Page 29 of Rescued by the Alpha

She stuck out her tongue. “Whatever.” Alex regarded Elam. “I need you on my side here. Was that an awesome tale or what?”

Elam regarded him, his eyes much brighter than they’d been earlier. “Beyond awesome.”

Elam smiled wide and Nic’s heart skipped. If he could, he’d want to see that expression on Elam’s face every day for the rest of his life.

Nic winked at him, loving how Elam responded to it with happy surprise, his eyes rounding a bit before his grin grew even bigger. Nic turned to Alex. “What time does Papa expect us over for dinner?”

“About fifteen minutes after my roast comes out of the oven.”

Nic pursed his lips. “Then why are we all going over there? That’s such a hassle for you along with bringing the kids. They should come over here instead.”

“Not gonna lie, bro. Things are pretty tense in the pack right now. When I went to the herb and tea shop, while I was standing on the other side of the tall shelf in the back, I overheard Jackson telling Luna it seemed obvious to a lot of people that Papa was in on the deception with Artur and Dara. I don’t think he wants to leave the house right now until he decides how to handle everything.”

Nic let out a frustrated growl and threw his hands in the air, his sudden move startling Katya.

Her bottom lip began trembling and Elam cuddled her closer. “Nic, you scared her.”

He regarded his niece who eyed him warily. “Sorry.” Did she understand words yet? He knew nothing about kids. It was probably for the best he’d never have any.

Nic returned his attention to Alex. “So, when do you figure he’s gonna decide to ‘handle’ this?

How long has it been since Dara left?”

Alex leaned forward and placed her elbows on the table. “Look, I haven’t wanted to stress you out…” She darted her eyes to Elam then back to him. “But Papa’s not the same. He’s having memory problems, repeats himself and forgets things that happened the day before. Gets mad when I call him

on it too. I’m worried about him. And I’m still angry at Artur for what he did. He could’ve placed our whole clan in jeopardy with his greedy stupidity.”

Nic tensed, angry at himself more than anything for keeping away from the pack, for staying separate. He was being pulled in so many directions. While he still clung to the belief that he couldn’t be pack Alpha, every urge, every part of him screamed that he should take charge. I might have to, ifit comes down to it. He’d have to figure out how to face his brother, though. They’d never been super close, since he was almost ten years older, unlike Alex who was only two years younger than Nic.

“Okay. I need to know what’s going on, and I don’t want to do it while the kids are there or we’re trying to have dinner.” Nic rose then stepped over to Elam, bending down to place a kiss on top of his head, squeezing his shoulder as he did. “Can you help Alex with everything? You guys can meet me over there.”

Elam gazed up at him, worry creasing his forehead. “Of course. Whatever you need.”

Nic sighed . I need you, baby.

* * * *

Nic had almost jumped into the truck to drive the short distance to his father’s place, but at the last moment had decided stomping over there instead would be better. As he kicked the snow off his boots on the landing of his childhood home, he figured he’d burned up enough rage on the way there to remain calm and rational.

At least mostly.

He knocked on the door a bit too heartily and figured he’d give it ten seconds before he let himself in. Another thing he’d reminded himself of as he’d made his way there was that if his father was having health issues, he couldn’t be blamed for things falling apart the way they had. But thatalso means he’s not fit to remain Alpha either. Nic groaned as he yanked off a glove and scrubbed his face. What a fucking mess. He shoved both gloves into his jacket pocket and decided he’d done enough porch-standing for the day.

“Hey! It’s me, Nic.”

He stepped inside, unzipping his coat and pulling it off as he did. After flinging it onto one of the large wall hooks by the door, he glanced around the darkened room. The wood stove was going in the living room, so the temperature was reasonable—but other than that, he would’ve thought the place was empty.

“Papa? Artur?” He put his hands on his hips. The fuck? “Where is everyone?”

The door to his brother’s old room creaked open from down the hall and he emerged, yawning and scratching what was now a very rounded belly. Nic schooled his expression. He and his brother had always locked horns, Artur going out of his way to prove he was better than Nic and Nic trying to

bring Artur in line.

“Keep it down, will ya? Papa’s taking a nap.”

Nic crossed his arms as he lost the battle to be civil. “I see he’s not the only one.”

Artur narrowed his eyes. “Hello to you too.” He huffed then brushed past him to the cabinet where their father kept all the booze. He opened one side then pulled out a bottle of whiskey and held it up. “Something to drink?”