Chapter 187

Michael POV

I sat in my father's office, watching Cedric squirm uncomfortably at the aura pouring off of the four Alphas in the room. My father sat at his desk, hands folded on top of it. James paced by the window, and Peter sat next to me on the sofa, one leg resting on top of his knee, his foot bobbing up and down with impatience. I was leaned back, one arm resting on the back of the sofa, taking it all in. I didn't envy him, we were all big Alphas with big egos. Sort of. Peter didn't really have an ego at all and he didn't want to be in this room, listening to all the stuffy things that Alphas deal with on the regular. He wanted to be out at the training grounds, honing his skills. Whatever that meant. It was the excuse he tried with our father this morning when he insisted he attend this meeting. Our father had laughed and said, "Nice try, Peter, it's not working. Michael will be in charge of training and he's coming to the meeting too. Get used to it. You may not be taking over this pack but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't understand the way things work and what responsibilities lay with your brother. If something ever happens to James," he was interrupted by Peter at that moment.

"It won't. Plus, Michael is older; he will take over." Peter wasn't wrong, but even so, you never know what course our lives will ultimately take. Look at me, I never even planned to move back here or to take over the training of the warriors. I found my mate, though, stepped down from being a guardian, and here I was. Peter can not be sure as to what his own future held. He hadn't even found his mate yet. James and Collette had no children, no heir. Anything could happen.

I had chuckled and shaken my head at his comment, my father's eyes snapping to my face with a look that said, "don't say a word." I didn't. I let my father handle it and now Peter sat here, his foot wiggling with impatience. "Tell me, Cedric," my father said. "What is your goal here?"

"Goal?" He looked confused for a moment, his brow furrowed. "Uh, my goal is not to go home at this time. My goal is to train with Michael and to get justice and protect Lynn from her Alpha." His hands were up, like in surrender mode. "Is that what you are asking?"

"Why are you interested in training with Michael? What's different with him than with your training?" he asked, an eyebrow arched.

"He's an Alpha; he had more training than I did. I think it would look good for me to get on with the King's guard," he answered. "Michael is known amongst the guardians as being unbeatable, especially after that Beta attacked the council proceedings in Montana a few years ago. What happened there, it traveled even to Europe."

"How do you know that?" I asked, suddenly interested.

"I traveled there, on assignment, to the King's castle. It's also why I decided to apply for the King's guard. Once exposed, I couldn't see myself staying here, being mated to someone my mother chose. Not feeling like my life was complete." He paused, looking down at the floor. "I don't expect anyone to understand where I'm coming from. I don't want you to understand, because what I lost in my life is why I feel the way I do."

"I think that's fair. I will allow you to stay. How long is your leave?" my father asked.

"One month," he replied, still looking at the floor. Then he looked up at my father, "Thank you, Alpha."

"A month? How are you supposed to contribute to the trial if you're away for a month?" I asked. "Seems like you're not going to find the justice you say you want to give."

"I submitted Lynn's statement already," he replied. "The council plans to dig deeper into this instance because they want to get the ones responsible, and the Alpha offered his assistance in it. For his amnesty," he ended, a knowing look on his face. That look said it has to be this way, but I'm not happy about it. I felt his pain. I understood his feelings.

"I suppose that makes sense," my father said. He looked over to me and then to James. His eyes briefly landed on Peter's still jiggling foot. "Your thoughts, James?"

"Why are you asking me?" James replied. "I have no skin in this. Ask Michael."

"My stake in this is only that Lynn is my sister in law. I am no longer on the councils guardianship team, thank the Goddess. I will train Cedric, though I'm not sure where we are going with this. I will do it. Now, if you will excuse me," I stood. "Clint needs his meeting with you, father, what time would you like him here?" I was adamant about making sure Clint and Lynn were given the chance to stay. I liked Clint. He was a good man, a great horseman too. I expected that he'd easily get a solid hold on ranching here if my father allowed it to happen.

"After lunch," he replied. "Your mother says Lynn is seeing the pack doctor today and that I need to allow Clint to attend that appointment. She's the real one in charge here," he laughed, prompting the rest of us to nod in acknowledgement. Mom was in charge. We all knew it.

"Cedric," I said, turning to him as I walked towards the door. "Come with me. I will show you the training grounds, and we can discuss what it is you want to learn."

"I'm coming too," Peter finally spoke for the first time since we walked into this room. He nearly bolts from the couch towards the door.

"Why?" I asked.

"You can teach me, too," he said. "Who knows, maybe I will join as a guardian or something. I need to do something."

My father didn't say a word, just shook his head and watched us leave. James stayed behind so he and our father could discuss business, I was sure. I wondered when my father would actually retire and hand it over to James. James had gone to Alpha training years ago, mated, and had trained alongside my father for several years now. I could imagine my father was close. I should ask, but now wasn't the time. I led Cedric out of the Alpha's office, down the hall, and right out the front door. I had noticed out of the corner of my eye several single she-wolves gathered in the common area of the pack house when we were leaving. They whispered and watched us as we made our way out the door.

I almost stopped when I heard Peter roar, "Don't even think about it. Don't you have work you're supposed to be doing?" I heard grumbles and affirmations, and then Peter was slamming the front door behind us. "Women," he muttered.

"Something wrong?" I asked. I stopped at the top of the path and turned towards him. Cedric had a smirk on his face and his hands in his pocket. Peter just stared at me and sighed.

"Stephanie was there, rounding up her friends. I assume they were going to try to talk to Cedric," he shrugged. "They were given work to do this morning by mother, clearly they weren't doing it."

"Talk to me?" Cedric asked, his nose wrinkled in disgust. "What the hell for?"

"You just became the most eligible bachelor, Cedric. Welcome to our pack," I laughed and walked down the trail, Cedric grumbling behind me and Peter cursing.