Becoming Alpha’s Personal Caretaker
Chapter 150

Manuel

POV

My eyes went to the family picture that was hung in the study.

It was of me, Lola, and Janice when the latter turned eighteen. It was taken in the ballroom where the lavish party was held for my youngest daughter's coming of age.

I invited the alphas and their children as a way also for Janice to get to know other tribes as the possibility for her to meet her true mate.

An invitation was sent to Lauren through the insistence of Janice. She said she wanted our family to be completed on her birthday. Instead of accepting the invite, I was told off and Janice cried when she heard of it.

Lola insisted to have the picture enlarged. She wanted to place the picture in the receiving room for everyone to see but Lauren objected. My eldest threatened them to be kicked out of the house if they insisted to put it there. We are reminded again that it was her house and her grandfather put it in her name in his will. To end the discussion, I placed it in the study despite Janice and Lola's disapproval.

Thinking about it, because of the scandals that had happened in the last few months, I should have listened to Lauren. I thought she was acting rebellious because I am favoring Janice more. However, Lauren was telling the truth and my other daughter was playing us all along.

"Have you heard the news, Manuel?"

My mother, Susan, came in the study. She has a cane in her right hand to help her walk steadily. Slowly, the old woman drew near.

I noticed when she sneered at the sight of the picture on the wall.

Since Janice created more and more embarrassing situations that put the family on hot waters, my mother has been cold towards her. She became indifferent to Lola even more. She reasoned that Lola spoiled our daughter too much to make her behaved that way. "What news, mother?" I asked after giving the picture a last glance.

"Lauren is Alpha Victor's mate."

I looked at my mother who seemed happy by the news.

"I heard about it, too. It has been the topics of the different tribes recently. Not only that Alpha Victor recovered from his injury, he also found his mate." I agreed to her relaying the information I also heard. "Then you heard that they were also considered a powerful couple?"

"What do you mean, mother?"

"Idiot!"

The other end of the cane was struck to my forearm. I was taken by surprised and stared at the angry woman in front of me.

Unapologetic with what she has done, Susan continued.

"Didn't you know that it was Lauren who aided that alpha to recover? It was not because she was a doctor, Manuel! Your daughter's wolf has the ability to heal! Do you know how rare that ability is?"

"What? That can't be true, mother. Lauren's wolf is weak. Why do you think she was not showing her wolf to us?"

"Because we refused to see it. And your eyes were always on your scandalous daughter." "Mother!"

"Isn't that true?" The old woman's eyes squinted on me. "Janice brought nothing in this family but disgrace. Not only she destroyed the relationship between our tribe and the Lunarko's by snatching Lauren's fiancé, she also killed her own baby." "Stop! Janice is still my daughter."

"Stupid!"

My mother huffed in anger. I have nothing to say to defend Janice. What she said was true and I even allowed Janice to do her thing despite knowing that Lauren will be hurt.

I have nothing but regret on the way I treated both my children especially on Lauren. My eldest daughter only wanted her mother's memory, my late wife and true mate, not to be tarnished and forgotten. Instead, I did the opposite and brought the woman I cheated

on with my first wife. I even declared to the public too early at my wife's passing that I have another daughter who was only a few months younger than Lauren.

Not only I destroyed my relationship with my daughter, I also broke Lauren's heart by always siding on Janice who eventually brought shame into the family and the tribe.

"You should find a way to contact Lauren."

Startled, my attention went to my mother who seemed to be deep thoughts. The old woman is clearly planning something.

"I have done enough damage to my daughter. Leaving her alone and wishing her happiness is enough as a payment for hurting her all these years." I announced.

"NO! You are a moron if you do that. This is our chance to bring glory to our tribe again, Manuel."

I sighed when my mother knocked the cane on the carpeted floor twice.

"Mend your relationship with Lauren."

"It was ruined, mother. I already cut my connection with her when I banished her from the Full Moon Tribe. She wants nothing to do with us especially now that she found her mate. She has a new tribe." I explained to her.

"Exactly. She has a new tribe and that is the Midnight Claws Tribe. Midnight Claws Tribe! A very powerful tribe with great reputation. Alpha Victor is well respected in the community. He is a millionaire. Imagine what he can do to us, Manuel."

I chose not to respond to my mother anymore. She saw no reasons. She only sees what she can gain from Lauren's mating.

I hurt my daughter enough. Not doing anything at the moment is the best thing I can do for her.

Michael's POV

Nursing on a glass of brandy, I watched the shadow of the curtain being swayed by the wind coming from the opened window in the room. The only illumination was the single lamp beside the bed. It was in its dimmest flicker at this time.

I have been confined in the house for a couple of months now. In the beginning, I only did it to avoid Janice's calls and clingy attitude. But when things went downhill, from losing his baby, braking off his engagement with Lauren and announcing his incoming wedding with Janice, I have been finding myself alone most of the time in my own bedroom trying to think of my choices.

I have been enthralled with Janice's attention that I chose to leave Lauren even though I am promised to her since we were kids through our parents' great friendship. Had I not been weak to Janice' seduction I would have been married to Lauren by now. There would have been no issues and their tribes would have been in good relationship until now.

I sipped the alcohol from the glass as I contemplated on the bad choices I made.

I deeply regret my moments of weakness with Janice. As much as I wanted to mend my relationship with Lauren since Janice is out of the picture, it seemed to be impossible.

It has been circulating in the tribes that Lauren has found her true mate. That is none other than Victor Miller of Midnight Claws Tribe. Alpha Victor is a powerful man with equally powerful wolf. Even if I wanted to assert my desire to take Lauren back, I am not strong enough to go against that man. I made enough embarrassment to last me a lifetime to make an action against my parents' will. My father not trusting me anymore is a huge blow to my confidence.

Wanting to breath fresh air, I stood up with the empty glass in hand. I opened the door of my room and thread the direction of the kitchen.

The hallways were lighted indicating that it was night time again. Another day is about to pass that I was not able to do anything productive but staying emotionally down in my room.

I stopped on my track when I passed by my parents' room. It seemed that they were still awake. I was about to move ahead when I heard my mother's exasperated voice.

"How long are you going to tolerate your son, Kean?"

"What is it this time, Vanessa?"

I remained on my feet. I decided to listened to their conversation.

"It has been weeks yet your son is still detained in his bedroom like a monk. Is that the kind of person that you wanted to lead this tribe?"

"He is young and heartbroken. Give him a break."

"You have been easy on him. It's the reason why he grew up weak."

"Stop it, Vanessa. This is a bad time for him. He lost a child and Janice is nowhere to be find. He might have learned that his ex-fiancee is now mated to Victor. This is not a good time to pressure him."

I frowned when my mother sneered. She was never a doting mother to me since day one. I should not expect anymore that she would change.

"It all boils down to Lauren, isn't it? Lauren and her mother will always be in your good side, Kean."

"Vanessa..."

"Remember what Lauren has done to our precious-"

"Stop it."

My father's warning was followed by my mother's crying. However, their conversation added more questions in my mind than answer. "She has the ability."

Vanessa whimpered over and over.

What ability? I questioned in my head as I marched towards the kitchen to fill my stomach with real food.