26. Deimos.

"Come on, bro, it was just a joke. Can't you take one? Since when you became so damn vulnerable? If I had known that men could be such snowflakes, I wouldn't make any comments about the arrangement. Chill." Anthony bumped into his side, trying to brighten the sour mood Deimos had for the past days.

He was genuinely excited to see his best friend again, but no one could change the circumstances. Deimos had to visit his pack because the Alpha had sent out an official demand for his son to return. Of course, nobody, the Alpha family including, even dreamed of the elder sons return, but here he was. Grumpy, annoyed and pissed off, but at home.
Since a young age, Deimos knew that his parents had chosen him a bride, but the young man kept hoping that they would drop the idea. They didn't live in ancient times when people were to marry someone who was chosen by families. Deimos wanted to choose his bride; he wanted to be the one who had power over his future. His mistakes, his happiness and his choices.
But the Alpha had none of it.
The invite said that they would celebrate his brothers birthday, but Deimos soon understood that it was just a bait. It was his parent's way to make sure that their son would visit.

"You've been my best friend for how long? Twenty years? By now you should have figured out that there's plenty of things I don't take kindly, someone trying to make decisions for me being one. The more I get to know you, the more sure I become of only one thing." Deimos grunted, stopping on the spot and overlooking the wide forest area. They left his parents house to go on a walk, hoping that Deimos would become calmer by the time when they return.

"And what is that thing? You can't leave me hanging like that! It's a bit unfair, don't you think? Trying to compliment me about how truly excellent I am and stopping midway. Come on, tell me." Anthony reminded a child, often one who has had too many candies. He jumped around, ran too fast and spoke so quickly; it was hard to understand what he was saying. Anthony was a definition of a sugar rush. A twenty-two-year-old definition.

"God gave men both a brain and a penis. Unfortunately, in your case, he didn't give you enough blood supply to run both at the same time." Deimos smirked, avoiding eye contact with Anthony. Throwing seemingly offensive things at his best friend felt more like home than the house he was supposed to have dinner in.

"That's rude." Anthony huffed, crossing his arms in front of his chest. He was a lot shorter than Deimos, often misunderstood to be his younger brother.

They were nothing alike, but growing up together made both young men feel closer to each other than they felt with their families. Whenever someone tried to bully Antony at school, Deimos was there in an instant, standing up for his friend no matter who the opponent was. Often he got beaten up because the hyperactive short male was so good at getting into any kind of trouble. But it never made them part their ways, for years they grew closer, truly trusting only each other.
Deimos and Anthony promised each other that they would never forget their friendship even if their lives would part. It did happen, but despite the distance, both young men called each other every day to make sure they're okay. Deimos left as soon as he turned eighteen, reusing taking his father's place to avoid an arranged marriage. Anthony, as the only child, had to stay, his father was Beta, and the young man would take the title no matter who becomes an Alpha.

"You know what's rude? You, making comments about that damn marriage which I never wanted in the first place! I don't appreciate the things you say about that girl. And in definitely not going to fuck her. She could be the nicest, sweetest, kindest and most beautiful woman on the planet, but I'm still not interested." Deimos tried to explain his point of view without giving out more information than he should. He hoped that there were no hints towards his actual romantic interest. How could he explain the feeling he had whenever Ally was around?
Could he look at his father dead in the eye and announce that he has a crush on the Princess? Everyone would laugh at him, thinking that the young male had too many drinks.
For as long as no one knew, Deimos was pretty content about being quiet. All he truly wanted was to go back and tell her how he feels. The thought of her, sharing the same feeling, made Deimos smile. It wasn't just a foolish idea; the male knew that Ally felt the same as he did.

"You haven't seen her, haven't spoken to her. What if you change your mind as soon as she arrives? I've heard that she's a nice girl, your and my dad talk about her family a lot. They said that she got an excellent education, she's a real lady and knows how to behave. That girl was trained to become Luna since the day she learned how to walk. What I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't toss the opportunity aside without testing the waters. You never know, might as well fall in love with that arranged wife to be of yours." The more resistance Deimos was showing off, the pushier his best friend became. For some reason, he felt that Anthony was hiding something. He wasn't one to involve himself in others relationships or life decisions, yet now, he tried to convince Deimos to try. Was it because he wanted him to stay? Or perhaps it was because their fathers put extra pressure on him?

