Chapter 6

Aliza's Point of View

When we made it back to the Packhouse, Catherine, Josh, and My dad were already outside waiting for us outside by the front door. My mom and I got out and walked up the stairs to where they were standing. We all greeted each other, walked into the packhouse, and made our way to the elevator to get to the Alpha Floor. 

On our way to the elevator, I saw Kayla walking with some of the maids. 

"Kayla, you have no idea how happy I am to see you," I screamed and hugged her. I couldn't stop thinking about the last time I had seen her. She had sacrificed herself so that I could get away. I could tell Kayla was shocked by how tense she was. 

"Um, hello," Kayla said, still tense. 

"Do you two know each other?" Catherine asked

"No, I have never seen her before in my life," Kayla said

"No, I just overheard some of your pack members saying nice things about her. I thought we could be friends," I lied. 

"Oh, okay. We should go and leave Kayla to do what she was doing," Catherine said 

"Okay," I replied. We got into the elevator and went to the Alpha suite. Once we were inside, we went to the dining room, where a lot of food was on the table. I instantly knew that Ms. Smith was the one that made the food. Catherine wasn't the best cook. In fact, her food sucked. 

"Let's all have a seat," My dad said. My mom and I sat on one side of the table while Josh, my dad, and Catherine sat on the other side. 

"This food looks and smells amazing. You overdid yourself, Catherine," My mom said, causing Josh and my dad to laugh. It took a lot of control for me not to burst out laughing as well. "What's so funny?" My mom asked with a confused expression on her face. 

"Nothing, it's just that mom doesn't know how to cook," Josh said, still laughing. 

"Hey, I am not that bad," Catherine said

"Sure you're not," Josh said. My dad and Josh were still laughing until they noticed Catherine glaring at them. That caused them to stop laughing. My dad cleared his throat before he spoke. 

"Ms. Smith made this. She is the one that does most of the cooking around here," My dad said

"Oh," My mom said.

"So, do you cook, Tina?" Catherine asked

"Yes, I do," My mom said

"My mom is an amazing cook. She actually was the top cook at a restaurant back home. Everyone loved her cooking," I said, smiling at my mom.

"Oh, sweetheart. You are overexaggerating," My mom said 

"No, I am not, Mom. Your food is the best," I said

"I have to agree with Aliza. I remember your cooking, and it was always amazing," My dad said

"So she used to cook for you?" Catherine asked. I could tell by her voice that she was upset.

"Yes, back when we were together before I met you, she would cook for me. The food was amazing," My dad said. I didn't miss the frown that was on Catherine's face before she started to smile.

"Oh, well, maybe you could cook for us one day," Catherine said, smiling at my mom with a fake smile.

"Maybe," My mom said, smiling back at her with the fakest smile I had ever seen my mom wear. Everyone started to eat quietly. 

"So, Michael told me that you liked the house. Have you picked out your room?" Catherine asked breaking the silence

"Yes, the house is nice and I did pick my room," I replied

"That's good but I still think you should stay in the packhouse with us so that you can meet some of the pack members," Catherine said and I knew my mom was getting angry by the way she was glaring at Catherine

"I already told you that she will be staying with me," My mom said

"I know what you said, but I can't help but wonder if that is what Aliza wants or if it's what you want. I believe Aliza should be the one to decide if she wants to live with you or Michael. Michael is her father, after all, and he has missed out on a lot of her life because you kept her existence away from him," Catherine said

"Catherine," My dad said

"What? I am only being honest," Catherine said. 

"You know what? You are right. Aliza is the one who should decide where she wants to stay," my mom said, and then she looked at me. "Aliza, would you like to stay here with your dad or in the house with me? It is your choice," My mom said

"I want to stay with you, Mom," I said

"Are you sure? I want you to make the choice that you want, not what your mom wants you to do," Catherine said. I knew she was trying to start something. She wanted to turn me against my mom. It worked last time, but it wouldn't work this time. 

"You know what?" My mom started to say, but I cut her off. I knew she was getting pissed off, and she had every reason to be pissed off by Catherine's attitude. 

"I want to stay with my mom, and that is my decision," I replied

"Well, okay. I just wish you would stay with us. Your dad has missed out on being in your life because of..."

"Catherine," My dad said, cutting her off.

"What, Michael? I don't think it's right that you haven't spent anytime with your daughter because of her," Catherine said

"I did what I did to protect my daughter," Tina said

"Okay, stop," I screamed, causing everyone to look at me. "I have made my choice. I will be staying with my mom. I will meet pack members in school and at training. I will also come here and spend time in the packhouse but I want to stay with my mom."