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“This is not up for discussion. You’ll do as I say.”
“This is my pack too. You shouldn’t be making these kinds of decisions without me.”
“I am your alpha. You don’t get to make decisions.”
The pure force of Tanner’s authority vibrated through the air and a shiver ran down Niev’s spine.
Blake’s hand tightened around hers and out of the corner of her eye, she could see him tense up. Mayra seemed to try and hide her emotions, whereas Lyliann didn’t try in the least. Her face was full of hate and Niev believed she knew why Lyliann didn’t want the Skadu Wolves anywhere near her family.
“No one wants them here. You’re forcing us all to follow you without considering your own pack’s needs,” Seth rebelled.
“Enough! We are done discussing this matter. They will become part of my pack.”
Tanner was still speaking with his alpha authority, giving Seth no choice but to obey his father.
Before continuing in a calmer voice, Tanner took a deep breath. “I want you all to make them feel welcomed. You’re the ones everyone looks to for advice and if you welcome our new members, so will they.”
To Niev’s surprise, Blake got out of his chair. “I hardly believe this is a conversation Niev or I should be part of.”
“You’re my son, and you too will do as I say.” Tanner’s voice was firm and again underlined by his authority.
“Yes, I am your son, your second born to be precise and if you wish for the pack to trust the Skadu Wolves, you should keep me and Niev out of this. Most of your pack already believes I want to challenge Seth for his title and if I start making friends with the Skadu Wolves, they will no longer have any doubt that I’ll take Seth’s position.”
“You’ve already gone to see them,” his father said, irritated.
“I wasn’t there for them. I refused to let my mate be surrounded by the pack that nearly killed her. I was there for her, and her alone.”
Now Niev felt horrible for forcing Blake to go with her. She’d been selfish and had yet again failed to see the bigger picture.
“I’m not your heir, and I’ll never be alpha. I’ve tried to stay out of all decisions, and I’ll do so in the future. Seth is the future alpha of our pack, and I won’t question his authority by inserting myself into things that shouldn’t be my business to begin with. I’m sure Niev will assist the Skadu Wolves further with any injuries, but only if she wishes to do so. Don’t use her kindness for your own gain as you’ve done before. She might be your subject, but she’s not yours to use. If you had spoken to her before demanding her to help you merge the packs, you would’ve known that she killed the mate of one of the women living on our territory now. Do you believe it’s wise to ask her to befriend them?”
Blake stared at his father, but Tanner seemed to be too stunned to speak. Niev wasn’t quite sure if it was Blake’s refusal or his reveal about Olivia’s true identity. She got up and took Blake’s hand in hers, tears starting to fill her eyes.
“Can we please go?”
“Of course, beautiful. I’ll meet you outside.”
He gently squeezed her hand and she quickly walked around the table, avoiding everyone’s gaze. As she closed the door behind her, she heard the argument start up again. She walked to the edge of the porch and looked up to the moon shining down on her, trying to hold back her tears.
She heard the door open and close behind her before she felt Blake’s strong hand lay on her lower back. “Would you like me to drive the truck here or do you want to walk?”
“Walk please.”
With one hand carrying their groceries, he took the other and entangled his fingers with hers. As they walked in silence through the village, it was harder and harder to hold back her tears. When they reached the truck and she’d climbed inside, she could no longer hold back. Tears started to run down her cheeks as she hid her face behind her hands.
“I’m so sorry you got pulled into this. If I’d known, I would’ve left earlier,” Blake said with a gentle voice as he sat down next to her.
“I failed you,” she sobbed. “I keep failing you and I don’t even notice it until it’s too late.”
“Niev…” He gently let his fingers run through her hair. “You’ve never failed me.”
She wasn’t even listening to him. “I couldn’t even buy us groceries because I’m such a horrible mate and don’t know what you like to eat. I took you to the Skadu Wolves without thinking about the consequences it could have for you.”
“Niev, you haven’t failed me,” he repeated, gently pulling her hands away from her face, forcing her to look at him. “You have been anything but a failure to me. Before we visited the Skadu Wolves I didn’t think about the consequences it could have for me. I only now realized it and used it against my father. You don’t deserve to be used by him or anyone else like that.” He lovingly caressed her cheek with his thumb. “And how on earth would you know what I like to eat? With this whole mess we’ve barely got to know each other as is.”
“I am your mate. I should know these things.”
“Then I’m a horrible mate, too, for not knowingyourfavorite ice cream flavor or your favorite cereal,” he lightly laughed, the sound warming her heart.
