Becoming Alpha’s Personal Caretaker
Chapter 169

Lauren's

POV

After a long pause, Grandma Anna cleared her throat.

She grabbed the cup from the table and sipped a little before placing it back on top of the saucer.

Asking my grandmother about my mother is a long shot. For a long time, she and I has been avoiding the topic altogether. Thinking of mother brought them both pain.

Growing up, Grandma Anna has been focused on her. That was her mission. That was her main reason why she woke each day. She lived for me since she lost her only daughter.

The older woman gazed at me with sadness on her face.

"I am."

"Why?"

"Because Manuel's family was complicated back then. Your mother was never a social butterfly." She sighed again. "I feared the day that she will meet her mate. I was hoping that he would be from the same tribe so that I could still see her as much as I wanted to but when it was not, my worry doubled."

"Were you against their mating?"

The old woman shook her head.

"I am bond by my fear, Lauren. Who am I to contest the will of the Moon Goddess?"

"Really?"

"Your parents are true mates. Although his tribe had issues before and your father had a reputation of being a ladies' man, I had no proof and no women has come forward when their mating was announced. None yet."

"Have you ever expected that this will happen, Grandma?"

The other woman released a deep sigh. She sipped from the cup again. I did the same and cut a piece of the strawberry shortcake.

Grandma Anna still made the best strawberry shortcake I ever tasted in my life. Indeed, love and passion are the best ingredients in making food.

"I did not. When your parents started living on their own, they were very loving towards each other like other couples do. Your father was very attentive and supportive of your mother. He was patient and quite understanding of your mother's personality. It made the alliance between the Full Moon Tribe and Sabado Tribe stronger." "When did you notice Dad?"

"You mean, his affair with another woman?" I nodded. "Well, at the back of my mind, that's a possibility. Even after you were born, your parents were very good with each other. However, I misjudged Manuel."

It was me who breathed out louder when I heard that.

"I did not suspect him of having a mistress. My doubts were erased on the day that you were born. I witnessed how attentive your father was with you and your mother. I never thought that he has another family waiting for him months later." Silence surrounded the kitchen. We were both consumed by our thoughts.

"Grandma, did it ever cross your mind that mom may not committed suicide?"

"It does. Far too many times, Lauren. I am a mother. I am in denial of the truth that my precious daughter took her own life."

"You believed that mom did it?"

My grandmother nodded. "I have accepted that truth a long time ago. Your mother has very low emotional quotient. It was my fault. I allowed her to coped inside her bedroom instead of making friends. A big challenge like that to her marriage and family was a big blow for her. It was not easy, I know."

"What if she was forced to take her own life?"

The older woman grabbed my hand.

"Let it rest, dear. We have to make peace with what happened to her. I did. I have to so that you will not grow up with an old woman that has grudge in the world."

I sent her a smile. It was full of sorrow.

"I grew up just fine, Grandma."

"I know. I am very proud of what you become, Lauren."

"I know. I am proud of myself, too."

We both laugh at where their conversation is going.

"Can you promise one thing, child?" I stared into the dejected eyes of my grandmother. "Please do not repeat the history. No matter how heavy things maybe, you are not alone. For as long as I am here, you will never be alone, Lauren." I nodded. "I won't. I promise."

"That leads to my next question, dear."

My back straightened when I noticed that my grandmother's demeanor changed. The air on her mean business all of a sudden.

"The situation in Midnight Claws pack was complicated. How are you coping up? I mean, will you be alright?"

"I am alright, Grandma. Victor makes sure that I am safe."

"I can attest to that, Grandma Anna."

We both turned to Mila who drew near. She just exited my bedroom freshly showered. She looked a lot better than this morning when we left Lunarko Tribe.

Food and shower made her looked a lot better.

Mila poured herself a cup of coffee before occupying the seat beside me.

"Anyone who gained Lauren's affection is a trustworthy man, Grandma Anna. You knew how cynical Lauren can be, right?"

The older woman chuckled.

"I guess you're right. Lauren put everyone at arm's length."

"Hey!" I protested.

The two other women laughed at my expense but it made me smile eventually.

"One more thing, I have read from the news that Alpha Victor had a fiancée. How true is that?"

"It was true, Grandma. I actually witnessed their break up."

"What?"

I grinned at the disbelief on my grandmother's face.

"Victor was a patient in the hospital. He has disability and lost his wolf that time. The woman used those reasons to break off the engagement and Victor accepted it." I explained. "That day was the same that day that Michael told me that our engagement is off. I was humiliated that when I witness the break up between Victor and the woman, I declared that I am the new woman in Victor's life."

I was laughing when I finished. Victor and I had a long way since we started.

"You did?" I nodded. "That man is a ladies' man just like your father!"

"NO!" I immediately disagree. "Victor is far from it, Grandma. Women fall for him because he is a powerful alpha but he was not a playboy like what the papers are portraying him to be. He was far more different from the alpha that was written about him." The older woman frowned.

"Grandma, Victor might be very powerful but he is very gentle man. Not once that he used his alpha voice on me or forced me to do anything that I don't like. He respected me. He takes care of me."

"And he walks on water, Grandma Anna." Mila added.

"I am waiting for that, too." I said with a laugh.

"Are you sure about him?"

I nodded at my grandmother. "He is my true mate and I love him."

The older woman sighed.

"Fine. I will still test him."

"Oh, that I want to witness." Mila butted in as she sipped in her own cup. "However, don't be disappointed when he finished with flying colors, Grandma. That man is very persuasive when he wants to be. I would bet my cute little toes that he will do everything to have your blessing on their mating."

"I like that."

"Thank you, Grandma Anna. You will like Victor. He is a good man."

"I will be the judge of that, child. Best of luck for him." With a smile, the older woman stood up. "Clean up both of you when you're done."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Grandma, I have a favor to ask."

After placing the cup in the sink, Grandma Anna glanced at me with a question in her eyes.

The smile on my face widened.

"Can I sleep on my mother's bedroom tonight?"

Grandma blinked at my request.

"I am going to sleep alone in your bed, Lauren?" There was disapproval on Mila's tone

"No, missy. You will sleep with my dead ancestors." I responded.

"Stop!" My friend waved her hand between us.

My grandmother was smiling when I gazed back at her.

"I suspected that you will say that, Lauren. I have it cleaned and the sheets were new."

"Thanks, Grandma. I love you."

The older woman waved her hand goodbye before entering the room next to mine.

"Can I have your strawberry shortcake, Lauren?"

I squinted at Mila. The corners of my lips were turned up.

"I thought no dessert today?"

My giggles resonated in the kitchen when my friend huffed. She also grabbed the cake from me.