"Where is Ryan?" Alpha Seamus, who is the patriarch of the McDermotts, asked of his current heir. He has called for an emergency family meeting at their main mansion today.

"There he comes, grandpa."

The Alpha turned and said to the grandson, who was about to sit on the empty chair next to his. "Go and sit with your cousins."

"Hm? What's going on?"

His statement erupted some murmuring among the other family members gathered here today. 

Ryan is not the oldest among his cousins, but he is the only son of the Alpha's first son. And as the next Alpha, his seat should always be next to his grandpa's. 

That has been his position even before he was conceived in his mama's womb, and no one can contend that. So he being asked to sit among his cousins today raises concerns.

"I called you all here because I have a very important announcement to make. So listen and listen carefully."

"Hmm?" "What is Father going to talk about?"

The Alpha continued, "By the natural order, Ryan is my heir, but at age thirty, he still refuses to settle down, and so I am making an adjustment to the criteria for selecting my heir.

Meaning, I am going to reselect which among you my grandsons would become the next Alpha of this family after me.

And that is, since all of you are still not married, let alone bear a child, then whoever gives me my first legitimate great-grandchild will become my heir. Regardless of the child's gender, both primary and secondary.

This includes each and every one of you, both legitimate and illegitimate. Your distant cousins are part as well. They too will get the message soon. Ryan would step down as my heir if any of you should bear me a child before he does. You're dismissed."

All of Ryan's cousins were very elated to hear this news. Now it's time for them to go and start making some puppies real fast, as they all also wanted the most coveted position in all of Ireland for themselves.

Ryan himself was very surprised to know that this is the decision that his grandpa has come up with. He tried to keep his cool because now everyone's attention was on him, wondering what he did to earn the old man's wrath.

He knew that the old man wanted to force his hands so that he would have no choice but to settle with one of those women that he has been setting him up with. 

He went up to his grandpa and said, "Well, old man, you could've at least given me a heads up, you know? It didn't have to be this dramatic."

The Alpha gave a short laugh, "Haha... I am not asking for much from you, my dear. Just stop wasting your time on that fiancée of yours and give me a child of your own blood. Then you'll get to keep your seat as my heir. Nothing more, nothing less."

Ryan hugged the Alpha after their exchange like they usually do and then walked off with his hands clenched to his side.

His grandpa smiled and thought to himself, 'I guess you're now riled up. Let's see if you can continue to remain stubborn.'

"Ivaan, give these papers to the others. Keep this part a secret from Ryan." Alpha Seamus instructed his personal assistant (PA) to give out some documents to Ryan's other cousins.

*

Ryan made a quick call to a friend as soon as he got into his car.

"Get me a surrogate. It's urgent." Ryan said to the person on the other end the call.

"But Ryan, would Sevina agree to this?" 

"Just do your damn business, Freya! Or I'll call another agency."

"What type then?"

"What kind of dumb question is that? I said find me a surrogate so just get busy and get me that damn surrogate, Freya."

"Ryan, calm down first." Freya took in some breaths to calm herself down before she continued, "Are you going to need the person's eggs or not?"

"Definitely, I'll need their eggs. How then would the child be made?" Ryan retorted.

"Okay. Send me your specs."

"Anyone will do. As long as they're healthy enough. Now hurry up, for the old man seems really serious this time." 

"Don't worry. Give me up to tomorrow. Bye."

"Hmm." Ryan sighed once the call ended. Now it's left with convincing his fiancée to get on board with his plan.

*

"Father, why this sudden decision?" Ryan's dad, Peter, asked Alpha Seamus after the meeting was over.

"It isn't a sudden one, son. You've seen how your son still refuses to marry anyone, claiming that he would only marry someone he loves."

"But father, he already has a fiancée."

"How is that one different from a mere girlfriend? And when was the last time that you even saw her? I'm sure that they've broken up, and your son is just stalling. Now let's see which he loves more. His position or his nonexistent future wife."

Brody, the Alpha's second son, was also very happy to hear this news. Now his illegitimate son, Noah, can also contest for the Alpha seat. 

"It's about time I brought that boy home now." He smiled and joined his older brother and father in other small talks.

*************************

"I am telling you the truth, Sienna. What I saw with my eyes did not look like how 'cousins' behave with each other. You just watch them very closely and see for yourse..."

Splash!!!

"Sienna!" Freya shouted after her friend poured a glass of cold water on her before she could complete her sentence. She felt so embarrassed as those on the other tables at the cafe turned to look at them.

"Freya, if I knew that this is what you were going to tell me, then I wouldn't have even bothered to come here today." Sienna was really angry because of the lies that her friend was telling her about her long-term boyfriend.

"What?! Sienna! So you think that I am making things up or what? Is this how you see me? Really?" Freya looked hurt. She hadn't anticipated this reaction from her friend of many years at all.

"Yes, Freya. This is what happens when you turn yourself into a gossip, putting your nose into other people's business. Are you mistaking me for one of those desperate people that come to you with their absurd stories and requests? Stop trying to come between me and Noah, for it won't work. 

And I do not want to see you at our upcoming engagement this weekend." Sienna grabbed her handbag and walked out of the cafe, leaving the shocked Freya behind.

And that was the last time that the two close friends ever spoke to each other.

*****

Two weeks later...

"Thank you for the tip, ma'am," the taxi driver said and sped off. 

Sienna was returning from a business trip and is quite happy to be back home, only for her to find her boyfriend's mother having some people load some things from their compound into a moving van.

She got blocked at the porch from entering the livingroom. "Mother, what is this?"

Slap!!!

A series of slaps were served to Sienna's face, making her feel very hot and dizzy instantaneously.

"What is it, you ask? Do you not see? Have you no eyes? What do you think is happening here? 

Eight years of living together, and you still haven't been able to take seed for my son. What's your use in this house anyway?

All you know how to do is to work, work, and work, when other women your age are marrying and busily raising four, five, and six kids of their own. How are we even sure that work is all that you do on those business trips of yours? 

This is why I wanted him to date an omega and not someone like you. You betas are overly ambitious for your own good. Now why don't you go and marry that job of yours?" Nora replied before turning her attention back to the movers. 

"You people should be very fast. Take all of her things from here. I will not allow her to stay for another minute in my son's house. Now, hurry up!" 

"Mother, where's Noah? Where is my fiancé...?" She didn't get to finish her sentence when she saw Noah coming from inside the house with his "cousin," Faiza, following behind him.

Faiza smiled as she stood next to Noah and took his left hand in hers before interlocking their fingers together. Noah didn't look too comfortable though, but Sienna's mind was too busy to notice that.

Her eyes darted to their linked fingers. Her heart raced faster as the fear of experiencing one of those clichéd FL romance tropes in real life gripped her heart.

She stuttered as she spoke, trying hard to convince herself that, 'They're just cousins; there's nothing more to it.'

"Noah, what...what is happening? What is going on? Why...why is mother having my...my things moved? And to where?"