Book 8 Part 17

Book 8 Part 17
I walked to the office that I had never used before and opened the door. Harper’s father, Justin Michaels, stood next to the chair in front of my desk. He turned to look at me when I opened the door and he was confused for a few seconds.
“Good morning, Beta Michaels,” I said and shook his hand.
“Where is your father?” he asked me.
“I’m the Alpha here. You can call me Jericho,” I said to him and moved to sit behind the desk.
“You’re just a kid,” he said to me. His tone wasn’t rude, he was just shocked.
“I got emancipated a while back,” I said to him and he sat down.
“Even so, your father must be a very strong Alpha for you to be able to carry the aura after breaking bonds with his pack which leads me to wonder why you would go on your own,” he said to me.
“It was a mutual decision between my father and I. In our pack it’s our custom for the eldest son to stand on his own two feet, to prove his worth,” I said to him.
“Harper tells me she imprinted on one of your pack members,” he said.
“That’s correct, yes. They both imprinted at the same time, I was there and can attest to it being true,” I said to him. “And Slade’s my Beta, not just a pack member.”
“I know how imprinting works and that eventually she’ll join your pack, forgive me for being skeptical, how will your Beta support my daughter?” Justin asked.
“I understand your concerns and they are valid given our age but I can assure you that Slade would never let Harper want for anything. We trade in the stock market and we have a steady pack income from that. All our pack members receive a salary and we bought this house cash,” I said to him.
“You do understand that my loyalties will always be to my Alpha, but my daughter is another story,” he said.
“What else is bothering you?” I asked him and he smiled briefly.
“Can I trust that this will remain confidential between you and me?” he asked.
“Of course, you have my word,” I said to him.
“The future Alpha is convinced that he and Harper will imprint as soon as she shifts for the first time and I was surprised to learn about her early imprinting with Slade. It’s very unusual. I’m not sure what the reaction of the Alpha will be when I tell him that Harper is leaving the pack since I’ve basically promised her to Rick,” he said to me.
“Harper is welcome to join our pack whenever she wants. Slade is my brother as well as my Beta and I would never deny her place in our pack. I agree with you on one thing, imprinting trumps all else,” I said to him.
“And if she were to join your pack in the next few days?” he asked me and I wondered what was really going on.
“I’d welcome her to our home and she will be assigned her new duties,” I said to him.
“Then I will give my blessing for her to move forward although it will have to be in secret and unfortunately I’ll have to tell my Alpha that she left his pack of her own accord,” he said to me.
“What’s really going on?” I asked him.
“I don’t like Rick and I’m glad she found someone else, even though I don’t know Slade. With an Alpha and brother like you I know she’ll be okay. If Slade’s anything like you then I’m happy for her because Rick’s going to make her life difficult at school as soon as he hears about the imprinting. I’d prefer for her to leave the pack before I tell anyone else about it,” he said.
“We’ve had our own run-ins with Rick and I don’t like him either. He’s a bully and he abuses his position as future Alpha, but you have my word, we won’t let any harm come to her,” I said to him.
“She can look after herself as well, I trained her, but she’ll never be a match against a future Alpha,” he said.
“Slade might be a Beta but he’s already given Rick a beating,” I said to him.
“Most peculiar, Alphas are stronger than Betas,” he said.
“Slade’s the exception to that rule,” I said.
“I have one other favor to ask,” Justin said.
“I’m listening.”
“I would like permission to come and visit my daughter on your territory,” he said to me.
“Of course, for as long as your intentions are pure you’ll be welcome,” I said to him.
He stood up and we shook hands. I opened the office door for him and he followed me back to the living room where Harper and Slade sat waiting for us
“I’ll see you at home,” Justin said to Harper and smiled.
Everyone else joined us in the living room when they heard the click of the door. They all sat in silence until we heard his car start and drive off. I sat down on the couch and looked at Slade. His eyes were questioning me but I kept my expression neutral as I looked at both of them.
“Geez, just tell me already!” Slade said and I laughed.
“Harper will officially join our pack in the next few days before her father announces your imprinting,” I said to him.
“Seriously?” he asked me.
“Yes, he’s a good man and he wants the best for Harper,” I said to him.
“Question,” Leon said.
“What, Leon?” I asked him.
“I’m happy for you two and all but why does it feel like she’s joining the pack secretly before the imprinting announcement?” He asked.
“Because Rick’s head will explode the moment my dad tells the Alpha that I’ve imprinted on someone else and that I’m joining another pack,” Harper said.
“Who would have thought that things could be so complicated,” Dani said.
“It might seem that way to you, because you didn’t grow up as a wolf, but it’s pretty basic,” Slade said to her.
“So basically you’re saying that Rick’s going to make our lives miserable,” Leon said.
“We’re a pack, guys, that means we stick together and we stay together. Nobody goes off alone, especially Harper and Dani. You take one of us with you at all times when we’re at school,” I said to them.
“Am I part of your pack too now?” Dani asked.
“Being in a pack is always better than being a lone wolf, which is what you are right now, although in this pack nobody will ever force you,” Leon said to her.
“It’s complicated but for now you are under our protection,” I said and Dani nodded. Slade gave me an odd look but I ignored him.
“Come on, I’ll drop you at home since you spent the night at my house and then I’m going to pack,” Harper said with a smile.
“I could come with you,” Slade said.
“You’re so sweet, but I’m going to spend my time packing and with my dad,” Harper said.
“I’ll miss you,” Slade said.
“Oh man, you two are so cute,” Leon said and batted his eyelashes at Slade.
“There’s nothing cute about me,” Slade said as he narrowed his eyes at Leon.
“But you are, babe,” Harper said to him and we all started laughing.
“You’re supposed to be on my side,” Slade said to Harper.
“Team Leon all the way!” Leon said as he jumped up and ran as Slade lunged at him.
“Don’t bleed in the house!” Sam yelled.
“Is it always like this?” Dani asked.
“Pretty much with those two,” I said and she laughed.
“So tomorrow morning?” she asked me.
“I’ll be at your house at seven, don’t wear a dress,” I said to her.
“I don’t even own a dress,” she said and laughed.
“Then what are you going to wear for our first date?” I asked her.
“What?” she asked me and I laughed.
“I have the perfect dress for you!” Harper said excitedly.
“Back up, how did we go from hanging out to first dates?” Dani asked.
“I’m kidding, we’re just hanging out,” I said to her and for a moment I saw regret in her eyes.