Chapter 3 Faimly Dynamics
1071 Words
Zebrik's POV
I had just gotten to my office when a sharp knock echoed through the room, immediately followed by my sister’s voice and her sweeping entrance.
"Knock, knock!" she sang as she sauntered across the room, flopping into the chair across from my desk.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "You usually knock and wait for a response before barging into an Alpha's office, Charolette."
"Whatever, Zeb. Did you forget? I'm your big sister. I can go wherever I want in this pack. You're only the Alpha because I chose to go to Black Heart with Aaron. He was already an established Beta."
I suppressed an eye roll. Yes, she was my older sister by a year, but she had never been in the running for Alpha. Birth order meant nothing when it came to leadership. Charolette just had a habit of letting any form of authority inflate her already oversized ego.
Our father had trained us all in Alpha responsibilities, even our younger twin brothers, Rome and Rem. The twins had been prepared for a unique possibility—some twins shared a mate, and if that had been their fate, they would have led together as one. But if they had separate mates, Dad would have chosen a single successor. By the time I turned twelve, Dad had already made his decision. He saw in Charolette an obsession with hierarchy, no sense of accountability. Rome, though good-hearted, was a jokester who didn’t know when to be serious. That left Rem and me. Rem was capable, but Dad worried about the fairness of Rome's antics affecting leadership if they had to share the Alpha title. So, the mantle fell to me.
And Charolette had never quite accepted it.
"What, baby brother? You act like you're not happy to see your favorite sister!" she teased.
I leaned back in my chair, sighing. "You're my only sister, Char. There's no competition for favorites."
"I know! Isn’t it great?" She smirked, obviously enjoying how much she annoyed me.
I exhaled sharply. "What do I owe the displeasure of your presence today, Charolette?"
"I'm here to discuss the massive elephant in the room—you’re turning twenty-five soon, and you still don't have a Luna."
I stiffened. "I haven’t found my mate yet."
She gave me a pointed look. "Exactly! And that’s the problem. Mom is getting tired of staying on as Luna, Zeb. Dad retired almost six years ago, but she's still stuck in the role because you're selfishly holding out for a fated mate. Tick-tock! Time's up. Lucky for you, I'm here to save the day."
Oh, hell no. A deep growl rumbled in my chest. My wolf, Atous, surged forward, not liking where this conversation was going.
"Let me be very clear," I said, my voice low and warning. "I will never choose a mate. I will wait for my fated. I will never rob this pack of the Luna the Moon Goddess intended. And I will not deny myself the chance to have a family."
Charolette scoffed. "There you go again, being stubborn! All I hear is me, me, me. What about the pack? What about our poor mother? She deserves to retire. The pack deserves a Luna! There are plenty of powerful she-wolves who would love to be your chosen mate. You just need to think about someone other than yourself for once!"
The nerve of this woman.
I stood, slamming my hands on the desk. "Let me make something crystal clear, Charolette, and this will be your only warning: Blue Rose has never had a chosen Luna, and it never will. The Moon Goddess has always provided, and she always will. Secondly, I strongly suggest you return to Black Heart before Atous shows you exactly what he thinks about chosen mates. Thirdly, if I ever need your interference, I will ask for it. Now, get out."
Her jaw dropped. "You can't be serious! You're going to banish me from my own pack just because your wolf is upset over some fantasy? It's just luck that Blue Rose has always had fated Lunas! Times have changed, Zeb! Most Alphas choose their mates now! Mom and Dad will hear about this!"
Atous pushed harder against my control. My claws threatened to extend, my patience thinning. Then, a deliberate throat clearing interrupted us.
Our father stood at the door, arms crossed, expression unreadable. And behind him? Our mother. Her piercing gaze locked on Charolette like a predator zeroing in on its prey.
Oh, Charolette was about to get knocked down several pegs.
Mom stepped forward, voice cold as ice. "Who exactly said I was tired of being Luna, young lady? Have I ever hinted at that? No, I have not. I enjoy my role, and I look forward to guiding my future daughter-in-law—when the Goddess deems the time right."
Charolette shrank under her stare.
Mom gestured broadly. "Do you see this?" She pointed around the office, then out the window. "This is your brother's pack. He is the Alpha, NOT YOU! And do you see that hill over there? That is your pack! You worry about your pack. We will worry about ours!" Her voice dropped, deadly calm. "And let me remind you of something important, my dear daughter: If an Alpha orders someone to leave his land, their word is law. No matter who their daddy is."
Charolette's eyes filled with tears as she turned to our father in desperation. "Daddy, you can't let them banish me!"
Dad rolled his eyes. "Can you be any more dramatic? You're not being banished, you're being told to respect protocol. That means announcing your visits and keeping your nose out of affairs that don’t concern you. Frankly, you're lucky he's being lenient. Now, get back to Black Heart, and let my grandkids know Nana and Papa will be there Saturday. Oh, and one more thing—whoever you've been plotting to set up as Zeb's chosen mate? Tell them to stay far, far away."
Charolette stood, face red with humiliation, and stormed toward the door. Rome gave her a quick hug, ever the peacemaker. Rem? He barely contained his laughter.
The door shut behind her with finality.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Thank you, Mom, Dad."
Mom smiled. "No need to thank us, son. We trust the Goddess, just like you do. Your Luna will come when she’s meant to."
- Writer
