Chapter 27
Braxton
After an eventful night filled with food and a revelation, Nyah and I woke up this morning cuddled together in the queen size bed in her room. Levi wanted to take Kenia back to the hotel last night, but Alpha Lightfeather made it clear that we were all staying at his house for the night.
Last night, Alpha Lightfeather gave the Pack members enough time to go home and get cleaned up while he and the rest of us would do the same. Although the night’s menu was once again grilled meat, I wondered if they ate anything else. Surely, they had to eat something different every once in a while.
While in her room getting changed, I couldn’t help asking Nyah, “How is it that your father can speak in his wolf form?”
She giggled, pulling a t-shirt over her head. “My daddy is what some would call an Ancient. He has been around for a long time, hence why none of us know how old he really is.”
“My father, in his wolf form, told me he could do the same,” I inform.
“I’m sure he can. You did say your family ties to the first ever wolf shifter. It’s quite possible your daddy could also be an ancient,” Nyah said, approaching me. “Answer me this...?”
“What,” I asked, pulling her close to me.
“How old is your daddy?”
The question threw me off so much, it left me standing there racking my brain for the answer.
Nyah swatted my arm. “If you have to think that hard about it, then I’m here to tell you, your daddy is an Ancient too.”
Dumbfounded, I questioned, “But how can you be so sure?”
“Because, from what my daddy told me, centuries ago after Vidar, the son of the Chief God Odin avenged his father’s death against Fenrir. Vidar showed mercy on the wolf packs that didn’t share the same views as Fenrir and pledged their loyalty to him and in return, he granted extra abilities to the Alpha’s like being able to speak in their wolf form and others.” Nyah stopped speaking as she lowered her head, going into deep thought.
“What is it?” I asked, lifting her chin up with my fingers.
Nyah stared into my eyes, replying, “There were also Packs that stayed true to Fenrir and were given their Alpha’s the same abilities. Braxton, until we know for sure your family line could be one gifted by Loki which could make our families mortal enemies.”
I couldn’t help my chuckle. How could she think something like that? Surely our fathers would have known at their first meeting if there was a family feud. I will admit that growing up my father always talked about our heritage. The many battles our Packs or Clans, we were referred to back then, won. Or how the title of Alpha was passed onto the eldest son without a challenge after the current Alpha passed away. My young mind had questions and when I presented them to my father, he would sometimes not answer them directly, but he’d give me an answer. Most times I was still left confused. Now, learning this, I have to wonder if what he told me back then was true or a cover up. Was our family one of the ones Loki graced with his disoriented powers?
“The only way to get to the bottom of this is to confront our fathers,” I told her.
Nyah paused before saying, “I just hope that we’re on the same side.”
With confidence, I told her, “I think we are. If there was any friction between the families, it would have been detected the first time our fathers met. Since it didn’t happen, I can only assume that my family Pack is one who sided with Vidar.”
Nyah nodded, saying, “True, but we will never know for sure until we speak to our daddies. I think we should take the rest of the night to come up with a plan on how to approach them.”
We kissed each other, sealing our pact before leaving out of her room. We encountered no others as we made our way through the house. Once outside, we’re met by numerous members of the Pack. Some were loading the grills with meat, while others prepared the sides.
Leaning over to Nyah’s ear, I whispered in a non-disrespectful tone, “Is grilled meat the only thing your Pack eats? Not that I’m complaining, your father is amazing on the grill.”
She found my question humorous. Once Nyah calmed down from her comedic laughter, she replied, “No, it’s not. We just prefer it over other dishes.” Nyah then grasps my wrist. “Wait until you try our fried catfish. It is so good; you’ll be begging for our recipe.”
Chuckling, I said, “That is yet to be determined.”
“I’ll make sure to tell daddy to cook some for tomorrow,” she snickered, pulling me to the line.
As usual, the food was delicious and the company even better. Nyah and I sat at the table with Alpha Lightfeather, my father, James, Levi, and Kenia. Conversations moved smoothly and no one brought up Horace or Corey’s names or their demise. And why would we? As far as I was concerned any memory of them was erased when they were killed.
The topic of me and Nyah’s mating came up. Alpha Lightfeather announced that since there was no need for the mating ceremony, he would hold something similar to a human’s wedding reception in honor of us.
