Becoming Alpha’s Personal Caretaker
Chapter 158

Lauren's

POV

THERE were a lot of people inside the manor when we entered the main house. Staff comes and goes as we walked past the living room. Each one were either carrying a décor in both hands or being instructed what to do. "I have a room prepared for you and your company, dear."

I glanced at the charismatic woman who was glued to my side.

"I won't be staying long. I mean, this is just a quick visit."

"Nonsense." The old woman waved her hand before grabbing my arm to stay balance. "Don't be a stranger, Lauren. You used to come here when you were a child." "That was many years ago."

"I'll leave you all to the birthday girl. I have received an urgent message." Alpha Kean disclosed after a while. "Lauren?"

I bowed at him as well as the rest of my entourage. My eyes followed him until he was gone from my sight.

I will try to find him later to ask him about my mother. It was, after all, the reason I am here.

"You are still part of the family. Your mom was my son's good friend. And Michael-"

"Is there a celebration for later?" I butted in for whatever she was about to say about Michael and I.

Miss Delia seemed to notice it but she hid it with a smile. Clearly, she was used to being interrupted.

"Oh, dear. It's my birthday."

"Happy birthday. It was not included in the letter that I received from the messenger."

"I know. I purposely did not mention it. I don't want to force you to come because of me. It's just a birthday celebration. You come just right on time."

I sent her a quick smile. This woman knew what button to push.

I would definitely not choose this day to come if I knew that there will be an event.

"Please grant this old woman's wish, Lauren. Stay for my birthday!"

Indeed, she knew what to say, I said to myself.

They stopped in front of a door in the second floor of the villa.

"This is the room that I reserved for you. The next one will be for your friends. I hope the men wouldn't mind sharing. The room in front of yours can be used by your female friend." "It's alright, madam. Thank you. Happy birthday." Beta Richard uttered before he bowed his head. The other guardian did the same.

"Great. I'll leave all of you to rest. I'll have someone call you for lunch."

"Thank you."

Mila entered the room with her while the two other men retreated to the next one. Puzzled by the turn of events, I sat at the edge of the huge bed in the middle of the room. "In all fairness, you have a great view in here."

I glanced at Mila. She was standing by the window.

"They have a nice garden in the area. The Luna has a fascination with roses." I responded as I form a text message to be sent to Victor.

I knew that my mate is waiting for an update from me although the beta will report to him, too.

"I noticed. They were all white roses. The lawn looked like an enchanted garden for lovers copied from the beauty and the Beast. I will be expecting a dance on the night of the celebration. Who would be the beast?" I huffed but did not make a comment. I knew my friend is trying to imply something.

What Mila said was true though. I was captivated by the flowers, too. I was reprimanded once when I was younger when I picked one in the long line of flower beds. The Luna saw me holding the flower and I was scolded. I was closed to tears but it was all worth it. I received a beautiful smile when I gave it to my mother. My mom loved white flowers, too.

I shook my head at the memory.

In the short time I had with my mother, not once that I saw my father giving her flowers. I wonder if Manuel knew that mom loved white ones.

"You are going to attend the party, Lauren?"

"I don't seem to have a choice."

"That woman is a scheming bitch. I can smell her attitude the moment I laid my eyes on her. Be careful."

"I know. Thanks."

The dreaded conversation happened after lunch. Miss Delia requested me to accompany her for a cup of tea.

We went to the lanai.

It was situated at the east side of the manor that overlooked the fountain. At night, dancing lights can be programmed together with the water fountain. Surely, they will be showed off on the night of the banquet. The staff was dismissed after the tea was served. It was chamomile.

I remembered that it was Ms. Delia's favorite. She even ordered it directly form the supplier.

"Have you seen Michael?"

"No."

I watched the old woman sipped from the cup while mine remained untouched.

"He was devastated."

"About what?"

"About what happened to the both of you."

"Really?"

I seized the cup and sipped. The aroma of the tea was relaxing. No wonder she likes it a lot. I took another sip before placing it back down.

"I knew from the start that Janice is not good enough for him. Although she appeared to be a good trophy wife, she will never be a match for you, Lauren. In the first place, you are a respectful doctor while that woman knew nothing but be an eye candy." Miss Delia surely knew what to say against the people who was not around to hear it.

"Thank you for the compliment but it will not change the fact that your grandson betrayed me for my stepsister."

"It was an honest mistake, Lauren. You and Janice are two opposite women. She's charming and very seductive. She wanted Michael and she did something about it. Your fiancé is a good catch, after all."

The older woman said it like she was discussing the weather. Like it was not worth unimportant.

"Ex-fiancé." I corrected. "Janice got what she wanted. She got Michael. They were engaged. They proudly announced it in my face after the termination of ours."

"It's all in the past, dear. Besides, Janice is missing."

"Right. Whatever happened to her and Michael, it's none of my business anymore."

Miss Delia placed the cup back on the table. Her attention was focused on me. Her shrewd eyes were staring at me.

"Oh, dear. Everything is about you."

"What do you mean?"

"With that disgraced woman out of the picture, you and Michael can continue where the relationship left off."

Stunned by the woman's declaration, I breathed out. Every minute I spend with this woman, I am becoming annoyed. "That will never happen."

"Lauren, dear. It was yours and Michael's in the first place. The Lunarko and the Full Moon Tribes are almost family. You and Michael will make it official. With the wedding this time. You are the perfect wife for the future alpha of this tribe." "W-what?"

"The engagement can be pushed through."

"Oh, no." I followed it with a shake of my head.

"Dear, we are a family here. Your mom and my son were good friends. Our tribes are allies. What could go wrong?"

"Everything. Besides, it's too late. Where were you when Michael betrayed me? When he humiliated me by having an affair with my stepsister?"

There was no hate in my voice. I am just trying to get through the other woman thick head. She really wanted to bring the past back by using the so-called 'allies' between our families. When in fact, I never saw the 'family' she was talking about during the dissolution of my engagement with Michael in favor of Janice.

Miss Delia was not able to speak when I brought out the day Michael and Janice announced their engagement at my expense. The day my own father disowned me.

"See? No one tried to defend me. You all thought that Janice was the best choice especially when she was carrying the heir of the tribe. After all, she was my father's daughter and still part of the Full Moon Tribe. And I am the weak daughter."

The old woman scowled. Gone was the charismatic person that was trying to convince me to revive the arrangement between

my mother and Alpha Kean.

"Oh, please, Lauren. Be practical. You knew Michael since you were a kid. What happened in the past with Janice was just a phase. Michael is over it and he regretted it already."

I stood up. The conversation is just going in circle. This is not what I am here for, anyway.

"Thank you for the tea, Ms. Delia. What you are insinuating is old news. I have found my mate already."

She turned her back on the woman.

"How can you be so sure that your mate is not using you?"

I sighed but did not bother to glanced back. It appeared that Ms. Delia is not done yet.

"He's not."

"You have declared that you have healing powers. That alone must be the reason why he wanted you for himself. You used to be the weak alpha's daughter."

And the cat is out of the bag, at last. It all boils down to the knowledge of my new-found power.

"That's right. Other people might be after me because I have this mysterious ability to heal." I agreed. "Happy birthday, Ms. Delia. Have a great day."

I headed in the direction out of the lanai only to find Michael standing in the corner. He was clearly there for a while listening to the conversation between me and his grandmother.

He looked pitiful to say the least.

He was thinner that his cheeks were hallowed. His eyes were a little sunken. There was no ounce of happiness in those eyes. Rather, they were full of regrets and shame. There was no shadow of the handsome man I used to know. Good for him.