PROTECTION

“I...I know,” she finally relents. For a moment there she looks as though she is about to argue some more. The lawyer breathes a sigh of relief behind me.

“Now, on to the other details.” The lawyer hefts his briefcase up onto the desk, pulling out a thick stack of papers. “As we know, Scarlet has been left the right and title to the estate and the family fortune in her new role as the new Alpha of the pack.”

I nod, having already read the paperwork in full. I glance over at my stepsister, who dips her head in a curt nod.

“your dad has stipulated that your step mom and stepsister are to have monitored access to a private trust, through monthly allowance, and are allowed to continue to live in the manor.”

My true feelings are well hidden beneath my mask.Thanks Dad, you not only left me in charge of a pack I have no clue how to run. You’ve also stuck me with a family I don’t want or need.Ria may be my half-sister, but I never spent any real time with her, having been at boarding school when she was born. Now at twenty-four years old, I have no clue how to relate to a sister, especially one who’s only ten.

“Regarding the pack, as you know, he has left the role of Alpha to you. Will you be keeping the standings as they are now?” he asks, pen poised at the ready. My eyes dart to Ryan, his expression soft and understanding.

“RYan will stay as Beta,” I conclude. The words feel right on my tongue. Despite never wanting to be in this position, it felt right to have Monte, my childhood best friend at my side. “However, I’ll need to review all other pack standings. Let’s not forget, my father was murdered, he did not die of natural causes. No one else’s standing will be safe until I rule out any internal adversaries.” My voice comes out hard and controlled. Like the Alpha I now need to be.

my stepmom nods in agreement, determination lighting in her light blue eyes. At least that is something we can both agree upon. I will not rest until I find my father’s murderer and watch the life fade from their eyes.

“I’ll start setting up meetings.” The lawyer’s words pull me from my thoughts, and I push off from the desk.

“Is that all?” I hold my breath, my patience wearing thin.

“Yes.” The lawyer inclines his head in respect. “Everything else can wait until tomorrow.”

Carefully, I lift my father’s urn from the desk and walk toward the door.

“Wait,” my stepmom croaks out. She shuffles up from the chair and over to me. “Can I just say goodbye, one last time?” The words sound like the most vulnerable thing I’ve heard come from her mouth in-probably forever. My throat goes dry and I glance at the urn clutched in my arms. Breathing out a sigh, I pass my father’s ashes over to her, and silently hope I’m not making a mistake that allows her the opportunity to run off with them.

She cradles the urn to her chest, staying beside me, much to my relief. The urn bounces against her at the rapid rising and falling of her chest. Sobs escape, racking her body. She finally loses her composure and tears spill from her eyes. I move my hand to clasp her shoulder. It’s a small offering of comfort I can give at this moment while holding back my own emotions.

“Thank you,” she whispers, passing the urn back to me. I cradle it in my arm carefully, trying not to get the wet spots left from her tears on me as they slowly slide down the curved edge.

“I’m always here for you, Scarlet. You don’t need to do this alone.” She clasps my shoulder in the same way I had with her. “I know this life isn’t what your father wanted for you, not so soon anyway, and because of that we haven’t really gotten to know each other well, but I want that to change.”

I scan her face, attempting to see if her remarks are genuine or not. Despite my best efforts, I can’t see any trace of dishonesty on her face. I nod, not knowing what else to say to the nice gesture. It’s so out of character for the woman I’ve dubbed the step-mother since the day my father told me he was marrying someone new.

“I need to do this by myself,” I admit. “Thank you for the offer,” I spit out awkwardly, unsure of what to make of this new image of my stepmom.

Without waiting for her response, I turn on my heel, stepping out of her grip. Ryan is already pulling the door open for me as I approach. His footsteps follow close behind me, and the door clicks closed after him.

“Well, that was strange,” he chuckles, his long legs allowing him to catch up with me quickly.

“Yeah, but I mean, it could all be for show since I’m in charge of all her finances now.” I huff out a breath of amusement. “I’ve never trusted a wolf in sheep’s clothing though. So, I guess I’ll just have to wait and see if she’s genuine or not.” I shrug, not putting too much stock in the situation. I never saw her as a mother figure in my life, and now that I’m a grown adult, I really don’t need one like her.

“I hear ya.” He shakes his head in disbelief. “You should have seen the way she was acting before you got back in town. Stomping around, screaming at everyone. It was a nightmare.” I grimace at the picture he paints. I imagine that was definitely why the lawyer sighed a breath of relief when she didn’t put up any more of a fight against me. He most likely had to deal with her screaming and demanding all week.

Ryan leads me out the arched doorway, a black armored car already waiting for us at the doorstep.

“Alpha Nick.” Our driver, a pack member I haven’t met yet, inclines his head to me, before opening the door for us. I thank him and climb into the back, Ryan sliding into the seat after me.

“I wish it didn’t happen this way, but it’s nice having you back.” He drapes an arm behind my seat, nudging me playfully with his knee. I shake my head, a small smile lifting my lips at his words. Relaxing back into the seat, I keep the urn tucked closely into my chest.

“I never expected this would be how I would see you again. It’s been—”

“Ten years,” he offers eagerly, his eyes locked on to me. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, not ready to have that conversation yet. As though he senses this, he ruffles my hair, lightening the mood. I go to slap his hand away, but I’m already too late. He moves out of my way, avoiding my wayward attack.

“I really want to give you your time to mourn properly, but there are a lot of sensitive matters at stake right now.” The mood shifts suddenly, and his lips pull down.

“I’ll be good after this.” I pat his leg, not wanting him to agonize over directing my attention to pack matters.

“Scarlet—” he starts, his tone tinged with regret.

i think back to how my dad died and how it was a final goodbye to my dad.

few hours ago