Page 20 of Unknowingly Being his Brat

“Friends,” Dad repeated, like the word was foreign to him.

“Yes,” Silas agreed. “I’m helping him with his kitchen today.”

“I can see that,” Dad said, glancing around the half-done kitchen.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, wanting to know why he came so he could kindly go away again.

“No, not at all. I was just coming by ask you if you’ve talked to Darius,” he answered. Then looked pointedly at Silas. “You, know, your fated.”

Fuck.Him.

“I haven’t,” I replied, suppressing the urge to chuck my scolding coffee at his dick.

“Well, maybe you should.” He held his arms crossed over his chest, but the pose wasn’t at all threatening with his dick out.

“Maybe,” I agreed, hoping he would leave now.

“Ready to get back to it?” Silas asked me, offering me a task while also telling my dad subtly to leave.

I loved having him as my friend.

“Yeah.” I shot him a thankful grin. “You attach the cabinet doors, and I’ll secure the upper cupboards on the other side.”

“Deal,” he grinned back.

Dad left us to it, not saying a word of goodbye as he turned and left. I felt like I’d once again disappointed him. The normal feeling of dread, of not being good enough, wasn’t as strong this time. Silas being here was a bigger comfort than I’d ever dared hope for.

Jeremy and Cass’ next ceremony was upon us. Silas had continued to help me out the whole week with my house and talking to him had truly helped. I even admitted to how I felt about Jeremy. Silas had given me the advice to spend time with Jeremy just the two of us, because he felt most of it hadn’t been something Jeremy did on purpose, most had happened because of Dad and fake friends. I reluctantly agreed to seek Jeremy out a week after his ceremony, knowing he’d want time alone with Cass to enjoy being mated.

The whole pack was gathered behind the packhouse, watching Jeremy and Cass who stood facing each other, looking madly in love. I stood next to Silas, Greg, and another of their packmates, Rowan. They’d been invited by Jeremy and Cass, and I was truly grateful for Silas’ presence here.

“Ready?” Jeremy asked Cass.

“Yes!” Cass exclaimed eagerly, makingus chuckle.

“Groove Vale Pack!” Jeremy began. “I hereby welcome Cass Balone into our pack.”

We all howled and clapped our hands, celebrating the Alpha claiming his mate.

Then a voice broke through the happiness. “Alpha Jeremy,” Fillian said, standing tall. “I challenge you for the title of Alpha.”

Many gasped around us and it was clear no one had seen this coming.

What was Fillian thinking? He’d always been a hothead, fighting others and was quick to start arguments. After he’d become an adult he’d more or less just followed his dad around. I had no doubt at all that his father, Marcus, was behind this. He’d never liked the way Dad had run the pack, and he’d made it clear he didn’t want Jeremy to be alpha either. Not that he’d prefer me over Jeremy, I think no one would be good enough for him. He just wanted Fillian to hold the title.

A throat cleared as Marcus stepped forward to stand next to his son. “And I will be his second.”

I could hear Jeremy curse and see the fear in Cass’ eyes. I didn’t even think as I stepped forward, stopping next to Jeremy. If he was fighting for his life he shouldn’t do it alone. No one deserved that.

This could very well end in my death. However, maybe it was my purpose all along, to stand by Jeremy, even if I still felt my anger lingering. Silas had helped me see things differently, and right now all I could see was fear reflected in my brother’s eyes.

“I’ll be Jeremy’s second,” I declared loudly.

“What does being a second mean?” Cass whispered to Dad, clearly confused and scared. He’d moved closer to where we stood after Jeremy had told him to.

Dad swallowed and began explaining, “Because Marcus declared he was second, it means that if Fillian fails, and dies, Marcus will then fight Jeremy as Alpha, but it wouldn’t be fair on Jeremy to fight two battles right after each other, so that’s where Milo comes in.”

“Hang on. You’re telling me, that when Jeremy rightfully beats the ever-living crap out of Fillian, Milo then has to fight Marcus, and if he loses that fight, then Marcus becomes Alpha?” I wish someone had as much faith in me as Cass did in Jeremy.