Forever Is A Long Time

Chapter 7

“So that’s what you didn’t want to tell me…” Karen said accusingly, as she turned towards Nathan.

“I didn’t think it would be a big deal not telling you until today. Besides, Brandon and I need to have a talk and I think we all need to have a talk...prior to that talk,” Nathan added. Now he was just rambling which is something he does when he is overwhelmed. 

“Seeing as we have never seen eye to eye, Karen…” I added calmly, which caused her to automatically turn her attention to me, “I am here on official pack s***h counsel business. This is not a social visit nor is it one of pleasure,” I emphasized at the end. “I do not wish for this to turn into some fiasco nor do I wish to have to use my authority to get everyone in order,” I added as I stepped slightly towards her, my gaze not leaving hers. “Am I clear?” I added. She then lowered her gaze to the floor;  I could tell she was feeling the weight of my authority. I hated using it but this called for desperate measures. “Now can we have a mature discussion, like mature adults?” I exclaimed, looking around the room. Brandon lifted his gaze to meet mine, a small smile was forming on the corner of his lips. Nathan just looked away. I could tell he was feeling stressed.

Karen slowly lifted her gaze, which was clearly still filled with anger. I cleared my throat and then looked over at Nathan. “Nathan, would you like to do the honors?” I asked lightly as I made my way to the kitchen table. A basket of apples was placed in the middle. I reached out and grabbed one, biting into it, as I  turned to face all three. Nathan took a deep breath in, then sighed, running a hand through his hair. 

“All I have to say is...Brandon, I’m happy for you and Athena. Yes, we were together for some time…,” he said looking down then looking up again at Brandon, “but then I met your mom, who is my mate...and I haven’t seen Athena since then.” Nathan then looked over at me, as if confirming. There was something about the way he said that last part that seemed off. Almost as if he was hiding something. “We have no secrets and there is nothing that you need to worry about regarding Athena and I,” he added suddenly, almost as if he was trying to convince himself. 

“Dad, thank you for that…,” Brandon replied awkwardly looking at the floor, “the only question I now have for you is, why were you at her door so late last night?” he asked, lifting his gaze to meet Nathan’s. Karen’s attention was now on Nathan, her eyes about to bulge out. “What was so important that you needed to talk to her so late last night?” Brandon pressed. Nathan’s face then changed to a shade of red. Surprisingly Brandon’s voice had been steady, even though it was obvious he was trying to keep his cool. 

“I know this is awkward for all of us right now...sorry mom,” he said, glancing at Karen for a second, “but I need to know dad.” The room was silent for what seemed an eternity. I was silent because I too wanted to see what Nathan had to say. 

“I can think of a reason why you know I was at Athena's door last night,” he added with a nervous chuckle, “but if you must know, I only wanted to apologize to her for the way things played out last time she was here…” he said quietly. “I said a lot of things to her that I didn’t mean. I was angry. I was hurt and I didn’t want it to end the way it did,” he added. “I know she didn’t have to come help with this war but she is the best chance we got and I wanted to say thank you,” he said, turning his attention to me. I gotta say, I was not expecting that at all, so when his gaze fell on me, the apple was literally in my mouth as I was about to bite down. Awkwardly, I did, causing a loud crunch sound to echo throughout the kitchen. I could see from the corner of my eye that Brandon was trying hard not to laugh as I continued to chew. Karen on the other hand was not finding this amusing at all. I finally finished chewing after what seemed an eternity and cleared my throat. 

“Sorry about that,” I said, as I leaned against the table behind me, “as for your apology Brandon, it was so long ago that I had forgotten about it, so no hard feelings,” I added with a smile. I hope they had not picked up on the sarcasm that was oozing out of me. “Should we get to the reason why I am here now?” I asked in a light tone. “But before we get into that, where is everyone?” I asked, suddenly realizing the lack of staff around the place. Usually omegas were roaming everywhere, keeping things tidy. 

“We dismissed everyone for today since we will be discussing strategy. Paul and Vinny will be joining us later. I’m sure you remember my Beta and Gamma ,” Nathan replied, answering my question, his voice neutral. 

“Ah, yes, good old Paul and Vinny,” I said with a slight chuckle. “So fill me in on what the issue is again? It must be bad... for you to call me,” I asked, then took another bite of my apple. 

Nathan sighed as if suddenly remembering everything else going on then leaned against the counter next to him.

“There is a pack, located in Canada...the largest in their territory who as of a month ago, decided that they would like to take over our territory. Their alpha paid us a visit first, trying to challenge me but seeing as he saw everyone here against the idea of a new leader he decided to declare war instead. They have the numbers and so do we, but it looks like they also have a witch. This witch practices dark magic and has been an advantage to them. We need all the help we can get. You’re the only wild card we have that can go up against theirs.” 

The room was silent as if hearing it out loud, Brandon and Karen were processing it for the first time. 

