Chapter 10

FRANKIE POV (16 yrs old/ 4 yrs ago)

Alpha Tom chuckled. “I bet you have been going a bit stir-crazy being bedridden for so long. I don’t think I remember a time when you ever chose to be inside during the summer.”

“Nope. Never.”

“Has the doctor not been in yet? Have you been cleared?”

I looked over at my parents before answering and caught the expression on their faces. I was silenced through glares.

Noticing my hesitation, Luna Margie stepped over my answer and informed us all that she had already asked the pack doctor to stop by, and he’d be there shortly.

I was relieved by that, but I knew I would hear all about their disapproval and embarrassment later from my parents.

“Oh, that's not necessary. What's one more week to ensure she's all healed up in time for school? It is her final year, and she shouldn’t be distracted.” My mother stepped forward and pulled me from Luna Margie's arms and over to her side. Her grip on my arm was tight. Too tight for someone who had lost their wolf years ago.

“Afraid she might try and run away?” Oliver called my mother out while his eyes stayed focused on her grip on my arm.

My mother loosened her grip immediately and smiled.

“It’s just emotional for us all. This is the first major injury that Francis has ever had.”

The Alpha pair nodded, but Oliver continued to stare my mother in the eyes silently.

There was a knock on the door. It was perfectly timed as I was unsure who would snap and attack first; Oliver, who was still staring my mother down with a burning rage within his eyes. He was always protective of the females he cared for, which only made me swoon deeper for him. Or my father, who didn’t like how his chosen mate was being treated in her own home. Oliver wasn’t the Alpha, which my father took as an insult directed towards him.

“Alright, let’s take a step back, everyone. Remember, we are here to discuss Frankie’s recovery as well as figure out if she wishes to retest for the competitions.” Alpha Tom raised his hands to calm the growing tension in the room.

Shit! I wish Alpha Tom hadn’t asked this in front of my father. I knew he would want me to, but I wanted to wait for next summer.

“Of course, she will be retesting. She is a Gamma pup and deserves to be recognized as such. She will retest.” My father stated matter-of-factly. My mother nodded alongside him, but was still wary of Oliver, who was still on edge.

There was a second knock, reminding us that someone was still waiting at the front door. My father made a move to answer, and I took this chance to be honest.

“I want to wait for next summer to retest in the placement trials. School is only a few weeks away, and it's not fair to everyone else to be potentially displaced because of this.” I kept my voice even, despite the struggle, especially when I saw my father's tense posture, and he slowly turned back to look at me.

I’d seen it then—the look of a man who is moments from snapping. I subconsciously took a step closer to Oliver. I didn’t even realize I did it.

My father had never struck me, but there was something about the way he looked at me. I felt unsafe in that moment.

“I think that is a very mature and wise decision. I will make sure you are on the list to challenge for a higher rank so that you can place higher and get you to the level you were meant to be.” Alpha Tom nods with a smile.

I watched my father's fist clench and release before he took his eyes from me and moved them to Alpha Tom.

“If that is what she wishes, and you support it, then of course.” He strained each word through his gritted teeth and turned the knob to open the front door.

It wasn’t the pack doctor as we had anticipated. It was Aiden, and he looked angry when he saw me.

“Frankie, I need you to go change!” Aiden growled. It confused me. When did he start caring about what I wear? And who was he to tell me what to wear?

“Excuse me?” I frowned and glared at him. “I will wear what I want in my own home, thank you.”

“Not when there are unmated men around you, you won’t. Now go and change!” He growled.

“Son, you have no right to—” Luna Margie started to step forward and defend my stance on this order from him.

“I do when it comes to my mate!” he shouted, and the room went silent.

My face paled in horror.

No! Anyone but Aiden. I begged within for the Goddess to hear me. Anyone else but him, please!

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