The Alphas Hidden Mate

Crace's POV (part 2)

What is with you? I asked my wolf, Seiko. He was even more restless than before. I thought that after finally talking to Serena, he might have settled. I don't even know why I thought that but it didn't matter because I was wrong. Not only was he even more restless, but he was whining and whimpering like a lost puppy. Seiko was a warrior, and I have never seen him act like this before. Seiko didn't reply to me, he just pawed the ground and whimpered some more. I sighed and rubbed my face.

I did not expect the afternoon to go like that. I thought she would have seen me outside, but she was so zoned out. Despite how little we had talked, I learned so much about her today. I also learned so much about my territory. I had absolutely no idea the creatures and wonders that existed within the forest. It was spectacular. 

Where are you? A voice said within my mind. It was Gabriella. I knew she would see me tonight being that Serena lives behind her house. I thought I saw you by the house. You didn't want to come see me? She purred inside my mind. 

Not tonight I linked back. I finally made it back to my manor. Most of the Beta's, Gammas, Omegas and their mates lived in the manor. Along with the staff and a few other people. I could practically hear the pout on Gabriella's face. 

Then why were you at my house? She asked me. I felt compelled to hide the truth from her. 

I went for a run  I answered simply before throwing up the mental block towards her. I was not in the mood to answer anymore questions from her. I entered the manor and I was greeted by my father standing at the bottom of the stairwell, looking displeased. 

I ignored him. I went to go straight past him and head to the office to tie up any lose ends for the night. My father grabbed my arm though and stopped me. His grip was firm and strong. I could feel the residual Alpha radiating off him as he held my arm. I looked at him. 

"Where do you think you're going?" He boomed. I shook his arm off me. I matched his Alpha stare with my own, staring him down. He didn't submit. I may be Alpha now but he was still my father, he held the authority when it came to the family. 

"I'm going to finish up some office work before retiring for the night." I informed him. I tried, once again, to go past him but he moved to stand my way. 

"Finishing would imply starting. Something you haven't done today, because you haven't been here since 10am" He said, glaring at me. I sighed, frustrated. "So I'll ask you; where were you?" Why did everyone want to know where I was today? 

"I was out. Not that it's any of your business" I told him. I went past him and walked up the stairs. I heard his heavy footsteps following me.

"It is my business if you're going to ignore your Alpha duties and go gallivanting about town" He said. He caught up to me in no time which was more annoying then surprising. 

"Gallivanting? Who says that? 70 year olds" I muttered under my breath. I entered my office and sat behind my mahogany desk. My father stood in the doorway. "Well, are you gonna take a seat, father? Or are you going to linger like a bad smell?" I asked him.

"Don't change the subject, son" He said, but he did take a seat. He seemed slightly uncomfortable. Despite him handing over the title a few years ago, it still was taking time for him to adjust to not being an Alpha, not used to being the one in front in the desk and not behind it.

"Look, I took a break today. I explored the territory a little." I said. I started to go through the memos of the day. Nothing interesting had happened while I was gone.

"You took a break?!" He said, incredulous. "Son, you don't simply 'take a break' from being an Alpha. It's a full time job and requires you to be alert and active every second of the day. You don't take a break to go walking around town. I thought I trained you better than this" He chastised me. My head started to hurt a little. My old man was getting on my last nerve.

"Fine, then call it patrol or something. I was scouting the lands." I said, throwing the memos in the bin in annoyance.

"You have men for that, warriors exactly for that purpose. They are trained for it so you don't have to do it" He said, his posture was rigid and tense. I took a steadying breath, trying not to lose control at my father. Seiko was growling too.

How dare he question us?! Seiko said in my mind.

Look whose finally talking I said back. Care to give me some answers about the last week and a half? I asked him. He ignored me, again and went back to growling.

"Okay, Father. I get it. I understand. You must remember, though, that I am now the Alpha. You do not get to tell me what I can or cannot do with my time as an Alpha." I told him, levelly. I stood up now and gripped the desk in anger. My father stood too, matching my anger with his own.

"And you must understand that I will not allow the Alpha of this pack to fall behind in his duties and neglect the pack!" He said, voice rising. Seikos fur bristled and he snarled. 

"I am not falling behind in my duties nor am I neglecting my pack! I am no longer your little boy that needs to account for my actions! I am the Alpha now, you gave up your title to ME, and you need to get used to it! So you either mind your own damn business or you can leave the pack with your tail tucked in between your legs for disobeying YOUR ALPHA" I roared at him, using the full power of Alpha in my voice. My fathers eyes widened in shock. "I am the Alpha now, not you! You will learn to respect me or you will leave!" I stared him down and eventually, he sunk to his knees. "Do you understand me!?" 

"Yes, Alpha" He said, looking at the floor. My nostrils flared as I tried to get my temper under control. I calmed Seiko down first and then I took a couple of calming breaths.

"Good. Now leave me" I said, sitting back down. He got up and went to leave. He stopped at the door for a second and gripped the handle.

"I only want what is best for the pack" He said, quietly. I didn't deem that with a response and went back to the paperwork on my desk. He left, closing the door behind him. I groaned and put my head in my hands. I had so much to wrap my head around tonight and what happened with my father was just the cherry on top. 

Seiko, what is going on buddy? I asked him. He just whimpered a little. Being mateless was especially hard on him. Still, I have never seem him act like this. I sighed. In the span of two weeks, things have gotten so strange. And I had no idea why.