Chapter 9: House Meeting

DEMING WOODS, WA – BLOODCLAW ALPHA HOUSE

RAY’S POV

Sighing for the umpteenth time, I stare at the door in front of me. I’ve been standing here for the past ten minutes, trying to motivate myself to enter, but the fact that I can hear my father’s voice on the other side makes my skin crawl. The squad meeting is happening, right on schedule. I was supposed to be here earlier for the meeting, but just for today, I had to make a late appearance.

‘Then, what if we did this…’

Taking a deep breath, I grab the doorknob and twist it open.

Sam, your plan better work.

The talk amongst the men cease in the living room and all eyes are on me. Some have curious stares while others are menacing. But the most hostile one of all is the Alpha himself.

“You’re late.” He sneers.

“Sorry,” I say back, walking over to the open seat. But before I can sit down, the Alpha’s arm blocks my way.

“We’re finishing up here. You’re no longer needed.” He states firmly. My chest tightens. That’s a harsh stab.

“So for this week, we’ll tighten our borders with higher security. The Vagabonds have been prowling closer than ever, not just on our turf, but the Silver Moon’s and Lunar Howls’ as well.” His voice is clear cut as he gives out orders. “See to it that we don’t have any inconveniences within our territory. It is our duty to keep our family safe.”

I clamp my fists. He views our whole pack as family, a mentality that is vital for any Alpha. But why can’t he see his own flesh and blood as one?

“Martha will continue directing and preparing for the Holy Moon Tournament.” The Alpha briefly locks eyes with mine before continuing. “Advise all others to be ready to assist in the preparations in the following week.”

With that he waves off the members in dismissal. They all start collecting their things and head out the door, giving their farewells to my mother who awaits them at the entrance.

“Look, I’m sorry I’m late,” I say, “I had some stuff I needed to take of at school and-”

“Don’t think those excuses will work on me anymore.” My father scoffs, crossing his arms. “You were out goofing off rather than taking care of your responsibilities. Do you know how embarrassing it is to start a meeting at my own home without my son present? It’s absolutely ridiculous.”

My head lowers due to the intimidation oozing out of him. Canter, my father’s wolf, never fails to apply immense pressure on me. A power of dominance from the Alpha that no wolf can withstand.

Even so, Zeus and I attempt to fight it back, but that results in my father’s rage, and the invisible force of his intimidation pushes me to my knees.

“James, enough!” My mother storms into the living room after departing with the others. “This is the first time he’s ever missed a meeting. It’s not like he’s never not done what he was asked of you.”

“It’ll end up being the first of many if we don’t get him out of that school soon.” He growls at her. “I know what I’m doing, Martha. This is what’s best for our son. Those humans are deterring him from his destiny-”

He suddenly cuts himself off, smelling a peculiar scent in the air. It’s sweet, but unnatural. Manmade.

“Perfume.” He snarls. “Were you with a human? A woman?”

I remain silent. Glimpses of Anna staring starstruck at my wolf form will forever be imprinted in my mind. Rather than fear, her eyes glowed with fascination, and the moonlight hit her face in a way she seemed ethereal. I could’ve mistaken her for Selene had I not caught her anxious scent earlier.

It’s almost as if I could hear Zeus growl in my mind reimaging that as*hole on top of her. I didn’t think I was capable of getting that angry for someone else. I even went out of my way to override his scent with mine through a few strokes and a kiss to her forehead.

Since when did I start caring if she smelled like someone else?

“Ray,” his voice darkens. “Answer the question.”

The added pressure almost becomes insurmountable as my head crushes against the floorboard. He’s probably even more pissed that I practically ignored him while getting lost in my own thoughts.

“James!” My mother is frantic, sensing the negative energy from Canter’s intimidation.

“Answer!” He bellows.

“I…was just around one! And she doesn’t know!” I force my head up, glaring bitterly at him. “You know how Zeus is. There’s no chance of anything happening.” Gritting my teeth, I prop myself up on my knees.

He glowers down at me.“Is that so?”

Canter’s force evaporates into the air, releasing me from his clutches. My mother is quick to my aid, helping me up to my feet.

“I’m fine,” I say to her, pulling her arm away.

Zeus has always been adamant about his own mate. Whenever any woman would come on to me, or express any sort of affection, their pheremones would heighten to such a degree that I’d feel nauseous just being in their presence. All thanks to Zeus, who immediately rejects their advances.

