Chapter 99
Connor
It was Saturday and I was shirtless, and already covered in sweat from a morning routine I had maintained ever since I got back. It was like I was compelled to get up early, even if I didn’t want to. If I wasn’t outside, I was in my office… or with Nancy. And today, in the mirror, I was finally showing results of my unwanted hard work. I was finally a long haired male, an outward sign of power, not that I necessarily cared about that kind of thing. And the white tuft of fur on my head was more prominent. Fuck that. Grandfather looks 35 for Lady’s sake and all his hair is black, and here I was getting white hair. What had I done to deserve such treatment?
I was still blessed, even though I was probably aging again for no reason…? It shouldn’t affect my strength as long as it’s just the hair. I was always stronger than most alphas, save any with ancient blood, and I would start using mine more. I’ll be damned if I let my brother get too much stronger than me, someone has to keep him in control of himself. Just because there was peace, didn’t mean it would last forever. I Looked out the window in my bathroom, it was late morning.
It was about 9am, and I had to hurry up and get to the bottom of the hill before Kaiden. We had plans, and if he got there first, I wouldn’t be able to get my snacks. I walked out the packhouse in just a pair of jeans and my boots. I never wore them, save for when I had to fight, and they could definitely use more use. They were a little tight.
I got a doughnut from Zeke’s place, the coffee shop at the bottom of the hill, my secret. None shall know that he makes lemon jelly filled.
/You have a problem/, growled Titus.
/I don’t care./ I retort.
I walked to the middle of the square, with my son and Nancy, Shelly and the Luna was already there with their pups. It was a small square patch in the middle of the living zone, and today it would be my battlefield. I shifted, and shook my black fur, and I roared the roar of challenge. It was immediately responded to. Kaiden was just as much as a lazy sack of shit as me these days, and we had to keep our form, just in case. The square was my idea. Anyone who was interested could see us spar today, and spar with us if they wanted.
Jerold had come to visit along with his kid and soulmate, while my mate enjoyed talking with Luna. They all whistled and jeered, and the crowd was already rowdy. Jerold seemed like he wanted to get in here and spar, but I would not challenge him, even in jest. I bowed respectfully to the king, who could probably kill me by accident. He would have to spar with grandfather again or something.
He raised his soda to me, and I looked down. I felt a tug on my leg, it was my nephew. I was given a doughnut by Caleb; the little boy didn’t like sweets. [Thank you,] I linked the lil guy.
[You’re welcome], he linked back calmly. I took a double take, he was 3. That he could do that…. No one will believe me. I averted my focus to my brother, who was being flashy, asserting his dominance. I rolled my eyes.
He was already in his form; we agreed no powers, no blood, and no cheating. We pressed foreheads, he only does this with his mate, pups, me and Shelly. It’s one of the few signs of solidarity and brotherhood that could only be shared with someone close. We circled. We were almost the same size, always have been, but he was always stronger.
[Brother, you challenge your Alpha.] He growled in a public mind link, freaking some of the bystanders out.
[Eat Shit, rock sniffer.] I growl with as much intensity, making the crowd gasp. They didn’t know that we do this literally all day with each other.
We lunged at each other, pretty much evenly matched. No blood, no claws, just mock. It was basically a wrestling match, and people bought food and jeered, betting how long they would last in the makeshift street arena.
“Go dad!” Screamed Heidi and Izzy.
“Go dad!” Screamed Jason.
We both were starting to get carried away and our mock was about to turn into an actual fight. He bit my ear, and I got the side of his face. We both released each other. Our growls were both serious for a second. We both sensed this and tails high, we stared at each other. I bowed my head, there was no need to keep going, and everyone clapped. They didn’t know, and I would keep it that way.
[Why do you stay brother? We’re equals.] Mind linked Alpha, Shaking my wrist once we shifted.
[There are none who could do this job brother, also… I don’t particularly like being Alpha… too much work.] I link back, and he looked confused, like he didn’t understand my logic.
He doesn’t know what he asks.
To be Alpha is to leave this pack and lead another. It means that I would be a visitor. It also means that there isn’t anyone around to help him if he loses it; Shelly just can’t do it. She isn’t strong enough. Plus, we have pups now, and my pup should know his family. I love being Beta. Not everyone wants to lead. It’s a good thing he can’t hear me.
“Why’d you paint a moon on your head Beta Connor?” Asked Noah, tossing me shorts.
I blink twice. “What?” I ask confused.
“Yeah, what’s with the white hair too?” Asked Kaiden, ruffling my hair and earning a growl from me.
“I thought I was aging.” I say flatly, getting into a mild slap fight.
“No idea what it means, but my guess is that the Lady blessed you.” Said Shelly, breaking us up.
“I don’t feel any different.” I grab some of the white strands, it was right in the middle, giving me a weird, thin skunk pattern to my hair. I almost dyed it, but it would come back every shift, so what’s the point?
“You don’t have to, you showed it.” Said Shelly. [I saw you kneel Connor, even though you both feel pretty equal… ] She linked me to keep the discovery secret.
[Someone must be Beta, and why not the guy that actually likes the title?] I link, and she smiled. This was to be our secret. Being this strong means that I was actually to fight him, but I know Kaiden. He would rather die than be Beta, and I don’t want to be Alpha. Being this closely matched also means we could just kill each other, another dumb option.
We sparred with anyone who dared. And Lady knows that is his daughter, Izzy wanted to fight me. She had no fear and I let her win until she freaking bit me and wouldn’t let go. I growled at her playfully, making her run back to her mother. She hid behind her dress, but growled back at me. Everyone who saw seemed to chuckle. She would definitely be an Alpha.
[Leave Isabelle alone.] I heard Caleb link again.
[Noted.] I link back. I walked around town, greeting anyone who couldn’t come, and over to Crimson territory along with my brother, so no one felt left out. This was more than just showing rank, it was bonding time with the pack besides seeing us do business. I will ask about the boy later.
Darrick joined in too, seeing the opportunity to show his mate he could go toe to toe with me. He really couldn’t, but I was a good sport about it. today was supposed to be about exercise, and fun…. Because gram-gram without Heidi is most likely going to be a love monster next Wednesday. The thought made Titus whine. You would think 13 pups and a teenager would be enough to love and spoil.
It was about 8 when I got home, and I was honestly tired, but I had questions that needed to be answered. I went into the living room, and heated up something to eat.
She was getting her hair brushed, it went to her ankles curly, but wet it went to the floor. “Gram-gram I got questions!” I tell her while eating Shelly’s last pizza rolls.
“You know the price.” She growled.
“One sacrifice coming up.” I went to get Jason.
“Gramma!” he squealed happily. Soon, I was swarmed. Everyone wanted to see the magical woman who came once a year to get everyone fat, and spoiled them almost to death.
“My wolf has a moon on my forehead, and Caleb can already mind link.” I blurt, knowing she was about to get distracted.
“The Lady blessed you. Whatever you did pleased her enough that she gave you more strength. Your son will get this blessing later in life, should he follow in your footsteps, being kindhearted. As for Caleb… watch him. This is a sign he will be strong; raise him not to behave as a monster, or we will have to intervene.” She said sternly. I nodded. Alpha heard, I could hear the swears, and I let gram-gram talk to the pups until grandfather came to get her.
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