You Have Always Been Mine

Chapter 15 - Knowing One’s Place part 2

"...Alpha wants to see you." Gamma Lowell calls from the garden path outside the garage. “Wisteria garden, now.”

Max grits his teeth at the rude name-calling but nods, keeping his expression bland. “Yes, Gamma. I'll be right there.”

His wolf, on the other hand, has frozen. ‘What did he call us!?’

Max sighs. ‘Let it go. I don’t want any trouble. He’s an ass and always will be. It's bloody miracle he shifts into a wolf instead of a donkey. In fact, it’s so ingrained even the Alpha can’t command it out of his system. Calling him out won’t change a thing, just makes things worse for us.’

His wolf scoffs. 'Bah! Your alpha is weak. I bet I can make him—'

‘No. We won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he got into my nerves. He’s not worth it.’

Ignoring the arrogant smirk on the other guy’s face, Max makes his way to the Wisteria garden and finds the alpha with his beta discussing something over a table full of maps and other documents.

The alpha sighs and nods when he notices him. “Oh, Max, there you are. Why is my daughter cursing your name to the high heavens again? I was told she was heard threatening to have you neutered.”

Beta Collins snickers. “Not such a bad idea. Prevents the bad blood from spreading.”

“What has she done this time?” Alpha Timothy asks as he starts to clear the table, ignoring his beta’s jibe.

“Oh, um, nothing, sir. I was just…” Max clears his throat, internally struggling with his wolf for control. “I was just teasing her.”

“Perhaps the girl is right, Alpha,” Beta Collins frowns at him with disapproval, his cold voice making Max stiffen. “Maybe this pup should be castrated for not knowing his place.”

Alpha Timothy waves his beta's comment off. “I doubt Ginny’s other friends never tease her. I believe it's a good thing. It helps build character. And Max knows when to draw the line. They’re childhood friends, Collins.”

“Well, they shouldn’t be. Their rank and status are worlds apart and he should be treating her with nothing but reverence—”

“Ginny needs to be challenged and stimulated by someone who respects her but who’s not afraid to offend her sensibilities when necessary. Let the children be children, Collins. We have known Max his whole life and he has our full trust.” Luna Grace cuts in as she carries a small tray with a glass of water and a pill, and hands them to Alpha Timothy, who groans but obediently takes his medication when his Luna raises an eyebrow.

Beta Collins bows in deference, saying nothing more, but the tight set of his jaw shows he disagrees with the alpha and luna.

Alpha Timothy sighs as he gives the glass back to his mate. He turns to Max. “I’m leaving for a couple of weeks or more, not really sure when this issue with the Whiteplains will be settled, but I may not be back for your birthday and our tradition, so I thought we might as well do it now.”

Max blinks in surprise. “N-Now? We can just do it when you come back. I don’t mind waiting---”

The alpha shakes his head, clicking his tongue. “Things will depend on so many issues during these meetings and I will be too busy and distracted by the time we return, dealing with the repercussions. We’ll do it now.” He grabs a seat and gestures for Max to do the same.

Max looks around with uncertainty. Beta Collins is still standing there with a contemptuous expression and shows no intention of giving them privacy. The luna takes a seat as well, her expression slightly entertained as she gives Max an encouraging nod. Usually Max and Alpha Timothy have no audience when they arm wrestle, sparing Max the embarrassment of always losing, but it seems this time, it would not be the case.

His wolf smirks. ‘Oh, we’re not gonna lose this time. Ardghal is here now.’

‘Ardghal?’

‘Yes, that’s my true name and it means valor. Don’t you worry, Max. They will regret ever underestimating us.’

Max stares at the Alpha, wondering what this is really all about. The man doesn’t do things randomly, and the excuse of being too busy later on doesn’t really hold. Their match usually takes less than five minutes of his time. They could have done it in his office. They could easily do this upon his return.

And then the truth dawns on him.

Ardghal scoffs. 'You finally caught on, did ya?'

This is a way to ‘smoothen out’ the Beta’s raised hackles, but also a silent warning to Max, just in case he’s getting too close for comfort.

When the alpha returns, Max would already be eighteen. He will have a wolf, and he will be stronger. Maybe not strong enough to beat his alpha yet, but Timothy hates taking unnecessary risks. The alpha doesn’t want to wait until he’s come of age, with a wolf that will help him have better odds. Better to trim the branches now, while soft and easier to break, before it reaches too far. If Max loses again, it also assures the alpha that he will not claim Ginny’s hand for another year. He’s buying time as well, seeing how Max is getting bigger and taller, almost to a warrior's size now, which is rather unnatural for those of lower ranks, who are usually smaller built and rather thin.

With his father unknown, there is a slight chance that Max is not just going to be ranked as an omega...so besting him now is more convenient. Even necessary, just to be sure Ginny remains out of his reach.

And the way his wolf talks and acts...they are probably in for a big surprise.

Alpha Timothy raises an eyebrow when he doesn’t respond. "Well, Max? Does this mean you forfeit this year?"

Oh hell no.