“Son!”
I almost smile as the familiar bark of sound comes through loud and clear.
“When are you coming home?”
It’s not that I’ve been putting this conversation off; it’s just that it hasn’t been important. Somewhere between stepping into Sunshine Cove and this moment, I seemed to have stopped caring what he wants.
“I’m not coming back.” I can’t bear to call the place home. It wasn’t. It was a place with pressure and expectations and this constant demand that I be socially acceptable and that I could never meet the standards.
“You’re not…but the five-year plan!” My father says, outraged. “What about your five-year plan?”
“Father, I don’t really like the five-year plan. It doesn’t work for me. I have a new plan and a new life.”
“Doing what?” he roars.
“Well, I have a pack and an omega and a town full of people I love, and I don’t think it matters what I end up doing, as long as I’m happy.”
He continues ranting, but I just smile, listening to him rage. After letting him go for five minutes, I cut into his tirade.
“Hey, Father? I have to go, the bacon’s burning.”
“No, wait, we’re not through speaking about this.”
“Dad, it will be fine. I’m happy, let me be happy. I’m never going to be the son you wanted. But I can be the alpha I dreamed of.”
I hang up, and before I can turn around, Katsu presses into my back, hugging me hard.
“I’m so proud of you.”
I pat his arms and then struggle free, only to find Sebastian barefoot and shirtless, padding around the kitchen, dishing up my bacon and eggs. As soon as I turn a corner, she’s there, staring at me. Her hair is a mess, her eyes are big and wary, and she looks adorable in her pink slippers and an oversized fluffy dressing gown.
“Are you okay?”
Of course, she would ask. “I am. I’m perfect.”
She visibly relaxes, but I know why. Today is the day. Today is bonding day. We’ve chosen it specifically, and nothing is going to go wrong.
“Hungry?” I murmur.
She smiles. “I could have a bite.”
Everything is going wrong.
I want to yank out my hair and scream, but that would be a waste of time. I huff in pure frustration as I watch the Sunshine Omegas, consisting of Asher, Felix, and Sofia, drag Cordelia out of our house and down to some secret, urgent meeting.
“Well, our plans have been thwarted. Any ideas now?” I ask Sebastian and Katsu.
“Don’t worry, I’m on it,” Sebastian says and lifts his phone up close to his face. “Mum, the Sunshine omegas just took Cordelia.”
“And I’m supposed to care why?” she says with a distinct lack of interest.
“Well, today was going to be our bonding day-”
“Don’t you worry, Son, I will have your omega back to you within an hour.”
The phone clicks off, and Sebastian gives Katsu and myself a smug smile
Julia shrieks from her house.
