Page 117 of Her Destined Alpha
“Ana… welcome, I’m so happy you’re here. My! You’re beautiful!” She cupped Delsanra’s face, kissing her forehead softly before pulling her in for a hug. I could hear Delsanra’s heart thudding, and I prayed to the Goddess that Mom always saw her like this… because she had been deprived of a mother’s love all her life, and I just wished my mom could fill that hole in her life.
“It’s nice to meet you, Luna,” Delsanra said softly.
“Mom, it’s Mom,” Mom replied firmly, caressing her cheek as she looked at her mark with pride.
“Mom…” Delsanra said hesitantly. She looked down, forcing a smile, but I could see it had thrown her off. I kissed her forehead, tugging her back into my arms, and caressed her waist.
“Rayhan…” Mom said apologetically, turning back to me and hugging me tightly.
“Now that Ana’s here, I’ve become second, huh?” I teased, hugging her tightly.
Her comforting scent reminded me of those nights when I used to wake from a bad dream, and it had been my only comfort. With time, we grow, and we slowly become distant from our parents. We find our mates, and they become our life, but to our mothers, we are still the most beloved thing on this earth. If there was one thing stronger than the bond a woman had with her mate, it was the love she had for her child. Or that was the case for most mothers anyway.
“Not at all. You are always number one, Ya Hayati,” Mom promised.
“Of course, and I’m just the extra, right?” Raihana chimed in as I turned to see her hugging Dad. He laughed, letting go of her and looked at Delsanra, a smile gracing his face.
“Ana, isn’t it?”
Delsanra
“Yes…” I saidsoftly.
I felt nervous. Rayhan’s parents were sweet and strong, but I was terrified of the rejection I might face. I knew that his father knew about Raihana, so I hoped he would accept me, but it was clear that the bond Rayhan and his mother had was strong. I just didn’t want there to be a rift between them. Ever.
“Will you not give this old man a hug?” he teased; his brown eyes filled with warmth.
Was he really the Lycan King’s brother? I could see the slight similarities to the Rogue Alpha. I had only seen him from a distance, but it was only slight. The man before me oozed warmth and comfort.
Rayhan didn’t let go of me, as if asking me if I wanted to go to his father or not. I gave a tiny nod and stepped forward, unsure, and he gave me a hug instead, kissing the top of my head.
“Welcome to the family. I do apologise that we weren’t there when you arrived,” he said gently.
“Oh, it’s fine, we got back late,” I said, moving back.
“I wonder why…” Chris remarked. Making the rest chuckle.
I looked at Rayhan, who looked incredibly handsome and utterly sexy in a suit. Our eyes met before he pulled me back into his arms, kissing my lips softly. I closed my eyes for a moment, not even caring that all eyes were on us. The sparks that coursed through me made everything fade away. My anxiety, doubt, and worry. His scent and touch made me lightheaded, and I sighed softly as we parted.
“Rayhan, finally, you have come to visit this old man,” a deep voice said. We turned to see the elderly man who had approached us. From his aura, I could tell he was strong.
“Grandfather,” Rayhan said, letting go of me and hugging his grandfather before introducing me.
I gave a polite nod, and he patted my head. I could tell he was a strict man. His imposing eyes turned on Raihana, who, to my surprise, shrank a little under his gaze.
She looked gorgeous in a fitted green, shimmering, off-shoulder gown that hugged her figure perfectly. I didn’t know what it was, but there was definitely something between Chris and her. I could sense it every time they looked at each other, the confusion and annoyance from Raihana along with the guilt and uncertainty from him. I wondered what had happened.
“Raihana, do you not know how to greet your grandfather?” he scolded.
“Oh no, of course I do!” She hurried to her grandfather and gave him a hug. He patted her head with a curt nod.
Rayhan’s cousin, Zain, and his mate, Layla, the soon-to-be wedded couple, approached us, and I was introduced to them too. Both were polite and formal, but I could tell Rayhan wasn’t too close to his cousin. They talked a little regarding some work and training, but it was more like a leader-to-leader conversation than cousins.
“So, Rayhan, you will take the position as Alpha soon. How do you feel?” Zain asked.
“Confident,” Rayhan replied, taking two flutes of drinks from a passing waiter. He passed one to me, his hand once again tight around my waist. I looked up at him, admiring his man bun. Was there anything this man couldn’t pull off?
“I hope, unlike your father, you can talk your uncle into doing something about the witches,” Zain said, drinking from his own glass. I tensed, and I heard Raihana’s sharp intake of breath.
