Chapter twelve

Downstairs, Dana made her way straight to Hector's study, but he was nowhere to be found. It was not until she went to the living room that she saw him sitting behind the bar, drinking wine.

Hector, upon hearing her footsteps, turned around, surprised to see Dana. "Honey...! You're home," he said, dropping his glass of wine on the table and walking towards her. He gave her a hug and a kiss.

"Yes, darling. I decided to cut my vacation short. I missed you all terribly."

"Hmm," Hector chuckled. "Is that really the reason you came home so soon?"

"Of course, darling. What else could it be?" Dana said, making her way to the cushion to sit.

"So, how was Paris? Did you enjoy yourself?" Hector asked, going back to the table and picking up his glass of wine to continue his drink.

"Paris was okay. Everything is fine. Yes, I enjoyed myself very much, thank you," she said, with a smile on her face.

"That's good. That was the idea. So..."

"So..." Dana answered back.

"Have you seen Marcus?" he asked, sipping his wine as he stared at her intensely, waiting for an answer.

"Yes, I just did."

"I guess he had a lot to say."

"Yes, he does, actually. Why would you try to manipulate the boy into agreeing to wed the Robinsons' daughter? I told you not to discuss that issue with him without me. You can't go behind my back and corner me like that."

Hector stood up and went back to the bar area to pour himself some more wine.

He looked at Dana. "Do you want some?"

"No, I don't. What I want are some answers."

He sniffed the wine and turned it a little before drinking it, nodding his head. "This wine tastes exquisite."

"Hector, I am asking you a question. Why are you trying to evade it?"

"Point of correction, I wasn't evading your question. I chose to remain silent since I wanted no trouble."

"What do you mean by that? Are you seriously not going to tell me what really happened when I was away?"

"If you must know, Dana, it's the other way round. That son of yours has no manners. He was the one that disgraced me in front of the Robinsons. You have no idea how embarrassed I was that day," he said, putting his glass down again and standing up.

"And what exactly, may I ask, did he do?"

"Well, for one, he walked out on the conversation that we were having, pointing his fingers upstairs in the direction of Marcus's room. That boy there is so hot-headed.

Even if he wasn't interested in the marriage, he could have declined it in a more refined manner. Walking out like that from the conversation showed he had no respect and regard for me."

"What do you expect him to do when you corner him like that?"

"I don't get why you keep pampering that boy like he's a kid. I don't get it," Hector replied, shaking his head disapprovingly. "You are spoiling that boy if you don't know."

Dana rose to her feet, her brows furrowed in a frown. She was obviously angry now. "What are you trying to say? Are you saying something is wrong with Marcus?" she said, glaring at him.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. If he was alright, he wouldn't disrespect me like that in front of my friends," he said, pointing his fingers at her.

"Really? Is that why you disrespected him as the Alpha Infront of his pack members, maybe you forget the Robinson are under his authority. Do you think you are innocent in all this? Well, let me tell you the truth. The fault is mostly from you. You are the one ruining this family."

"Me?" he said, pointing at himself. "What did I do?"

"Well, I will tell you the truth. After Adam's death, you totally neglected me and Marcus.

You acted like you were the only one that loved the kid. If you have forgotten, that boy was my son and I loved him with all my heart, and so did Marcus.

He practically worshipped Adam. But you acted like you were the only one mourning him. You started distancing yourself from me, and Marcus had it worse.

You treated the boy badly, trying to make him into Adam. How do you expect him to become his brother? They are totally different people."

"What are you saying? I never did such a thing. I was only hard on him because I wanted the best for him," he said, shouting at the top of his voice.

Dana matched his energy, equally raising her voice. "That's a lie. You only became like this after Adam died. I will tell you this again. My son will not marry the Robinsons' daughter.

He is going to meet his mate and marry for love. So, that marriage proposal will not hold as far as I'm alive."

Just then, someone rings the doorbell at the door.

"Who is that?" Hector screamed, irritation clear in his voice.

Maggie rushed in, her footsteps echoing on the marble floor, and quickly opened the door. Just then, a tall, lanky man, standing at 6.7 feet, entered the room. His face bore a worried expression, and the room fell silent as Hector and Dana turned to look at him.

"Andel?" Dana called out, her voice filled with astonishment. "What are you doing here?"

Andel was a warlock and a trusted ally to the pack. His unexpected arrival sent ripples of unease to both Dana and Hector.

"Is anything the matter?" Hector asked, concern etched on his face.

Andel turned to them, his eyes cold and distant, sending chills down their spines. "Where is the Alpha?" he demanded, his gaze scanning the room. "I need to speak to him now."

"What happened? Is everything okay?" Dana asked him.

"No, all is not well. A storm is coming, and it might end us all."

"What is he saying?" Hector asked his wife in whispers.

"I don't know, but whatever it is, it's very serious." The gravity of Andel's words sank in.

"What do you mean by that, Uncle?" Marcus's voice boomed from the staircase. He stared down at Andel, his face a mix of confusion and worry.

Andel looked up at him, his expression softening slightly. "Please, Alpha Marcus, come down. I need to talk to you in private."

Marcus descended the stairs, his steps deliberate and heavy.

He walked to where Andel was standing. "Good evening, Alpha," Andel greeted him.

"Good evening," Marcus replied. "So what is it you're saying?" he asked impatiently.

"We need to go outside. I want to speak to you about it in private first."

"Why can't you say it here? I want to know what's going on too," Dana said, irritated.

"I'm sorry, Luna, but I need to speak to him alone," Andel insisted.

Reluctantly, the others stayed behind as Andel led Marcus outside into the garden. The night air was cool, and the moon cast a silver glow over the flowers and trees.

"Uncle, what's going on?" Marcus asked, his voice steady but tinged with fear.

Andel took a deep breath, his eyes meeting Marcus's. "I had a vision concerning your future mate, Alpha," Andel said, whispering. "Whoever she is, she could bring about your death. But that's not all," he added, his face a mix of confusion and worry. "She might also be the key to saving the entire pack from downfall."

Marcus's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean? How could she bring about my death? And also save the entire pack? From what?"

"In my vision," Andel explained, "your mate is connected to great power and danger. Her choices, and your bond with her, will determine the fate of the pack. If you can guide her, if you can help her see the right path, she could save us all. But if she falls into darkness, it could mean your end—and the pack's doom."

Marcus felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The weight of the prophecy settled heavily on his shoulders. "What do I do?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You must be vigilant," Andel said firmly. "Watch for signs, trust your instincts, and above all, be ready to protect her. Your destiny is intertwined with hers, and the future of the pack depends on you both."

The garden seemed to hold its breath as Marcus absorbed Andel's words.