Chapter 4: 4: Unveiling Fears

MAX

Max

I’m the kind of brother who’s always on his sisters’ case about dating. It’s not that I want to control their lives, I just can’t bear the thought of them getting hurt.

I’d go to the ends of the earth to protect them from any guy who’d dare to cross their boundaries. My dad instilled in me the importance of respecting women and ensuring their safety, especially when it comes to my sisters and my mom.

I might be a bit overzealous in my attempts to ward off potential suitors, but right now, I’m seething at Carter. He’s supposed to be a good friend, yet he’s making moves on my fifteen-year-old sister.

I storm out of the pack house to confront him. He’s out back with Jeremy, perched on the fence overlooking the expansive lawn. I’m sure he can sense my fury.

As I stride toward Carter and Jeremy, my fists clench and unclench. As an alpha, I need to maintain my composure, to stay calm.

My dad has been trying to teach me to control my temper, which is no small feat. Usually, I vent my frustrations on a gym bag or by running for miles.

I halt in front of Carter and Jeremy, but before I can utter a word, Carter hops off the fence and steps toward me, extending his hand for a handshake. I glance at his hand and then back at his face.

His left eye is twitching, a telltale sign of his nervousness. I grip his hand firmly.

“Listen, Max, I mean no disrespect to you or your sister. I genuinely like her and would never hurt her. I was actually hoping she could help me with my sparring,” he says, a nervous smile playing on his lips.

I release his hand and nod, choosing my words carefully. I pace in front of Carter and Jeremy, stealing glances at them as they watch me in silence.

I turn to Jeremy and ask, “Do you think I’m overreacting? You have a younger sister. How would you feel if I or Carter asked her out?”

Jeremy sighs and hops off the fence. “Look, my situation is different. You’re the future alpha of this pack, so you have to maintain a certain image.

I know you don’t want your siblings to bring any shame to your family. As for my sister, as long as the guy is decent, I’d probably be okay with it.”

His logic is sound. Carter is a good guy, and I’d rather have someone I know dating my sisters.

“However,” Jeremy adds, “I’d definitely warn the guy that if he crosses any lines with my sister, he’ll have to deal with my wrath. Even if it was you, Max.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, doubting his ability to take me on, but I understand his point. I don’t want to say or do anything I’ll regret, and I certainly don’t want my sisters to resent me.

Melanie already tries to sneak around when it comes to boys. Not that she’s ever had a boyfriend, but she would never confide in me about her crushes.

I grunt in resignation, which is quite unlike me. “All right. Carter, if you want to ask my sister to the dance, go ahead. I don’t like it, but I trust you.”

A fleeting smile crosses his face, but it vanishes as I add, “But you need to ask the alpha first. He’s old-fashioned.”

Carter’s eyes widen in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, I am. If you can face the alpha, you can ask my sister to the dance. Just remember, if she says no, you back off. Understand?”

I fix him with a stern gaze to emphasize my seriousness. Carter gulps, “Okay.”

He heads toward the pack house, presumably to request a meeting with my father. This should be interesting.

“I hope I don’t regret this,” he mutters as he disappears around the corner of the house. As soon as Carter is out of sight, Jeremy starts to chuckle.

“Max, you drive a hard bargain. But if he’s brave enough to ask Alpha Sebastian, you know he won’t mess this up.”

I nod at Jeremy. “Let’s hit the gym. I need to take it out on the bags.”

CARTER

I must be losing my mind. I’m about to request a meeting with Alpha Sebastian, one of the most formidable alphas in the country.

A bead of sweat trickles down my back as I ascend the pack house steps. Damn Max and his protective streak.

We’ve known each other our whole lives. I’m not some creep.

I’ve never even had sex, a fact I keep to myself. As the football team captain, I’d be ridiculed if my teammates knew.

The human students at our school are promiscuous, to say the least. They don’t believe in mates and lack respect for women.

Their locker room talk irks me, but I usually keep my distance. I’ve been on plenty of dates, and girls throw themselves at me because of my football prowess.

Only the other werewolves know about our superior strength and speed, and we can’t let the humans in on our secret. I enter the pack house and head toward the alpha and beta offices.

Mindy, the receptionist, is busy typing away at her computer. She looks up and greets me with a smile, “Hi Carter. How can I assist you?”

I stand there, hands in my pockets, wondering how to phrase my request. “Um, I was wondering if the alpha has a few minutes to spare.”

