Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer not me.
Author/Note 1: This story is the sequel of Our Dawn 5. For the ones who don't know anything about Our Dawn Series, you can always read Our Dawn 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and Our Dawn Series Specials but if you don't want to bother I have a resume on my profile page. As it would be expected this is a next generation story and as such, it's focused on Jake and Leah's children.
A/Note 2: A huge thank you for everyone who reviewed Our Dawn Series so far.
A/Note 3: I'm not a native English speaker so I'm sorry for my grammar and spelling. Thank you for reading.
Alpha
Book III – The Challenger
William Black
38. Fifty Shades of Anger
Mum always said dad had a terrible sense of opportunity. And in that precise moment I was inclined to agree.
Would it kill him to wait a couple of more hours? I thought angrily. Beside me, Rhea opened her eyes slowly.
Another howl.
It's not my lucky day. I sighed. In less than a minute, Rhea would freak out about two things. One: having a wolf howling outside her house at six o'clock in the morning. Two: having me lying down on her bed, half-naked, with drops of dry blood all over me.
Now that he had successfully woken us up, dad howled a third time, which was his way to tell me to hurry the hell up and meet him in the forest. However I couldn't just get up and leave, especially now that Rhea was also awake.
Awake and freaking out even though I couldn't tell for sure what was bothering her the most: the wolf howling outside or my presence.
"What the hell are you doing here? You weren't here last night! What did you do to me?"
"Calm down! I didn't do anything to you. What do you think I am?" I rolled my eyes. "I told you I'd come here so we could speak."
"And I waited for you."
"I got delayed. When I arrived your window was open so I got inside but since you were asleep I decided not to wake you up and I fell asleep too." I explained.
Rhea jumped out of the bed and put on her robe.
"My mother and Art are in the house too, you know?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. But your door is locked."
"I can't believe you had the nerve to come here and…" Rhea's eyes focused on the dry blood on my chest. "Oh my God… are you hurt?"
I saw a glimpse of concern in her face but she brushed it off almost immediately when she realised that I wasn't injured. The cuts and bruises that Sam had caused had already healed which would make it hard for me to explain why I had all of that blood in me when I didn't have any kind of open wound.
"It's not my blood." I thought that telling her this would suffice for now but I was wrong because Rhea became even more hysteric.
"Did you hurt Art?" She raised her voice.
"Art?" Now I was confused. Did she really think I had killed her fiancé and then take a nap on her bed? I mean I joked about killing him but it was only a joke.
"You didn't… Did you?"
"Of course I didn't." I told her. "It's not Art's blood either."
"Then whose blood is it?"
There was no secret in La Push that Sam and I didn't get along so I opted for the truth this time.
"Sam's."
"Sam Uley?"
"The one and only."
"You attacked Sam Uley?" She asked in disbelief.
"We had a little disagreement. We fought… but we're both still alive."
"Why did you fight?"
"Because Sam's a dick."
I knew it was a poor excuse but I didn't want to tell her the whole story because that would make me lie again.
"You're hiding things from me." She stated. There was no way to hide that.
"Unwillingly."
"I doubt that."
"You know I wouldn't do that on purpose."
"I don't know anything about you." She said leaning against the wall. "Everyone in my family say that your parents hide things from the rest of the community. They say your father has dark secrets and that your mother is… not a good person. And now your brother is in jail and you were shot."
"I was shot because some asshole thought I was Harry."
"Why would anyone want to kill Harrison? He's a good person. He doesn't lie or cheat. He's kind and understanding. He never mocked me or called me a slut at school, he never told me I was ugly and boring. He didn't humiliate me when I went to your house and confessed I liked you."
"I made mistakes and I paying for them." I guess that Rhea wasn't ready to start a relationship with me even if Art was out of our way. I had cut her deeply in the past and, like my mother, she didn't forgive easily. "My brother got recently involved with someone and there's a guy who's jealous."
Rhea remained quiet for a while.
"It's the truth." I insisted. "You can ask anyone. You can ask Harry, if you want to."
"I didn't realise Harry was seeing someone." She whispered.
"You'll meet her soon enough."
