Chapter 45: Chapter 45

NOAH

When I walked into my office, Greyson, Jack, and Lucy were already there, engaged in a heated argument. The noise level was deafening.

“What’s all this about?” I shouted, trying to be heard over their bickering.

“Grey and Jack are being complete morons!” Lucy yelled back, flinging her arms up in exasperation.

“Well, that’s not exactly news.” I shrugged, earning a scowl from Lucy.

“Jack’s trying to convince Greyson to reject his mate, and Grey’s actually considering it,” she explained.

“Jack…” I sighed, shaking my head at my youngest brother.

“What? She’s a ~vampire~!” He defended himself.

“So what? She’s probably just as freaked out about Greyson being a werewolf,” I retorted, rolling my eyes at Jack.

I then turned to Greyson. “You need to do what feels right to you, Grey. Forget about her being a vampire and just think of her as a person.”

I placed a reassuring hand on my brother’s shoulder, waiting for him to acknowledge my advice. He nodded, a frown etched deeply on his face.

“But right now, we have bigger fish to fry,” I announced to the room.

“Like figuring out why the vampires decided to pay us a visit?” Jack chimed in.

I sighed at his blunt approach. “Yes, Jack.”

I then proceeded to share with them the conversation I had with Evie earlier, bracing myself for their reactions.

“Do you really believe Dad would get involved with vampires?” Lucy asked, slumping back into her chair.

“I believe Dad’s capable of anything, Luce. He’s stubborn, angry at me for opposing him, and his ego’s bruised because I let Evie discipline him. That makes him dangerous,” I sighed.

“I think Noah’s onto something. Dad’s lost it,” Jack agreed.

“Maybe, but he’d never willingly hand over his pack to vampires,” Greyson countered.

“I agree, which is why I think everyone’s got their own game plan. I have a few theories, but I need to talk to Dad,” I said.

“Do you want me to fetch him?” Greyson offered.

“No, I’ve already mind-linked him. He’s on his way. Jack, Lucy, I don’t think you two should be here for this,” I told my younger siblings.

“But he’s our dad, Noah,” Jack protested.

“That’s exactly why you shouldn’t be here. Greyson can separate his role as a brother from his role as my beta, but you two can’t. This isn’t a family meeting—it’s an interrogation,” I explained.

I opened the office door and gestured for them to leave. I wasn’t in the mood for an argument, and this wasn’t up for discussion.

“Come on, Jack,” Lucy said, grabbing Jack’s arm and pulling him out of the room.

A few minutes later, my father walked into the office.

“Finally seen sense about that luna of yours, boy?” he smirked.

I growled at him, regretting ever letting him off the hook.

“We’ve discovered a plot against this pack and my luna,” I said, my tone deadly serious.

“I can’t say I’m surprised.” His smug expression made it hard for me to keep my cool.

“I had a visit from the vampire king’s children today,” I continued.

“You think the vampires are involved?” he asked, his composure finally wavering.

“I know they are. They wouldn’t have come all this way just to say hello,” I said. “What’s more suspicious is that their visit followed Elder Jacob’s.”

My father shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“Well, the pack elders weren’t happy with your choice of luna. They probably complained to the Council,” he stammered.

“Cut the crap, Dad. I know it was you who called the Council. None of our pack elders would dare speak out against me without your backing. What were you hoping to achieve with Elder Jacob’s visit?”

I decided to start with the lesser offense and then work my way up to mutiny and treason.

“All right, I admit I lodged a formal complaint with the Council. I thought a visit from our highest order might make you realize the gravity of your mistake and reconsider taking a human mate,” he confessed.

My father was lying through his teeth.

“Uh-huh,” I muttered.

“I was just looking out for you and the pack, son,” he stammered.

~Now he’s playing the caring father card? Give me a break.~

“So, you’re saying that teaming up with the vampires and Alpha Russell was for my benefit too?” I threw the question at him.

His eyes widened in surprise at my accusation.

“I’m not sure where you’re getting your information…” He began to defend himself, but I cut him off.

“Vampires don’t just waltz into a pack house, Dad. Someone invited them. It’s no secret that Russell has a grudge against me and my luna, but he’s not clever enough to orchestrate something like this. What I can’t wrap my head around is how you crossed paths with Russell and why you thought it was a good idea to collaborate with vampires. This could destroy the pack! At the very least, it’s endangering lives.” I was on my feet now, towering over my father.

“I would never harm this pack!” His face was flushed with anger as he shouted back at me.

“I don’t believe you’re intentionally hurting the pack, but I do think your hatred for my choices has clouded your judgment.”

I wasn’t sure why I was making excuses for him. Maybe old habits really do die hard.

“I need you to be honest with me, right now,” I demanded.

He hung his head, unable to argue with his alpha.

“All right, yes. I learned about the situation with Alpha Russell after your last meeting with the pack elders. I decided to track him down. He hadn’t returned to his own pack yet; he was still in the area sulking. I struck a deal with him. If he helped me get rid of your mate, I would ensure his pack became as strong as ours, and I would help him find a suitable luna. I contacted the Council shortly after. I had no idea Russell had involved the vampires,” he muttered his confession.

“You trusted an unstable child like Russell with a plan that could change the future of this pack? Have you lost your mind?” I shouted, walking away from him before I lost control and punched him. “Greyson, take the former alpha to the dungeon,” I commanded.

“Noah, I’m your father! I only wanted what was best for this pack and for you,” he pleaded as Greyson pulled him out of his chair.

“What’s best for this pack is the alpha’s mate. Either accept that, Dad, or you’ll find yourself staring down an executioner. Honestly, you’re lucky that hasn’t happened already.” Greyson’s voice was low as he addressed our father.

“You’ve betrayed this pack,” I said, my voice devoid of emotion as I glared at him.

His face paled, his eyes wide, as he realized the magnitude of his mistake. Greyson dragged him out of my office, kicking and screaming like a child.

Some of the other patrol wolves who were on break in the pack house rushed over to help without hesitation.

After I had calmed down, I went to find my mate. She was waiting for me in our room like she had promised. The TV was off, and she was staring blankly at the wall from her spot in the sitting area.

I could tell she was worried sick, and my heart ached for her. I hated my father for causing her this much distress. She was so deep in thought that she didn’t even notice me in the room until I was right in front of her.

She jumped when I knelt down in front of her and took her hands in mine.

“He admitted to working with Russell and contacting the Council. He insists he didn’t know Russell was in league with the vampires.” I got straight to the point.

“Do you believe him?” she asked, running her fingers through my hair.

“I do. My father despises vampires more than he despises humans.” I sighed, leaning into her touch.

“What are you going to do?” Evie asked.

“He’s in the dungeon now. He’s betrayed the pack. I can’t show him any more mercy,” I replied.

Evie slid off the chair and landed on my lap. We sat on the floor in silence, my arms wrapped around my mate as I clung to her for comfort.

“Are you going to track down Russell?” Evie asked after a while.

“I’ve already sent my patrol after him. He can’t be far. My father said he hadn’t returned to his pack. I’m going to call his pack and see what’s happening there,” I explained.

Evie lifted my face to hers and kissed me.

“I love you, Alpha.” She smiled, and I immediately felt at peace.

“I adore you, my little mate.” I pulled her close, our lips meeting in a fervent kiss.