AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Blake had the feeling his father was regretting his decision to let her join the pack. It seemed as if he’d put a lot of thought into this, and Blake was afraid that he would change his mind the better he got to know her.
“I’m telling you so we all can better understand her motives and actions. Even though she’s part of our pack, she will always be different from the others. You know better than others that being different can be a burden on her.”
“Why did you let her join if you knew it would be a burden on her?”Seth’s tone was accusing, as if he wanted his father to know he didn’t approve of burdening Niev.
His reaction was something Blake would’ve never expected from him. Even though Seth had gotten along with Niev, Blake had always thought he still didn’t like her being part of the pack.
“I knew she would be able to carry such a burden and more so, she was willing to take it on.”
They all fell into deep silence as each one dwelled on their own thoughts until his mother came in and demanded they go to sleep.
Niev was still awake when Blake came into the room. She seemed deep in thought and only looked up when he laid next to her.
“What is keeping you awake, beautiful?”
She came closer and laid her head on his chest. “I overstepped again, a line I only see after someone points it out to me. I’ve promised Tanner to behave, but it feels like I don’t know the rules to being good and not stepping out of line.”
He hated this. She’d noticed her inexperience and took it all on herself. “And that is my fault. With everything that has happened since you came here, I haven’t been able to explain everything to you.” He gently let his fingers run through her hair as he talked. “It’s like I threw you into a game of chess without telling you the rules.”
“Why shouldn’t I have asked about their conflict and where they stand?”
“Because this is something they have to figure out. If too many people weigh in and try to voice their opinion, the conflict could escalate. A pack isn’t a democracy, it’s a dictatorship in which the alpha makes all the decisions based on what he thinks is best for his pack. Of course, a good alpha will always seek his advisors and heirs’ advice but in the end, he makes the decision.”
“And stepping in between Seth and Tanner was basically one too many in this whole situation?”
“Yes.”
“Was he upset after I left?”
“No, beautiful. He understands that you haven’t mastered our way of life yet. He knew when he accepted you into our pack that you’d need time to understand everything and get used to our lifestyle.” He paused because there was also another reason for him stopping her from asking more questions. “Do you remember what we talked about yesterday, how I try to stay out of all the decision making concerning the pack?”
She sighed, seemingly frustrated with herself. “Me asking these questions and interfering with Seth and your father was also overstepping a line you have tried so hard not to cross. I’m sorry Blake, I forgot about that,” she apologized with deep guilt in her voice.
“I don’t want you to feel bad. I’m just trying to help you understand everything better.”
She nodded and fell silent, but he could feel that she wasn’t ready to sleep yet.
“Why do you think my father wants to let the Skadu Wolves join us?” Blake was on Seth’s side; he didn’t understand his father and his wish for the enemy to join his pack, who were essentially his family.
“You’re on Seth’s side, aren’t you?”
“You aren’t?”
“I understand both sides.”
“But what is my father’s reasoning for letting them join?”
“I believe he’s letting them join because he feels guilty. He’s not a violent man and maybe he feels as if he failed himself for not finding a peaceful solution. If I understand it correctly, a pack is nothing without its alpha and he basically doomed the Skadu Pack by killing their alpha.”
“They brought this on themselves.” He tried not to sound accusing.
“Did they Blake? As you just explained to me, a pack is a dictatorship. They had no choice but to follow their alpha. Even if they didn’t agree with how they lived they had no choice if they wanted to be part of a pack and save their family and friends. The ones who will stay are most likely the ones who didn’t agree with all of this. You might see them as enemies, but they probably had no choice but to do as they were told. The ones who will join our pack will be the ones who regret their role in this whole situation. They are probably the ones who didn’t want to harm anyone.”
“Do you agree with father?”
“As I said, I agree with both sides and until I’ve met the ones who want to join, I’ll try not to judge them.”
Blake knew without having to hear another word that this conversation was over for her. He listened as her heartbeat became calmer and her breaths slower. She was falling asleep in his arms and he quickly followed.
