Lessons in Love

Chapter 39: Strength and Conviction

POV: Beta Ben Westlake

I would have stood there all day holding her, had that been an option. Now, more than ever, ending my father’s reign seemed the most important use of my time. That moment, when she touched my wrist, I felt something so peaceful. It was something I’d felt before, and yet it was unfamiliar at the same time. It had made it impossible to stop crying. The feel of her hands across my back, a part of me that I’d not let anyone touch for years, had felt incredible. My father wouldn’t know to ask for that in the curse. He didn’t know the extent of the damage he’d done.

The swell of strength I felt in her arms, like I was not only capable of bringing my father down, but that I was built for it; it was my destiny or function in life. Maybe he was a divine injustice. Maybe he was why she was gifted to me as my mate. She was incredibly strong and brave, and I needed to be those things for her, too. For the first time since I’d smelled her scent, I felt like I could be.

“Hey,” Rick said as he came up the stairs, meeting me on the third-floor landing outside our offices. “Got a min … hey, what’s wrong? Are you okay? What happened?” I hadn’t had time to wash my face, and I was sure he could tell I’d been crying. I opened my office door and let him in. The door had barely closed, and he was asking if I was okay again.

“I was at Riley’s.” I said. “I went to talk to her.”

“And?” Rick demanded when I paused.

“I think you were right. I think it’s real.” I told him.

“So, why do you look so upset? Does she not think …” he growled.

“No,” I stopped him. “She thinks so too. I told her why I didn’t want her involved in all this. I told her … a lot more than I intended to. I showed her my wrist.” I said with a sigh.

“Are you okay?”

I sat down behind my desk with a mirthless grunt. “Not really, and yes, completely. It was hard and necessary, and I actually feel … lighter, stronger for it.”

Rick took a seat in front of me and smiled. “Sounds like you had a good start to your day.”

“She touched me.” I grinned. “Just on my wrist, and then she hugged me. I felt her hands on my back, like it was nothing. Like the nerves were normal. He couldn’t fake that.” I said firmly.

Rick’s smile got wider. “I’m glad, Ben. This is really good news. And speaking of news, I went upstairs to deliver the personal mail to Marcus’s suite, and the guards are not from Ridgeline. Pack members at Ridgeline smelled cleaner and woodsier, if that makes sense. The two upstairs smell dirtier, like a light B.O. kind of vibe. They smell less of pine and more of … something else. I always confuse poplar and birch, but probably one of those.”

“There’s a lot of birch around Flain River.” I mused.

“And a lot of poplar at Mount Selene.” He grumbled.

“Flain River is closer.” I reminded him.

“Does he know anyone there?” Rick asked.

“I don’t know. Ridgeline makes the most sense, all things considered. Alpha Owen is an asshole. He might be willing to back my father’s play just to watch the outcome. Swoop in and save the day in a way that benefits him and only him.” I raised an eyebrow at Rick. Rick knew what I meant. Owen had always played dirty and bit loose with the rules. He turned wolves Rogue almost weekly, but with his population, he survived fine without them.

“His disciplinary tactics had come into question by the council a while back, right?” Rick asked.

“I think you're right. It would be a matter of the public record if that’s the case. We could look it up.” I said, turning on my laptop.

“You do the paperwork. I’ll go get the patrols set.” He said, standing up.

My office door swung open as my father sauntered in. “Morning gentlemen, I have decided to go back to Ridgeline today.” He announced.

“I’ll get the car, sir.” Rick said, throwing me a curious look.

“That won’t be necessary.” My father said, staring at me.

“I’m happy to accompany you, sir, if you’d prefer.” I managed to say without sounding as pissed off as I felt.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” My father shook his head. “I’ll be taking my own private security.” Two men came through the door and flanked my father. “I’ll be back in time for dinner. Don’t let your mother forget her duties.” He growled at me. I wanted to leap over the desk and rip out his throat.

“Sir, this is unacceptable. As your officers, we should be present to protect you.” Rick spoke up.

“I agree,” I added my descent. “You know this is well outside protocol. If you want to use private security, that’s fine, but I’ll have to go with you to assess them on the job.” I said firmly. Rick’s back straightened at that. He clearly thought he should be the one to go. There was something about the two guards. They were shifty, criminal-looking in some way I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

“Nonsense!” My father bellowed, moving toward my desk. He slammed his fist down and growled low at me. “I am the Alpha, and I make the rules.”