With Tom free, I would probably have to bring Season and her family to La Push for a while in order to protect them. It would be safer for everyone and I'd be following Harry's wishes.
"Have you thought about my proposition?" I asked her.
Rhea sighed deeply.
"I wish I could give you a positive answer but I can't. Art's parents are paying for this wedding, for my dress, for our honeymoon and an apartment in Seattle. They're good people and don't deserve to be played for fools."
"You won't be playing them for fools. You'll just following your heart."
"I followed my heart once! And what did I receive in return?"
"But…"
"It doesn't matter if you're sorry. You had your chance and you blew it. Art's my fiancé. I'm going to get married and leave La Push for good. I can't risk calling this wedding off for someone who might hurt me again."
"That's your final answer?"
She took some time to reply, but finally nodded.
"Okay, in that case there's only one more thing I need to know." I announced.
"What?"
"When you left La Push eight years ago, my brother saw you in the drugstore. You bought a pregnancy test. Why?" I was straight to the point.
Rhea glared at me. If looks could kill I'd be dead. When I thought she was going to explode, she surprised me with a sarcastic smile.
"We had unprotected sex, William and I got a little scared. That's why I bought it."
"Did you do it?"
After my brother's words, I needed a confirmation that Rhea hadn't gotten pregnant that night.
"Yes."
"And the results?"
"Inconclusive."
"What do you mean?"
"It was neither blue nor pink. It was purple."
"And what does that mean?"
"Besides the fact that the test wasn't working properly, I have no idea. But since it wasn't pink and my belly didn't grow in the next months, I guess it was negative."
Outside, my father howled again.
"What the hell… We never had wolves this close to our house." Rhea said glancing through the window.
"He'll go way… eventually." I told her. "He's probably calling a pack member."
"It sounds huge."
He is huge and right now he's probably really mad at me. I thought. Let's just say I wasn't looking forward to meeting my father.
"I have to go." I announced. "I know you'll change your mind sooner or later. I only want you to call off the wedding to spare you the trouble to get a divorce later but since you're stubborn, I guess you'll have to learn the hard way."
I jumped out of the window without waiting for her to respond and I felt instantly upset. Part of me wanted Rhea to ask me to stay a little longer and maybe even apologize but the other part was telling me it was better to give her some time.
I wasn't expecting to win Rhea back so easily but she was proving to be more challenging that I had anticipated. The quarrel between our families wasn't helping my case neither was the fact that we both had a relationship going on with other people.
Lex could easily be discarded because we hadn't anything serious going on between us. Even though that could have major consequences regarding my job, I was still convinced that breaking up with her was my only option. But Art was another story. He wasn't just Rhea's boyfriend, he was her fiancé. Their families were expecting a wedding soon.
"What part of 'you can't leave the house' you didn't understand, Will?" My father asked me when I reached the tree line where he was waiting, arms crossed and a scowl on his features. "It's a miracle I don't have white hairs…"
"I was trying to put things right." I defended myself.
"By going to see Harry when we specifically told you not to go? That's how you were putting things right?"
"I felt a moral obligation to go and see him. After all, he's there because of me."
"No, you felt the need to challenge us again!"
Dad was partially right. Sometimes I only did things to piss my parents off. But that wasn't the case today. I had really felt impelled to go and see if my brother was okay. After all we had been four days apart.
"It's a good thing I told Sam to follow you."
"I don't need a babysitter." I stated.
"And I don't need more trouble with the police." He insisted.
I rolled my eyes.
"Was Harry okay?" He asked. His voice was now less harsh. Dad was as worried about Harry as I was.
"He's hanging on."
"He'll be out soon. Alice is working on it." He paused. "Anyways you should've stayed home. If people see you outside they'll wonder what really happened to you. Let me remind you that you are supposed to be recovering from a gunshot."
"I know! But I was in wolf form, no one saw me."
"I expect you to mature and take things more seriously from now on, Will."
"I'm getting there, dad. Honestly."
"Really? How about we talk about something else now. Like Sam for example."
Great. I thought miserably. He already knew what had happened. It was not a surprise but that was something I also didn't want to talk about right now.
"What about Sam?" I feigned surprise.
"Don't get me that crap, William. I know about you and Sam."
