27. Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Milo
I stared at the man who’d raised me and doubted if we’d ever move past this. The sun was setting, but since Dad had actually gotten dressed for our talk, I didn’t have to worry about his bare ass on our metal chairs in the backyard.
“I guess I wanted to protect you,” Dad finally said, his voice a low whisper.
“From what?” I scoffed.
“From facing the same future as me.”
I stared at him, not understanding his meaning.
“I didn’t want to be alpha, Milo. But I was forced into a role I wouldn’t have picked for myself. I also knew that as alpha, my needs would be pushed to the side for the betterment of the pack. I simply had to pick which of you I thought would be best at managing that balance.”
“And you picked Jer.”
“I did. And the main reason I did so might surprise you.” There was a smile on his lips, a glimmer of what he imagined my reaction would be.
“Carry on,” I groaned, knowing I was in for it.
“His world wouldn’t have ended if he wasn’t picked as alpha. But yours would.”
I gaped at him. “You chose Jer as alpha because I wanted it too much?!”
“No. I chose Jeremy because I knew he would have something else in his life that would make him happy. I forgot to be happy once I became alpha. I barely saw your mother and once she passed, I felt like I wasn’t allowed to mourn her either. I did not wish for you to end up as miserable as I was.”
“You were miserable?”
He nodded. “It’s not easy making the hard decisions, and I waited impatiently for the day that Jeremy could take over, simply because I know he’ll be a better alpha than I ever was.
Our pack needs a happy alpha and I haven’t been that for them since your mom passed.
” There was sadness in his eyes, and even though his treatment of me still didn’t make sense, I could see his reason for picking Jeremy. Then it hit.
“You wanted me to change because then you might pick me as alpha? You wanted me to focus on something other than the pack so I had more to live for?”
His smile was proud as he stared at my wide eyes.
“I know now that I failed you, that I somehow crossed a line that should’ve never been crossed.
But, Milo, you were always the center of the pack, living and breathing for everyone here.
I wanted you to have a hobby, friends, something that would give your life purpose outside of the pack. I just took it way too far.”
“I can’t believe I never figured it out.”
“I didn’t want you to know. The passion for something other than the pack had to form of want and not of need.”
“Why are you suddenly so wise?” I growled, crossing my arms. “And why didn’t you just tell Jer this when he asked you?”
Dad sighed. “I never thought I would have to explain my reasons and, like I said, I crossed a line at one point and also forgot to change things after Jeremy had been chosen as alpha. I wanted to fix what happened between you and Jer, but I guess I was scared of what would happen to both of you if I died and you weren’t on speaking terms. I acted out of fear and stupidity.
Hard to explain yourself when you’d yet to realize where you went wrong. ”
I blinked, then truly saw Dad. He was a flawed father who tried his best, and yes, he’d fucked up, but he’d also been alone with two boys and a pack he had to protect. It couldn’t have been easy.
“I hate that we went through all of that for nothing,” I admitted.
“Me too,” he sighed. “And when it came to Darius, I wanted you to get together so he could help you through not being picked as alpha. I knew you’d be devastated, but I know I wasn’t exactly the father you needed and had I been, things would’ve been easier for you.”
Dad still didn’t know the reason for why it’d taken Darius and me so long to mate and I definitely wouldn’t tell him either, but he somehow felt guilty over things.
“Can we just agree that we’re moving past this? I don’t want us to fight and now that you have more free time, I would love for us to actually spend time together doing something fun for once.”
I was surprised by how much I meant those words. I wanted to go fishing with Dad. Maybe even a wolf run.
“Really?” His eyes were so hopeful that I found myself nodding.
I wouldn’t forget the way he’d treated me and I made myself a vow to move past it, but if he ever treated me the same way again that would be it.
Dad was a man with his own flaws and all, but I would only accept him in my life if he treated me with respect.
Never mind that Darius would bite his head off if he ever dared treat me badly again.
I nodded. “Yes. But first we should tell Darius he can relax.” I could sense Darius pacing in the living room, waiting for us to finish talking. The fact that Jeremy was inside with him didn’t seem to have helped ease his protectiveness.
Dad chuckled. “He’s the perfect mate for you.”
“Yeah, he is,” I agreed with a fond smile as I thought of my fated.
“I’m glad the two of you are fated.”
“You are? You weren’t disappointed he didn’t end up fated to Jer?”
Dad laughed at that but didn’t elaborate.
The backdoor opened and Darius came out with my phone, eyeing Dad and me. “I um, have Nathalia on the phone for you.”
I took the phone and ushered Dad in after Darius. I wanted to talk to her in private and Dad could tell Jeremy and Darius about our talk himself.
Once the door was closed behind them, I settled down on my chair a little more comfortably now that I was done with the heavy talk with Dad.
“Hey, Nat,” I greeted, already smiling.
“Hey, you! Listen, I have some news.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yes, yes, everything’s fine. It will just take us a little longer before we reach you.”
“Trouble with your pack?”
