A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha (Silverlake Wolves #8)

Chapter 1

one

The Twin Brothers of Blue River

*MARCELLUS*

Ifeel sweat dripping down my neck while I finish my last set of push-ups. I’ve pushed myself further than ever today. “Not bad,” Beta Floyd mutters. “Still room for improvement, but I commend you for trying.”

I hold back a groan. When I complain about his lack of praise, he usually motivates me by letting me do some extra exercises.

He is a rather serious and strict man, and at times, as a teen, I hated him so much I would have liked to slap him against the wall…

if only I could. However, his training pays off.

I have to give him credit where credit is due.

The only warrior better than him in the pack is Dad, and he is the alpha.

He barely trains my twin brother and me, though.

He thinks it’s going to ruin our relationship with him if he does so.

Judging by the way Eugene and I complain about Beta Floyd, I’m starting to believe Dad might be right.

It’s better to hate the beta than our own father.

“You look like you would like to murder someone,” Beta Floyd says. “Is something wrong?”

“No,” I say, finally getting up from the ground and grabbing my towel.

“With you turning eighteen soon, your potential will go through the roof. You need to work hard to nurture your gifts,” he laments.

“Sure,” I say.

When he frowns, I make sure to nod politely. Between Eugene and me, I’m known to be the rebellious one who pushes boundaries, but I certainly don’t need to over-exhaust myself further. The last time I gave Floyd attitude, he made me run some extra laps.

“I will visit Eugene,” I tell him. “He is still in the infirmary.”

“That’s a good idea,” Beta Floyd agrees.

I bid him goodbye before hurrying to the alpha suite of the packhouse, where I live together with my parents and my brother. While Eugene is waiting for my visit, I doubt he would appreciate me coming to him stinky and sweaty. So, I decide to take a swift shower and switch into fresh clothes.

“Where are you heading off to, dear?” Mom calls after me as I am about to make my way out of the suite again. “Please tell me you aren’t sneaking out again.”

“Mom,” I say. “If I were that stupid to sneak out in broad daylight, taking the front door, I wouldn’t deserve to be considered the future alpha.”

Mom smiles, reaching out her hand to straighten my collar.

“Dad’s still mad at me, huh?”

“He is just worried,” she says.

“Didn’t sound worried when he yelled at me,” I point out.

“Well, you didn’t sound apologetic when you got busted for sneaking out of pack grounds and getting drunk at that party,” she retorts.

I groan, hating that she is right. I can’t be mad at her, though. Mom is always nice and tries to mediate between me and Dad when we butt heads. Eugene is the more level-headed one of us. He is more serious, good with people, and gets along better with our father.

However, Mom seems to understand me.

“I plan on visiting Eugene,” I tell her.

She smiles. “That’s sweet. He will be happy. I just spent a couple of hours with him, and he feels pretty down.”

“He should be lucky,” I say. “You know I would have convinced him to come with me to that party, otherwise.”

Mom snorts. “His luck is your misfortune,” she says. “Because he would have smooth-talked your father better.”

I grin. “That was a low blow, Mom, but funny. I’ll give you that.”

“Just leave and visit your brother,” she chuckles.

I nod and wave her goodbye before hurrying out of the suite and down the staircase.

On my way, I meet some girls who are in my class, although not from my pack.

They must be visiting some of their friends here.

They wave at me, and when I wink at them, they giggle.

I briefly contemplate flirting with them and inviting one of them out on a date, but then I remember that Eugene is waiting.

I doubt he would take it kindly if I ditched him for a girl or a ‘meaningless fuck’ as he calls my dates.

Maybe tomorrow.

With my priorities straight, I make my way to the infirmary, bumping into Eugene’s girlfriend, Olive, on my way. “Are you on the way to visit Eugene?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say. “You too, Olive?”

She nods. “But I don’t want to disturb your meeting.”

“Don’t be silly,” I chuckle. “Eugene loves to have you around.”

“But you probably wanted to have some quality brother time,” she points out.

She is such a sweet and kind soul, a bit shy, but with a subtle sense of humor, which Eugene and I both love.

Eugene started dating her a couple of weeks ago, after he had been secretly crushing on her for years.

Originally, he wanted to wait for his mate, instead of dating someone, but it seems like he changed his mind.

I’m the last one to judge as I didn’t wait for my mate either.

I don’t date seriously, though, as I really don’t want to have a girlfriend I’d fallen in love with when I meet my mate.

No one wants to walk on scorched earth, and my future mate deserves better than that.

I also don’t fuck around within the pack.

It’s something that both Dad and Beta Floyd told us over and over again not to do.

“Olive,” I say. “I consider you a friend, so don’t argue and just come with me to see Eugene.”

She laughs. “Okay,” she says. “You convinced me. Bossy alpha, like all of them.”

“Your own fault for dating one,” I tease.

“Maybe,” she giggles, before looking at me. “Say, Marc, how does it feel to have to share the rank with someone else?”