“Sure, what’s it about? He’s quite busy, you know,” she replies with a smile. “I know. It’s personal, I’d rather not disclose it. Sorry,” I say, hoping she won’t take offense.

“I see,” she responds, her tone questioning. “Let me check with Serena when she comes out of his office. Please have a seat over there.”

She points to a chair against the wall. I nod and take a seat.

I can’t sit still. My palms are sweaty, and I’m incredibly nervous.

It’s as if I’m proposing marriage, not asking a girl to a dance. I roll my eyes at my own absurdity.

I sit there for what feels like an eternity, watching Mindy type away, oblivious to my anxiety. Finally, the luna appears down the hall.

Mindy stands to greet her, and I immediately rise to my feet. “Oh, stop,” the luna waves us down.

She’s never been one for formalities, which makes her beloved among the pack. She’s a warm, generous person who always makes time for the pack members.

“Luna, Carter here wishes to speak with the alpha. It’s personal,” Mindy says, making air quotes around ‘personal’.

“Really?” The luna’s eyebrows lift in surprise at my words. She catches my nervousness and grins, giving me a playful wink.

“Okay then. Let’s go see the alpha, Carter,” she says, leading the way down the hallway. I’m frozen in place, the reality of the situation sinking in.

When she realizes I’m not following, she turns back. “Are you coming?”

“Yes, Luna. My apologies.” I grimace at my own awkwardness and trail behind her.

It’s do or die now, I guess. We step into the alpha’s office.

He’s on a call and motions for us to wait. Once he’s done, he hangs up and asks, “What’s up?”

His gaze flickers between the luna and me. “Carter wanted to talk to you. He said it’s personal and didn’t tell Mindy what it’s about.”

She turns to me. “Do you want me to stay, Carter?” She’s always there for any pack member dealing with personal stuff.

“If you don’t mind, Luna. It sort of involves you too,” I respond, offering a timid smile.

“All right then,” she says, closing the door and settling onto the alpha’s lap. She gestures for me to sit in the chair across the desk.

She shares a knowing glance with the alpha and winks at him. I see him visibly relax and can’t help but wish that someday, I’ll share a similar bond with my mate.

“Carter, feel free to talk about whatever you need to,” the alpha encourages me. I clear my throat, feeling uncomfortable under his intense gaze.

It’s like he’s looking right into my soul. I’ve never been in the alpha’s office before, not even when I used to hang out with Max.

I take a moment to look around, my eyes scanning the bookshelves lining the walls, packed with books. Family pictures and heirlooms are scattered among the shelves, and a large chair with an ottoman is placed near the large picture window.

A reading lamp sits on a small table next to it. Shaking off my distraction, I refocus on the alpha and luna.

“Actually, Max sent me,” I admit. “We had a chat. He suggested I come see you, Alpha.”

I notice my hands gripping the chair arms, my knuckles turning white. I take a deep breath, forcing my hands to relax.

“That’s interesting. He didn’t say anything about you coming here. When did this conversation happen?” the alpha asks.

“About half an hour ago,” I admit. “I wanted to talk to you, sir, before I chickened out.”

I can’t believe I just said that. We’re trained to never show fear in our warrior training.

The alpha chuckles. “I must seem pretty scary.” He turns to the luna, sharing a soft kiss and a smile.

If only he knew. Everyone respects him a lot, but we also know he doesn’t show mercy to his enemies.

There are whispers about his harsh interrogation methods and his skills in battle. I take another deep breath.

“With all due respect, Alpha, you are greatly admired. It’s just that what I need to ask you… it might upset you. Or maybe not. I’m hoping it doesn’t.”

I wince slightly. Now I’ve got his attention, and luna’s too. They both seem a bit more alert.

I instantly regret my words. “Continue,” the alpha growls.

I notice Luna gently patting his cheek. “Yes, Alpha. I wanted to ask for your permission, sir.

I’d like to invite Selene to the Spring Dance. Max was initially against it, but he said he knows I won’t hurt her.

He did say that I needed to talk to you, to get your permission, sir.” I swallow hard, my nerves getting the best of me.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but his deep, hearty laughter certainly wasn’t it. I look up at him, my eyes wide.

Luna is just smiling at me, while the alpha continues to laugh. He’s still chuckling when he responds.

“Max said that, did he? My son never ceases to surprise me.” He looks at me, his expression more serious now.

“What do you think my answer should be, Carter?”

“I… Uh…”