Damn Seth Volk.
Chapter26
Seth fought the very real urge to lunge across the desk and punch his father in the nose. “I mated her, and I’m keeping her.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “That woman has no intention of being kept, and you damn well know it. You mated her to save her…because you love her. That green-eyed human grabbed your heart, and you’re never getting it back.” He smiled. “She’s a gutsy one, she is.”
Seth swallowed and leaned back in his chair. “It sounds like you admire her.”
Ben shrugged. “I do. She’s feisty, fragile, and female. I like her. She reminds me of your mother.”
The world had just stopped spinning. “I’m confused.”
Amusement lifted Ben’s lip. “Get used to it.”
Erik cleared his throat from his position by the mantel in the study. “So, uh, what’s the plan now?”
Ben lost his smile. “Now we have an even bigger problem than before.” His eyes darkened with sobriety. “Most of our people will want your head on a spike because you mated a human. Your mother’s people won’t like it, and I’ve always been concerned they’ll come after you so you can never challenge their current Alpha.”
Seth’s head jerked back. “You’re concerned?”
“Of course.” Ben narrowed his eyes. “You might be the most stubborn son of a bitch alive, but you’re my damn son. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Seth’s mouth opened, but no sound emerged. He slid suddenly sweaty palms down his jean-clad legs. “I don’t understand. You know Erik needs to be Alpha, and there’s only one way for that to happen.”
Ben slowly nodded. “I know. Our people will only accept him. But I thought we’d have some time to figure out where you could go—somewhere safe. Now, I have to figure out where both you and Mia can go that’s safe.” Despair lived in his frown. “So far, I have no solution.”
If Ben had turned green and said he hailed from Mars, Seth would’ve been less surprised. “You’re not my father.”
“Yes, I am. I adopted you, and you’re mine.” Ben shook his head. “Damn stubborn boy.”
Denial fought with hope in Seth’s chest. “You only adopted me because my mother insisted upon it.”
Ben grimaced. “I know. That’s true. But within a week of you living here, you became my son. I meant it, and I’m proud of you. You’re mine, Seth. Period.”
The shock at the words wasn’t nearly as strong as the shock coursing through Seth at how much he needed to hear the words. “I, ah, thanks.” Memories rushed into his brain, so many, so fast. The hours Ben had spent teaching him to fight. To drive. To play sports. The pride in the old man’s eyes when he succeeded.
Ben really did care.
Thankswas a stupid thing to say. “I mean, I, uh, love you, too.”
Erik chuckled. “You two are just freaking fantastic with the mushy words.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “Spare me from know-it-alls.”
Seth rubbed the scruff on his chin. “I think I’ve been out of it lately.”
Benjamin’s gaze softened. “It’s the Alpha blood in you wanting to come to the surface. You’ve both kept amazing control of yourselves.”
Seth rolled his neck. “Thanks.”
Benjamin nodded. “You’re just lucky I’m healthy, and our opponents won’t be throwing you two jackasses in an arena to fight it out for Alpha quite yet.”
Seth needed to find a safe place for Mia, so that never happened.
Erik turned on him, all amusement gone. “I think it’s time you told me what you were doing with Ruby, Seth.”
Ben reached for a cigar. “Yes. It’s time to clear the air.”
