The Restrained
At the pack's coming-of-age trial, my son, Dorian Terrell, earns a top-tier wolf evaluation, breaking a decade-long pack record.
As the Alpha, my mate, Brad Terrell, is beside himself with joy and immediately talks about setting Dorian up as a sparring partner for his first love's son, Finlyn Graham.
But the moment Brad hears the speech Dorian prepared for the award ceremony, his smile freezes.
The speech centers on Brad, but it is anything but grateful.
Dorian wrote, "On the day I came of age, my body shattered from the pain of my first forced shift, while he stayed on the phone, patiently guiding his first love's son on how to harness that power.
"He spoke all night while I screamed in agony, and not once did he look back. During this trial, I ran into a pack of frenzied leopards and sent out a bloodline distress call. But he severed the link, leaving me to fight for my life.
"All because his first love's son broke down during his own trial, and he had to rush off to soothe him. He is no longer my father. From this day on, he is only the pack's Alpha."
Brad slams his hand onto the table, shattering the crystal glass in rage.
"I'm the Alpha of this entire pack! Protecting every pup is my duty! Finlyn is gifted. It'd be a tragedy if he failed his trial over an emotional breakdown! You made it out alive anyway, so do you really need to humiliate me like this at the ceremony?"
Dorian looks at him calmly, the deep reverence in his eyes entirely gone. "You're right. So, Alpha Brad, just go and protect your delicate genius."