Four years have elapsed since Laura’s departure, and Cain has become nearly unmanageable, unable to endure the separation from her and our kid any longer. Our son… I am unequivocally certain that he is a male and the legitimate successor to the Alpha title. He must be around three years old by now…
What is his name? Does he contemplate his father? Has Laura informed him about me? How is she faring? Is she enduring as much anguish as I am? Has she missed me as well?
“We deployed additional guards as per your request; however…”
“However, you have not apprehended the assailant responsible for this attack,” I retort to the guards present. “Should I conclude that you are all inept?””I exclaim, striking my fist on the desk. “Is my pack secure with you incompetents if a treacherous rogue can infiltrate our area and murder our members?”
“Alpha, we are exerting our utmost efforts…”
I encircle the soldier’s throat with my arm and exert maximum pressure, causing him to flush crimson as he struggles for breath.
The resounding snarl of Cain reverberates in my thoughts, and I am acutely aware that he is only biding his time for me to lower my defences, allowing him to seize control and dismantle them all.
The resounding snarl of Cain reverberates in my thoughts, and I am acutely aware that he is only biding his time for me to lower my defences, enabling him to seize control and dismantle them all.
“Improve your performance,” I caution, drawing his face near to mine. “If you fail to do so, I will ensure that the next corpse we discover is yours.”
Eliminate him, Cain growls. Annihilate them all!
Disregarding my wolf, I cast the soldier aside and dismiss the fools, all of whom hastily from my office. At that moment, Beta Zen enters the room.
What is it?”I react sharply, my attitude rapidly deteriorating as Cain pounds on the boundaries of my mind.
Zen performs a deep bow. “Alpha, your mother has arrived.”
I emitted a grunt. The last thing I required was a tedious lecture.
“Very well, permit her entry,” I gesture, mentally bracing myself for her arrival.
My mother enters the room with the elegance of a genuine Luna in each stride, reminiscent of the grace I had seen in Laura.
“Aldo,” she beams, extending her arms to embrace me.
I raised my hand to halt her. She is aware of my aversion to embraces.
“What is your request?” I enquire, taking my seat.
She scowls but takes her seat and composes herself. “I will be direct, Aldo,” she states. “The pack elders and members have voiced apprehensions regarding your leadership abilities and those of your Luna.” My mother crosses her legs and exhales deeply. “Frankly, you should prioritise your current wife over your ex. This pack requires a more formidable Luna, Aldo; one capable of producing an heir, and Nina is a potential catastrophe.”
Who does she believe she is to dictate my actions about my companion? Cain growls.
I clinch my hands at my sides while attempting to prevent him from assaulting my mother.
“Nina is merely a temporary substitute until I return with Laura,” I retort, while my mother remains composed and unaffected by my anger.
“How much longer do you anticipate this pack will endure with an inebriated Luna while you search the earth for a woman who desires no association with you?” She scoffs. “A woman you ought to have never disrespected by engaging with her worthless sister.”
“I required an heir!” I assert.
“And Laura required a spouse!” my mother retorts. “Are you aware of the scrutiny she endured, with everyone anticipating her to conceive?” she enquires, her tone softening. “Can you fathom the pressure she experienced as a human among a pack of wolves, all of whom once deemed her unworthy of leadership? All Laura needed was a modicum of encouragement from you, a touch of kindness, yet you are as much a brute as your father!”
I click my teeth in irritation.
“That young woman possessed the qualities of the finest Luna this pack has ever known,” she asserts. “She was astute, composed, and resolute. Yet you discarded her!”
“She deceived me!”
“And so did you!” my mother exclaims. “You compromised your relationship by engaging in an affair with her sister,” she retorts. “Take responsibility for your actions and act like a man. Cease attributing blame to Laura for your transgressions, as the fault lies solely with you,” she continues, rising from her seat. “Get your act together, Aldo, or by the Moon Goddess, your tenure as Alpha of the Blood Night pack will conclude.”
“Are you threatening me, mother?” I retort with a sneer. “Are you contesting my birthright as Alpha?”
“I am issuing you a warning,” my mother states, glancing back as she approaches the door. “Another Alpha has already been selected by the elders. Should you fail to rectify the situation… he will contest your title.”
