“And I’m aware that the money was put into a part of town that was already thriving,” I growled out. “You’ve neglected an entire part of Belrose.”
“It’s not worth putting money into,” he snapped back. “They don’t work hard to have nice things. Why put money into something that is crumbling, and there is no saving it.”
“Is that because it’s the poor side of town?” I asked, knowing fully well it was. I’d done my research before coming. I had been away for a while, and I wanted to know what I needed when I came back.
“You’ve neglected a part of your population.”
“You are not Alpha, and you have no idea how hard it is,” he snapped back, pulling the truck to a stop.
I wanted to snap at him that I ran my own team, that I worked tooth and nail to ensure my team was taken care of, that I worked in a huge organization, and that I had climbed the ladder to get where I was.
I looked across the street, taking in the part of town that needed the help the most. There were a couple of apartment complexes that appeared to be on the verge of collapse. There were run-down homes and small businesses that you could tell were on their last leg. It was completely different from the parts my father was gushing over.
“I think you need to step down.”
“Excuse me?” My father glared at me. “And hand it to who exactly?”
The words slipped out before I could even think. “Me.”
He laughed. “You disappeared and decided to just arrive back one day? That doesn’t mean you get the title. I’m not just handing it over. You have to earn it.”
I watched his knuckles turn white on the steering wheel. I remained calm as I looked around. I knew the idea was stupid. I didn’t have the time or the energy to take it over. But I also couldn’t just ignore the biggest issue here. My father. If he had cared, the pack wouldn’t be in the situation it was in.
I knew my father’s views. I’d seen the way he glared at single women or the way he ignored women in general. My father thought they were meant to be seen and not heard. He had been lucky my mother was as soft and gentle as she was because I knew fully well no other woman would have put up with half of the shit he did. She always said he was stressed from being Alpha and that he was doing his best.
I respected my father, and as I grew up, I wanted to be like him. But as I got older, I didn’t agree with everything he did.
“Dad, you’re getting older, and you know it. You know that you can’t lead this pack like you used to.
“You’re going to bring my health into this? Seems like low fruit you’re biting at, Brandon.”
“I’m going to point out that you are not qualified for the position anymore. You should step down before you get pushed out.”
He glared. ”Are you threatening to push me out of my position? Do you really want to go through fighting me for this?”
I didn’t. The last thing I wanted to do was have to fight my father, but as I looked around, I knew I would if it came down to it. I just hoped his ego was too big. “If it’s what the pack needs, then yes.”
He snorted. “You disappear for three years and show up thinking you can do better? You have no idea. Being Alpha requires so much time and commitment.”
“I know that what you’ve shown me is nothing to be proud of. So, what’s it going to be dad?”
My father ground his teeth together, looking ready to start yelling, but then smirked. I watched him give me a smug look before looking away. “Fine, you want the role. Have at it, boy. However, you’ll soon learn that it’s not as easy as you think. In a few weeks, you’re going to be begging me to take it back. You’re going to realize you are not fit for it, and everyone is going to know.”
I hated how he said it, considering I grew up being raised to take his position. But leaving put a bump in that plan. “And I think you’ll find I’ll do it better than you ever did.”
I knew better than to poke at my father, but I was angry with how terrible the pack looked. There was so much he could have done, but didn’t simply because he didn’t feel like it.
I knew I couldn’t take over the role and keep it, but I couldn’t let my father remain in the position if I was going to save everyone. Once everything was over, I could find someone appropriate to fully take over as Alpha. But that would be a problem for the future.
The rest of the drive back home was quiet. Neither of us spoke, and as we pulled up, I needed to get away. My father was the same person he was all those years ago, and I couldn’t stand it.
“I’m going to grab Kaleb and his dad.”
I hopped out and headed back toward their house. I skirted around the garage toward the front door. It was propped open, so I stepped inside.
I was about to call for Kaleb when I heard Dale speaking in a serious tone.
“I told her she was going to marry him, and that was the end of it.” I paused before fully going through the doorway. I peeked and noticed he was on the phone, nodding his head as he paced back and forth by the stairs.
