NOT BRAT

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"For f*ck sake, Damon!"

"No means no, Feli, I'm not going to play nurse with a bunch of old people who refuse to die!" He shouts back at me earning him a range of glares from the awaiting elders.

I bite down my rising temper, knowing that we were already making enough of a scene and if we kept going this would just end horribly.

Today was another day of trying to reshape Damon's image of being a violent psychopath. He'd spent some time with the pack kids, helped out with the market and even led a training session which was very popular amongst the pack.

Today he was supposed to win over the elders, the same elders who essentially decided his future. They'd been the main source of complaints about Damon and him disrespecting him wasn't helping their case.

It was supposed to go over easy. I would drop Damon off, making sure he didn't run away and then go see J. But the moment Damon realised he was basically catering to the elders' every wish for the day, he decided to act a lot more like a demon.

I grab hold of his sleeve and roughly pulling him aside to the back corner. He folds his arms across his broad chest, facing me with a look of defiance that didn't make me scared like he may have wanted it to. To me he would always be the little brother that followed me everywhere.

"Look Damon, I'll put this into terms even you can understand." I start looking him straight in his dark blue eyes. "These people don't think you'll be a good alpha. They're the ones the people listen to behind the scenes and the ones who perform the ceremony to transfer the power over to you. They don't want to and will not answer to a spoiled, arrogant brat as an alpha."

"Feli, m-" Amelia warns from behind me but I raise a hand to silence her.

"I am not a brat." Damon growls out, his eyes igniting as he looks at me.

"That's what you're acting like right now." I say just as sternly. "All you have to do is talk and help them out for the day but you would rather throw a temper tantrum."

"Because I don't want to pretend to love a bunch of assholes who want to take away my birth right!" He growls loud enough to silence the low chatter in the room. "You and dad and everyone else may be okay with playing nice, but I won't pretend to be something I'm not."

"I never said you had to." I combat with just as much aggression. "Damon, you're a good person. You care for this pack, these people and everything we stand for. There's no one better to be the next alpha. But you're also violent, incredibly impulsive and inconsiderate at times. All I want is for you to show the good parts of you that no one else sees. Show them and everyone that doubts you that you are better than they think you are."

He holds my stare for a long moment, his gaze faltering on the edge of agreement.

"Show them you're the alpha that I know you can be." I say more calmly, almost pleadingly.

Its a long moment before he nods his head slightly. I release a breath I didn't know I was holding as his eyes glaze over the elders who were witnessing the scene.

"Alright, let's get this over with." He grumbles before walking towards them with a large smile that was clearly forced.

I let myself sink against the wall as I watch him try to be civil with the elders. Amelia rests her back next to me, her eyes on Damon with a small smile.

"He looks up to you, ya know." She says and I chuckle.

"He idolizes me." I correct and we both laugh a little.

"You're the only one who can get through to him." She continues and I shake my head in opposition.

"You do too."

"By force and way too much arguing than I enjoy." She says and I find myself frowning a little. "He's a great guy but the way he is now, it's not good enough to be an alpha. We can tame him for a bit, but he needs someone to help him."

"You don't think you'll be mates." I say reading through the lines. Sadness fills her features as she looks at her best friend.

"I know he loves me and I'd be lying if I said I didn't love him too … … but, I'm not the one for him." She says honestly, glancing at me with slightly glossing eyes. "There's someone out there who will know exactly what to do to water down his 'demonic' qualities." She jokes with a chuckle before wiping a finger under her eyes as she striaghtens up. "I'm not the person he needs, but I'll fill in until he finds them."

She walks away before I can reply, jumping onto Damon's back making him ring out a string of curses as the elders lead the way to the day they'd be spending together.

I don't let myself dwell on Amelia's words, the reality of them too harsh for me to accept just yet.

I knew she was right. But the thought of Damon hearing those words pained me too much to think about.

Instead I stand to my feet and make my way out the building where Caspar was chasing a butterfly. The sight brings a smile to my face as I approach him.

I hate being a feline - Caspar grumbles as he continues to chase after the small creature.

I catch the creature in the palm of my hand before releasing it a little higher so it could set a path away from Caspar.

I'm going to see him today - I say glancing down at him as we begin walking. Dad is out visiting a nearby pack and Aiden is with Reon.

Yes. Reon.

Dad kept him alive in his the cellars for over ten years and like the psycholath he is, he takes days off to go torture him. He's invited me several times to go 'let some steam off', but I've refused every single time. I didn't have the deep seated hatred for the man dad did, I didn't need to see him in pain to feel better when I wasn't at my best. But dad did.

Can I come? - Caspar asks eagerly but I quickly shake my head

It's amazing that you want to meet him Caspar, it means the world to me. But as far as history and personal experience goes, he's not the friendliest with others. I don't want you getting hurt - I explain clearly, I didn't want Caspar in anyway getting harmed by J.

I loved J and I knew he was trying hard to adapt to whatever it was that we were doing, but bringing in other people could make things unbalanced.

Okay fine. But can I at least get a picture - He drags and I laugh itha quick nod.

I'll try to take one today - I promise.

I had big plans for J and I today. Just the thought of it made my chest fill with glee. It'd been far too long since I'd seen him and I wanted nothing more at this point than to be with him. Since both my parents would be occupied for the day, I had enough time to sneak out of the pack and spend time with him. To actually spend time with him, enjoy his company and his presence.

I'd even put together a little date, though J wouldn't realise it was a date and may even possibly hate it. But I hoped that he wouldn't, I hoped he'd enjoy the night as much as I would.

I'm going to show my mate just how much I love him.