Chapter 2 - Ezra

Early morning starts were nothing new for me with working for the family business, but video calls to my parents and pack council however were certainly not something that was routine, and that had me on edge. Needless to say I did not like it. I had been given no explanation as to why they needed to talk to me, and I knew it could not be because of the business performance because that had been doing exceptionally well of late.

So, I had prepared myself a coffee, sat myself down at my computer and awaited their video call to join the meeting they had arranged. The moment the call connected I could see the familiar faces of my parents, the elders of our pack, and the bleary eyes of my older brother. Needless to say it was evident he had been out drinking again. I think it was a given nowadays. He liked the highlife. He was an upcoming Alpha, and popular on the social scene...

“Thank you for joining us Ezra.” Elijah said kindly as I smiled at them all in greeting.

I could not help but allow my eyes to wander to my big brother once again, I swear he was dozing as he leaned back in his seat. Going off his outfit he was either on the way to the gym or he had not been notified of the attendees of the meeting for he had far from made any effort for what I would consider an important meeting, not that he ever did. He had some changes to make that was for sure before he took over as Alpha…

“Well now that you are both here, let us not waste any more time.” Dad said, his tone was a little blunter than that of Elijah, and I could sense unease in his body language. Something about this told me he was unsure about what was to come, but I waited regardless.

“Thank you Alpha.” Anthony took over, and my Dad simply nodded, once more only backing up my theory that this was something my father was not fully on board with. “Now, Hunter, Ezra, as I am sure you do not need me to remind you, you are both coming along in age, and by now, most wolves would be mated and settled down…” I felt his eyes upon me momentarily as my stomach tightened at the possibility of where this was about to go, before he looked across at my brother with a look of disgust.

My brother was known to like the ladies… maybe a little too much. This was well known around pack, and beyond, and given the look our pack elder had just given him they were far from impressed with it; but I could tell from the expression upon my brother's face he did not care in the slightest. He was an upcoming Alpha after all, and he had many options, needless to say. So, he enjoyed the single life. In a time now where fated mates were a rarity, taking a chosen mate was as selective as you wanted to make it. Much like out in the human world, I guess you could say.

“There ain’t no rush, is there? Just cuz you old boys liked to settle down soon as you came of age doesn’t mean we want to do the same.” Hunter offered with a nonchalant shrug, earning a dark scowl from my father. I had to say I was glad I was not in the room with them now, and only present via video call because I could only imagine the tension…

“Well, that is where we disagree actually Hunter.” Mum said bluntly, taking me by surprise. Mum rarely got involved with important decisions on pack, leaving that to my father and pack elders, but on this it appeared she did indeed have an opinion.“Time is moving swiftly, I imagine questions are being asked. We believe if you are to take this title of Alpha from your father then we feel there should be a Luna by your side.”

I sat in silence, a cold chill spreading over me as I watched in awe as my brother’s eyes widened in shock. There was a moment of hesitation until I heard his fist impact with the table. Hunter was ruthless when he became hostile. He was almost striking as anger took over his body.

“What?!” his voice bellowed, and I shook my head. They had to have known this would come. It was more than evident Hunter was in no hurry to find a mate.

“Stop this please, Hunter.” Elijah said, his voice far less calm than previously. “But, your mother is right. Both you and your brother are of ages now where we believe you should be settling down. You are both of privileged background and we do not want you having just any old chosen mates…”

Wait… I was involved in this too? They had decided I would be mated? I may not be quite the ladies’ man my brother was but just as he was in no hurry to settle down neither was I. I enjoyed the freedom to travel with my job. I had a couple of girlfriends over the years but there had never been anything serious, and certainly never an urgency to settle down. Why were they pressuring us to do this?!

But before I had a chance to respond, Hunter was up upon his feet, anger etched across his handsome features, his gray eyes darkening furiously as his fists clenched at his sides. “This is not acceptable! We are of ranked blood, we should not be told what to do!”

“You are only of rank if you have a title, Hunter. Do you want the title or not?” My Dad demanded, causing Hunter to bring his gaze upon our father, all fire and fury. When these two clashed it was dangerous. Two Alpha wolves, so much alike, and both so fiery and stubborn, neither one willing to back down...

“What? You would take the title from me if I refuse?”

“We are asking that you meet prospective wives. Mates. That is all. As you are aware fated mates are increasingly rare. We can no longer depend upon fate for the future of the pack. So, we have sat and spoken many times over this, and we believe the time is right for you both to settle down. Think of the pack. The family. Please. For us.” Mum said, an urgency and pleading to her voice that hit me hard in the heart. She knew what she was doing. We could not refuse the pack, nor would we refuse our family, and she knew it.

I did not know why it was so important I was settled and married. I was not to be the Alpha. I was the second-born son, so a title was never in my midst, but it appeared they had a plan for both me and my brother. I had always done as was expected of me. The duties of a son of an Alpha. “And if we don’t believe these potential she-wolves you bring are suitable?” I questioned, knowing that in doing so I was all but agreeing to their ridiculous demand.

“Then you say so and we bring more. We do want you to be happy too, you know? It isn't all about us and the future of the pack. But we believe we will find a perfect match for you. All will be closely vetted. All of high ranking families. You boys want heirs do you not? Settling down soon would ensure that. Allow your family line to continue.” Andrew said with a small smile, and I felt a sickening heaviness within my gut. I could see the anger upon my brother’s face. He had not spoken another word since he snapped at our father. I know what was said had hurt. They were all but using the title of Alpha to manipulate him.

“When?” I demanded.

“Soon. We know you have commitments for the business, Ezra, but we will try to work around that. But, Hunter, we feel you are of great importance. You need your heir.” Mum said gently.

“Whatever. I clearly don’t get a fucking say in my own life. A title I am entitled to I can't have unless I am married or with a mate? Fucking wrong. But, if this is what we have to do for our pack then we will do it.” Hunter snapped angrily, and with that I watched my brother storm out of view, leaving me to assume he had chosen to leave the room. Given the infuriated expression upon our father’s face I could only imagine the disappointment mixed with anger rushing through his body right now.

“Well, Ezra, thank you for meeting with us.” Elijah spoke with that calm voice once more, evidently quite pleased to have got his own way. “We will be in touch about the details when we know more. We shall start making arrangements in due course.” And with that the call was cut off, leaving me with a sinking feeling things were about to change, and I feared it may not be for the better…