Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
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.
I clear my throat and make a determined effort to keep this short and civil as I’d planned. “Father.”
“Jude.” His dark eyes travel to each of us. They stop at my brothers. “Owen and Luke.”
They nod their heads, but neither of them speak. I can feel the hurt radiating from each of them. Their mate grips their hands in her own and rubs her thumbs to soothe them.
“I’m surprised you brought your mates.” My father’s words don’t get the attention of either Emma or Lena. Emma sits upright between her mates and makes no indication that she’s heard, but judging by how hard she squeezes my brother’s hand under the table, she certainly has. Lena is busy bouncing her little wolf in the baby carrier and kissing the top of his head. Her eyes raise to my father, and she smiles slightly before returning to care for our son. It warms my heart.
Grace clears her throat to speak, but Devin gives her a hard look and narrows his eyes, warning her to be quiet. She stares back at him with a hint of defiance before settling her back against the chair and placing her clasped hands on the table in surrender. It makes me smirk. She’s so feisty for a human. When her eyes leave Devin’s, an asymmetric grin appears on his face, but it’s gone before he turns his attention back to the rest of us.
I give my father a false smile. “We wanted to ensure you that we come only to speak of alliances.” I place both my forearms on the table with my palms down. It’s not a sign of submission, but it’s a sign that I’m not threatening his authority.
My father scoffs at me. Leon and Marcellus stare straight ahead, not showing any emotion. It’s what my father expects from his Betas. And they’ve been trained well.
“I see. So you would like a section of the territory as well?” My father’s tone lightens as a wicked smirk forms on his lips.
My forehead pinches in confusion. “I’m not sure I know what you’re referring to.”
Anger flashes in his eyes. “Well what have they offered you if not territory?”
“We haven’t received any offers.”
“You won’t be getting one from me.” His fingers strum on the table as he glances at Luke and Owen and then back at me. “I’d prefer it if we kept our distance.”
“We didn’t come for an offer. As I said, we’d like to form an alliance.”
“You’ll have to forgive me Jude, but I’d rather not be fighting alongside any of you when the war starts. We’ll fight separately as much as Victor allows.”
I cock a brow and comment, “I’m not sure who Victor is or why he would be dictating your pack.” That pisses my father off and I quickly continue, ignoring his anger. “But if you chose to go against the Authority than you’re choosing to fight against us, not with us.” A maddening rage overwhelms my father as he snarls and bangs his large, clenched fists on the table. The contact makes the table shake from his anger, but my forearms remain still. I’ve seen his temper before and I know not reacting is the best form of defense.