"So what?"
"I want you to tell me exactly what happened."
"Sam's an idiot. That's what happened."
"You fought with him."
"So did you."
"That was a long time ago and I had my reasons."
"And what reasons were those?"
"You already know that."
"You wanted him away from mum."
"Yes, I did." He confessed. "But we figured out our differences. I was expecting you to do the same."
"I'm not you." I stated. "Sam and I will never be best buddies. I respect him as my senior wolf, but that's all."
"Dad raised his eyebrows."
"Okay… I try to respect him… most of the times… a few times…"
"Almost never." He cut me off.
"Fine. I don't respect him that much." I admitted. "But I hardly respect anyone, so what's the big deal?"
"Why did you fight?"
"Because… he has a problem and he can't deal with it."
"What problem?"
"It's related to Ella. It's not my place to tell you about Sam's problems. Ask him."
"This situation with Sam has to stop. It can't happen again, alright?"
"Absolutely."
"Good. Now let's go home, I have someone waiting for us."
"Wait a sec, dad. I think now it's my turn."
Dad watched me questioningly.
"When were you going to tell me that Isaac was promoted?"
He sighed heavily.
"Isaac wasn't promoted."
"He's not an alpha wolf?"
"Yes, he is. But he's not this pack's alpha."
"It still sounds like a promotion to me."
"If I step down as alpha, our pack will still need a new leader."
"And you want me to believe that you're going to choose me?"
"If you give me proof that you can be trusted, yes. I will choose you to replace me."
"What about Harry? With Quinn here, he won't have a pack to lead in the Makah Reservation. And he's your first-born."
"Things are a mess, I know… but we'll figure it out. It's just that first we need to ensure two things: our people's safety and Harry's release from jail."
"What's going to happen to Isaac's new pack?"
"Nothing… at least for now. But I need your help."
"Doing what?"
"I need you to go to Neilton. It's near the Quinault Indian Reservation. They've just informed us of a huge amount of dead animals in the area. I want you to investigate because there's a possibility that the vampire that was here watching the White's house is the same vampire that went there."
"Do I have authorisation to kill the damn thing?"
"If the leech attacks you, yes. Otherwise, you try to find who he or she is and call the Cullens. Was I clear?"
"Crystal clear, boss."
Dad affectionately slapped me in the back of my head as we headed home.
xxxxxxxxxx
Worse than getting lectured by my parents, was getting advice from none other than Uncle Paul. Uncle Paul is the kind of guy you turn to when you have problems fixing something in your house or when you need a ride somewhere or even when you're upset and just need a sparring partner.
He isn't the kind of guy to get advice from. Mainly because he never followed anyone's advice. Ever.
"I feel like I was fucking left behind." He complained. "This mission is bullshit. Your father's an ass!"
"I've been telling that for years, Uncle Paul. But no one believes me." I joked. But in fact, I thought that my father was playing a pretty good card. By sending Uncle Paul on a mission to the south, he was also making sure that no more confrontations with EJ happened. As for me, I guess he wanted me as far as possible from Tom Harding.
We were walking amongst the trees not far away from the US route 101 between Quinault and Neilton. We had decided to walk as humans for the last couple of miles of the way so we could have a meal that consisted in a few sandwiches Aunt Rachel had prepared for us.
"I thought you'd be more pissed." Uncle Paul said finishing his second tuna sandwich. "You know about your little brother becoming an alpha before you."
"Isaac's my brother." I shrugged. I did feel a bit jealous but for now I wasn't going to think about that too much.
"He's younger than you and he's an alpha already." Uncle Paul pressed on trying to get a reaction from me.
"I wouldn't want to be the alpha of his pack." I replied.
And it was true. Danny was alright but EJ and Jay Morris were pricks. EJ was self-centred and an incorrigible troublemaker while Jay was a gloomy and bitter guy who had groped and kissed my sister too many times for my liking. They were not the kind of wolves I'd like to have in my own pack.
"But you want to be an alpha, don't you?"
"I will be an alpha." I pressed the word 'will'. "When the time comes."
"Are you becoming softer, William?"
I rolled my eyes.
"I've got too many problems to solve right now."
