Deserving

Father's true colours

I stop just outside the gates, out of sight of the guards and sigh. 'Kaia, my father is really homophobic. I need to handle this first before we tell him about being mates. That means we will need to keep us on the down low. Is that OK?' I ask quietly, not able to look at Kaia knowing how hurt she would probably be.

'I mean, it's not ideal, but I get it. Deal with the problem at hand first, then we will tackle your father. After that we need to figure out what we are going to do with 2 packs. It's not exactly common for 2 Alpha's to be fated together.'

'Somehow I don't think anything right now is common.' I chuckle back at her, before leaning over and kissing her, helping her to feel the depth of my feelings for her already. I didn't want to put her in this situation so soon, but I needed my mate with me if I was ever going to come clean to my father about having a mate and being able to run a pack.

She rested her forehead against mine, rubbing her nose gently with my own. 'We got this.' she said.

I nodded and restarted the car. 'Let's get this over with.' I smiled at her.

Pulling up to the gates the guards stop us to check it's me. Like they don't already know. They also give Kaia what seems like the Spanish inquisition, though she came up with a reason to be here so quickly, stating that she is here to see some of the features I am trying to sell her in real life. She plays the difficult customer well and it's not unusual for me to do this either. Satisfied the guards let us through, and we head up to the packhouse.

My packhouse is a gorgeous modern looking building, with lots of glass, open plan living and natural light. There is only one person waiting for us at the front, and that is Ryan. Even though I've only been gone 2 days, it feels like a lifetime has already happened. Ryan is practically bouncing when he sees us pull up. He knows to not say anything about Kaia being my mate, and has to fight himself to not to grab her into a hug.

's**t Sioux, she's a proper stunner. How have you not taken her to bed and marked her yet?' He mind links me.

'Not like I had the time or much choice since I'm back here to support Dad's challenge! I need to go find him. can you look after Kaia?'

'Of course. I'll give her the tour and a pretence of a guest room. I am sure the one next to yours is free'

I thank him before telling Kaia Ryan would give her the tour and hunting down my dad.

It didn't take long, I found him in the office with his Beta and Gamma, strategising for the challenge. Even though he hadn't named me Alpha designate, I felt I should be in on the meeting to try and help and learn. I knocked on the door before entering and joined the 3 men.

'Sioux you got back quickly. I thought you were on business.' His Beta Graham asked.

'I was Beta, but my client wanted to see some of the designs in action, and dad's call was a little reason to come home.' I replied 'Dad, if you fail you have no named disgnate, we can't legally re challenge without one. Are you naming someone? Is that why you needed me?' I asked hopeful that he was finally going to let me take the spot I am supposed to.

My dad finally looks at me, he hasn't looked me in the eyes since I told him I was gay a few weeks back now.

'I have chosen someone. I have named Gamma Teon's son Jermaine as Alpha designate.' He said coldly. The room is suddenly very tense. I swallow, and it seems very loud in the room. You could hear a pindrop right now.

'Jermaine? If you named someone then why did you need me back?' I asked, trying to stay calm as the flood of rage and pain threatened to drown me, I could barely control Shadow as I waited to hear his reasons for passing over the rightful Alpha title to me.

'Yes Jermaine. He is strong, top of his class next to Ryan. He has already lost his mate, so you will take him as a chosen mate and become luna of the pack. You will have his pups and breed a strong heir to the pack. None of this you are gay nonsense. Gay wolves are not given mates as they do not allow for the passing of Alpha lineage.' His words echo around my head as I am dumbstruck. He wants to palm me off as a luna to a man I could beat with my eyes closed, and what's more expect me to breed with this man?

I shake my head at him. 'No. No I won't do that father. I will not do any of that. Fine you won't give me the Alpha title, but I will not wed and breed with a man who is not my mate.' I state back, biting my tongue for what I want to add.

'You will do that. And you will do it today. The challenge is tomorrow and I need the family at full strength.' He tries to command in his Alpha tone, but I don't feel compelled by it. It had barely compelled me before I met Kaia, but now it wasn't even a tickle of compulsion.

'No dad. I won't. I found my mate, and I will be leaving this pack tonight if you will not accept that. I will not be married off like some prize hen when I am the next rightful Alpha to this pack.' I state back, holding firm in my decision, letting my aura explode into the room.

My father looks shocked as he feels It and hears the words. He takes a moment before standing, 'I Alpha Delacroix, cut all ties with you Sioux Midnight Delacroix, you are no longer associated with Goddesses Tears. You have 6 hours to pack up and leave, if you are not outside the territory in this time you will be considered a trespasser and attacked on sight.'