TAINTED BLOODLINE
CHAPTER SIX
On the other side of the city, in the most upscale neighborhood, an Omega walked in proudly into his luxurious home, exuding confidence.
“Grandma! I’m home!” Aurora called as she stepped in, her voice echoing through the grand halls.
“In here, Aurora!” Her Omega grandma’s warm voice responded from the large lounge, where walls were lined with bookshelves filled to brim.
Aurora wasted no time, rushing inside and wrapping her arms around the elderly woman. Her grandma let out a soft chuckle, her hands rubbing soothing circles on her back.
“Oh goddess, why is my darling so happy today?” she asked, kissing Aurora’s forehead.
“Guess who got the Russian project deal?” Aurora announced, standing tall with a proud smile.
Her grandma smiled widely. “Of course, my granddaughter would! Who else?”
“It’s me! I got the deal!” Aurora beamed, her smile bright.
Her grandma’s face softened with price. “I’m so proud of you, my girl. You are the best. Keep it up – and never bow to anyone. Not to any Alpha.
Aurora nodded firmly.
Speaking of Alphas… She crossed her arms and sighed dramatically. “Guess what your grandson did?”
Her grandma’s brows furrowed. “What did Rowan do this time?”
“He hired another Alpha!!” Aurora stated, her tone laced with disapproval.
The older Omega’s face turned cold. “He did not.”
“Oh he did,” Aurora confirmed, shaking her head.
Her grandma let out an exasperated sigh. “I’ll talk with him.”
“You better,” Aurora huffed, plopping onto the couch.
Just then, a deep voice called out from the entrance.
Rowan’s presence filled the house as he stepped inside.
From the kitchen, Renee, Rowan’s mate, hurried towards him, greeting him with a warm kiss.
Rowan smiled down at his lovely wife, affection clear in his eyes.
“Rowan!” Their grandma’s voice rang from the lounge.
Rowan glanced at Renee, who only smirked. “Your cousin has complaints about you hiring an Alpha.”
Rowan chuckled softly and shook his head. “Of course, he did.”
“I’ll be there, mama,” he called out before making his way into the lounge.
Renee sighed, watching him go. “This is nothing new in this house,” she muttered to herself before returning to the kitchen.
*****
Rowan sighed as he stepped into the lounge, immediately spotting Aurora standing behind their grandma with a smug smirk.
“I heard you hired an Alpha again,” she older omega said, her tone calm yet firm. Her sharp eyes bore into Rowan, demanding an explanation.
Rowan ran a hand through his hair, already exhausted from the inevitable argument. “Mama, he was the most qualified candidate. I can’t just reject someone based on –”
“Based on them being an Alpha?” his grandma interrupted, voice laced with disapproval. “That’s exactly why you should have rejected him.”
Aurora hummed, agreeing. “Seriously cousin. We’ve been over this whole thing. Why allow an Alpha into our company?”
Rowan exhaled sharply, trying to keep calm. “Because competence matters more than rank. If we refuse to work with Alphas at all, we are limiting ourselves.”
The older omega clicked her tongue, not impressed. “I raised you way better than this Rowan. We don’t need them and besides this family has survived and thrived without their kind.”
Rowan clenched his fists. “And yet, I’m standing here with you.”
A tense silence fell over the room.Aurora frowning but didn’t utter a word.
Grandma sighed, rubbing her temple. “You’re different.”
“No, I’m not,” Rowan said, voice calm but firm. “I’m an Alpha, just like the ones I hired. The only reason you accept me is because you had no choice.”
His grandma’s gaze darkened. “Don’t test my patience Rowan.”
Rowan shook his head. “I’m not even trying to. I just want you see reasons with me. Not every Alpha is a monster as you claim.”
Aurora scoffed. “Most of them are.”
Rowan turned to her. “Really? Where did you learn that, Aurora? Do you have an experience with one or you were just told?”
Aurora stiffened but didn’t answer. There was nothing to answer.
The older omega leaned back on her chair, unimpressed. “You are getting ahead of yourself, Rowan and being too blind.”
The tension in the room was enough to cut with a knife.