"Yeah… so I've heard." Uncle Paul commented casually, unwrapping another sandwich. "You want to talk about it?"
"No."
"But I do." He smiled devilishly. "So… you fought with Sam."
"I did."
"It was a bold move."
"Sam knows how to upset me."
"You have a short fuse… we all know about it. Sam just took advantage of that fact."
"He blames me for Ella's departure from La Push."
"You did drive her away." Uncle Paul agreed.
"I did what I felt it was right at the moment. I was angry. She should've thanked us. Harry almost died protecting her."
"You're still angry."
"Maybe…" I admitted unwillingly.
"As it is expected of you. You're Leah's son after all. You just don't kiss and make up."
"I'll take that as I compliment."
"But it's not." He laughed. "It's not funny when you inherit the worst features of your progenitors."
"That's why you're so worried about EJ, isn't it? Because he inherited your worst traits, didn't he?" I joked. EJ was Uncle Paul's biggest headache at the moment. "I don't even know how you and Aunt Rachel had the courage to have two more kids after EJ."
"Well… EJ wanted a baby brother and then Rach wanted to try and have a girl." He sighed.
We walked a few yards without speaking.
"So, have you made any progress with the White girl?" He asked. "You know… the one you claimed."
"If by progress you mean if I managed to tell her the truth and get her to call off her wedding then the answer is no."
"Actually I was talking about sex."
"That's very funny, Uncle Paul. I can't stop laughing." I stated darkly.
"You know sex's the answer, don't you?" He asked matter-of-factly.
"Not in this case."
"In all cases, kid." He insisted. "Sex's always the answer. Give her a taste of what she's been missing and she'll be in the palm of your hand before you can say chipmunk."
"She's engaged."
"That never stopped anyone and I doubt it would stop you."
He was right. It wouldn't stop me but sleeping with her right now could turn Rhea against me for good. And it would make me the biggest hypocrite alive because I also had a girlfriend.
"I want to wait until I tell her the truth about the pack."
"That's not wise. You should sleep with her first and tell her afterwards."
I knew for a fact that if Harry was there with me he would tell me that this was a very bad idea.
"Even if we sleep together again, that doesn't mean she's going to take me as her boyfriend. She has a fiancé, I have a girlfriend and our families hate each other's guts."
"Sounds like three very good motives to start a relationship and have a kid."
I stopped walking.
Was he kidding me? I thought that sleeping with Rhea was a bad idea and he was suggesting I should have a child with her. The guy was insane.
"Are you on drugs?" I asked.
"No."
"It looks like you are."
"A kid would solve everything. She would have to cancel her wedding, your girlfriend would definitely dump you, the Whites would force you two to marry and your mother would have a fit. Perfect!" Uncle Paul smiled brightly. "If you need instructions about positions to conceive, I'm a pro."
"You're definitely on drugs." I said shaking my head.
"You know that stupid ideas are always the best ones, right?"
It's going to be a very long morning. I thought miserably trying not to pay attention to what Uncle Paul was saying about a porn movie he had seen recently.
xxxxxxxxxx
By then Uncle Paul should already had informed my father thatNeilton was a complete fiasco just like we had anticipated. In the end we were unable to connect the dead animals found deep in the forest in Neilton with the ones found a couple of yards outside Rhea's house.
There were similarities in the type of animals we found but that was normal since the local fauna was pretty much the same in both places. It was easy to determine that those animals had definitely been killed by a leech, maybe a week ago, but this vampire had buried all of the carcasses in one single place while in La Push the animals had been buried separately.
We spoke to some locals too but no one had seen or heard anything out of the ordinary. That was why the police was going to file the case without a proper investigation. They were convinced this was just an isolated case of a ritual.
"Anger management classes." I heard my mum saying on the phone when I arrived home four hours after having left to Neilton. She was on the kitchen putting away the groceries. "Stop yelling at me Rachel, your house will be fixed in a few days and everything will be okay."
On the other side of the line, Aunt Rachel was not yet convinced.
"No, it's not going to be okay! My boys are wolves!"
"You knew Paul was a wolf when you married him and you knew your children would carry the wolf gene so stop playing the victim. Your boys phased… just deal with it!"