“I see,” I stated, breaking the silence, “that definitely explains me being here now.” 

“The counsel agreed that you would be the best for this situation. They were the ones who tracked you down for me…,” Nathan added. 

“Have they shown any patterns? What are we dealing with here?” I asked.

“They always attack at night. This week so far has been quiet but I’m sure it shouldn’t take them long to make an appearance,” Brandon chimed in, “we are ready for them regardless. I’ve been training every day with our warriors.”

I started pacing along the kitchen, taking in what they were saying. 

“How many do they usually send on average?” I asked, still pacing the kitchen. 

“A hundred to a hundred and fifty, give or take,” Brandon replied. 

“And what are our numbers?” I asked.

“We have four hundred warriors ready to go.”. 

“How many on hand do we have for recovery?” I fired back.

“A hundred nurses and five doctors,” Brandon and Nathan answered at the same time. They looked at each other, Brandon smirking a bit at his dad. 

Karen just rolled her eyes and leaned against the counter that was next to her. 

“Ok gentlemen, settle down,” I playfully added, knowing it would bother Karen even more. “There is already so much tension right now…we should re-group in an hour or so when Paul and Vinny decide to show up,” I said, noticing how much Karen wanted to blow up. 

“That’s fine, I’ll have the cooks come in to make breakfast at least that way we can think on a full stomach,” Nathan suggested, seeming a bit relieved. 

“Cool, I will be checking out the gym in the meantime...I need to punch something,” I said with a smile as I stepped over a pot and opened the back kitchen door that led to the rest of the grounds. Closing it fast behind me before anyone else could say something. Looking around for the first time, I realized not much had changed. I could see the gym in the distance and started making my way to it. I found the front door and stepped through it finding the inside modernized with new machines along the sides. There was even a boxing ring in the middle of the gym. The whole flooring was covered in state of the art matting, perfect for sparing. 

“You know, you could have waited for me,” Brandon said teasingly behind me. I rolled my eyes then smirked a bit as I turned around to face him. 

“You know, stalking can be frowned upon,” I replied, folding my arms across my chest. “But since you’re here, I gotta thank you,” I said as I started to stretch my  arms out, rolling my shoulders. 

“Thank me for what?” Brandon added, slightly confused.

“For volunteering of course,” I said, reaching for my foot, stretching my left hamstring. “I’m going to need a sparring partner. You’re perfect for the job.” I switched to my right foot as I kept stretching. 

“I see, you want me to teach you a thing or two,” he added with a smug smile.

“More like I want to see what you got so I can help you improve,” I added with a smirk then proceeded to walk towards the boxing ring. “You coming?”

I could hear him chuckle as I climbed up to the ring. I kept stretching my arms, walking around the ring waiting for him to come over. 

“Well?” I asked, stopping in the middle of the ring. He stood across the room, looking at me as if contemplating something then walked over, jumping into the ring. 

“Alright let’s see what you got,” he said, taking his stance. His face was neutral yet his eyes showed amusement. I slowly walked around him, not taking my eyes off his. He followed my every move. After circling him once, I stood in front of him and took my stance. I had not even stood still for more than 5 seconds when I threw my first round kick to his right side which he blocked. I countered with a second kick to his left, this time a second after which caught him off guard; he groaned as my foot made contact with his rib cage. A part of me immediately felt like checking up on him but quickly snapped out of it as I saw him throw a punch my way, dodging it easily. He continued to throw three more. I dodged each one only to then get knocked down by a drop sweep that came from his right leg. As my body landed on my back I got ready to spring back up but reached out with my left leg instead, wrapping it around his right shin, causing him to fall on his back. I took the opportunity and rolled back to get out of his reach as he sprung back up. I stood up just as he roundhouse kicked, catching his foot with my left hand before it made contact. I knew I was faster than him for obvious reasons. I was a hybrid after all. Not letting go of his foot, I then twisted his ankle with both hands, flipping him sideways, making him land on his back, again.  He laid there for a minute, long enough for me to wonder and walk over to him. I looked down at him with a smirk on my face.

“Ready to go again?” I asked, trying to not show my amusement.

“Sure,” he added, still laying there. I rolled my eyes at him and extended my right hand to him. He looked at it sheepishly then grabbed it with his left hand, only to pull me down, which I am not going to lie, surprised the hell out of me. I fell on top of him which kind of knocked the air out of him. Serves him right for pulling me. I realized I was still on top of him as I shoved my bangs out of my face only to see his inches away from mine. We just stared for what seemed forever until a voice snapped us back to reality. 

“Who the f**k is this b***h Brandon?!” said a high pitched voice that rang through the gym. We both looked to our right, where the voice came from. A skinny tall blonde with blue eyes stood there, her face red, her hands on her hips. 

Oh she is dead... Alexa said nonchalantly.