“Eugene is my identical twin,” I tell her. “It’s hard to explain, but he is more than just a brother to me. It’s like he is my soulmate – clearly in a completely platonic way, not that you think I would bang my brother.”

Olive rolls her eyes. “Thanks for clarifying.”

“Well, there is no rivalry between us,” I explain. “It’s not unusual for identical twins to share a rank. I feel I’m lucky that I can do this together with my brother and best friend. Not many are that lucky.” I grin at her. “Who knows? Maybe you will become luna.”

“Don’t say that,” she sighs. “Eugene isn’t eighteen yet. Only then will we know if we are mates. I don’t want to get my hopes up too high.”

“I understand,” I say quietly. “Sorry for being insensitive.”

“You weren’t,” she reassures me.

I gesture towards the door of the room where my brother is resting. “We are here,” I say, knocking and opening the door.

Eugene is lying in his bed, beaming when he sees us. A couple of days ago, the poor guy was in a car accident and broke his leg, which sucks. We hope he will be released soon, even if it’s with a cast, so he can get out of here.

“Marc!” he calls out. “And you brought Olive, too. My two favorite people.”

Olive sits down at the edge of his bed, kissing him softly.

“I hope you don’t expect a kiss from me, too,” I tease.

Eugene makes a gagging sound before he laughs. “Come and tell me about your training with Floyd. Bet the old tyrant made you suffer. And what the fuck happened between you and Dad, again? Can’t you keep the peace when I’m not there?!”

I toss myself into the chair next to him. “Nah, you know I like the drama.”

“Do you?” Eugene says, rolling his eyes.

I smack his shoulder. “Your fault for getting hurt and leaving me alone with the old man.”

“Sorry, sorry.” He raises his hands and grins. “I will do better next time.”

“Hopefully, there will be no next time,” Olive complains.

“You will have your wolf’s full strength next week,” I tell him. “Then he will heal you, and you are going to be your old self again. Though Floyd already warned me that training would be even more intense then.”

“You are kidding me,” Eugene mutters. “Say, do we really want to become alphas? How about running away and opening a coffee shop instead?”

“Alluring,” I laugh. “Though I would prefer a strip club.”

Eugene chuckles while Olive rolls her eyes. “You two are impossible,” she scolds before giggling as well. “Can I leave you idiots for a minute? I just need something from one of the nurses.”

“Sure,” Eugene and I reassure her.

Once she’s outside, Eugene looks at me. “You know, Marc, don’t tell anyone, but… but she might be the one.”

“Eugene-“

“I know what you want to say: how we don’t know yet if she is my mate. It doesn’t matter, I’ve liked her for so long,” he admits. “It’s true that I only asked her out a couple of weeks ago, but I’ve liked her for years already.”

“I didn’t know that,” I say quietly, although I always knew. I just never asked him about it, and Eugene never told me. “You never said anything.”

“I was a coward,” he admits.

“So, you are thinking about not waiting for your mate?” I ask him.

He nods. “I know it sounds silly, but I want to make her my chosen mate.” When I stay quiet, he grabs my arm. “Say something,” he begs.

“I don’t know what to say,” I admit. “I won’t judge you, Eugene. It’s your decision. I can’t decide for you.”

He seems relieved. “I thought you would judge me. What about you? You are going to wait for your mate?”

“I will wait for my mate,” I clarify.

“Hoping for a woman or a man?” he asks.

“How did you know?” I ask, surprised.

“What? That you are bi?” He rolls his eyes. “Please!”

I grin. “Okay, I’m not subtle. Well, honestly, I don’t mind. Whoever the goddess chooses for me is fine. Do you think Dad will have a heart attack if I present him with a male luna?”

“Do you think he will have one if I present him with a chosen mate?” he asks in return.

I snort. “You got a point. At least we are both doomed in that case. But you are his favorite, so that means I am doomed more.”

Olive interrupts our talk by returning to the room, and we shift the topic to something else, namely, our birthday party.

It’s going to be next Saturday, and neither of us can wait to finally turn eighteen.

We received our wolf spirits at seventeen, and since then, I’ve connected to my wolf, Amos.

But only when we are eighteen will we have our full power.

“I think Mom’s going all out for the party,” I say.

“She just loves to plan events,” Eugene chuckles.

“She is so proud of the both of you,” Olive says. “She always talks about you two when she meets my mom.”

Eugene and I groan in unison. “No, she doesn’t,” Eugene mutters.

“She does,” Olive laughs.

“I can’t believe it,” I mutter. “Well, at least it’s not my future mother-in-law she boasts to.” At my words, both Eugene and Olive blush furiously. I didn’t mean to embarrass them; the words just slipped, but seeing them like this is kind of cute.

Eugene is not the only one in love. I know Olive had a crush on him ever since we were children. I am happy for her that he reciprocates her feelings. I just hope the goddess thinks they are a good match, too.