"But…"
"I've to go now. I'll talk to you tonight."
Mum turned off the phone as I walked inside the kitchen.
"What happened to Aunt Rachel's house?" I asked, sitting down on a chair and pouring some orange juice in a glass.
"EJ and Danny happened." She sighed. "They destroyed the whole living room. Your father and the others are trying to fix it but it will take a few days."
"Is anyone hurt?"
"Fortunately, no. Deb was at school and we managed to take Rachel and Billy outside before they could phase."
"Why did they phase?"
"Your cousins are confused and angry. At least EJ is. Danny's trying to adapt, I think he phased to protect his mother."
"I actually thought it would be the other way around. I thought EJ would be happy to finally be a part of something and Danny would be the one freaking out." I said.
"People are unpredictable sometimes. When you phased I never thought you'd throw a fit just because your dad and I would have access to your thoughts."
"I wasn't bothered about that. I was bothered that my privacy would be compromised. And talking about privacy… You had no right to talk to Rhea."
Mum's gaze was now fixed on me. I could see the sparks in her brown eyes, probably matching mine.
"I needed to evaluate the situation for myself. Plus I wanted to know the girl a bit better."
"You want Rhea to reject my claim." I accused.
"I want you to be free to choose. In a way a claim is pretty much like an imprint only it turns everything more physical."
"You were claimed too. And that doesn't seem to bother you at all, so why is it that my claim on her pisses you off so much?"
"I love your father. I was in love with him before he claimed me. You and this girl have nothing in common except for a one-night stand. You don't have a solid relationship like I had with Jacob."
"So this has nothing to do about her family?"
Mum knew better than lie to my face.
"Maybe…" she admitted. "I confess that I'm not thrilled about the idea of having a White in the family but you have to understand that if you get together a lot of things will have to change."
"Why?"
"Because the Council doesn't allow people to know the truth about us and Rhea may not be able to keep our secret. She's a White after all. She'll feel… impelled to give them something they can turn against us."
"Come on…"
"William… I believe that despite your feelings for this girl, you should let her go. She's going to get married and I'm sure there's someone better for you out there. You were too young when you claimed her, you probably just did it on instinct."
"Still… that doesn't give you the right to interfere in my private life. I'm twenty-five years old. I don't need you or dad to tell me how to live my life."
"I'm your mother. I'll always want what's best for you."
"In that case, leave Rhea alone. I don't want you to talk to her again."
"Why are you so angry? I only spoke to her for like five minutes."
"You told her I'm dating other girls."
"It's not a lie. You're dating that other girl from Seattle."
"I broke up with her when I returned to La Push."
"That's not what it looks like. Isn't she coming here in a few days to meet us?"
"It's a misunderstanding. I'm going to solve that."
"I see… So you decided you want to pursue Rhea White, is that it?"
"Either I pursue her or not, it's my life, my decision. Okay?"
Mum shrugged dismissively which meant that she was abandoning this argument but not the battle. And so far I had never won a battle against my mother.
"One day, when you have your own kids, you'll understand why it is so hard to agree with their decisions because there will be times that you'll know for sure that they're making mistakes and this is one of those times."
"Stop being so overdramatic, I'm…"
I never got to finish my sentence because in that moment we heard dad arriving. He burst through the back door and placed a gun on the table. Mum and I looked at him unable to hide our surprise.
"What's that?" Mum asked.
"A gun." Dad barked. "That idiot was armed!"
"Who was armed?" Mum insisted.
"EJ." He took the gun from the table and started to unload it. "EJ makes Paul look like a choirboy. He's completely out of control!"
"I thought he had submitted to Isaac." I recalled.
"His wolf did but his human part didn't. And his human part is now in control."
"And what was he going to do with the gun?"
"I don't know but I think Paul and I were his targets. I put him sleeping and I ordered Isaac to be close by just in case he needs to be alpha commanded. However I don't know if that will work. It seems that this new generation of wolves can easily fight against alpha commands." Dad explained. "Rachel is freaking out. She and Deb are going to stay with my father for a while. Paul's going to stay home and the boys are going to the Vacant House. I think it's better if Jay and Isaac stay there too."
