THE ULTIMATUM

Zeke's Pov

The Black-Moon Reserve

"Oh yeah," Zeke groaned as Lativa ground her crotch over his lap. He closed his eyes and let his hands wander over her naked body.

He felt the whisky coursing through his veins, and the buzz brought a huge grin to his face.

"You like that, huh?" Lativa mumbled in Zeke's ear before she let her tongue slide over his cheek.

"Oh, you're so naughty, baby!" Zeke murmured, gripping her hands behind her back. She chuckled excitedly, unsure of what he would do next. Her long black hair was gathered in a ponytail, and her almond-shaped eyes were fixed on him.

"Why am I not surprised, brother?" Zack shouted over the loud music. "Get out, bro!" Zeke replied. "Can't you see I'm busy here?" Lativa laughed when he playfully slapped her ass.

"Oh, I wouldn't mind if your brother wanted to join us," she suggested shamelessly, casting a seductive smile at Zack.

Zack rolled his eyes and leaned against the door frame.

"That's a very generous offer, honey," he replied, "but I teed to sit this out. And you do too, Zeke; Father wants to see us in his office now!"

"Gaaah, blue balled by my own brother and father." Zeke groaned, and Lativa stepped aside.

"I suppose we'll have to finish this later, then?" She winked at Zeke while getting dressed.

"Or you could stay here and start the foreplay, and I will help you finish?" Zeke whispered in her ear as he reached for his robe behind her.

"Are you really going into a meeting with our father dressed like Hugh Hefner?" Zack shook his head in disapproval.

"What's wrong with that?" Zeke replied, glancing down at the red robe, a replica of Hugh's.

"You're unbelievable, and you smell terrible! Father's going to flip out!" Zack continued as they left the room to head downstairs to his office.

"Like I care about what he thinks!" Zeke sighed, following Zack through the hallway.

"Maybe you should care about what father thinks, Zeke. Because if you want to take over the pack..."

"I need to find my mate and leave this lifestyle behind," Zeke abruptly finished his sentence, knowing his brother all too well.

"You're so immature; I can't believe you're two years older than me."

"Shut up, Zack. I can take you on anytime, even when I'm wasted!"

Zeke warned him the second before he tripped and tumbled down the staircase. "Fucking great," Zeke groaned, and Zack's laugh didn't make it better. "Look at yourself. You're an embarrassment to all of us."

"Shut up, and help me." Zeke demanded with an outstretched arm, "Fine!" Zack grabbed his hand and pulled him up.

_____________________

"Ah, Zeke, my lovely son! How wonderful of you to join us this evening!" Father said ironically as the brothers entered his office. 

"Now, now, Yuri, play nice," Their mother said from the sofa.

"Is that alcohol and wolf's-bane I smell?" Yuri continued, sniffing the air. "It's just a little whiskey; there's no harm in that!" Zeke replied, attempting to sound casual.

"I suppose it's not too harmful, even if you roll down the stairs," Zack added, sounding annoyed.

That little rat, Zeke thought to himself, casting Zack a warning glance.

"Oh, that explains the commotion we just overheard!" Father sighed, shaking his head.

Fuck you, Zack! Zeke said through the mind link, hearing him chuckling.

"Alcohol, sex, cigarettes? When is it enough, Zeke?" Mother asked, glancing between her sons with disappointment.

"Hey, don't look at me like that. I don't do any of those things," Zack replied defensively, elbowing Zeke playfully. He grinned, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

Zack loved this moment. Zeke was viewed as the family's disappointment while he was the golden boy.

"Is this the reason you asked me to come down here? So you and Mom can lecture me about my lifestyle again?" Zeke asked, glancing back and forth between his mother and father.

"I thought I made it clear last time: nothing you say or do can make me stop enjoying what I love!" Zeke asserted confidently, holding his hands up in front of him, though he briefly lost his balance due to his drunken state. His mother sighed and gave him the silent treatment. Classic.

"Well, as a matter of fact, I can say something that would make you rethink your lifestyle, son," Father replied, placing ironic emphasis on 'lifestyle.'

"By all means, go ahead, Father," Zeke said sarcastically, leaning against the door, eager to hear what he had to say this time.

"Your mother and I were talking this morning, and we both decided that we need to set an ultimatum regarding the position of the next Alpha."

"What do you mean by that?" Zeke shouted, feeling his blood boil; the throne rightfully belonged to him as the firstborn.

"Since you don't seem to take your role in the pack as seriously as your brother does, I don't think it's fair for you to take over once I step down. You have shown zero leadership or interest in the position, Zeke." Father continued nonchalantly, sitting at his desk with his arms crossed, fully aware that he held the upper hand.

"You wouldn't dare, Father. I will never forgive you if you do that to me," Zeke replied, feeling his wolf stirring.

"Keep Nero in check, son," his father commanded with alpha authority, causing Zeke to suppress the urge to shift. "I'm not saying I'm ready to give up my position to your brother just yet, but I will tell you this, Zeke: you have one year to find your mate, mark her, and get married."

"Married within a year? Have you lost your mind, old man?" Zeke shouted, feeling more sober than he ever had before.

"Oh, relax, Zeke. I was twenty when I married your mother. You're twenty-six. TWENTY-SIX!" his father yelled, and Zeke felt his pulse quicken. This was madness—utter madness.

"If you fail to do this, your brother has the right to claim the throne, especially if he has found his mate and is engaged to be married," their father said.

"Of course," Zeke mumbled, mimicking his father like a child. Father shook his head, just as their mother had done moments before.

"So now it's up to you, son. Are you ready to step up and meet the family's expectations? Or will you continue this lifestyle and head towards an early grave? The decision is yours: I'm done," Father stated, signaling that he had finally given up on him.

He sat beside their mother on the sofa, wrapping his arms around her as she leaned her head against his shoulder. Zack flashed Zeke a triumphant smile, prompting Zeke to give him the finger before he left the room.

This wasn't good. How was he supposed to find his mate and marry her within a year?