Chapter 21: Rejected by the Beta, Claimed by the Alpha

Here lies Amanda Vesueala

The headstone is just like I remembered it, only a bit dirtier.

It could use a good power washing, especially after the storm we had four months ago. The water

washed a bunch of dirt on the Graves and many of them have gone uncleaned. The fake flowers

my dad put in the drilled down bronze vase after getting tired of bringing real flowers are still

looking well, their reddish-orange dye still showing, even if the sun has dulled the bright color a

bit.

"I'll confess I haven't come here in a long while Lilac," my dad says putting his hands in his

sweatpants pockets.

After my breakdown on the fields, he left Axe in charge and brought me here. It's on the outside

southern portion of our little community and it's rare anyone comes out here anyways.

"Have you thought about her since you met Anita?" I ask wondering if that woman brainwashed

him or said he couldn't come here.

My dad lifts the corners of his mouth in a hard smile.

"I think about her everyday honey. It's just too painful to dwell on her death by visiting here so

often."

Now that's something I understand.

"I don't expect Anita to replace your mother you know?" My dad says suddenly.

I frown and look up at his sorrowful face.

"Then why is she here?"

Say it's the food.

My dad puts his large hand on my back and turns us around so we can start our trek back to the

training grounds.

"It's different than what you and alpha Axe have Lilac. He is meant to be the replacement for

your first mate because he wasn't good enough for you. It's working out wouldn't you say?"

I nod and he squeezes my shoulder with his warm hand.

"And that's a good thing," he continues. "But Anita isn't here to become your second mother.

She's not here to take her place because no one could ever do that. She's my second chance

though, isn't she?"

I nod as we pass some of the outer housing areas.

"And what did you do when you got your second chance?" He asks.

"I ran with it," which is literally what I did. I accepted it head on without another thought,

because when the universe said that Axe was mine, I knew it was true. "And now you're running

with it to," I say seeing our situations click with a single similarity.

My father smiles brightly now and nods.

"Yes. Don't be mistaken, no one will ever outrank your mother, but it doesn't hurt to spend time

with someone you get along with. It's certainly better than being alone," he admits.

The sounds of growling and grunting is clear from how close we are to the training fields, but I

tune them out.

I did leave. I hadn't thought of how being alone would affect my father. We were extremely

close.

"Well I'm glad you have someone to keep you company," I say honestly.

In all truth, if Anita does this for him, she isn't as bad as I thought she was. So long as she stops

talking about my dad like I'm not his daughter. I don't need details on his sweaty body. The

though alone makes me shiver.

"So, you don't mind that I have her around?" My father asks carefully.

His eyes are hopeful as he searches mine at our slow walking pace.

I squint my eyes like I'm thinking about it, just for suspense.

"Hmm," I tease. "I mean... I guess not."

He hugs me instantly, that familiar wrap feeling as homely as I remember it.

"Wow," I say tapping his thick arms. "She really has been making you meaty," I tease.

He scowls playfully and puts me down, letting me walk to Axe while he rallies his men together

again.

Axe doesn't say anything as he approaches, seeming hesitant on what to say.

Instead of starting the conversation, I just hug him, because that's what I need right now.