Chapter 3

A/N: Who do YOU think would win in a fight between Rhys and Alec?

Announcement: I'm extending the time to enter my raffle and WIN ONE OF THE FIVE PRIZES!

They are: feedback on the first five chapters of a wattpad story of your choice, naming two Silver Bullets after one winner each, dedication of a YATA chapter and dedication of a WATA chapter.

Link in the comments.

*****

"Your mother has more authority than you. And you can't even speak to your mate?" The nineteen-year-old chuckled and moved his gaze from me to the ice cream in his hand, scooping a bit more. "And that after waiting for... Oh, how did Uncle Kennedy put it?" His pale eyes looked straight into mine. "'Eight frickin' years.'?"

"That is enough, Aleksei!" Everett stepped forward.

His son smirked.

"Using my full first name, daddy? Are you angry with me for something?" He put the spoon in his mouth and sucked on it. When he took it out, his grin was even larger. "Are we going to have a fight? 'Cause I'm pretty bored right now."

"If you are so bored here, feel free to leave and don't forget not to write." Kennedy waved his right arm speedily as if sending him off.

Alec chuckled.

"You know, Uncle Kennedy, you are kind of amusing... for a mutt."

"Said the half breed," my youngest sibling retorted.

"Touché." The spoon grated against the bottom of the ice cream container as Alec scooped the last of it.

"We need to talk." I crossed my arms over my chest, my feet apart and my shoulders back. I was taller than my nephew, but whenever I had to reprimand him or try to convince him to do as I told him, I felt I needed to make myself as large as possible.

Not that that scared him.

He always remained perfectly calm, sometimes even bored.

"If you want me to find out your mate's name, then sure - I can ask him for it after I'm done screwing with him."

The echo of my growl could still be heard when the two sets of strong hands - one gentle, but firm and one desperately clutching onto me - grabbed my arms to restrain me. My body trembled and I could feel my teeth and nails elongating while my fingers began to shorten; all scents were stronger and all sounds got louder; colors faded and details of near-by objects blurred while those of faraway items all but disappeared.

"Rhys, please." Everett begged from my left.

"You are in control of the shift, son." My dad's voice came from my right. "Just breathe."

I took a deep breath, another snarl - this time quieter - coming from deep within my throat as I exhaled. It took me over a hundred repetitions - breathe in, breathe out - before I was in control of my body and somewhat in control of my desire to tear my nephew with my claws.

As the tremors subdued, so did Alec's interest towards me.

He had wanted me to lash out on him.

He had wanted a physical fight, not just a quarrel.

He would have had his wish if his father and mine had not gotten a hold of me.

And what would've came out of that?

I had no idea who would win.

I was stronger - much stronger - but I could not match his speed. He wasn't stupid either; he had knowledge of fighting and enough experience to put that knowledge to practice.

So who would've won in the end?

No one.

If I had been the physical winner, I would still have lost. I would have still made the same mistake that left me with a scarred face. I would've hurt Alec and even though he probably deserved it, I would've hurt him severely; how was I to look at Everett after that?

And if Alec was the physical winner?

Then I would have been the one who was severely injured and that would have distanced my nephew and his father even more.

I should know better than this! I should have more self-control!

Threatening to mess with my mate was all that took to make me see red; how was I to prove myself worthy for that boy if I lost my temper so easily?

He already feared me; wasn't I giving him a just reason with my behavior?

"Well..." Alec walked into the kitchen, threw the empty ice cream container in the trash and placed the spoon in the sink. "If you all intend to be reasonable and boring - and since you are out of ice cream and have no milk for a smoothie or a shake - I'll be leaving."

"Wait." My voice was almost anger-free. Apparently that level of composure was enough for Everett and dad to deem me safe enough to be freed from their grips.

"What do you want?" Alec was already by the front door, swinging his black leather jacket over his shoulder, his face a perfect depiction of boredom.

"I am the Beta of the Silver Bullets pack and you will show me respect."

"I'm not from this pack." He reminded me.

"But you did as I commanded tonight." I refreshed his memory in turn, taking a step towards him. "When I ordered for everyone to get back into the pub, you did so too."

"I figured it might be more fun to mess with you and your mate if you got to know him a bit first."

My lips parted in surprise and his turned up in a haughty smile.

"It was pretty obvious what was going on. Even Everett and the other dogs noticed." He nodded towards his father.

"If your dad is a 'dog', Alec, then you are half a dog yourself." Mom's voice was perfectly even.

"And half a bat," Kennedy added. "So in the end you are just a winged dog."

"At least I have more bat than dog."

"Not a good thing in your case..."

