9. Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Milo
Silas and I had grown close these last few days.
He wanted a break from his pack who he felt he was letting down by being their alpha.
It was weird how alike we both were. His father had treated him the same way my dad had me, and I could finally confide in someone without the fear of being judged. It was really nice to be honest.
I’d told Silas that I was fated to be with Darius when he’d followed me outside after Cass and Jeremy’s failed ceremony.
I wasn’t about to lead him on, and to my surprise, he’d been cool with it, asking if I needed any help around my house, which had been our topic of conversation for most of the party.
Silas also knew what had happened between Darius and I once he’d left with Greg. His scent-marking, which he’d done before I’d told him about Darius, had helped make Darius jealous, which I’d been happy for. It had to mean Darius still wanted me, or at least I hoped it did.
But Darius hadn’t visited or talked to me since, meaning it was a possessiveness that spurred him to kiss me, and not his want for it. Silas had at least kept me company so I hadn’t sulked alone with my broken heart.
“You should totally keep the floors,” Silas said, handing me a cup of coffee.
“You think so?” I asked, eyeing the floor. “I was thinking of redoing the whole thing.”
“No,” he gasped dramatically. “That would be a crime! These can totally be fixed with some sanding and stain.”
I chuckled, “Well, is it cheaper than new ones?”
“Much,” he said, nodding like the decision was now done.
“Hello!” Dad’s cheerful voice carried inside the kitchen where we were taking a quick coffee break.
I sent Silas a panicked look. He knew all about how I felt about Dad and I had told him basically my whole life story by this point.
I knew his as well. Which meant I knew he’d have my back.
He nodded, his eyes hard. Yes, he was in my corner.
For the first time in my life, I had someone in my corner other than Nathalia.
Damn, it felt nice.
“Hey!” I called back, sipping my coffee.
Dad walked around the corner and froze when he saw Silas was with me. He glared my way, but really? He was the one standing naked in my living room. I should be the angry one.
“Nice to see you, Paul,” Silas said kindly.
“You too, Silas. Though I have to admit I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” He turned his gaze back to me, one brow raised.
“We’re friends,” I supplied.
“Friends,” Dad repeated, like the word was foreign to him.
“Yes,” Silas agreed. “I’m helping him with his kitchen today.”
“I can see that,” Dad said, glancing around the half-done kitchen.
“Is something wrong?” I asked, wanting to know why he came so he could kindly go away again.
“No, not at all. I was just coming by ask you if you’ve talked to Darius,” he answered. Then looked pointedly at Silas. “You, know, your fated.”
Fuck. Him.
“I haven’t,” I replied, suppressing the urge to chuck my scolding coffee at his dick.
“Well, maybe you should.” He held his arms crossed over his chest, but the pose wasn’t at all threatening with his dick out.
“Maybe,” I agreed, hoping he would leave now.
“Ready to get back to it?” Silas asked me, offering me a task while also telling my dad subtly to leave.
I loved having him as my friend.
“Yeah.” I shot him a thankful grin. “You attach the cabinet doors, and I’ll secure the upper cupboards on the other side.”
“Deal,” he grinned back.
Dad left us to it, not saying a word of goodbye as he turned and left. I felt like I’d once again disappointed him. The normal feeling of dread, of not being good enough, wasn’t as strong this time. Silas being here was a bigger comfort than I’d ever dared hope for.
Jeremy and Cass’ next ceremony was upon us.
Silas had continued to help me out the whole week with my house and talking to him had truly helped.
I even admitted to how I felt about Jeremy.
Silas had given me the advice to spend time with Jeremy just the two of us, because he felt most of it hadn’t been something Jeremy did on purpose, most had happened because of Dad and fake friends.
I reluctantly agreed to seek Jeremy out a week after his ceremony, knowing he’d want time alone with Cass to enjoy being mated.
The whole pack was gathered behind the packhouse, watching Jeremy and Cass who stood facing each other, looking madly in love. I stood next to Silas, Greg, and another of their packmates, Rowan. They’d been invited by Jeremy and Cass, and I was truly grateful for Silas’ presence here.
“Ready?” Jeremy asked Cass.
“Yes!” Cass exclaimed eagerly, making us chuckle.
“Groove Vale Pack!” Jeremy began. “I hereby welcome Cass Balone into our pack.”
