The Alpha's Diversion

His Father's Secret

Addis.

"I found my mate last night."

His mom couldn’t hide her surprise. She had expected news about Penumbra, not this. “Who is she?”

“She’s a human. I met her in town.” He didn’t want to give specific information. His mother hadn’t left Susi territory in ten years, but he didn’t want to tempt her now. He could forbid the others from talking to Cat, but not his mother.

Cassia studied him warily. Nothing got past her. Her eyes narrowed at him before relaxing as she decided to let it go. “You don’t seem happy about this, Addis. Why not? Most wolves dream about meeting their fated mate.”

An edge on the old Formica tabletop was peeling and he picked at it absentmindedly while he debated how much he wanted to share.

“I have enough on my plate right now building pack numbers so we can safely take Penumbra back. I don’t have time for a mate, and I can’t give up on my dreams just because I met a woman.”

His chest felt heavy. It wasn’t the whole truth. He knew it. And she did too. He had started the search for honorable rogues while he was going to college full-time- in another state. There was time for both if he allowed it. He met his mother’s gaze. She was waiting.

“She’s human. She won’t understand our world. May not even be interested, and then she’d just be a liability.” He stopped picking at the peeling edge, letting his hand drop to his thigh as his mother took a slow drink of her coffee, quietly placing it back on the table.

“Aren’t you going to say something, Mom?”

“I’m waiting.”

He forced a look of mild surprise as he picked up his mug. “For what?”

Tilting her head, she tutted at him. “Addis…”

“I don’t want a mate, Mom. Really, were you happy with Dad? Because it didn’t seem that way. Why should I bring someone into this mess- when it may be dangerous- or they may be unhappy…and then they’ll be stuck.”

She smiled sadly at him, reaching across the table to grab his hand. “I wouldn’t change anything, Addis.”

“Thanks, Mom. But that doesn’t answer my question.”

She laughed, squeezing his hand before releasing it. “You’re not going to let me out of this one, I guess. That’s fair.” She stared off into space for long moments before she looked back at him. “Your dad and I were chosen mates. Did you know that?”

He didn’t- not for certain- but he wasn’t surprised.

“Alder had been Alpha for several years and still hadn’t met his mate. He was being pressured by his council. Choosing someone from the Susi pack would strengthen their alliance. Although, I’m sure they wanted him to pick someone from the upper ranks,” she chuckled, lost in the past. “I was serving food at the luncheon that was planned for him. He saw me, and I could tell he was interested. He found me afterwards, and after a few days, he asked me to be his chosen mate. I was young. My father tried to get me to wait. I had plenty of time to find my fated but the truth is- I loved Alder. I couldn’t imagine myself loving anyone more. He was handsome, strong, …kind. He made me feel safe, and seen, and heard.”

Addis couldn’t stop the disbelieving grunt from leaving his mouth. He loved his father. But he had never seen that side of him, especially with his mother. And as he had grown older, Alder had become distant even with Addis, only spending time with him during Alpha training.

Cassia gulped, and Addis regretted his action.

“You may not remember that side of your father, but we were very much in love in the beginning. I wish you remembered. I never wanted to tell you this next part. But now, I wonder if I did you a disservice. It may change how you feel about the mate bond. It’s a powerful thing, Addis. You see, my dad was right after all.”

“You found your mate?”

Shaking her head quickly, she continued. “No, not me. Alder. When you were seven. She was already with a chosen mate as well.”

She got up abruptly, heading to the counter where she faced the coffee maker for a moment before bringing the pot to refill their cups and taking her seat again. She took a long drink and set the cup down, looking at Addis with such sorrow in her eyes, he almost told her she could stop the story. But he had to know.

“It was very difficult. For everyone.” She shrugged. “Things were never the same.”

“How did you know? Did he want to leave you?”

“Oh, I’m sure he did. But he never spoke of it.”

“Then how?”

She looked at him evenly, but her voice was hard. “If the bond was formed in love, then the mate always knows. Even a chosen mate.”

Addis stood so abruptly that his chair fell backwards with a crash. “The bastard cheated on you?”

He had heard about the pain involved when a mate was unfaithful. It could be unbearable. If the bond was formed without love, then the connection wouldn’t be as strong. He had known Alphas who had cheated on their Lunas without their knowing. It was rare, but it could happen if the bond was made for treaty purposes and the wolves didn’t love one another. Addis may not have seen affection between his parents, but his mother insisted they loved one another. He couldn’t imagine his father being so disloyal.

“I’m not condoning it. But he’s still your dad. And he loved you. I don’t want you to hate him. It’s one reason I never told you. But I don’t want you to think that the mate bond is supposed to look like what you saw growing up. It’s not. And it’s not a weakness, son. It’s a strength. Even though your mate is human, she deserves for you to give her a chance.” Cassia paused, studying Addis’ face with concern before adding, “You’re like your father in many ways, Addis. But you are not Alder. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

The opening of the kitchen door interrupted them, and he looked up to find Stark, who had entered upon hearing the chair hit the floor. In his fifties now, he was still a beast of a man- tall, broad-chested, with shoulder-length gray hair always pulled back, and a handsome face littered with battle scars. He had been the lead warrior of Penumbra, and the one tasked with protecting his Luna during the escape.

Addis had seen the devoted way Stark watched over Cassia the past ten years. And now, as he saw the look of understanding that passed between them, he wondered if it had evolved into something more. He wouldn’t mind it. She deserved someone to love her, and Stark was a good man.

He picked up the chair, setting it upright before walking over to kiss her forehead.

“Thanks for telling me, Mom. I love you.” He straightened before grasping Stark’s forearm in greeting. “I’ve got to head over to the training grounds. Jeb and Reed brought a new recruit this morning.”

“Come by later this week for dinner?”

“Sure thing!” he called over his shoulder, closing the door and walking quickly to his truck. He drove to the end of the driveway before letting out the roar that had been wanting to escape. He hoped they hadn’t started sparring yet, because he had some pent-up frustration that would be great for a training session.

Those poor recruits, he laughed darkly as he stepped on the gas.