I stood my ground, unflinching. “No, the council made those rules. You, as acting Alpha, do not have the authority to …”

My father took a swing at me, but I knew it was coming and stepped back. He sprawled on my desk with an angry growl. He straightened up and glared at me, that malicious grin of his pulling at his lips. “Perhaps you’d rather I spend the day at home with my mate. The basement always needs cleaning. Or maybe I should visit the schools again. Sit in on one of that b***h’s classes.”

“It’s Wednesday, we all know you’re headed to the pub. Free rounds for your cronies. You wouldn’t want to disappoint them.” I said through gritted teeth.

My father’s men took a step in, but Rick blocked their path. My father was coming around the desk to attack me. I didn’t move. I stood there and waited. He stepped in and threw his fist at me. I deflected it and his second attempt. On his third swing, I grabbed his wrist and pushed aura out at him, slowly and deliberately. “Stop acting like a Rogue.” I sneered at him and gave him a shove back from me.

His eyes were round and for the smallest fraction of a second, I thought I saw fear. My father yelled and dove at me, but Rick got between us.

“Sir, you know what, maybe the best thing to do is let you go about your day. If you really want to go to Ridgeline sir, I think I have a form in my office that will cover us off with the council should anything happen.”

My father shoved Rick hard into my desk and walked toward the two heavily tattooed guards he’d come in with. “Find your paper, Delta Richard. And make it quick.” He growled. Rick straightened up and left me in my office alone. Twenty minutes later, Rick tapped on my door before letting himself in.

“I saw them get in the car and drive away.” Rick said. “I’d like to test a theory.” He pulled his phone out.

His phone rang twice before it was picked up. “Hey Andrew,” Rick greeted him. “Rick Wallis here.”

“Hey Rick, what’s happening?” Andrew replied.

“Alpha George just left here heading for Ridgeline. I didn’t have anything on the docket for him today, I just wanted to make sure you knew he was on his way.”

We heard some paper’s shuffling. “I don’t have anything either.” He said, sounding perplexed. “I’ll confirm with Alpha Tyler, he just walked in.” We heard Andrew ask and Tyler curse.

“Delta Rick,” Tyler’s voice came on the phone. “I have no plans to meet with your Alpha today. Did he say why he was coming here?”

“No, he also refused to take myself or his Beta with him. He’s using two new guys, private security apparently. We’d never met them.” Rick said.

“Do you think he’s in danger?” Tyler asked.

Rick looked at me with a shrug, unsure how to answer that. “No, we just found it odd.” I piped up.

“Beta Benjamin,” Tyler seemed surprised I was there.

“Call me Ben,” I said, trying to sound friendly. “I am a little concerned. Would you mind letting us know that he gets there safely.”

“I can do that.” Tyler said, almost cautiously. There was an awkward pause. “Rick, can I have a private word with you before you go?”

“Anything you have to say can be said to Ben. He knows everything I know.” Rick said simply.

We heard a frustrated sigh. “You and my mother made fast friends at dinner last night. I need to know that her conversations with you will remain private.” He growled a little, knowing that the conversation had already been shared.

“Enough veiled conversation.” I said with sigh. “Alpha Tyler, my father is a monster, and that’s putting it mildly. Whatever he’s offering, it’s safer to turn him down. We have the stone, and we have a witch on her way to assess it. We’ll keep in touch about it, in case it has any impact on you or your pack. In all likelihood it’s for us here in Sapphire Lake.” I said bluntly.

“We don’t know what he really wants with you or your pack, but we know you’re not the one providing his private security. Truthfully, we just want to avoid any unnecessary drama with Ridgeline.” I added.

“Understood.” Tyler responded flatly.

I sighed and raked my hand through my hair. “Please,” I said earnestly. “Watch your back.”

“I will. Thanks.” Tyler said and hung up. I didn’t know if I’d done the right thing, but I had to believe he’d do the right thing.

“Bold choice.” Rick said. “Third one today, by my count.” He smiled and headed out to organize the patrols.