Chapter 17
1528 Words
After a while, the Southern Star pack finally caught on. They realized my standing with them wasn’t because the Grand Alpha didn’t want us around — it was because the college I’d gotten into happened to be closer to their territory. That had been one of the main reasons we’d moved. They had no idea about Neil’s situation, and I wasn’t about to throw him under the bus just to save my own skin.
Eventually, they also learned the hard way not to mess with my family.
Seriously — never, ever mess with my family. That’s a golden invitation to get your ass kicked, and I’d be the one doing the kicking.
I’d heard it all: “You don’t act like you were born Omega,” and “Why does an Omega have a Beta title?” Even, “Why does Alpha Jack want that weak family around? We already have enough Omegas.”
Looking back at the day Daisy kicked me out of our room, I knew her anger hadn’t stemmed from the bitchy Alpha’s daughter or the pack gossip. No — she was furious about something bigger. Something more personal.
We’d been together a few times. And one thing kept leading to another… every time. Turns out, my precious woman was pregnant. With our first pup.
Except when we went in for that first ultrasound, it wasn’t just one pup.
It was two.
We were having twins.
The last twin set born in our lineage had arrived three generations ago. My dad’s father had been one of them, but he and his sister had some kind of massive falling out. She walked away and cut all ties with the family not long after.
Right after we got the news, a messenger from the Bloodstone pack arrived at our doorstep with a letter in hand. It was from her — my paternal Great Aunt Gertrude.
She showed up a few days later, strolling through our front door like a damn queen arriving at court.
“Colt!”
“What?” I grunted, still chewing the last bite of dinner.
“Pay attention,” Daisy frowned, nudging me slightly as we sat around the table with plates stacked high with food my mom had cooked.
“He’s broke, Daisy,” my dad said dryly, chewing like he didn’t care we had a guest.
Aunt Gertrude glanced at me, her wrinkled eyes still sharp with mischief. Laughter bubbled from her lips, rough but warm. “Ah, it’s fine, dear. The boy’s had it a little rough from what I hear. Now, let’s cut to the chase.”
“Well,” my dad said, leveling her with a flat stare, “we’re fed now. Why did you come to visit?”
He didn’t bother hiding the irritation in his voice. Just like me, he was already guessing the real reason — she wanted to cash in on my new status.
She smiled, “Now that I’ve met him, I no longer believe anything the others have been saying. Even when we were kids, I was always second best to my twin brother. Alas, I digress. You see, I’m an actual Elder of the Bloodstone pack. It used to be Bloodstone Haven, but the old Alpha’s sons split it into two separate packs. Surprisingly, they work pretty well together.”
An Elder? That meant her status outranked mine. All the insecure thoughts I’d been pushing aside came rushing back. I needed to stay impartial.
“Uh, so, excuse me for being blunt, Elder, but... what do you want with me?” I asked cautiously.
She gave another smile, “That’s just it, Colton. The others thought that if they got to me first, they could ruin your reputation. Sad, really. I had to take my nephew over my knee at his age. Shameful behavior—but necessary. I understand the Grand Alpha decided to gift you Beta status of the Shadow Storm pack?”
It was a question meant for confirmation.
Nodding, I replied, “Yes.”
“Good for you, Child. I’m truly happy for you,” she said. “One of the reasons they keep bothering me is that I’ve built up quite a bit of wealth over the years. They kept bringing me excuses—none of them sincere—trying to get money out of me. But my youngest nephew? Never once asked for anything. That’s when I knew I had to find you. Heath.”
“Me?” Dad looked like someone had punched the air out of him. “Why?”
Aunt Gertrude let out a quiet laugh. “Yes, Heath. I wanted to meet you and your family. I wasn’t expecting your boy to have such a unique standing in our world. And knowing you knew where I lived and never came begging for a single red penny? That told me a lot. Seeing what I’ve seen today, I know I’ve made the right decision.”
She took a slow breath and smiled at Daisy as she stood from her chair. “Dear, come now, the clearing of the table and dishes can wait. You're expecting—rest. I’m sure Colton can help his parents.”
“I always do,” I said, looking down briefly. “Mom and Dad gave everything to get me through school and raise me right. I never ask for anything I can’t earn myself. I fought for my place. It was never handed to me.”
Daisy sat back down beside me and gave me a look. Then she mind-linked quietly, ‘What’s with her? Didn’t they want nothing to do with you and your dad before?’
‘Patience, my love,’ I replied. I knew exactly what she was thinking. She remembered how they treated me back then.
“So... why us?” I asked.
“You already said it,” she answered, folding her hands. “You and your father were the only ones who never begged, borrowed, or lied to get something you could earn through hard work. That’s why I came. To tell you, Heath... you’re my heir.”
To say that we were floored was an understatement. Dad went whiter than the snow piled outside when he heard the words, and Mom didn’t look much better.
“What about your own pups?”
“I unfortunately never found my Mate, so I never had any. Dear me, I suppose that means I’m going to die a perpetual virgin.”
I couldn’t hold back. I started laughing.
Daisy didn’t skip a beat, tilting her head just enough to make her sarcasm pop. “So the sense of humour does run in the family. Does eating like pigs run in the blood, too?”
Mom howled with laughter at that one, clutching her stomach while Aunt Gertrude giggled behind her teacup.
“Why, yes, it does,” Aunt Gertrude chuckled. “Although only the men seem to have the ability to put away a week’s worth of grub in one sitting. Us women are far more reserved... unless we’re expecting.”
She turned her gaze toward Daisy, eyes curious. “Tell me, dear, are you human?”
Daisy paled, and my protective instinct kicked in hard and fast.
“What’s that got to do with anything?”
Gertrude raised both hands gently. “Nothing, Nephew. Just curious.”
“I am human,” Daisy said, her voice calm as she reached for the glass of goat’s milk Mom had gotten her. “But I’m the maternal cousin of Shadow Storm Alpha, Neil Dane. His mother was my father’s sister.”
“Well, Heath? Will you honour your Aunt Gert’s request?”
Dad, still pale and struggling to keep up, nodded slowly. “What about the others?”
“They’ll receive nothing,” she said, smoothing a wrinkle in her sleeve. “They’ve worked, but not like you have, Heath. You raised your boy with values that make me proud. Your Mate helped, no doubt, but you did the hard lifting. The rest? They raised mannerless beasts with greedy hands. Colton earned his place, and I hope he never forgets he started from the bottom. That sense of compassion? None of the others possess it.”
I stood and dropped to one knee in front of her. “We don’t want anything. So... why us?”
“No, you don’t,” she replied, her voice softening. “But your family has two new additions on the way, and I want to be sure you’re taken care of after I pass. I’m running out of time, Colton. I wanted my last days to be spent with family that won’t nag me or beg as I take my last breaths. This was my final trip. My health won’t see me through the return.”
I winced. She was old—frail. A Wolf who’d lived far past her prime.
“Then don’t go,” I said gently. “We can make up a room. You can stay here, spend your final days in peace and quiet.”
“That would be lovely,” she sighed, eyes misty now.
- Writer
