wears has a slit in the skirt, revealing a slender leg as she shifts her hips to the side. Her long black hair is in a decorated braid that hangs over her shoulder, and the three inch heels on her feet are thin enough to stab someone in the eye if she ever decided to stomp on them. Which is very likely to happen based on her past actions. "Mother will be pleased."

Zander frowns down at her from where he stands at the top. Her intimidating alpha aura is thick in the air, the burnt sour scent making his nostrils burn. His instincts scream at him to release his own pheromones and force her to submit and stop challenging him. Being a dominant alpha, Zander will always be the one at the top of the power chain. However, he didn’t want to make the confrontation any worse than it already is."Reign it in, Zalia." He snaps at her instead.

He jogs down the steps that lead down to the garden in the backyard of his parents too large home. A stone water fountain glistens in the center of the court yard, bushes of flowers ranging from different colored roses line the oerimiter.

Beside his sister is Mila, wearing a long black skirt that reaches her ankles and a matching blouse with puffs on the sleeves. It’s not her usual style of jeans and crop tops. Mila is Zalia’s best friend, yet why she still comes to their family brunch is beyond him. She may have lived with them for a short while in her teenage years after her family moved away to Germany, but having her around still is annoying.

"Mother will have lots of questions." Zalia says, her emerald eyes shining with a curiosity that’s bound to cause him trouble. "Father has been talking her ear off about how you found an omega to settle down with."

Zander reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose and clenches his eyes shut. "That damned old man." He mutters. He always did have a big mouth. While Zander expected it and even hoped for it, he still wasn’t ready to face it.

"So it’s true?" Zalia gasps, her manicured hand grabbing his arm. "You’ve found someone?"

Zander purses his lips, debating on what to tell her. "If I say no," He tilts his head to the side and reaches up to run his hand through his unstyled hair. He didn’t bother to dress up when he left Ethan’s house, and instead came straight here. "Mother will just push another date on me like I’m some cattle needed for breeding." His nose wrinkles.

"Damn," Mila speaks up, her face expressionless as she listens to their conversation. "So glad my family hates me for being a beta."

"Why are you here, again?" Zander casts his nose at her, "Isn’t there some poor victim you need to tourcher?"

The betas jaw clenches and she takes a step towards him. Zander smirks. Mila may not be able to sense the pheromones of omegas and alphas, but dominant alphas are a different case. Mila once learned what it was like to be under the pressure of his aura, yet even know she braves against him. Zander may not like her on a personal level, but he admits that she’s both crazy and stupid for her lack of survival instincts. It’s a little admirable.

"Now, now." Zalia grabs her brothers hand and pulls him to the large table on the side, decorated with food and drinks. She lets go of him and sits down, Mila and Zander taking the spots beside her. "She’s truly curious." She says, returning the conversation back to their mom. "I invited Mila just in case things go awry."

Zander eyes the beta’s outfit once more, "Why do you dress like that every time you come here?" The judgment seeps into his tone. He really doesn’t care, he just wants to piss her off. Maybe if she causes a scene he can leave before seeing his mother.

"How about you worry less about me, and more about yourself?" Mila reaches for a flute of orange juice and sips it, her dark eyes glaring at him over the rim. When she lowers the glass she offers a mean smile, "Breeding cow."

"I hate you." Zander says. Then he turns to Zalia, "I hate her. Stop unviting her."

Mila scoffs loudly, "You didn’t say that when you called me to kidnap your omega toy."

Zander clenches his jaw.

"You made her do that?" Zalia glares at him. "And what omega toy?"

"I didn’t make her," he snaps back, "She happily did it." Then he leans forward as if to tell his sister a secret, "She’s a crazy bit-"

Mila grabs the nearest cutting knife and lunges at him, her long dark hair swishing over her shoulders. Before she can make it across the short distance between them, Zalia grabs the beta’s wrist and squeezes.

Zander frowns and licks the inside of his cheek. Damn, he was so close to getting a ticket out.

When the knife drops from Mila’s hand, the female alpha gently sets her wrist on the table and pats the back of her hand. "Now, now." She tisks at her best friend. "What did we talk about?"

Mila avoids her gaze and sighs. "We don’t listen to the words of males, alphas especially." Mila grumbles. Her dark eyes shift from the table to drill holes into the side of Zander’s face.

"Very good." Zalia says and pats her cheek. She reaches for a strawberry tart and passes it to her, "Eat this. Something sweet will make you feel better, Darling."

Mila rolls her eyes but takes the offering anyway, raising it to her nose and sniffing at the custard.

"Jeez, is she your pet or something?" Zander mutters as he watches her. "She’s like some poorly trained mutt."

Zalia slaps his shoulder, "Watch what you say. There’s only so much I can do to stop her before you make her snap."

Good. Don’t stop her. Zander almost says it out loud, but stiffens when someone calls from behind.

"Why does it feel like I have to force you here to see you?" The feminine voice is soft yet punctual.