After thanking him, Alpha Lightfeather cut his eyes to Levi, saying, “I give you my approval to mate with Kenia, but you will not do it before it’s time.”
“Yes, sir,” Levi responded.
Alpha Lightfeather continued, “The next full moon is twenty-nine days away. On that night we will conduct the mating ceremony. Nothing against you, Levi, but I thought my daughter would be mated with an Alpha which is one of the reasons why I was happy when she denied the asshole who was her destined mate.” He wags his finger at Levi. “But you, Beta or not, have proven that you will protect my daughter at all costs and because of that, I give my blessing.”
James, who is usually a man of few words, stands, looking at father, then Alpha Lightfeather. “I, myself, have an announcement to make.”
Alpha Lightfeather held out his hand, giving approval. “By all means,” he says before sitting.
James appeared nervous as he began to speak. “I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to put it out there. Levi is actually an Alpha, not a Beta.”
“What?” everyone at the table asked at the same time.
A bewildered Levi asked, “Uncle James what are you talking about? I’m a Beta just like you.”
“Yes, James, what are you talking about?” Father inquired, studying his Beta.
James cleared his throat, replying, “Bryant when I brought Levi with me to join your Pack, I was truthful about his parents being murdered and I was his only next of kin and he was mine. I just left out the part about him being an Alpha. My older brother, Josue, Levi’s father was my Alpha, and I was his Beta. I thought if you knew the truth about that, you would have taken him away from me. So, that’s why I kept omitting key parts of our story. It was selfish of me, but I chose to raise him a Beta. I didn’t know how to teach him how to be an Alpha. But after hearing Alpha Lightfeather’s words about Levi being a Beta, I’m sorry for keeping it from you and especially him.”
With sorrow, James plopped down in his chair. The table is silent as we take in what we’ve learned. Levi finally stands, then goes over to his uncle.
“Uncle James don’t beat yourself up for this. You did what you thought was right and I don’t hold it against you. You have been with me since the day I lost my parents, and I wouldn’t have wanted to be with anyone else but you. Thank you for having the courage to come forward and let us, particularly me, know the truth. I love you Uncle, and this doesn’t change the relationship that we have.”
A tearful James rose again from his seat and hugged his nephew. The ladies wiped away their tears as us men looked on with pride and admiration. This explains so much. I always felt like Levi had Alpha traits, now it has been confirmed.
As they pulled back from one another, I said, “Levi, we have been together since we were pups. I chose you as my Beta because not only do we get along so well but I see you as my brother. With that being said, you know I wouldn’t be able to function without you, so instead of me having to choose another Beta, will you continue to be by my side, of course, not as a Beta because your ass is truly an Alpha, but as an equal partner?”
My best friend, confidant, and ally nodded his head. “Thank you and Braxton, you know I wasn’t going anywhere. We started this journey together and we will end it together.”
Cheers echoed around the table as I got up and met Levi. We laughed, shaking hands before doing the bro hug. The clinking of metal on glass got our attention. Father is standing, tapping his fork on his glass of sweet tea.
“If I can have everyone’s attention,” he said, bringing our focus to him. Once he had our undivided attention, father added, “This new revelation by my Beta has put me in quite the conundrum. In my Pack, if it is learned that a member has joined under false pretense, that member is exiled along with their family. It’s up to the Alpha to determine their status in the Pack.” He paused.
“Father, you can’t,” I began to argue, but he cut me off.
“Braxton, son let me finish.”
I closed my mouth, hoping he wasn’t going to do what I thought he was.
“In lieu of this new information as the Alpha of Lunar Wolves, it is up to me whether to outcast James and Levi or continue to let them remain a part of our Pack.”
“Father,” I interrupted again.
He held up his hand, silencing me once again.
“As I said, as Alpha it is up to me to determine their future with the Pack.” Father paused, then informed, “I have decided that James and Levi will remain members of the Lunar Pack. James will still hold his position as my Beta and Levi will continue at Braxton’s side.” Father glanced over to James. “I can’t fault you for doing what you thought was best for your nephew. I would have done the same.”
“Thank you, Alpha,” James responded, bowing his head.
Father returned the gesture before facing Alpha Lightfeather. “You wanted your daughter to be mated with an Alpha, well now it seems like both of them will be.”
Everyone erupted with cheers, clapping, and whistles. Despite how the day started, this was the best way to end it.