WRONG ( Croton Pack Series)

Five

Cato stared at his mom as he rubbed his chin. He hated this topic more than anything, more than anyone contesting with him for the position of alpha. No, he hated both equally.

“I do not need a mate, mamma.”

“Don’t say that.” She tried to be patient with her son. “You need a Luna by your side to run this pack.”

Cato shrugged. “Well mamma, I guess this meeting is over. I have to get back to work.”

Marcus didn’t speak. He looked at Cato. He was waiting for the perfect time for him to strike.

Zachary faced Cato. “Cato, your mom is right. You need a Luna.”

“Romeo has found his mate. You all know Octavia,” Marcus added. Cato looked into his father’s eyes. He didn’t say a word. He wasn’t going to say a single word to his father. He also hated being compared with that orphaned cousin.

“Your father is right,” Vida said weakly. Marcus made her do that. She knew more than anyone this wasn’t going to work. Cato will find his mate at the right time. She knew that and always told Marcus the same thing. However, Marcus didn’t want to understand and made her do that.

“Mamma, I know father made you do this. These are the kind of things he is capable of. He isn’t just bold enough to do it and makes you do it instead.” Zachary smirked at that statement. Marcus scoffed. Justus was too stunned to react. Vida knew this wouldn’t end well, but had to hang on for the future of her son as the alpha.

“You understand me, mamma, more than anyone else. I won’t find my mate until I am destined too.”

“I know son… But you are twenty-six… You haven’t found your mate yet… What if? _” Her voice trailed off.

Cato smiled internally. He knew what his mom was talking about. He secretly wished that were true. “Nothing bad has happened to my mate mamma. I would know if something wrong had happened.”

“I know son, but we can’t wait any longer.” Her mind said the opposite. I can wait. I can wait. “There is no longer time.” Her mind agreed with her on that.

“So what do you suppose we do?” Cato knew he wasn’t going to like the answer, but he asked anyway.

Vida couldn’t say anything more. She just couldn’t. She couldn’t afford to make her dear son angry with her. She should just keep quiet and let Marcus take it from there.

“Another mate has to be found for you.” Marcus understood his mate could say no more. So he decided to speak. In fact, he should have started it. His words earned a gasp from Zachary and Justus.

“What?” Cato growled. He looked at his mother. “Mamma.” But she looked away helplessly.

“I can expect this rubbish from father, never from you mamma.” He declared madly as he rose to leave.

“Sit down there. Will you?” Marcus said calmly, as if he was provoking his son.

Justus could feel the tension in the room. He swore he was always in the middle of a Cole family drama. The next is always worse than the last one. He glanced at Zachary. He looked like he was enjoying the show the Cole family was putting on. That is the way Zachary is; enjoying every situation. Justus tried to relax. Maybe there was something good about the situation which he would see when he was calm and relaxed.

“I am not interested in staying here any longer.” His voice was hard and deep, yet shaky. It was obvious he was trying to contain his anger. Disregarding the alpha’s command, he turned to leave. As his fingers touched the golden door knob, his father spoke.

“You find your Luna or have an arranged marriage within 70 days. Anything besides that, you will lose your alpha title. I am sure you won’t mind that,” Marcus said calmly but authoritatively. Cato glared at his father with his fist clenched. His eyes were midnight black and his fangs were already out. He opened the door and stormed out of the room.

“How dare he walk out on me,” Marcus gnarled. He rose to his feet. “He should know I am his father. Even if he doesn’t respect me as his father, he must respect me as the alpha of the strongest pack in Italy and the continent.”

“Marcus, you want Cato to fear you and not respect you. We all know that isn’t ever happening.” Zachary chuckled and behaved like he was stating a fact. He continued. “The boy you brought up. No one actually trained in warfare. Vida did the bringing up. He won’t fear you, and I am sure Cato controlled himself because of Vida. Otherwise, he would have given you a piece of his mind before he left. But he is a little angry with my lady or maybe a little disappointed.” Zachary rose from his seat. “I’ll leave you now to your family matters. If you will excuse me sire and my lady, I kind of have a mate to attend to.” He tipped his head and bowed before he left the room.

Justus held his breath and Zachary immediately left the room. Why was he the last man standing? The room’s air was so tense it could suffocate someone. He smiled at Marcus and Vida and tried to look calm. “I’ll leave now.” He bowed a little. “Sire and my lady have a good day.” Vida nodded and smiled at Justus. It was a sad smile. Marcus just nodded.

“Please make him understand. I am doing this for his future,” Vida said with a weary voice. She was tired and sad.

“Yes, my lady, I will.” He bowed and left the room.