"For the hundredth of time, I'm not interested. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to talk to a brick wall? Not only speak but to ask questions and wait for answers. That's how I feel whenever my parents bring this topic up, and now you. My private life should be mine, and it should stay as it's supposed to be- private. I can make decisions, even if they would lead to consequences. I should be allowed to make mistakes and do things I want to do. The more you keep pushing me, the more I want to leave for good. Don't make me do that, don't take my family away from me just because I won't do whatever everyone else wants me to do. I don't want to pack up my bags and leave without saying goodbye. But I will if the topic won't be dropped anytime soon. I will not marry that woman; I will not become an Alpha, and I certainly will not listen to more complaints. My life is mine, and that's how I intend to keep it. Are we clear?" Deimos slid hands in the pockets of his jeans and slowly started walking towards the forest.

The young make had thousands of thoughts running through his mind, but only one kept staying locked like a blessing. Ally.
If only he could tell her how much he misses her, if only he could hear Allys voice, especially now. She calmed him down, even her seemingly bad mood or aggressive nature was cute in Deimos eyes. The young male gladly observed her, taking in her beauty and spirit. She was the woman he would love to marry. She was the woman Deimos could picture to spend the rest of his life together with. Ally was so strong and independent, yet so fragile and weak. She had it all- beauty, grace, intelligence, spirit and warriors attitude. If that wasn't the perfect combination in a woman, Deimos didn't know what was it then.

"You met someone, didn't you?" Antony ran up to Deimos, grabbing the males shoulder.

"Maybe." Was everything the young male replied. He couldn't bring himself to say more. If Anthony would find out details, so would his father sooner or later. Deimos knew that his best friend wasn't a traitor or a snitch, but the male couldn't keep secrets even if his life would depend on it.

"You should tell me. What is she like? Is she pretty, is she treating you with the respect you deserve? Is she worth it?" That was the best friend Deimos knew. Too nosey and excited about every little thing he got to find out.

"Yes. No, and she shouldn't. She definitely is, brother. Even more than just worth it." Deimos couldn't fight yet another smile appearing on his lips, making Anthony gasp. The young male stared at his best friend with eyes wide open and jaw hanging. The first thing he did was placing a hand over Deimos forehead to check did he had a fever.

"I can't believe it. My best friend, Deimos freaking Ramirez smiling! Not only once, but repeatedly and all because of some chick. I have to write this down in history books, wouldn't believe it myself if I wouldn't see it happening. Holy shit. Oh, I can imagine the look on your mothers face when they find out that rebel Deimos is in love. Priceless, brother, simply priceless." Anthony laughed, tapping his palm on Deimos shoulder. He truly hoped that time away from home and distance made his best friend overthink things and decisions. If only those two would find a way to live alongside without hatred, maybe then Deimos could stay. It was a selfish reason why Anthony wanted his best friend around- life seemed duller, and the joy faded whenever they turned their backs to each other. He just wanted his best friend back, but at times it felt like he was asking for way too much.

"Stepmother. My mother died, that woman has no rights to take over the title she will never be worthy of. I can't take seriously a person who would do anything to separate a family just because she's the new addition. Let's not bring her up; I've been trying my hardest to avoid that Medusa looking spawn of Satan since I arrived." Deimos groaned in irritation. He wasn't lying; the woman hated him nearly as much as he hated her. At first, when they first met, the young male tried his best to make her like him. She was his father's new wife, the woman who made Alpha happy, and Deimos wanted to fit in their picture-perfect family. As time went by and he grew older, the male understood how useless his effort was. The new Luna was one of the biggest reasons why Deimos left his home and pack.

"I knew you would come up with a new nickname for Luna Barbara. She's not the greatest, but she's the only Luna we have. And your father does love her, not sure if I could tell the same thing about her. Anyway, tell me more about that mysterious crush of yours. She's worth dropping any responsibility or duty for your pack so that woman must be something else. I haven't seen you this happy in years." They exchanged knowing looks and roamed into the forest in silence.

