Chapter 378: Is This The Alpha Of Oakland?

When talking about the Alpha of Oakland, Faye expected an aged man, someone seasoned, taller, or huge according to an Alpha’s wolf. She pictured a broad giant with black or grey hairs and sharp wrinkles, someone whose presence alone would crush the air right out of a room.

But the man... or rather, the boy right in front of her was neither of what she had expected. He stood there in his neat suit, his small chest expanding in a calm, regular rhythm while his eyes held a weight that belonged to someone centuries old.

Faye slowly stood up from the ground, still looking at the so-called Alpha. Her knees straightened beneath her apron, her lungs expanding with a sharp, incredulous draft of air while her heart hammered a wild, confused rhythm against her ribs.

"What are you doing? Show your respect to your Alpha..." Adam said. His voice was calm, but it carried authority. He took a short step forward, his jaw setting tight as his chest swelled with a firm, warning breath, his eyes drilling into Faye’s face.

"Ehhh?" Faye couldn’t see that Alpha authority in the boy. Unlike others who could feel intimidated by his presence, dear Faye wasn’t. Her breath slipped past her parted lips in a quiet, dumbfounded huff, her shoulders staying completely loose.

Due to the kind of wolf she possessed, one that did not fear Alphas. Her blood ran steady and hot through her veins, her inner spirit standing firm without a single tremble, completely immune to the heavy pressure rolling off the small leader.

Her mind was still trying to process what was happening because her thoughts were scattered. She didn’t understand why Adam called the boy Alpha. She blinked behind her eyes, her throat catching tight as her pulse raced, trying desperately to connect the child-like face to the terrifying legend of Oakland.

Instead of showing respect, Faye kept staring at the boy. She stood her ground, her lungs pulling in fast, shallow breaths while her gaze moved back and forth between his neat ponytail and his smooth, unwrinkled face.

"Grandfather, I am so sorry for this disrespect... Young lady, you are in the presence of the Alpha King. I said, show your respect..." Even with his authoritative voice, Adam couldn’t pressure Faye. Adam’s voice lowered into a dangerous, dark pitch, his broad chest rising in a heavy wave while his hand twitched at his side, trying to force submission through sheer will.

That girl had no fear, only curiosity. Her heart beat with simple, raw wonder, her mind clicking fast as she studied the strange pair standing in front of the service table.

Faye pointed at the boy. Her finger shot out directly toward the small chest, her eyes widening as a loud, incredulous breath escaped her lungs in a sharp gasp.

"Is this the Alpha of Oakland...? As in Alpha, Alpha...? The Gramps? Grandpa Alpha? The dude who’s sixty? The one yall talked about...?" Faye blurted out, her voice echoing over the quiet hum of the party while her pulse thundered with pure shock.

Adam was shocked by the way Faye was addressing the man he respected and feared with his life. This girl wasn’t even afraid of the man’s aura. His jaw practically dropped, his lungs freezing completely as a cold sweat broke out across his neck, his heart leaping straight into his throat.

Faye had no aura, but she wasn’t affected by one. Even a Lycan’s aura couldn’t intimidate that girl. She just stood there in her black apron, taking a deep, unbothered draft of air while the crushing power in the room bounced right off her skin.

Adam was about to put that girl in her place. He gritted his teeth, his posture locking into a fierce stance as his lungs filled with an angry, explosive breath, his hand reaching out to grab her.

He took a step forward, but then a warm arm wrapped around Faye’s shoulders. The sudden, familiar weight brought an instant wave of heat to Faye’s skin, her heart skipping a quick beat while her lungs pulled in the sweet scent of perfume.

It was Princess.

Her girlfriend had arrived.

Faye turned to see her standing beside her. Princess looked stunning in her blue party attire, her dark hair styled perfectly, though her own chest was rising and falling in quick, subtle waves of nervous tension.

Princess bowed, then used her hand to gently push Faye’s head down. Her fingers pressed firmly against the back of Faye’s neck, forcing her eyes down toward the polished floor tiles while taking a swift, synchronized breath.

Both girls bowed to the Alpha of Oakland. They held their bent posture for a silent second, Faye’s lungs pumping out a quiet, frustrated huff against the floor while Princess’s heart pounded a fast, protective cadence against her ribs.

"Greetings, Alpha," Princess said. Her voice rang out clear and smooth, her posture rising back up with elegant grace while her breath came out controlled and quiet.

Faye smoothed down her apron, her eyes darting sideways to check Princess’s face, her heart still thumping with wild disbelief.

"On behalf of my girlfriend, I apologize for whatever happened here. This is her first time meeting the Alpha of Oakland," Princess said. Her hand was now holding Faye’s.

In Princess’s mind, she was hoping her girlfriend hadn’t exposed herself too much to make the Alpha suspicious. Her warm fingers squeezed Faye’s palm tightly, her pulse thumping fast through her skin while her chest heaved with a subtle, anxious draft.

"Princess, why are you late? This is a family party, and you are supposed to be here early," Adam said.

"My apologies... I am a guest here, not family. Remember...? And I have children to attend to. I assume you do not understand what I mean by that, since you don’t have any of your own," Princess said, looking at her older brother, having a faint, mocking smile, her voice cold as ice while her chest expanded with a long, calm wave of confidence.

"That is not an excuse. You are supposed to be here early to welcome the guests,"

"Welcoming the guests is your duty, Adam," the Alpha said. His low, ancient voice cut directly through the argument, making the air freeze around them while his small chest rose in a slow, absolute rhythm.

Adam immediately withdrew his words, bowing his head respectfully.

The Alpha looked at both girls. His timeless eyes glided over Princess before resting gently on Faye, his small body posture completely relaxed.

"Princess, who says you are not part of the family? You are my blood. That can never be erased." The Alpha stated calmly, taking a slow step forward while his breathing remained perfectly smooth and effortless.

Then he looked at Faye. A small, knowing smirk touched his youthful face, his eyes sparkling with quiet intrigue.

"The woman you have chosen is quite fascinating. I like her. I hope to see you both at the family dinner," he said.

"We will, Alpha," Princess replied. She gave a short, polite nod, her heart beating a steady, cautious cadence while her lungs pulled in a deep, measured breath.

"What happened to Gramps? Do you now hate me, that you no longer call me your grandfather?" The Alpha asked softly, a faint glint of sadness or testing touching his voice while his chest rose in a small wave.

"No, sir. I do not hate you. You will always be my grandfather." Princess answered smoothly, her grip on Faye’s hand tightening just a fraction while her pulse maintained its careful rhythm.

"Very well, then. I have guests to attend to. If you have seen Leonardo, do inform him. I would like to see him at the table." The Alpha instructed, turning his small frame around with fluid, effortless grace.

The girls watched the Alpha and Adam disappear into the crowd, greeting the guests.

"Babe... I have so many questions, and you have to answer every single one of them,"