We all howled and clapped our hands, celebrating the Alpha claiming his mate.
Then a voice broke through the happiness. “Alpha Jeremy,” Fillian said, standing tall. “I challenge you for the title of Alpha.”
Many gasped around us and it was clear no one had seen this coming.
What was Fillian thinking? He’d always been a hothead, fighting others and was quick to start arguments.
After he’d become an adult he’d more or less just followed his dad around.
I had no doubt at all that his father, Marcus, was behind this.
He’d never liked the way Dad had run the pack, and he’d made it clear he didn’t want Jeremy to be alpha either.
Not that he’d prefer me over Jeremy, I think no one would be good enough for him.
He just wanted Fillian to hold the title.
A throat cleared as Marcus stepped forward to stand next to his son. “And I will be his second.”
I could hear Jeremy curse and see the fear in Cass’ eyes. I didn’t even think as I stepped forward, stopping next to Jeremy. If he was fighting for his life he shouldn’t do it alone. No one deserved that.
This could very well end in my death. However, maybe it was my purpose all along, to stand by Jeremy, even if I still felt my anger lingering. Silas had helped me see things differently, and right now all I could see was fear reflected in my brother’s eyes.
“I’ll be Jeremy’s second,” I declared loudly.
“What does being a second mean?” Cass whispered to Dad, clearly confused and scared. He’d moved closer to where we stood after Jeremy had told him to.
Dad swallowed and began explaining, “Because Marcus declared he was second, it means that if Fillian fails, and dies, Marcus will then fight Jeremy as Alpha, but it wouldn’t be fair on Jeremy to fight two battles right after each other, so that’s where Milo comes in.”
“Hang on. You’re telling me, that when Jeremy rightfully beats the ever-living crap out of Fillian, Milo then has to fight Marcus, and if he loses that fight, then Marcus becomes Alpha?” I wish someone had as much faith in me as Cass did in Jeremy.
“No, then Marcus will fight Jeremy right after, making it a fair fight since they’ve both then fought twice and won,” Dad said.
“It’ll be fine,” Darius voice startled me as he came up behind us. “Jeremy will handle it.”
I felt sick. Here was my fated, and he didn’t even care that I could get hurt? That I could die?
“They both will,” Cass declared firmly, nodding in my direction.
I smiled at Cass, thankful he at least seemed to care about me. Even after everything I’d done to mess things up for him and my brother.
“I accept your challenge of the Alpha title,” Jeremy said with clear confidence. He’d moved to stand alone, the rest of us forming a circle around him and Fillian.
“When my son wins there won’t be any humans allowed here. We’re wolves, not pets,” Marcus spat, glaring at Cass.
Fillian and Jeremy both shifted and I couldn’t take my eyes off them.
It was my job as second to make sure things were done right, not that we had a lot of rules in a deadly fight.
I needed to support Jeremy, if necessary, and I would do the best I could.
Whatever tension there was between us was forgotten for the moment, the fight having taken priority.
They circled each other for way too long, either Fillian was too scared to actually fight Jeremy or he was buying time.
I frowned as I followed their paws move around, their eyes locked on each other and then, Fillian finally jumped forward snapping his teeth where Jeremy had been seconds before.
Jermey seemed to skip around Fillian seamlessly and soon the fight turned real.
Fillian dodged Jeremy’s next attack, but instead of turning around and continuing their fight, he turned his back on Jeremy, a fatal move normally, but when Fillian’s glowing amber eyes locked on Cass, it only took seconds before my brain had caught his intent.
I didn’t really think as I saw Marcus shifting in the crowd, jumping into the air to attack Jeremy while he was distracted by Fillian coming for his mate.
My wolf form took over as I was mid jump, my only thought was to protect Cass.
I wouldn’t be missed, but Cass… Cass would.
He was too good, too pure, to die because of Fillian’s stupidity.
So, I didn’t think as my wolf came between Cass and Fillian.
Didn’t think as Fillian’s teeth came down hard on my neck.
Didn’t think as I returned the bite, using what little strength I had left to break Fillian’s neck, only letting go once I heard the bone break and Fillian’s heartbeat stop. Only then did I allow myself to think.
My last thought before I welcomed the darkness, was that I hoped Darius would miss me.