AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nuh-huh! You’re the Alpha of this pack. I’m more than happy to be your second-in-command. I’m good at the logistics and all the background shit, but you, you’re the one who leads us. You have the diplomatic skills, and the pack looks up to you.”
“Josh, we have to start being realistic. I’m getting worse. I’m not going to have the energy to do everything required to be Alpha. I barely have the energy now to do a full day here in the office.” He paused. “And you know I’ve been losing my connection with my wolf,” he said, his voice cracking.
Josh slumped in his seat, his worry and concern obvious. They were close siblings, with only eighteen months separating them. “What do the Elders say?”
“I haven’t said anything yet, but they know I’m not going to be able to carry on for much longer. I can’t be an effective alpha if I can’t shift. If I can’t connect with the pack like I’m supposed to.”
“How long?” Josh whispered.
“I’m thinking the summer solstice. That will give me enough time to put things in order and start handing things over to you.”
“I don’t want this, Aaron.”
“I know you don’t, but you’ll be a better leader on your worst day than any of the others on their best.”
“Let’s hope we never have to put that to the test. When is Sam due back from the city?”
Aaron stretched out his right leg. It was the one that cramped up the most, and his wolf gave a quiet whimper. “His conference finishes today, and he said he may take a few days before coming home.”
“He can’t take a few days off. Doesn’t he realize we need answers? We need him back here to get you well.”
“Josh, he’s been working on this ever since I started getting sick. He’s put other projects and research on hold just so he can try to figure this out. He deserves a few days in the city to have a little fun and to relax. He’ll be better off for it.”
“See, this is why you’re alpha, and I’m just the beta around here.
You see the whole picture and understand the needs of each pack member.”
“Nice try, little brother,” Aaron said with a chuckle. He slowly pushed to his feet and reached for the cane he had to use these days. “Come on, let’s go and bug Mom for something to eat. I know she was making our favorite cookies earlier.”
“This conversation isn’t over, Aaron,” Josh warned.
“I know, but it is for today.”
***
Marshall picked up his coffee to take a sip, trying to ignore the waves of frustration rolling off his best friend.
“Saint, you know it’s the only sensible thing to do,” he pushed. Saint continued to glare at him in return. His gaze flicked to the door of the café as it was pushed open, and Marshall glanced over his shoulder to see a tall, dark-haired man enter and peruse the food cabinets.
“Saint, c’mon man. Talk to me.”
Saint continued with the silent treatment as only a tiger shifter could. Marshall sighed and rubbed his thigh, trying to ease the muscle spasm. He was vaguely aware of the seat at the table next to them being pulled out and then the lumbering form of the dark-haired man from earlier dropping into it, and the faint waft of hazelnut and almonds from his coffee and croissant drifted their way.
“Dammit, Marshall, I’m not letting you give up on the last four years of blood, sweat, and tears. We’ve worked too damn hard for you to just give up and walk away,” Saint burst out harshly.
“And what good am I now, Saint? I can barely walk, let alone stand on the mats and teach. I’m in constant pain. It’ll be better in the long run if I sign everything over to you now,” Marshall shot back, voicing the argument they’d had all day.
“Better in the long run? Stop sounding like you’re getting your affairs in order.” The tiger’s voice broke off before an expletive erupted from him, and Marshall could hear the pain laced in them. It was a pain that echoed his own.
“Saint, please. You’re my best friend, my brother. You need to accept the fact that I’m not getting better and that we really don’t know how much longer I have.”
“What did the last specialist say? I thought he had some kind of experimental program he was going to sign you up for?”
“I don’t qualify. My symptoms are too broad, and there are no actual indicators in my blood work. No one knows what I’ve got.”
“Excuse me, I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I couldn’t help overhearing.”
The voice came from the man sitting at the table next to them, and Saint let out a low growl. Undeterred, the man plowed on.