“Yeah,” she sighed. “The Alpha returned earlier than planned so we have to stay a while longer. But we are coming, trust me on that.”
“Anything I can do?” I hated that she had to stay in that awful pack for even a second longer.
“No, just know that it might take months before we get another chance. But rest assured, we’ll always be ready to leave within minutes now.”
“Good. I sort of miss you, you know.” I grinned as I heard her laugh.
“I sorta kinda miss you, too, Milo. I’ll be back home before you know it. Brother in tow and everything.”
“I can’t wait.”
Nathalia: We’ll be there right after Christmas! Just left the pack!
Her text was the perfect Christmas gift. I had worried a lot. What if they never made it out? I’d told Jeremy about it and he’d assured me that if it came to that he would help bring them home to us. Luckily, it seemed Nathalia and Julian made it out unscathed and would be home soon.
Me: Thank fuck! I can’t wait to hug you!
Smiling, I left the kitchen in search of my sexy mate.
Darius looked gorgeous in his Christmas pajama pants and no shirt.
The snow was falling outside and there was this peacefulness that only came with the freshly fallen snow.
He was staring outside, his favorite mug of coffee in hand, and I just took him in as I approached.
It had been some crazy weeks, but also the best time of my life. All because of Darius. My mate.
“Please tell me we’re going out on a run today,” Darius pleaded as I stopped beside him, both of us enjoying the view as the snow descended from the morning sky.
“We have to,” I agreed. “If we wait too long, the others will have ruined all the fun.”
“I already scented your dad out there, so we might need to skip breakfast.”
I laughed. Playing around in the snow was so much fun in wolf form, and our packmates agreed. It was more fun when the snow was untouched and you could run through it, feeling the snow break apart against your legs, the soft crunch as your paws hit the ground, smushing it down.
“Okay, I’m ready,” I announced, practically giddy with excitement. My tea was all but forgotten as I took Darius’ coffee from him. “We’ll run for however long we please and come back home and share a nice hot bath, and then we can order some pizza for lunch.”
Darius’ eyes were gleaming with happiness as he took in my perfect winter day plans. “Gods, I love you.” I was swooped into a passionate kiss that sadly ended too quickly. “We need to hurry,” he breathed against my lips, warming me up on this cold winter morning.
I felt my smile widen in challenge as I leaned in and whispered, “Run.”
Because the pack was out of houses, Nathalia and Julian would move into the packhouse at first. They’d each gotten their own room but would have to share their bathroom.
I’d offered that they could move in with me and Darius instead, but Nathalia wanted us to enjoy our newly mated bond.
I believed that she was mostly looking out for Julian, who would without a doubt enjoy having his own space.
So, I hadn’t objected to it. The offer stood and she knew that.
Darius, Jeremy, Silas, Greg, Rowan, Cass, and me were currently waiting for Nathalia and Julian to show up. The packhouse was all but empty so as to not overwhelm Julian.
“Think Nat will mind the colors?” Jeremy asked.
I could only shrug. “She’s just happy to get back. I don’t think colors are big on her priority list right now.”
“Besides,” Cass cut in. “We have three houses that’ll be ready in the spring.”
“You plan on offering them one of the houses?” I asked, surprised. Jeremy had wanted them built for families now that our pack was much bigger.
“Of course. The others aren’t in need of homes, they would just prefer to live closer to where I am. Nathalia and Julian are in need of their own place, so they get first priority.”
“Had we known sooner, they would’ve gotten Givanna’s house,” Cass said.
“Givanna loves that her old house will be for a family and soon filled with kids,” Darius informed them with a smile. “She told me the house needed to experience the laughter only children brought.”
The doors opened then, the heavy wind from outside carrying in the familiar scent of Nathalia.
“Nat!” I exclaimed, hurrying out of my chair before running into the foyer to hug her.
She beamed at me with open arms. “Milo!”
It felt so good to hug her again. If I were truly honest with myself, it had felt like a true goodbye when she’d left.
So many “friends” had left me and Nathalia moving away seemed just like those times.
It was almost healing as I inhaled the sweet scent of her magnolia and vanilla perfume, the smell so familiar and soothing.
“Um, hi,” an unfamiliar voice spoke.
I let go of Nat and turned to face her brother. “Nice to finally meet you.” I offered him my hand and he took it, his smile shy.
Julian was truly a cat shifter, his limbs long and his figure slender. He had blonde curls and light green eyes that rested over freckled cheeks. He was cute.
“Let’s introduce you to some of your new packmates.” I walked ahead, letting Julian follow at his own pace.
In the big dining hall, I led them over to the table where everyone stood to greet them, Nat with hugs and Julian with handshakes.
Greg and Silas were frozen in place in front of a wide-eyed Julian. I could’ve sworn I heard a muttered mate coming from their direction, but I was tugged down on my fated’s lap and soon forgot all about it.
I snuggled into Darius, loving how right my life felt. I had my family, Darius, and my best friend back.
I was happy.