Aurora proud smirk was gone, and Grandma’s expression remained unreadable.
Rowan sighed. “Look, I won’t apologize for hiring the best for the job. But I will be the first to let him go, if he proves to be a problem. I promise.”
The older omega hummed then with a wave of her hand she said, “Fine Rowan, do whatever you want but don’t come back to me when it backfires.”
Rowan nodded and turned to leave.
As he passed Aurora, he muttered, “You don’t always have to be on her side, you know.”
Aurora scoffed. “And you don’t always have to play hero all the time.”
Rowan didn’t reply or look back as he walked away.
This wasn’t over.
*****
The tension at the dining table was thick, almost suffocating. Rowan sat stiffly, barely touching his food, while Aurora stole occasional glances at their grandma, who remained eerily silent. The weight of their earlier argument still lingered in the air, making the atmosphere uncomfortably heavy.
Renee, ever the peacemaker, finally sighed, setting down her cutlery. “Can we please eat like a family?” I’m so tired of these Omega-Alpha fights.” Her voice was exasperated but gentle.
“We’re werewolves- we should be supporting each other, not tearing each other down.”
When no one responded, Renee sighed again. “Fine. No dessert for anyone today.” She turned to the butler and gestured for the tray of cakes and pastries be taken away.
Their reaction was immediate.
“NO!”
Three voices shouted in unison, breaking the silence in protest.
Aurora’s eyes widened as he pouted dramatically. “Sis. I love your desserts!”
Renee crossed his arms, unimpressed. “And what do we say when we make mistakes?”
The three of them-Rowan, Aurora, and their grandma- exchanged reluctant glances before muttering under their breathes, “I’m sorry.”
Renee raised an eyebrows. “Louder.”
They sighed in defeat and spoke in unison, “I’m sorry.”
She waved the butler back in, allowing the dessert to be served.
“Now, stop being grumpy and eat, “Renee warned, her tone leaving no room for argument.
They all obediently nodded, finally picking up their cutlery.
As the tension eased and conversation resumed, Renee couldn’t help but smile.
****
After dinner, Aurora settled next to her grandma on the large bed, the warmth of their familiar routine bringing him comfort. Her thoughts lingered on the Alpha Rowan had hired earlier that day.
“Grandma?” she called softly.
“Yes, Aurora?” her grandma responded, her voice gentle as she ran a hand through Aurora’s soft hair.
Aurora hesitated for a moment before speaking. “The Alpha that was hired today… he’s a bit… different.”
Her grandma frowned. “Different in what way?”
Aurora sat up slightly, resting her chin on his knee. “Well…he joined for errands job, which is usually done by Omegas. He never makes eye contact with me, and when I ask him a few questions, he…shivers.”
“Shivers?” her grandma repeated, confused.
“Yes! I swear, I saw it.” Aurora furrowed her brows, recalling the moment. “It was slight, but I know what I saw.”
Her grandma’s expression darkened slightly. “Are you sure he’s an Alpha? What kind of Alpha shivers before an Omega?”
“I don’t know… but he’s definitely an Alpha. A true-blood one at that,” Aurora admitted.
Her grandma scoffed. “There’s no way a true-blood would shiver. In fact, his inner wolf won’t allow such to happen.”
Aurora shrugged. “That’s what I saw.”
Her grandma exhaled sharply. “I think he’s acting, trying to appear weak to keep his job. They can’t be trusted, no matter what.”
She gave Aurora a pointed look. “Keep an eye on him. If he’s pretending, we’ll know soon enough.”
Aurora nodded, her grandma’s words reinforcing her own suspicions. The Alpha was too good to be true. No Alpha was ever this meek-especially not a true-blood one.
“Okay, grandma,” she agreed. “I’ll watch him closely.”
Her grandma patted her head before placing a small kiss on her forehead.
Aurora slid off the bed, stretching lazily. “Goodnight, grandma.”
As Aurora walked to her room, a sly smile tugged at her lips.
I’ll test you, Alpha. Let’s see how long you can keep up that innocent act of yours.
With that thought in mind, she slept off.