My mother nodded in agreement. "Without supervision?" She asked.
"William will keep an eye on them."
"What? Me? Why?"
"Didn't you want a promotion?" Dad enquired.
"And you are promoting me to what? The pack's official babysitter? Isn't that Sam's job?"
Ever since Uncle Seth had been appointed beta of our pack, Sam had taken the gamma position as an advisor and keeper of the order within the group. He did not have the ability to oblige the pack members anymore but his leading skills were respected and because he was the oldest wolf in the pack, his word still had some influence.
"Sam's busy and this way you can practice your leading skills."
"I'm not his alpha. I can't make him do anything. I can't order him around."
"Well, then let me give you your first advice. A leader doesn't rule by ordering his pack around. He leads by treating everyone the same with justice and honour."
I rolled my eyes.
"Where did you read that? In a fortune cookie?"
"Can you please go and try to talk some sense into your cousin's thick head?" Dad asked.
"Fine… I'll go. I don't have anything else to do anyways."
"Good. And make sure he doesn't ruin the Vacant House too."
xxxxxxxxxx
How could a shitty day turn even worse? Just follow your old man's orders, go to a huge house now occupied by four idiots, and try to have a conversation with a cousin that hates you and doesn't speak to you for years.
And voilá! Welcome to Hell!
When mum told me that EJ was confused and angry, she was being optimistic. EJ wasn't confused and angry, EJ was acting like a fucking maniac and seeing me only fuelled his anger even more.
It had been a long time since EJ had actually spoken to me. When we were together in family gatherings he would only speak to me and Harry if it was absolutely necessary. So I had no idea what to tell him to diminish his rage.
"You and your brother knew about this all along and never told me!" EJ exploded a few minutes after I arrived.
"First of all, we weren't allowed. And second, you wouldn't believe us."
"Even Ella knows, for crying out loud!"
"Ella saw us phasing. We couldn't just deny it after that."
"I deserved to be told the truth! Do you honestly think that hiding this shit from us is actually the best way to deal with it?"
"I guess we all thought there wouldn't be anyone else phasing."
"Then I guess you were wrong."
He was right in a way but I wasn't going to admit that.
"I know it's not going to be easy to understand but you have to make an effort and let us help you."
"I don't have to do anything! I never asked for this!"
"Well that's too bad, because now you're stuck with us!" I replied harshly. "You're a protector and you'll do what your alpha tells you to do!"
EJ was starting to get on my nerves. I could understand the shock, the anger and the confusion he was feeling but I didn't understand the insubordination.
"I don't want to protect anyone! I don't fucking care about all that vampire crap and I'm certainly not going to be bossed around by my fucking seventeen-year old cousin!"
To be a shapeshifter wasn't just a question of killing off vampires and keeping our people safe. It was also a question of assimilating two different natures in the same body: one human and the other animal.
Normally after a while both halves found a comfortable balance between them, even though there were occasions in which our wolf part took control of our actions. The opposite situation was extremely uncommon but coming from EJ we could expect anything and that was why his wolf had submitted to my brother but his human side was as rebellious as ever.
"Then what is it that you want EJ?" I raised my voice.
"I want to get the fuck out of here! I want to leave this stupid place!"
"You wrecked your house, you dumbass! You don't have a place to go!"
"I meant La Push! I want to get out of this reservation for good!"
Well that was never going to happen. Harry and I were allowed to leave La Push because we had perfect control over our phasing ability. But recent and explosive wolves like EJ had zero chances of leaving La Push because they could lose control at any time.
"Though luck! You're in this as much as I am. You're stuck here just like everyone else! You're in Isaac's pack and that means you have to stay no matter what you want!"
"Fuck you, fuck Isaac, and fuck the pack! I won't stay here playing heroes with a bunch of liars and freaks!"
An alpha command would certainly put EJ in his place, but Isaac would never accept doing that. To antagonize our cousin now would damage their relationship forever and Isaac wouldn't want to risk that. This left me only one other option.
"Get out of my way Will." EJ demanded when I blocked the door.
Dad had sent me to put some sense into my cousin's thick skull and that was precisely what I was going to do even if that meant hurting him a little.
