The Alphas Hidden Mate

Chapter 6; Never Enough

Crace had to leave not long afterwards but he left his bag behind; a promise that he would come back. He just had to take care of some office work for a while. He kissed me goodbye and left. The mate bond ached with his distance but I pushed through the pain. I checked the time and saw that it was getting close to the time I had to start work. I was really looking forward to it today. The day often flies quickly when I'm preoccupied with cooking. That meant that soon I would be able to see Crace once more, and we would be able to have our picnic in the forest.

I dried my hair as much as I could before putting it in a bun, changed into my work clothes, grabbed my wireless earphones and belongings and went to leave. I made sure that I left the back door unlocked for Crace, and locked the front door behind me. This was already one of the best days of my life.

CRACES POV

It was hard to leave Serena today. Our moment in the shower just strengthened our bond and it made it even harder to walk away. I left my bag there as I planned on staying the night at hers. Honestly, I preferred the cottage to my estate anyway. The estate felt...cold. Sure, it was big so it could house all the wolves of important lineage, but I hated how big it is. It was so easy to get lost. The cottage was just big enough to house one, maybe two, people. It was a much more comfortable home and it had everything you needed. I couldn't wait to get back. Hopefully, I wasn't needed for that long today at the office.

I made it to the estate in no time and Seiko whimpered at being so far away from his mate. I honestly felt it too. I entered the mansion and went up the stairs, taking it two steps at a time. I made it to the office and was met with my father, Archer and his dad. I had called this meeting so seeing them wasn't surprising. Dad did not look pleased - when was he ever pleased? He was really starting to get on my nerves. Father or not, he had to learn some things. 

I sat behind the desk and motioned the others to take a set. They all did, except - yep, you guessed it - daddy dearest. I sighed. Ever the arrogant bastard. I ignored him and looked at Archer.

"Report" I said, simply. I started to go though the notes on my desk.

"Not much to report this week. Just a few financial aspects that need to be talked about. The pack is slowly getting bigger so we will need to build a few more houses in the area. We will also need to create some more businesses of some variety." Archer informed me, going through his own notes.

"Mmhmm. Easy. How about the training?" I asked.

"Things are going very well there. We have seen some great progress. I've actually decided to move some beginners to intermediate. Well...one person so far, actually." Archer said. I raised a brow at him, pretending to be curious.

"Oh really? Who?" I asked, looking up from my papers.

"Serena Hastings." He said. 

"That's a good choice, son. Her parents were the best warriors in our pack, so I'm not surprised you made that decision." His father said, proudly. 

"You may not be surprised, Robert, but I am. I'm surprised how such a lowly wolf could possess the talent to be able to advance." My father scoffed. I looked at him, sharply.

"Dad..." I warned him. He ignored me. 

"Her parents were 'lowly wolves' too, Jared. "They held no title, yet they also advanced each training group they were in and exceeded everyone's expectations. Now, that may have been surprising then, but it served us well. Serena, though, should not come as a surprise. She is their daughter so, naturally, the talents were passed on. For you to say it is surprising is...should I say...surprising" Robert said, calmly. 

"Robert, you don't think it's the least bit strange how such wolves could possess the talents that only those with powerful blood could? You're not the slightest bit intrigued?" My father challenged him. I put my head in my hands. I should have requested he not attend the meeting. He was becoming more and more arrogant with age - especially since giving up his title. 

"Of course I am intrigued. However, you are the one that investigated and found nothing. You also still put your trust in them and made them your front line warriors. So you need to move on like the rest of us. Don't tarnish their memory - especially for their daughter. Let them be remembered for who they were. The best warriors of our pack and heroes. They saved our pack from those rogues!" Robert explained to  my father. My father glared at Robert but Robert didn't back down. They stared at each other for a few minutes and Archer and I shared a look. It was always like this between them. 

Finally, my father looked away. "Do what you want. Just know this, I do not approve of this decision and I do not like the Hastings."

I had had enough of this. I stood up again. "Good. It's not your decision anymore. It's Archer's decision now. He is the new Beta of the pack, just like I am the new Alpha. For the last time, Father, if you can not learn to get used to it, you can leave. It's as simple as that." I snapped at him.

"Do NOT disrespect me, boy! I may not be Alpha anymore, but I am still your father! You will not take that tone with me!" He roared. Seiko growled in my mind. Oh, he was ready to pounce. I reeled him back, trying to calm him. I would not let him out right now. 

"You are my father, but when it comes to pack matters, I am the authority here. Your opinions and thoughts matter but I make the ruling decision. So whether or not you like Serena, Archer has made the decision to move her up and I approve of that decision. I have been training in the same group and what I have seen is that she has become more advanced than those in her group. So sit down and shut up or leave." I roared back. Archer and Robert watched us, cautiously. Father's eyes darkened and I could see his wolf fighting to emerge. Robert slowly stood up and walked over to him. He carefully placed a hand on him.

"Jared, you know better than this. Remember when you were an Alpha and your father was the same?" He said, quietly. Dad said nothing for a few more minutes and his breathing remained deep. Eventually, his eyes returned to normal and his rage calmed. He looked at Robert and nodded slightly. Robert looked at me and nodded. Back to business.

Archer cleared his throat and looked at his notes. "Well, that's really all for this week so far." He said, slightly uncomfortable. Dad's lingering authority still weighed on some people. I understood that. Dad was powerful when he was Alpha and people don't forget. I didn't have a problem with that. I only had a problem when people forgot I was the Alpha and not Dad. 

"I will see to it that housing is provided for those who need it. As for training, keep it up. Keep me updated too, on the progress of everyone." I said, concluding the meeting - which was a mistake. 

You should have stayed with Serena Seiko huffed.

Babe, what's wrong? Serena's voice said in my head. My heart skipped a beat at her voice. Joy filled me instantly and the smell of the forest somehow embraced me, calming me. I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent.

Nothing, princess. Don't worry your pretty little head I replied to her. The others left the room, bidding me goodbye for the day. I gathered the papers on my desk and went to file them away. I made a note on my desk to remind me to never invite my father to a meeting again. He was getting way out of line.

Now you're the one lying. You're emotions were all over the place and I felt rage...lots of it. So, I'll ask you again, what's wrong? She said. 

You got me. It's my father. I admitted to her. I sensed her surprise. I'll explain later I assured her. She didn't reply so I assumed she was fine. I left the office and went to my room further down the hallway. After the meeting, I felt tense and needed to work out the tension and stress. I changed into my gym clothes and headed to the home gym we had on the lower floor. I put my earphones in, blasted some music and started punching. 

After half an hour, I could hear something distant in my mind and I paused my workout and music. I listened, waiting.

Babe, sneak me into the place please? I heard. Serena. How in the world was I going to sneak her in?

Give me a second I replied. This will be fun...