Page 37 of Protecting His Treasure

“No, father. I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but you and I both know that Onaku is never going to change. He can’t. This is who he is. He’s harbors evil in his heart and he shouldn’t be allowed to remain in the pack.”

“I disagree.”

“Soon, your opinion won’t matter.” His mother’s gasp prevented Kaede from saying more.

“Kaede Oshiro!” She yelled. “Alpha or not, that is your father.”

“Leave him be,” His father said. “He’s right. Soon, my opinion will no longer matter…”

“I didn’t mean it like that, father.”

“Yes, you did. You always say what you mean. But before you stop listening to my opinion, let me say this. Forgiveness is a good trait for an alpha to have. If I would’ve been willing to forgive, maybe your uncle and I wouldn’t hate each other today. And maybe Onaku wouldn’t be the way he is. And maybe you wouldn’t be so headstrong and unwilling to bend your ways for others. I blame myself for the way this family has turned out. I was too focused on being alpha, that I forgot I was also a brother, an uncle. Don’t be like me. Be willing to forgive. Be willing to let go of past hurts and animosities. Not just for those who’ve wronged you, but for yourself also. Holding on to that hurt is what causes dark thoughts. And dark thoughts lead to dark deeds. That’s all I’m going to say. Now go and get some rest before the initiation starts.”

Kaede felt his mother’s hand on his shoulder. He looked back at her.

“Go on, son,” she urged him. “Get some rest. I love you.”

“I love you too, mom.”

“What about me?” His dad called out. “Are you too angry with me to say the same to me?”

“Never,” Kaede told his father. “I love you, dad. And I’ll hold your words in my heart. I won’t make any rash decisions when it comes to Onaku and Hanami.”

“That’s all I ask of you, son.”

Kaede nodded to his father and smiled at his mother one last time then headed to his room. His heart was heavy when he climbed into bed. Part of him wanted to do as his father said. The other part of him didn’t believe there was any good in Onaku.

Maybe he was being too judgmental. He would think on it later. Right now, he needed to rest. In a few hours, he would be initiated as the next pack alpha. Then tomorrow, he’d decide on what to do with Onaku and his wife.