"If you want to leave, you're going to have to pass through me."
"I don't understand." He said. "You pushed me away when we were kids and now you want me to stick around and be a part of your fucking homo club!"
"We didn't push you away on purpose. And we tried to be your friends again… you're the one who pushed us away!"
"Hypocrite!" He hissed.
"Asshole!" I shot back.
"If you don't get out of my way, I'll knock you down!"
"Feel free to try." I challenge, pushing him against the wall.
And that's how the fight began.
Surprisingly I was able to connect with my cousin's thoughts. This was extremely unusual because we belonged to different packs and even dad could only communicate via thoughts with his pack mates or alphas from other packs.
I didn't have much time to think about that though. EJ was a ticking bomb and as soon as we phased, destroying the whole entrance hall of the Vacant House in the process, he launched at me, ready to make as much damages as he could.
Anger was a powerful feeling. We all experienced it once in a while. Our volatile nature was, of course, responsible for many arguments and fights between members of the pack, but I had rarely felt someone as angry as EJ.
His resentment towards Harry and me was understandable. It hadn't been easy for him to deal with our sudden detachment. He felt betrayed and alone, a bit like Isaac in the past. Maybe that was the reason why EJ's wolf had submitted to my brother. Or maybe his wolf simply didn't want to belong to the same pack his father belonged to.
Like I had anticipated, EJ was powerful for a new wolf. He was bigger than Isaac and Jay but still smaller than Harry and me. His grey-coloured fur was longer than most wolves because EJ had long hair that he used to wear in a braid, like our ancestors.
His anger fuelled his strength. There was a lot of repressed feelings in his thoughts which made him a lot more dangerous than he was supposed to be.
He shouted names at me. Accused me of being ungrateful, selfish, a liar and my father's lackey. I managed to push him outside and despite his size and his powerful blows, I was able to block most of his attacks.
Soon we had an audience. Isaac, Danny and Jay heard the commotion downstairs and had come to see what was happening, and there were two wolves patrolling. Jared and Quil had been ordered not to leave patrol so they decided not to get involved. Besides they knew this was personal.
It was impossible to reason with EJ. He was truly his father's son. As his frustration grew his attacks turned more random and less effective. So far I had focused on dodging his blows mostly because I didn't want to hurt EJ however he gave me no option.
I was bigger, faster and had more experience fighting so it wasn't hard to knock him out once I put a real effort in the fight.
William Black 1, EJ Lahote 0. My ego spoke louder.
Showing off is not going to give you extra points with him. Jared said joining in my thoughts.
On the contrary, I think he's going to be even angrier when he wakes up. Quil added.
What was I supposed to do? Let him rip my throat like he threatened?
You should've made him turn back to human and talk things through. Jared suggested.
He refused to hear me out, Jared! Why do you think I phased?
You hurt his ego. You humiliated him. That's something he's not going to forget. You'll have to work really hard to rebuild your friendship with EJ. Jared advised me.
And talking about rebuilding… The Vacant House needs repairs. Quil pointed out. And you better hurry because Jake won't be happy if he sees the house like that.
Karma 1, William Black 0.
God, I hate karma.
Thanks for the reviews: Guest(s), CentaurPrincess, brankel1, MelkiSihou, Island Mama, Weave the Magic, Kary G, almondbutter, rocklesson86, TheSlytherinQueenbee, nikkie owens, nene82743, Deadman'sGun, bonzgirl, Jazzmatazz30, sia-gomo01, FangsandDaggers, Sagal Farah, chemistrykim, Daughter of the earth, Gizmo60, Evangella Akriti, Sarah Blackwater, lory77.
I'd also like to thank all the followers of this story and all the readers who added it to their favourites list. Thank you.
I don't like this chapter much but I'll try to do better in the next one.
Sarah Blackwater - Obrigada pelo apoio, vou tentar juntar os irmãos Black mais vezes. A Sarah por enquanto vai continuar sem saber a verdade, mas quando descobrir, irei com certeza focar-me nos seus sentimentos. Quanto ao Will, não prometo nada porque não sei bem como é que a relação dele e da Rhea se irá desenrolar. Mas veremos... Beijinhos
Take care, Karisan