I needed to do something productive with this energy before it consumed me completely. Revenge consumed my thoughts as I entered the house and headed straight to my father’s office, not even looking around for food, even though my stomach was threatening to eat itself.
Dad was already deep in conversation with our pack security team when I walked in. As soon as he saw me, he dismissed them and gestured for me to sit.
He stared at me as he waited for the door to close. “Before we get down to business, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about all day. It wasn’t appropriate to talk about in front of other people.”
Shit. What now? My mind went straight to Liza. Lately, all our uncomfortable conversations had something to do with her.
Dad rubbed his chin and nodded, although he hadn’t said anything more. “I’m proud of the way you handled the meeting with Hiram yesterday.” I’d learned it all from him, but I didn’t think he would appreciate the praise. “I didn’t bring it up yesterday because things were so hectic, but you really thought on your feet. That’s the type of characteristic a father could only hope to see in his son... especially one who’s about to take over the position of alpha.”
It wasn’t often my father heaped on the compliments. As a matter of fact, it happened so seldom, I wasn’t sure how to handle it. My whole life, he’d nagged, griped, complained, told me everything I was doing wrong or explained in detail how I could improve in specific areas. Of course, even when I was young, I understood that he wanted me to develop into the type of leader our pack could depend on—a strong leader who made good decisions for the benefit of all, while keeping personal feelings reined in.
Regardless, all this back-patting was new to me. It made my skin heat. “Thanks,” was the only response I could come up with.
“Listen, son.” Dad stared pointedly at me. “I know you’re sick of hearing me say this, but I’m going to need to pass the power of the alpha over to you soon, otherwise, it’ll be too late, and it will be gone. So, I need you to seriously consider claiming Liza as soon as possible.”
My eyes widened. We’d been over this a hundred times before, and him bringing it up now made his compliments suspect.
Dad raised his hands. “I know the situation with Castro and the overall timing isn’t the best, but it needs to be done, regardless.”
“I agree, but I’m worried it’ll backfire on me.” If there was ever a time to be honest about my deepest apprehensions, it was now.
“What do you mean?” Dad raised an eyebrow.
“Castro thinks of Liza as his.” The asshole was gravely mistaken. “If he finds out she’s been claimed, what’s to stop him from retaliating?”
I wasn’t afraid for myself—I could handle whatever he threw at me—but Liza could get caught in the crossfire. He might even go after the pack, and that would be my fault. My selfishness and my hurry.
“I mean, this bastard is bat-shit crazy. I wouldn’t put it past him if he’d hunt Liza down and kill her if I claim her before we’ve dealt with him.”
Dad nodded. “I understand what you’re saying, but claiming her could also keep her safer.”
Well, that certainly wouldn’t help me decide.
I couldn’t help but play Devil’s advocate, considering we weren’t only talking about Liza’s life, but my own, as well. “If something happens to her, our pack will no longer have analpha. This doesn’t stop with my fated mate and me. Castro’s actions could do irreversible damage to a multitude of people. We can’t make these decisions without thinking it through from every direction and angle.”
“You’re right, Ty. There’s always going to be a risk that something happens to you or, in this case, that something happens to your fated mate. And there are always a thousand reasons not to do something. I understand your hesitancy, but in this case, I’m certain it won’t happen.” He sounded so sure, but I didn’t understand.
He took a sip of water. At least, I assumed the clear liquid in his glass was water. After the week we’d had, I wouldn’t have judged him if he chugged down vodka.
I wondered at what point in his life he’d become so confident. Though he was stewing and contemplative below the surface, to the average person, he looked like he had his shit together.
I sure as hell wasn’t at that level, yet. “What makes you so sure that something won’t happen to Liza or me once I’ve claimed her?”
“Simple.” Dad put the glass down and smirked. “If Castro leaks the truth about Liza out of anger, she’ll already be a claimedomega. Anyone with common sense knows what it means to go after an alpha’s mate, let alone hisomegamate. Even if the stories are completely fabricated and myths, that’s a crime punishable by death.”
I nodded slowly. It wasn’t a foolproof solution, but it made sense. “I’ll talk to Liza about it and see if she’s comfortable with the idea.”
I didn’t need convincing to mate with Liza, but I wanted—no, Ineededher to want it as much as I did. If we mated and I died, then I’d be stealing the rest of her life from her. She’d die shortly after me, if not right along with me. I didn’t want that for her.
Dad interrupted my train of thought. “It’s unfortunate that Sylas doesn’t know where Castro is hiding. We’ll have to take matters into our own hands again.”
“Have we hit a wall already? Surely Nico and his team can find a trail that leads to Castro.” How could one man slip past an entire pack without being seen? Someone out there must have laid eyes on him.
“I’m going to put feelers out to the packs I have the most trust with. Of course, I won’t give full details about Castro. Just enough for them to think he’s in danger. If they see him or catch wind of his whereabouts, we’ll be the first to know.”
“Genius.” I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent a quick text to Liza, letting her know I’d head straight to her place after Dad and I finished up.
“Here’s a quick alpha lesson for you, Ty.” Dad pushed up from his chair and walked to the window. “It’s always best to keep things close to the vest, even with those you trust. You never know where people’s loyalties truly lie in the grand scheme of things.”
