Hiram:
A knock on my door awakens me in the morning. I stir from my sleep, not wanting to stand up, but the person opens the door, causing me to open my eyes.
"Father wants to see you," Hollis says, and I sit up at once to see he is dressed for the day. Mother really cloned Hollis because I cannot imagine being dressed for the day as early as seven.
I expect him to leave, but then he walks in and shuts the door. Giving off a yawn, I stretch my hands before pushing myself out of bed.
"Mother is stressed from the recent events, and I know she can be gritty, but please just put up with her." I glance at him when he says this. "She's been smoking again," he says in a low tone, causing my heart to drop a little.
I cannot imagine the amount of stress she has, and I wish I could stay in the pack, but she will keep trying to make me marry Vera.
"That's quite sad," I mutter, and Hollis inhales deeply.
"It's good to have you around, little bro," Hollis adds. Then he turns to leave, but I do not just want him to leave like that.
"How is Hope?" I ask as his hand grips the handle of my door. He turns slightly.
"She is fine, and she is pregnant. We are expecting a pup soon." His face lights up at once, and I shoot him a smile.
"I'm gonna be an uncle," I reply, getting to my feet.
"And I'll be a father," he says, and I walk up to him, brushing his shoulder lightly with my fist.
"You are doing great, Hollis, and I know you'll be a wonderful king someday." A smile forms on his face, and he mouths a "thank you," before he leaves.
Quickly, I hit the shower. Then I find something casual in my wardrobe to wear. Afterward, I make my way to my father's chambers. There, I meet a guard on standby. He bows the moment he sees me, but I ignore him, opening the door to the room.
I walk in to meet my father lying almost lifeless on the bed. He has a lot of tubes passing through him, which makes my heart ache. I should be a man, but it hurts-seeing your father go from young and agile to this.
"Hiram." His voice cuts me off from my thoughts, drawing me back as I give off a forced exhale.
I make my way to his bed.
"Good morning, father." A smile forms on his lips as I say this, then he nods slightly.
He taps the bed beside him, beckoning me to sit. Without hesitation, I take a seat.
"How do you feel?" I ask, and he sighs.
"Better. The fight was brutal, and they took us unaware."
"What do the Lycans want?" I ask because I know they cannot attack without an ulterior motive.
He lets out a sigh again.
"I kept this from you all a long time ago, but you know how the Lycans have advanced technology?" he asks, and I nod. "Well, this has been going on even before my father was born. Our pack made a deal with the Lycans to let our bright members learn in their pack. In return, we would give ten percent of the successful ones to them to add to their workforce and boost their technology, but we have breached that contract. At first, they didn't notice because we would send five percent, while the remaining would be shipped to the human world."
"Our fathers thought they could outsmart them. Well, they did, and now we low-key run the human world. But now the Lycans have discovered because of a decline in their technology and labor force. They are coming after us for breaching the contract, and if we do not think of an enticing offer soon, they will probably wipe away this pack." I swallow hard at his words.
I do not only fear for his life, but that of Hollis as well. He is next in line, and if father goes down, Hollis will follow. Then everyone will look up to me to continue the lineage. My worst nightmare was slowly playing out in front of me.
"Do not fear, my boy. Your father is strong, and this is only a minor setback," he says, and I glance at him, trying to steady my breath, which seems like it is slowly being snatched away from me.
I force a smile on my face as I stare at my father's almost never-aging face. He is in his early fifties, but people assume he is in his forties-until they know his first child is thirty.
"So, do you have anything going on? Your mother has been pissed since you sabotaged her plans for your wedding," he says in a jolly manner, which almost makes me laugh. "Almost every day she wakes up, she tells me how she will marry Vera on behalf of you and keep her as a surprise gift when you return from your escapades with human women." A chuckle finally leaves my lips.
My mind races back to Juniper, and I silently curse myself. I was angry with my mother yesterday that I forgot all about her. I give off a sigh as I try to imagine what she'll do tomorrow.
"I found my mate." The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.
Father looks at me with his eyes wide.
"But she is human."
I expect him to frown when I say this, but the giddy look on his face remains.
"Does your mother know about this?" he asks, and I shake my head. Then he chuckles lightly. "She is going to kill me with her complaints when she finds out. Please do not let her find out-not yet." I nod at his words.
"You do not need to tell me twice," I reply. Then his hands find mine.
"And I trust you have been treating her well?" he asks, and I nod. "I trust you, son, and I know that I have raised you all to be good and strong men. Your woman comes first, no matter what. Let her yell, complain, nag, whatever it is, because in the end, she will stay with you through thick and thin."
"Look at your mother. We have been together for thirty years, and I still cannot believe she put up with someone like me. I am not a good person for treating her like a normal person should be treated, but your mother, she is the perfect woman in the world for stooping low to be with a man like me. And remember, the moon goddess never makes mistakes."
I feel a bit relieved by his words.
"Thanks, father," I say to him. Then he let go of my hand.
"No, thank you for coming to see me," he says. "I know you do not want to stay here any longer. Your mate needs you, and you cannot neglect her," he adds. Then I smile at him before getting to my feet.
"I hope to see you for the holidays, and make sure you bring her," he says, and I nod.
I say my last goodbyes before making it out of his chambers. Just a few steps down the hall, I spot my mother.
"Good morning, mother," I say to her with a smile on my face.
"Have you come to announce the fact you have decided to leave early?" she asks, and I shake my head. "Well, that is a relief," she sighs, holding her chest.
"But I will be leaving today." Her face falls when I say this. "I am not trying to sabotage your efforts, Mum, but I have my life to live." She rolls her eyes at my words. Then I reach for her hands, covering them with both of mine.
"You have done your part in raising us, and I am glad Hollis has decided to follow father's footsteps, but some things aren't just meant to be. I do not fit in here, and like father said, the moon goddess is never wrong, so I believe I am fulfilling my destiny."
"Don't be ridiculous, Hiram. The moon goddess didn't ordain you to go about sticking yourself into human women. What kind of abomination do you want to bring to the family when one of them falls pregnant?"
She pulls her hands away.
"I do not want to hear any more of this nonsense, and I will never support it." She gives off a sigh. "Not like you care about my opinion," she says. Then she turns on her heels. "Breakfast is ready, and I hope you'll join in. Alex is here." When she says this, she pauses for a moment before turning to me.
"Why not Alex?" she asks, and my brows crease slightly. "If you won't marry Vera, then you can get married to Alex. I mean, she has been your friend forever. She is a witch, but she is our witch. We know her, and…"
"Mum, just stop. I will join you for breakfast and take my leave," I say. Then I walk away without letting her say another word.