Chapter 40 MY PAST LOVER
RAGNAR'S POV
I cross my arms and stare at him. “With all due respect Richard, it’s none of anyone’s damn business!”
Richard’s eyes narrow at my swear. “As your healer, and as your friend, probably your only friend, that might work for me I guess. But as their Alpha? It becomes everyone’s business, Ragnar. The pack looks to you for stability and have you forgotten the prophecy? Just because you have doesn't mean everyone has.”
He turns around to follow me when I start walking away. “And secrets like this? They erode trust in the pack.”
I laugh and turn towards him. “Trust? I’ve successfully led this pack through wars, famines and betrayals. I've fucking kept them alive and held them together when everything else was falling apart. And now, because of who I may or may not be sleeping with, they think they’re entitled to know more?”
I huff in anger. “Just because I’m their leader and a considerate and nice one doesn't give them the right to pry into my personal life.”
Richard shakes his head with frustration etching lines on his face. “It’s not just about prying Ragnar. It’s about the pack’s future. You’re unmated, your dead mate left a void that’s never been filled. And normally, the pack would encourage you to find someone else but the prophecy around you can break everything and destroy this very pack if it's known to other packs.”
He moves with me into the locker room, his hands gesticulating wildly. “The elders are talking about your distraction and about a successor for you. And if you’re distracted by an Omega who is basically half your age, it makes you look weak and vulnerable. And in our world, you know what that means when you're weak.”
Vulnerability ends up getting you killed.
“Weak?!” I snarl out, stepping closer to him as Yurik pushes forward, fueling more to my anger. “I’ve crushed enemies that would make you all piss yourself! I’ve held this territory against all odds. And you’re telling me a rumor about who's in my bed makes me weak?! That’s the exact kind of backward thinking that keeps us chained to old ways!”
He doesn’t back down either. “It’s not just about you being weak Ragnar, it’s about their perception of you. The pack needs an Alpha who is focused and not one chasing tail. Sebastian is too young, Ragnar. I don't think he's capable of killing anyone. What happens when he breaks or your enemies use him against you? We’ve seen it happen before.”
I feel a muscle tick in my jaw.
He's referring to when my mum was held hostage by my uncle after the Bloody Solstice.
“You think I don’t know the risks Richard?! You think I haven’t thought about every angle to it?! This isn’t some fling I'm indulging in, it’s…” I trail off and remember the bond humming in my chest, I remember Sebastian.
I can’t say it, not now and not yet.
If the wrong word slips out, multiple wolves will die because they'll try to get through and kill Sebastian but they'll all meet their end through me.
That'll be a hassle.
“It’s my choice Richard, my life. And I'll be damned if anyone questions it.”
Richard’s expression softens slightly as if agreeing with me but his voice stays firm. “Your life is the pack’s life Ragnar. That’s the burden of leadership you carry especially with your prophecy Ragnar.”
I turn away, punching the bag again to bleed off the rage, not responding to anything he's saying.
He sighs and watches me for a moment longer. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
But he’s cut off by a new voice, a loud chirpy voice that sounds amused.
“After all these years, you two still argue like cats and dogs.”
The voice is echoing from the entrance of the hall down to where we are.
I snap around quickly as I register the voice. A genuine look of shock breaking on my face as I looked at him.
“And what the fuck are you doing here in my pack?!”
He’s standing tall on the doorway like he owns the place.
His red hair is pulled back neatly in a bun with his sharp red eyes scanning everything in the room.
He eyes the ruined sandbags and my state of sweat in interest and he moves closer to us
What is he doing here?!
Clearly, he's not here for an ordinary visit in a dark black jacket over his shoulders with polished boots.
It looks tight on him.
Yurik snarls low in my head, his whole body raised in anger
I step forward instinctively thereby putting myself in between him and Richard. “You're not invited into this pack Mr Montgomery, Leave this instant.”
Lance’s smile widens as if he's not surprised at my outburst.
He's actually looking pleased.
“Oh come now is that how you greet an old lover of yours?”
Richard stiffens beside me but raises his voice in fake courage. “You weren’t cleared to be inside the pack house Mr Montgomery.”
“Oh, relax Richard and I'm hurt. After all these years you're referring to me as Mr Montgomery?” Lance says, lifting his hands in mock surrender. “Besides, I came to the pack openly. There was no sneaking in or foul play like I used to do before I mean isn’t that what you always wanted from me, Ragnar?”
I grit my teeth at his implication. “You lost that privilege the day you betrayed me Mr Montgomery, it's now Mr Ragnar to you!”
His eyes flicker just briefly in irritation but the smile stays. “Still holding onto that story huh?”
I take another step closer, just enough that he has to tilt his head up to look at me. “I don’t care why you’re here. Say it fast and get out.”
He hums as start glancing around the hall like he’s admiring the place. “You’ve made some upgrades to the place.
But I see you're still smashing equipment when you’re upset.”
“This is your last warning.”