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“And what do you think of this war?” Devin questions. He’s a bit overdressed in my opinion. Suit pants and a button down with no tie. His sleeves are rolled up at least. Daniel shifts his weight uncomfortably.
“It’s not my place to say. I’m not the Alpha.”
“I’m just curious to know your opinion is all.” I forgot how my father ran his pack. He takes his dictatorship seriously. I confide in Daniel, “We came to convince him not to go against the Authority.” His eyes brighten with hope and his shoulders lift with optimism before quickly dropping.
He swallows and looks to his left and right before answering. No one is around to see us. I imagine the pack is just rising given the early morning. It’s far too early for anyone else to be spectating and that’s exactly how I wanted this to happen. I didn’t want it to be a show.
“I’m not sure he’ll agree.” He looks over his shoulder again and licks his lips with nervousness. “But it would make many of us happy if you were to convince him.”
“How many?” I remember when I was younger we weren’t to discuss pack matters. Not a word was to be said in question of the Alpha’s decisions. My father was a true dictator. He was kind and righteous, or was until that fateful day, so no one sought to disagree with him. Ever. The fact that Daniel speaks for “many” means times have changed.
I glance behind him at the small cottages that are scattered on the property. The larger log cabin is in the center. It holds the Betas and the Alpha’s family. Or it used to. The wood has been recently washed and the cottages are well kept. The large farm and market that we passed on the way was brimming with produce and the livestock was obviously well fed. The pack is thriving, which is good to see. But if there have been whispers from the pack that go against my father’s decision, then the pack is not as strong as it should be.
“I’d rather not say, Jude.” I nod my head and respect his decision to remain quiet.
“I understand.” I pat him on the back in thanks and start to make my way to the large, carved wooden doors, but his hand grabs my arm, stopping me from leaving.
His eyes plead with me and his voice speaks of urgency. “We would be happy if you stayed.” His eyes dart to my brothers before he quickly leaves us on the steps to my father’s cabin.
“Do we have to go in?” My brothers’ mate asks warily from behind me as she tugs on Owen’s and Luke’s arms. In a casual dress that flows to her knees and a cardigan, their mate would appear carefree, if not for the concern clearly written on her face.
According to my brothers, she knows more than most, but she’s been just as quiet and reserved as Lena.
“If you want to stay here, you can.” She shakes her head nearly violently at Luke’s response.
“No, I don’t want us to go in.” She looks at the rest of us with fear in her eyes. She’s right to be afraid, but my brothers won’t let anything happen to her.
“We have to do this, Emma.”
“I have a bad feeling, Luke.” Her voice chokes and her words come out strangled as her eyes widen. Lena holds my hand tighter.
“It’s all right.” Owen kisses her forehead. “Nothing’s going to happen to us.”
Luke gives her waist a small squeeze before leaning down to kiss his mark. “It’ll be fine. In and out, just stay beside us.”
I half expect my adrenaline to surge, or for any anxiousness at all to wreak havoc on my conscious. But I feel nothing but calm determination. After sharing a look with Devin, I assure all of them, “We will do what we came to do and then leave.”
Grace nods in agreement.
“That’s my mate.” He playfully nips her ear lobe and smiles. “We’ll be home soon.”
I turn and give my own mate a kiss. “Stay behind me, all right baby?” I kiss our son’s little head poking out from fabric she’s got wrapped around her and tied to hold him to her chest.
“Of course.” She nods and runs soothing circles on the little boy’s back. She appears more confident than Emma, but I can sense a hint of worry. I give her a reassuring smile and lead the way. I glance at Grace as I open the doors and she looks like she gives about the same number of fucks as Devin does. Which would be zero. Although there’s a small uneasy feeling in my gut, I know we’ll be fine. We aren’t breaking any pack laws. There’s no reason to worry. We’ll speak with him, if he’ll allow it, and leave.
As we enter the cabin, I’m flooded with memories. The dark wooden floors shine and appear pristine, but I know in the hall on the second floor, by my old room, there’s a gouge in one of the planks from where I attempted to carve my name in the floor. I smile sadly as I lead us down the large hall to the meeting room. My heartbeat gets louder as blood rushes in my ears. I’m certain Daniel has made my father aware that we’re here. It depresses me that I can no longer hear their thoughts. When we left and broke the bond to our father, we gave up the bond to the entire pack. A pain rips through my chest as I near the back room and find Leon and Marcellus standing by the doors. The Betas. I owe them my life. As do my brothers.
I push the bastard emotions growing in my chest down. As the restlessness creeps down my spine, Lena squeezes my hand.
Both Betas offer a tight smile and nod slightly, no doubt concerned for the meeting. I nod in turn and wait while they open the doors and allow us entry. They don’t speak, although when they catch sight of our mates, a sense of ease appears and I’m grateful for it. I need a moment to keep my composure from breaking. I thought I’d long dealt with the sadness from leaving my pack and the pain of betrayal from my father. I harden my heart and walk with determination to the head of the long table in the center of the room. Devin’s hand comes down hard on my shoulder and he squeezes slightly as he passes me to sit on my left. He places Grace next to him. Veronica sits next to her with ease. She possesses the power and fierceness that constantly surround her, but she’s paler than usual. I can’t help but to think something is off as Vince places a kiss on her cheek and sits next to her. With his hand up on the table, she places hers in his. My brothers sit next to my mate at my right, Emma between the two of them. With my pack at my left and my mate and brothers at my right, I stare down the long wooden table.
Marcellus and Leon walk to the far side of the room and stand on either side of my father as he enters. Wrinkles have deepened around his eyes and his hair, cropped to his ears and brushed back, has all but grayed. The room chills as his hard, dark eyes meet mine. My fists clench as he takes the seat opposite me. The feeling of betrayal is no longer bathed in sadness and remorse for what happened years ago. Anger flares deep inside of me as I stare back at him. I’m shocked at the unwanted emotion. My wolf snarls inside my chest and all my pack is aware.
“This stays calm,” Devin assures the pack in our heads, and I covertly nod, turning toward Devin in a way that introduces the two as the Alphas. Looking away, I find Lena’s gaze that is riddled with questions. Both of her hands are wrapped around our little one as she sways slightly.
“Are you sure you want to lead?” Devin questions me internally and I answer that I’m fine and that I do. “I’m his eldest son, I’m the reason we’re all here. I will do what I know is right.”
With a deep breath, I let go of the anger. When I look back at Leon, as he introduces my father to Devin and the pack, the memory flashes before my eyes of him carrying my brothers through the field to safety, off our territory and away from our father. Leon’s hair has grayed since then and his skin had dulled with wrinkles around his eyes, just like my father. I look to Marcellus and remember his hushed words as he led me to the edge of the forest. I remember his kindness and how he gave me everything I’d need to survive on my own. I cling to the memories and the fact that they’re here with us now.