However, that all goes out the window when it comes to Anna. Zeus has never proclaimed her to be my mate though, which makes it all the more confusing. But, I can’t tell them about her. Not yet. If they knew about her now…

I stand up straight, meeting eye to eye with my father. Onto the next phase.

“We made an agreement,” I say. “After I graduate college, I will take over as Alpha. Have you forgotten?”

“I don’t forget any promises I’ve made.”

“Oh really? Pretty sure I still have a year left and you’re already talking about taking me out of school.”

“Just because I don’t forget them, doesn’t mean I’ll keep them.” He snaps. “Not if it’s for the greater good.”

“So, what I want doesn’t matter-“

“Ray, you must always put the pack first.” He interrupts. “And right now, we’re going through a crucial time. We’ve already had a few wolves from the Lunar Howls die protecting their turf this week. Did you know that?”

My blood runs cold. Were they killed by the Vagabonds? I know they’re a chaotic lot, but have they really grown that much stronger?

“It’s not strength more as it is numbers,” my father says, gaining my attention. He must’ve realized what I was thinking. “They’re gaining allies from an unknown source. Whether it be new packs migrating here, or a banding of similar minds, who knows.”

He takes a step closer to me, eyes flaring gold.

“But what we do know is that our pack may be facing another war. And we need all the support and leadership we can get to ensure the least amount of casualties possible. Therefore, you need to take up your duty and learn how to direct and guide your clan.”

He makes it sound like I’m being completely selfish in wanting to live my own life. And perhaps I am. But I can’t help but feel that way. I feel chained to this family, as if everything I am was decided before I was even born. Wanting to carve my own path, finding out what the future holds, I don’t get to have any of those things for myself.

I’ve always lived for the pack, or more so lived for my father, but I never felt any satisfaction in doing so. However, when I was permitted to go to school, and learned about all different types of things, it felt like my world expanded with endless possibilities. That I could be anything I want if I hone my craft in it.

“I understand how important school is to you, Ray,” my mother chimes in. “But your father is right. Right now there are more pressing concerns for us. James,” she turns to the Alpha. “Rather than taking him out of school as a whole, why not let him take a gap year? After all this is settled, he could go back-“

“At that point he shouldn’t bother with human society.” He states curtly. “By the time this is all over and done with, he will be leading this pack. There will be no need for him to pursue something so pointless.”

“Pointless…?” I murmur.

“Yes. Compared to the Holy Moon Tournament, the ways of human education cannot protect a pack.” The Alpha says. “Once we return as victors, Goddess Selene will grant us a wish in our favor. We’ll use it to strengthen our pack to dominate the Vagabonds, and that will be the end of that.”

A wish?

My eyes widen. Of course, how could I forget? Whether it be wealth, fame, or power, Selene blesses the victor with the choice of their own desire. If I could win the tournament, then…

“Which reminds me, we have a meeting with Scarlet, daughter of the Lunar Howls’ Alpha. It would be great to get our clans to join forces as soon as-“

“No.” I growl.

My father seethes. “Excuse me?”

“Zeus has rejected Scarlet numerous times. And just because you want me to represent the Bloodclaws, doesn’t mean that I will.”

At this point, his eyes are like gold as Canter’s pressure starts to fill the room again. My mother is also in shock at my rebellious behavior.

“Why you…!”

“But,” I interrupt. “I will participate and win the tournament if I go under my own terms. Otherwise, you can look for someone else.”

What I’m playing here is a high risk, but this is all going according to plan.

“Your own terms? How selfish can you be? This is a matter of survival, and you want to do things your way?”

“I can’t be a leader if I only follow under your shadow, father.” I state. “So I’m going to look after the pack my way.”

This is the first time I’ve seen him unable to respond. A part of me wants to believe there was a glitter of pride in his eyes, but that’s just an empty wish.

With that, I make my way up the stairs and close myself in my old bedroom. It’s just how I left it.

Nowadays, I stay at the hideout to just clear my head and think since it tends to be rather suffocating here at home. But it’s nice to see my room hasn’t changed or turned into a storage unit.

I let out a long sigh and fall onto my bed, looking up at the ceiling. I have to participate in the Holy Moon Tournament, regardless if I want to or not. He’s right that the Vagabonds are becoming more problematic and I do have a responsibility to keep my pack safe.

Even if it’s not what I want my life to be, I’m willing to do it if it keeps anyone from dying. This is my family, after all.

But at least I now have the power to go about it my own way. I’ll have to thank Sam for that. Her plans are flawless, as always.

Speaking of which, I take out my phone and shoot her a text that phase one and two are both done. Now it’s up to her to make the final push.