Sam growled. “She’s my sister, Adam!”
“What? You have a sister complex?” Adam teased back.
“Hunter, they're gonna start again …” Winston rolled his eyes. His brother and Sam were always bumping chests.
Chasen growled lowly. “Don’t disturb my breakfast.”
The two men immediately settled down. Chasen’s position was such that it was respected by all. He had grown up with all the boys and they knew his strengths well, so he had earned their respect and admiration.
“Hey Sue, are you going out today?” Hunter asked, making small talk. He knew how Sue felt. He just didn’t feel the same way. Honestly, the whole idea of his mate’s betrayal made him bitter. It irritated him to see people dating and interested inothers. Where was their faithfulness? Why weren’t they loyally waiting for their mate? The problem was Kristy as a person. He wouldn’t give up on having a loyal companion. He just had to give up on the idea of having a fated mate now. A second chance mate was rare and couldn’t be counted on.
“Yes, I was going to go out with Renee,” Sue said, sticking her tongue out at Sam. Renee was Caspian and Merida’s daughter. Caspian was half-werewolf, half-fairy, and Merida was a selkie, part of the fairy realm. Renee was also Sam’s mate. They were all surprised when it happened. The moment her wolf came forward, it happened so fast. Sam immediately claimed her and was very possessive over the cute brunette.
“I don’t want her to leave the pack territory without me. So, change your plans,” Sam growled, glaring at his sister.
Susan scoffed. “That’s not fair, Sam. We’ve been planning on going out. Besides, dad, mom, and Kristen are coming too, so it's fine.”
“If Caden’s going, there’s nothing to worry about, Sam,” Hunter said with a smile. Caden might have stepped down as the beta, but he was still as tough as they came.
Sam sighed, defeated. “Fine … but don’t stay out long.”
“Sam, why don’t you go with them? I have Chasen with me. Go ahead and go out for the day.” Hunter shrugged. There was no reason he couldn’t join them, especially with him being so protective over his mate.
“Really? It isn’t a problem?” Sam asked with a bit more excitement.
“No, it’s not a problem. Go.” Hunter nodded his head toward the door and Sam jumped up with a grin.
“Thanks, Alpha!” Sam jabbed playfully. Hunter didn’t like it when his close friends called him Alpha. He felt it was less personal. So, of course, they had to tease him with it incessantly.
Hunter and Chasen were walking together through pack territory. Hunter couldn’t help but wonder how life would have been right now if things had worked out between him and Kristy. He probably would have been a lovesick puppy that doted on her constantly. Instead, he felt hollow, like a piece of him was missing. Blaze had been very quiet since that day, rarely speaking anymore, equally resentful and angry over the betrayal of his mate.
“Cheer up, buttercup. You still got me.” Chasen elbowed Hunter and grinned down at him. “Just don’t ask me to warm your bed or anything. Other than that, I’m here for you.”
Hunter rolled his eyes at Chasen, then noticed a shadow above them. He glanced up to see two hippogryphs descending.
“No shit, it's Dad and Uncle Grayson!” Chasen yelled happily, slapping Hunter on the back.
Hunter watched as his father hopped off and walked toward him. There seemed to be something off in his eyes.
“Dad, what are you doing here?” Hunter asked. His father, Asher, walked up to him and pulled him into a big hug.
“I’m here, son. I’m here,” Asher said gently, patting Hunter’s back.
CHAPTER TWO
Hunter sighed and leaned his head on his father’s shoulder, soaking in a minute of his father’s solace. “How?—”
“Chasen sent us a letter explaining everything. Why didn’t you tell us when you visited?” Asher held his boy tightly in his arms. He could only imagine the amount of pain he’d been in.
“You guys have enough to worry about with Reiya. I didn’t need to bother you over something small like this,” Hunter said as he pulled away from his dad. He noticed his Uncle Grayson and Chasen walking away from them, giving him some privacy with his father.
Asher scoffed loudly and furrowed his brows at his son. “Something small like this? There’s nothing small about this. It’s okay to be crushed and angry. That was your mate who betrayed you, Hunter. This is a big deal. You need to tell us. You’re our child, too, and just as important. We want to know about everything that’s going on in your life. Do I need to move back here?”
Now it was Hunter’s time to scoff. “Don’t treat me like a child, Dad. I’m the alpha of this pack now.”
“Then act like it. An alpha doesn’t have to hold his feelings in. You have a support system. Use it. You can be strong for the packbut still utilize those around you. From now on, you make sure you tell me what’s going on, or I promise I will move right back into the pack house and hover over your shoulder.”
Hunter shook his head and chuckled. “Alright, Dad. I get it. But remember, I’m the alpha here, not you. You’re the fairy king now.”
