Noah tensed beside me, and Summer's gaze fixed on her plate. "I'm doing everything I can. Sage is helping—-"
"Even if your witch using her power on the land wasn't a disgrace, there's no way she has the power to fix everything that is going wrong. It would take a legion of witches to heal everything that is dying, so why waste your time?" Richard slapped a hand down on the table, and Summer flinched. "You need real solutions. Using magic as a crutch is exactly why you're a lousy leader."
Noah's mouth dropped open, and Summer's cheeks flamed with embarrassment. It was obvious that Richard had gone too far, even for him, but that didn't seem to stop him from pressing forward.
"If you can't lead, then it's high time you let someone else try."
Noah's expression was stony, his fists clenched. "I'm the Alpha, father. Richard sneered, "Then act like it, or step down and let someone else handle the job."
"Enough!" Noah gritted the words out between his teeth. "Either change the damned subject, or we're leaving. If you're so damned determined to be a bitter, lonely old man, then you're on the right fucking path!"
Richard looked stunned, but he kept his mouth shut, and after an uncomfortable few moments, everyone started to eat again.
Summer and I shared a glance, and it was obvious we both agreed. Richard had gone too far. The way he spoke to Noah was horrible, and I was going to make sure my mate knew how much he was loved and appreciated, whether Richard approved or not.
When I finally had a chance to speak to Richard alone, I jumped on it. Summer and Noah were occupied, and I wasn't about to let a golden opportunity pass me by. I found Richard inhis study, a book open in his lap and a drink sitting next to him on the end table. He didn't acknowledge me when I entered the room, but I knew he was aware of my presence.
"I hope you're happy," I said, folding my arms, "You're a miserable excuse for a father." His eyes narrowed, and he slammed the book shut. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," I didn't budge. "Noah keeps trying to have a relationship with you, no matter how much of an asshole you continue to be. Meanwhile, he's the only thing keeping the pack above water. It would have drowned a long time ago if you were still the leader."
Richard let out one humorless laugh. "And why exactly are you here, witch?"
"I'm here because I care for Noah, and I'm tired of seeing him get shit on by the one person who should love him unconditionally. He is an incredible Alpha, and the more I see him, the more I can see how much of his heart he gives to this pack. You ruled with violence, and that is why things have fallen into disarray."
"You don't know the first thing about leading a pack," he spat, "If you're weak, you'll be ousted, even killed. Strength is the only thing that matters for shifters."
"Wrong," I snapped, unable to stop myself from pacing the length of the study, full of nervous energy, "Noah is strong, sure, but he's also intelligent. Calm, level-headed, and he's working to modernize the pack when you were happy to keep it in the dark ages. Your old-school methods are the reason you can't walk anymore, and the reason Noah and I lost all those years that we could have been together." I pointed a finger at the old man. "Noah might hold his tongue around you, but I won't.Like it or not, your son is welcoming shifters like me back into the pack, and we are the future. Your time is done."
Richard's jaw was clenched so tightly that the tendons in his neck were standing out. He glared at me, and if looks could kill, I'd have been dead. But to my surprise, he said nothing. I waited, but he didn't argue back, simply grinding his teeth until I was certain his jaw would break.
Somehow, I'd rendered the old Alpha speechless, and I was ready to take my leave before he opened his mouth again and ruined my accomplishment.
"Goodnight, Richard," I layered all the politeness I could muster into the words, inclining my head at him. "Thank you for having us."
As I left the study, I saw Noah standing just outside, leaning against the wall. There was a small smile on his lips, and pride glowed in his eyes. I felt a little silly, but when he pushed himself away from the wall and followed me out the front door, the pride in his expression never wavered.
"You didn't have to do that," he said, his arm settling around my shoulders as we headed for the car, "But it felt good to see him finally shut up."
I grinned, letting my head fall on his shoulder while our mate bond glowed between us, warm and alive.
Chapter 19 - Noah
I'd meant to just leave it alone. Hearing Sage defend me had filled me with such a powerful affection for her that it was close to spilling out of me by the time we made it home. I was proud of how strong her backbone had grown and stunned that she cared enough for me to make the effort. I knew that there likely wasn't a single thing that would ever really change my father's mind, but knowing that Sage made the attempt anyway had floored me.
As soon as the front door shut behind us, I rounded on her, "What was that about?"
Sage glanced up at me as she slipped her shoes off, but her expression was neutral. "I don't know what you're talking about."
All the things I wanted to say to her were burning in the back of my throat, but I had to pace myself. "I heard everything that you said to my father. You shouldn't have to defend me, Sage, but I just want to know...why?" I stepped forward, searching her face, but she was still guarded. "When did you stop hating me?"
She cracked, only a little, "Sooner than I'd anticipated," she admitted. "The stuff with your Dad, though...I was just sick of hearing him talk."
"No," My emotions were running high, getting away from me before I could reel them back in. Had anyone ever stood up for me the way she has? Or had everyone been so scared of my father that they just let me take the brunt of his hatred? Everyone except for Sage. "It wasn't nothing. Not to me."
Sage once again wavered, lifting her hand as if she wanted to touch me before she clenched it into a fist and let it fall back to her side. "Noah, really, it was no big deal."
How could she do something so significant for me, something that no one else had ever done, and yet still keep a wall between us when I was just looking for the chance to thank her with all the reverence that she deserved?