Sometimes Deimos needed time to think if he wanted to say anything more. Anthony knew how secretive and closed his friend was, usually struggling to show off any emotions. The last time when he saw Deimos hurt was when they burned his mother's body. The last time when he saw him smiling was before he lost the woman he thought to love. She didn't die, but she did leave. Anthony tried to forget about her existence to avoid bringing up anything about her. She hurt Deimos in the most unthinkable ways, exchanging him for a new, more shiny toy.
It took more than thirty minutes for Deimos to clear his throat and speak up again. He wouldn't say too much, yet enough to show Anthony how much he trusted him.

"She's worth it, trust me. I would love to brag about beauty and every positive trait she has, but for now, I want to keep her as my little secret. My father would lose his mind if he ever found out and since we're roaming around his territory, even trees have ears." Deimos grinned, holding eye contact with a warrior who was on patrol. Anthony hasn't noticed him, but Deimos did. How did the foolish warrior think that the Alphas son wouldn't see his presence? Especially if the young male was living on the money, he earned while teaching younger shifters self-defence and the art of tracking. Deimos was a capable male; it would take a lot for one to get close unnoticed.

"I'm happy for you; I truly am. The only problem is that they still want to see you getting married to that woman. What if you tell them that you've met someone? Or lie about being engaged to someone else? This situation is pretty fucked up; I know you don't want to get your father, but there are limits to everything. I'd love to see you moving back, spending days doing stupid shit as we did when we were younger, but no one can force you to do that. Can't you just marry that girl and come back home?" Anthony tried to appear desperate; maybe he could change his mind. Flat chance, but the young male would take any opportunity he had.

"Can't do, pal. You see, there's this tiny little problem. She's engaged, the same as I am under the same conditions. She has to marry a stranger and act like it's the thing that makes her happy. The only difference between us is that I can flip off everyone and leave again. My family might want to see me getting married, but I have a say out. She doesn't. Her father is quite a big man; therefore, she has to follow everything he says. If it were as easy as you assume, I would offer her that option long ago. I'd get out of my mess; she would get out of hers. Even if she didn't share the same feelings as I do, she would be free. Papers are unimportant; she is the one who matters." Deimos leaned against the tree and kept starting at the warrior. The male didn't move; he was hoping that Alphas son didn't watch him. Maybe he was too lost in his thoughts and things both future leaders spoke about; the man stared at where the warrior was hiding without reason.

"Just be careful, okay? We don't want to see the history repeat itself and watch how you break down. If she's worth it, go after that woman and make her yours. If she isn't, step out of the game while you can back off. It's a dangerous game you're playing, don't set yourself up. That girl might be the brightest diamond among the rocks, but you don't know if she could ever do the same thing what Maddy did." Anthony was so caught up in his mini-rant, the male didn't think before words left his lips. After the realisation hit him, Anthony gasped and covered his mouth. He brought up the only person Deimos begged him to never speak about.

"Don't you ever mention that damned name again!" Deimos growled, nearing his best friend. He wouldn't hurt Anthony, but teaching a lesson didn't seem like too bad of an idea.

Before the young man could step any closer to his best friend, a panicked scream sounded from deeper in the forest. Deimos turned his face towards the source of unbearable sound as an enormous rogue lunged at him. The young male was thrown against the nearest tree, hitting his head with a loud bang. Blood oozed from the cut in his forehead, making the male even more pissed. He didn't waste a second, attacking the rogue, grabbing it by its throat, and tearing the beasts esophagus out. Deimos dropped the body and hovered over it, breathing heavily.

"Deimos, are you alright? That thing threw you pretty violently; I didn't get to blink, and you were on the ground. I'm impressed you did git rid of it faster than I thought." Anthony cheered for his best friend. The laugh and clapping of hands ended as soon as the young male noticed conducted look on Deimos face. He tilted his head to the right and raised an eyebrow, wondering if there was anything thing he said wrong.

"How did you call me? Is that my name?" Deimos stood back on his feet. He seemed genuinely lost and confused.

"Holy shit, you did hit your head too hard. Let's hope the fucking concussion won't last for too long.
The Unwanted Alpha Series (Complete Collection)
Detail
Share
Font Size
40
Bgcolor