5.

SOREN

We arrived at the pack borders to see Lucas had been reunited with his mother. Satisfaction bloomed in my chest at the job well done. It gave me confidence that maybe somehow, I could manage to be a good leader when I took over from my father.

I’m well aware of my problems, especially with my wolf and it had become a major concern of mine because I feared that I wouldn’t be a good leader, or I may end up hurting my pack members accidentally if I lost control.

“Well done” One of the elders of the pack, Malachi greeted with pride as we entered the borders of our pack.

The tension that had built up in my body when I left the pack territory fizzled out as the familiar air of home hit me. It would never be an easy feeling to get out of your pack borders, but we would get used to it with time.

“You got Lucas back without a single injury to the child and yourselves. And also, in a short amount of time. I am very proud of you” My father praised, clasping my shoulders. It was one of the few times he had praised me for something.

“Thank you but it’s not because of me. Ami killed two of the rogues by herself, she was amazing” I told my father with pride blooming in me as I watched her talk to Luc’s mother.

Malachi grunted in approval “Every day, Amira proves herself as a worthy beta. I’m happy we made the decision to make her the next beta”

I caught my father’s roll of eyes at Malachi’s statement. “Killing two rogues on her own is not something that should be considered incredible. It’s the least she could do as the next Beta of the pack and why does she look so bloody? Is she a mutt?” Dad rudely brushed off with a sinister scoff that made my blood boil.

I didn’t know why my father hated Amira and honestly, I didn’t want to understand whatever reason he had because every single one of his reasons sounded stupid.

Why would he hate that she was the only one capable of calming me down when I started to act out of hand? It wasn’t as though Amira developed those powers voluntarily. She had been surprised that day as well we found out about it.

 He should be happy that it was Ami and not someone else who would manipulate the sort of power over me.

But no. My father considered it a weakness and he never failed to complain about how an alpha should never have a weakness because it would make them lose credibility in the eyes of the pack members. He claimed that an Alpha should never have to depend on another person.

If you asked me, I thought that was the most hypocritical statement I had ever heard in my life.

Alpha or not, no one could survive on their own. As werewolves, we were never made to be alone, which was why we had always existed in packs. Even the rogues out there moved in groups of at least two when attacking a wolf from a pack.

As an Alpha, we needed our Betas, Deltas. Zetas and the pack. Without them, we were useless, and our titles held no meaning, but Dad never liked to listen to any explanations that referred to Alphas as anything but the most powerful.

“Don’t dismiss her like that” I growled “She hasn’t shifted yet, but she killed two rogues by herself, and you say it’s not a big deal? You may not like her but don’t ever underplay her efforts or refer to her as a mutt again”

I was too angry to care that my wolf was happily feeding off the rage I was feeding him. It was astounding and scary how much I could feel him when I hadn’t even shifted yet.

Inara, the pack seer, had said my wolf was a dangerous and powerful one. Something told me there was more she wasn’t telling me, but she wouldn’t say anything else, so I was stuck trying to figure out how to find the answers I needed on my own.

“Soren” Ami whispered through our private mind link “Please, calm down. Not here”

Her warm and concerned tone forced me out of my thoughts and my eyes found her worried ones already looking at me and that was enough to calm me down.

I knew how much she hated it when I fought with my father, especially if she was the topic of the scuffle. I also hated it, but my father didn’t know how to control his words when it came to her and I would never let him disrespect her in my presence.

“Again?” My father scoffed “You can’t even hold a conversation without needing her to calm you down” he spat, not hiding the disdain in his glare.

“Alpha, I know it worries you but now is not the time to do this” Malachi spoke softly, he was one of the few people who knew what to say to get my father to drop certain things.

“If you can’t talk about Ami without being rude to her then I suggest you not mention her at all” I warned him. I didn’t care that he was my father, I won’t let anyone badmouth her in front of me.

“At least, tell her to wash off. She looks like a feral rogue with blood all over her” He hissed instead, and I know he was only saying it because I warned him earlier not to call her a rogue. He was trying to push my buttons.

“Alistair, that’s not fair” Mom chided as she walked over to us with a disapproving frown on her face. Unlike Dad, Mom loved Amira like her own daughter, and I knew she shared the same anger as I did whenever Dad badmouthed Amira.

“What? It’s the truth” He argued.

“That girl just saved a member of the pack. As her Alpha, you shouldn’t be so rash with your words” Mom argued as she came to stand in front of Dad. Her voice was firm and there was no mistaking the disappointment in her eyes.

Malachi walked away to give them space as he sensed the oncoming argument about to ensue between them and I also walked back to Rune and Koa because I didn’t want to hear whatever my dad had to say next.

“Let’s go before I lose my mind” I grumbled to them.

“Your dad again?” Koa asked as we began to walk towards the pack house.

“When is it never him?” I spat “I have warned him to keep Amira’s name out of his mouth if he would talk about her respectfully, but he never listens. The next time he says something rude about her, I might just lose it” 

“I understand that you are trying to protect her, but don’t you think you get angry too easily when it concerns Amira? It makes me wonder if you have feelings for her” Koa muttered clearly, and my steps halted.

“What rubbish are you saying? She is my best friend. Of course, I have to protect her and defend her all the time. What does that have to do with feelings? I also won’t let anyone talk trash about the both of you” I snapped, already getting angry.

“You are getting angry” Koa pointed out calmy. I was envious about how he was always able to keep calm no matter what. We were polar opposites.

“Because you keep saying rubbish” I snapped.

“I think you should just mate with Amira instead. Your mother loves her already and I am sure no one would oppose to it. The way you act possessive around her sometimes is scary” Rune teased but I wasn’t sharing his humor.

They know I hated it when they made these mating jokes of me and Ami, yet they won’t stop.

“Stop acting so senseless” I snapped before storming off, not wanting to listen to whatever rubbish they wanted to spew some more.