87 You killed , Dad …
L
I stretchedzily like a cat , yawning as I pulled myself into a sitting position .
This was probably one of the best sleeps I’ve had in years .
Last night after the meeting , I wanted to go home – back to the Packhouse , but Nathan had insisted I sleep over at theirs .
He was worried that my mother might get provoked if she saw me there in the morning .
Beta Jeremy barely said a word to us when I followed them into the Beta house .
After we had freshened up and I and Nathan were getting ready for bed , he came into the room and asked Nathan toe and share his bed with him .
Despite all of Nathan’s pleas that he was going to take the couch in his room , his father had refused .
Pulling back the covers , I slipped out of bed and padded to the window , pulling the curtain aside to take in the view .
The sun had just begun to rise , illuminating the green stretches ofnd that was Blue Ridge Pack .
The morning dew sparkled on the grass like scattered diamonds while a whisp of mist rolled out from the mountains in the distance .
The sight was so beautiful that I just stood there staring at
it … not thinking … just staring .
I was
so lost in it that I didn’t hear Nathan approach until I heard his voice .
“ Enjoying the view ? ”
I jumped slightly , turning to see him leaning against the doorframe , a soft smile on his face .
“ What are you looking at ? ” he asked again , stepping inside , as his gaze shifted from me to the beautifulndscape beyond the window .
A smile tugged at my lips as I pointed toward the scenery .
“ I didn’t know it was this beautiful ,” I admitted softly .
“ I mean , I’ve lived here for most of my life but somehow … ” I trailed off , unable to
describe how different everything looked now , as if my four years away had given me new eyes to see the beauty , I’d taken for granted before .
Nathan nodded and came to stand beside me , close enough that our hands brushed against each other .
I remembered what his father had told mest night and I wondered if it was true .
If Nathan felt something more than friendship for me .
“ You should see it in spring ” he sighed softly , with a wistful smile on his face .
“ It’s much more beautiful .
And I think it has its own quiet strength .
The kind you don’t always notice but can always feel .
I guess it’s easy to overlook … until you need it .
Turning me away from the scenery , I faced him .
“ So , what’s your schedule like today ? Your first day as an Alpha .
”
He sighed , “ I’ll be busy for most of the days this week but my father said the workload will not be tiring .
I’ll be at the Alpha Office in the Pack’s Central Buildingter on .
There’s a lot to sort
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You killed .
Dad .
.
through and to learn about the pack .
Then , I have some meetings with the Pack staff to go over roles and responsibilities .
Then check on systems , protocols to review andstly , a meeting with
the Pack Elders .
”
“ That’s a lot ,” I chuckled , tapping on his shouldersfortingly .
“ But I’m sure you’ll manage somehow .
You were born for this role .
“ Yeah ! ” he nodded reaching for my hands as he stared at me soulfully .
“ I didn’t think you would choose me yesterday .
Why did you do it ? ”
I turned away from him , hoping to hide the pain in my eyes .
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“ Because it was the right thing to do .
We cannot rule the pack based on sentiments .
I understand my mother’s desires but she’s never been involved in the pack like you have .
I’ll be doing my father a great disservice if I let here in as a regent .
”
He didn’t say anything , he just bent his head , pressing tiny kisses on my knuckles .
“ By the way ,” I asked tentatively , biting my lower lip .
“ Are you going to ask my mom and sister to move out of the Alpha building now that you’re Alpha ? ”
His expression softened .
“ No ,” he replied shaking his head .
“ They’re wee to stay there for as long as they want .
I’m happy to say here in the Beta Building and I know that ce has too many memories , especially for them .
I won’t force them to leave .
”
“ Nathan … ”
“ Also , I don’t think I can ever part ways with this house either .
I have most of my best memories here .
I understand how it feels , L besides it’s just a building .
Staying in the Alpha building and out of the building doesn’t make me less of an Alpha .
So… I’m good , really ”
His words warmed my heart , I couldn’t help but smile .
The Packhouse ( meant mostly for Alphas ) had been home to me too , though it hadn’t felt like it in recent years .
For Nathan to allow my mother and sister to stay showed how much empathy he had .
“ So , yesterday , ” Nathan started saying when a knock sounded at the door .
Pulling away from him , I cleared my throat before calling out .
“ Come in , ” I called .
The door opened to reveal Beta Jeremy .
He was going to say something when he spotted Nathan and paused , his eyes moving between us with suspicion .
His eyes darted to the bed and then
back to me .
Unable to stop myself , I felt heat rise to my cheeks , even though we hadn’t been doing anything wrong .
I still felt guilty .
Finally , he cleared his throat , turning his attention to Nathan .
“ You told me you were going for a run .
Why are you here ? ”
“ I am , Nathan said “ I just took a little detour to check on her and know if she slept well .
I literally just came in a few seconds ago .
You’re being so suspicious , Dad .
”
(
87 You killed , Dad ….
“ No , I’m not ,” Beta Jeremy replied .
“ You better hurry up with that run … your day begins at 8 and L … ” he turned to me .
“ Your sister rissa is here to see you .
She’s waiting downstairs .
”
I tensed , ncing at Nathan ,
thing I expected to start save me an encouraging nod .
A visit from rissa was thest
thing I expected to start my day with .
She had never been the warmest toward me and with all that had transpired , there was a strong chance our conversation wouldn’t be pleasant .
“ Thank you , Beta Jeremy .
I’ll go and see her now , ” I replied .
Jeremy nodded , giving his son another suspicious stare before he turned and left , leaving the door open .
As soon as he was gone , Nathan reached for my hand , giving it a reassuring squeeze .
“ Do you want me toe with you ? ”
I looked up at him , grateful for his support as I slowly shook my head .
“ Thank you , Nathan .
She’s my sister and I think … I think I’ll be okay .
”
A whileter , descending the stairs , I found rissa waiting at the bottom of it for me .
Her expression was a mixture of impatience and something harder … almost bitter .
I took a deep breath before approaching her , reminding myself to stay calm and take whatever came without getting angry .
“ Hi , Rissa ,” I greeted forcing a smile .
She turned , folding her arms her gaze turning cold , assessing me .
“ Did youe from Nathan’s room ? You spent the night with him ? ”
“ Yeah , I slept in his room but not with him .
He slept somewhere else , ” I replied wondering why she was concerned about that .
“ Are you staying here now ? ”
I felt a prickle of difort at her probing but I pushed it aside .
“ Yes .
Nathan invited me to stay while things settle .
”
Her mouth twisted into a bitter smile .
“ Settling ? Is that what we’re calling it ? Do you have any idea what you’ve done , L ? ”
I felt a pang of guilt at her words but decided not to defend myself too quickly .
“ Rissa , I know things are …plicated .
I’m not here to take anything from you or Mom .
Nathan is just trying to … ”
“ Trying to what ? ” she interrupted , eyeing me with disdain .
To turn everything upside down ? To throw us out of our own lives ? ”
“ No one’s throwing you out , ” I replied , keeping my tone cool .
“ Nathan isn’t going to move into the Alpha house as long as you and Mom are there .
He doesn’t want to uproot anyone .
”
–
difference ? We
rissa scoffed , narrowing her gaze at me .
“ You think that’s going to make any already lost everything , L .
You took thest thing I had the only stability left .
You killed Dad .
”
I paused , shocked at her ims .
87 You killed , Dad …
“ Wh – What do you mean I killed Dad ? How can you use me of such absurdity ? ”