Sara stifled a gasp at her grandmother’s turn of phrase, slapping a hand over her mouth.
“I don’t want or need your advice.” The frustration in his tone verged on anger.
“No, but you’re going to get it anyway,” Celia countered.
Why didn’t he just leave? If he didn’t want to hear what she had to say, why not walk out of there?I guess you don’t walk out on a member of the alpha council, mother-in-law or not.
Celia’s sigh was audible, even through the heavy wooden door. “If you could get your head out of your arse for even one second you’d see what’s likely going to happen. What you’re forcing her into with your misogynistic views and antiquated ideas.”
“And what’s that?”
“She’s going to request that the council let her out of your pack. With what I just heard, she’s got an excellent case to be removed immediately. Especially considering your actions as alpha are already under investigation. And there are plenty of alphas who’d welcome her with open arms after the bollocks you just spouted. Either that or she’ll thinkfuck youand bond with Rachel Tregarrak anyway, consequences be damned. Either way, she’s going to hate you, and you’ll have lost her for good.”
Sara’s heart was in her throat. As she’d heard those words coming out of her father’s mouth, those were the exact thoughts running through her head. Requesting to leave your pack was always a last resort, but she’d reached a point where the thought of staying made her feel physically ill. Father or no, she couldn’t have him as her alpha any longer. Not after what he’d said.
“You know,” Celia began, her voice a little less harsh. “The council might be inclined to be lenient tomorrow if you show them you’re making an effort to change your ways. To become a better alpha.”
Another harsh laugh from her father. “Ahh, I see. You think you can get me to change my mind like that?”
“Maybe. Personally, I don’t care if they send you to Krillick Hall. But you have a pack that deserves a better alpha and a daughter who deserves a better father. Something to sleep on, don’t you think?”
Sensing Celia was about to make her exit, Sara darted through the pub, barely missing a couple of patrons as she slipped out of the entrance and into the car park. No one was around, so she sprinted across to the car, leaning against it as she waited for Celia to appear.
“You need to work on your stealth,” Celia muttered as she came out a couple of minutes later.
“I’ve been here the whole time.”
Her grandmother’s chuckle sounded across the car park. “Of course you have.” Expression sobering as she approached the car, she sighed. “I’m so sorry. I thought he’d come around after I pointed out a few home truths to him.”
Sara cocked her head to one side, squinting against the sunlight. “How did you know that’s what I was thinking, or was it a good guess?”
Celia reached out to cup Sara’s cheek. “You have your mother’s fire and determination.” She smiled. “And where do you think she gets that from? Eh? As soon as the words left his mouth, I knew exactly what you were thinking… because I would’ve been the same.”
“Does he really believe all that? That it’s my duty to the pack to have babies?” It still made her sick that he’d said that to her.
“You never knew your grandfather Gallen, but he was alpha of that pack before your father. And not a particularly good one if my memory serves. Those are all his thoughts, his ideals, which he, unfortunately, passed on to his son. But that’s no excuse. Your father is a grown man, has been an alpha for many years, and should’ve formed his own ideas and opinions. They were words said in anger, I know, and though it pains me to say it, yes. I think he actually believes it, in some way at least.”
Sara deflated, her body sagging against the car. “Ugh.”
“I know.” Celia pulled her into a hug. “But on the bright side,” she whispered, conspiratorially, “you get to see Rachel tomorrow.”
“What?” Sara drew back to look at her.
“Alpha Harley is keen to finalise plans for his pack building exercises. I’d hoped your father would come around or at least agree to meet with Rachel, so I asked them to come here tomorrow.”
Sara shot a worried glance at the pub. “But—”
“Don’t worry. I arranged for them to come in the afternoon. Your father’s meeting with the council at nine in the morning. He should be well on his way back to Cornwall by the time Alpha Harley and the others get here.”
“Okay.” Sara breathed a sigh of relief. Nothing good would come of that meeting. “What will the council do to him?”
“As punishment?”
“Yes. I mean, I know you can’t tell me—”
“Because I don’t know. He’s still family, so I’m not allowed to be part of the decision-making for his punishment.”
“Oh. But if you had to guess?”
