The Alpha's Mate

Chapter 27

Charlie's POV

Everyone sat at the dinner table, eating silently. August seemed shaken, being in the same room as my parents. Alexandre wouldn't stop looking at my papa with a death stare. All of Presley's siblings and their mates ate, looking back and forth between both sets of parents, waiting for something to happen.

Presley kept his hand firmly on my knee, silently telling me that everything would be alright. I swallowed, picked up my fork, and prodded at the peas on my plate. Hoping that the tension would be broken sometime soon.

Presley's parents, despite the heads up on my parents coming back with us, seemed like no amount of time would ever prepare them enough to come face to face with mine. I was used to seeing my papa be the strong alpha of our pack, but around Alexandre, he submitted. Which I had only ever seen him submit to my mama.

"So, how was everything while I was gone?" Presley finally managed to try and break the ice that seemed like it was miles thick.

Alexandre ground his teeth together, trying to keep his composure before answering. "There were a few rogue attacks while you were gone, but nothing Persephone and Adam couldn't handle." Alexandre stabbed the meat on his plate. The sound was almost ear-piercing as he scraped the knife against the glass plate. "How was your trip to Jamaica?" He met Presley's eyes, avoiding my parents at all costs.

"Aasira and Brantley were a joy to meet," I spoke up. "I learned a lot from Brantley and I loved to learn about a new culture."

"Their kid has turned into a little shit head though." Presley chuckled.

"I mean, Aasira used to be that way." Alexandre shrugged, trying to keep the conversation going.

"How has Brantley been doing? I assume you spent most of your time with him, Charlie." August finally managed to break the next piece of ice.

"He's doing well, and he taught me quite a bit while I was there." I gave August a gentle smile. "I can tell he's a great friend to you."

"He is, in fact..." August trailed off, a look of disappointment filling his face. He abruptly got up from his seat, leaving the dinner table. Alexandre quickly got up out of his seat and followed his mate out of the dining room.

"What's the matter? Did I say something wrong?" I asked, not sure what to do. Presley shrugged, unsure of what to say.

I got up out of my seat and followed Presley's parent's out of the room. I could hear August's sobs in the hallway. I stopped for a second, looking at how Alexandre held onto August, comforting his omega, holding August, gently kissing the top of his head. It was something I wished for in my times of sadness that Presley would do for me.

"I thought I could do it, Xandre, I really did." August cried into his mate's chest. "We have our beautiful children, but I can't help but think about that pup."

"I know, little one, I know." Alexandre hummed, rubbing August's back, trying to comfort him. "It's taking all of my strength not to kill him."

"I know," August's voice was thick. "I just wanted to make sure Charlie felt wanted here. He deserves to have his parents here for his mating ceremony."

"And they will be," Alexandre responded. "Do you want me to ask them to leave?"

"No– No, that's improper, and you know it. I just was reminded that Brantley knew that I was pregnant before I did. He's the reason I took that test..." He trailed off.

"I know, baby, I know." Alexandre tightened his grip on his mate, holding him closer. "Just think, soon enough, Charlie and Presley will have their own little pups. It'll be like fate brought them together for a reason. Fate is always tricky, but something came out of it. Presley's mate. Presley. Goddess knows had that baby made it if we would even be here now. With our babies, soon our grandpups. It hurts me too, little one, but look at what came out of it."