"Species is not the issue here," I cut my youngest brother off.

"But it should be." Alec tilted his head to the side. "How will your monkey react when he finds out what you are?"

The tingle in my nails told me they were about to bet longer, but this time I managed to prevent that on my own by clenching and unclenching my fists.

"Don't call him a monkey." My voice barely shook.

"That's what humans are - evolved monkeys." He reached for the door handle. "And I cannot call him by his name because someone didn't ask for it."

"Stay where you are!" I shouted when he opened the door.

He turned to me and rolled his eyes.

"Don't worry; I've found someone else to play with tonight. Besides, it might be more fun to just observe... for now anyway."

He dashed out and I sprinted after him, but I'd only taken a few steps - enough to get me to the door - before I decided against pursuing him. Alec was faster than me and if he had truly set his mind on someone else, it would've been better if I did not draw his attention to my mate.

There was a problem though: Alec wasn't always truthful with us.

"I'm sorry." Everett placed his hand upon my shoulder. "It was supposed to be a joyous night and Alec..."

He sighed.

"I'll talk to him, Rhys. I promise."

"It won't help," I said with no accusation in my tone but I still saw the shame in my older brother's eyes.

I wanted to tell Everett that Alec was young and that he'd grow out of this behavior; I wanted to tell him that he could change, that they would bond and be a real family.

But I didn't want to lie to him.

It was my opinion that Alec had long crossed the point in time when he could turn into one of us, when he would stop with his lies and games, and teasing, when he would stop challenging us.

Alec wouldn't change because he didn't want to change.

In the end, all I could do was to keep quiet and embrace my brother.

*****

"What if there's another café?"

"I checked; there's only one by the name Milk & Cream."

"And what if he isn't there?" Kennedy asked as I took off yet another t-shirt - this time brown - and threw it on the bed with the rest I'd deemed unworthy for today's attire.

"Just because he has a key chain from that café, it doesn't mean he'll be there."

"They probably give them out to employees and patrons." I put on a light green one. It was tight and showing off my muscles.

Was I trying too hard?

"You still haven't replied to my question: what if he isn't there?"

"Then I'll go back another day. I'll keep going there at certain days and certain times until I meet him."

"But that could... No, leave this one on; it goes with your eyes," he insisted as I began to undress again. "But that could take forever."

"If I hang around his apartment building, he might think I'm stalking him."

The last thing I needed was to scare him further.

"It will be more like an ambush actually," he corrected, then frowned. "The jeans are fine as well; don't take them off."

"They are old," I pointed out, looking in the full-length mirror in my parents' bedroom. I should probably get one of those for my own room; I could not keep coming here each time I planned to see my mate, especially if it was taking me this long to decide what to wear.

"Some consider that fashionable." He shrugged.

"Fashionable?" It was my turn to frown. Before he could give me his reply, there was a knock on the door.

"Are you dressed?"

"Yes, mom, come in." I began gathering the clothes I'd brought from my room.

"It's so strange to have to knock before I come into my own room," she muttered then looked me up and down. "Good choice. The green t-shirt brings out your eyes."

"That's what I told him too," Kennedy said.

"You should be getting ready for school, young man." Mom gave him the once over as well and shook her head; he was still in his pajamas.

"I was thinking that maybe I should stay here today and help Rhys get ready for his mate. You know, give him a few tips how to act."

"Nice try." Mom ruffled his already messy hair. "Now off you go. You have..." She gazed at her phone. "Eighteen minutes."

My sibling got off the bed with a sigh and dragged himself out of the room, shouting 'Don't forget to ask for his name' from the hallway.

"Do you want a ride to the café? I can drop you off on my way to work." Mom suggested.

"Thanks, but I'm not leaving right away. I have to talk to Keri and... Well," I felt my face heat up, "mentally prepare myself."

Mom picked a hair from my t-shirt.

"You'll be just fine," she assured me.

"What if he doesn't like me?" I whispered.

"Then you'll make him like you." She squeezed my hand. "If he's a good person, he'll like you; I've raised my boys well. Except for Carter; I swear, I want to smash that phone of his into the wall. Would've done it took, if I wasn't afraid he'll have a mental breakdown when did."

I chuckled and mom smiled at me before glancing at her phone again. She walked to the door and poked her head in the hallway.

"Fourteen minutes, boys!" She shouted.

*****

A/N: Once again, who do you THINK would win: Rhys or Alec?

Who do you WANT to win?

Please support this chapter with a VOTE in you enjoyed it and don't forget to enter the raffle for a chance to win some prizes!

PS: Alec's got a bit of a sweet tooth; what do you think about that?