Blood moon

Chapter 13. Two brothers and one woman

Harley entered the family home after eleven o'clock at night. The work was slowly killing him, the load was increasing, he received all kinds of letters from werewolves who belonged to the pack asking him for different things, like a job, health insurance, higher education or houses. Meeting everyone's expectations made him feel like his back was about to burst, but he kept going to the office every day because he had to.

—Son, it's a little late— his father pointed out, holding a glass of whiskey between his fingers, the man's hard features making it hard to know what he was thinking.

—There was a lot of work— was all he could say, he was anxious to go to bed, he even turned to leave, when a few words stopped him.

—Your brother was released today— the werewolf's heart pounded in his chest and his right hand balled into a fist.

—I'm glad, to know— They both knew he was lying.

—He went after that girl almost immediately, so stay away from her- the pack alpha knew both of his sons. He researched them and couldn't believe they had been imprinted by the same woman, their hearts pounded with longing to be his mates, which was outrageous. She was a mere human— The next alpha must have a woman who is of our kind. That's what tradition demands.

Harley turned to look the man in the eye. He had never asked for anything, he always accepted that he had to deal with the weight of his crown, but this was something completely different. As soon as he grew up and realized that he could change the way the pack was run, he made the decision to do it. He would change that damned tradition. His father knew it too.

—I've never asked you for anything, father.

—And don't you start doing it, because you know the responsibilities you have— Harley swallowed hard, feeling angry at what he was hearing.

—Actually father— he commented with a darker tone in his voice —I have spent years acting as if I were the alpha of the herd, taking care of the economic details of the herd and solving any difficulties they might have, made powerful political friends, built buildings and supported many charitable societies, I do more for our species than you, who sits on a couch in the middle of the forest to drink, and now you try to tell me who I should marry?— the last words were said with a growl.

The staff that was in the house was listening to the exchange between both alphas, the opinions were divided on who to support in case there was a fight for power. It was true that, since some time ago the current leader of the herd had been neglected, but he was still an authority figure that should be respected. His battle power was so great that years ago nobody had challenged him, because whoever tried it died, they killed the entire family of the instigator, they only respected the life of the children.

—I'll get a wife for you, get ready, it will be for the next moon— the older man thought he had to solve the situation before he fell more in love with his first born. If both brothers decided to fight, the power of the herd would be divided and old enemies could try to get revenge.

—You can go f**k yourself— exclaimed Harley furious at being ignored once again. He looked at the older man with gray in his hair. He had lost weight over the last two years. Although he sought to look fit, he knew him too well to know he was easy prey now that his younger years had passed, "I will give you until the next moon, to abdicate your charge. If you don't I will face you and I am sure Hunter will want to be with me to rip your bony ass apart, alpha leader.

There were whispers throughout the house when he finished speaking, the duel had been laid out one month ago. That was all he would give his father to stop meddling in everyone's life. That was also counting down his chances of winning Andrea Smith.

-Andrea," Harley whispered to the wind, looking out his bedroom window. Hunter must be with her now, surely making her his, the CEO of a big company. He envied the freedom his younger brother had to do what he wanted with his time.

The next morning, Harley received a call from Miss Smith's number.

—Hello?— he answered in a sleepy voice, it must have been some sort of emergency if she was contacting him in the middle of the night.

—Harley, it's Hunter, I'll come see you at the office today, we have a lot to talk about— as soon as the other man's voice rang through the receiver, the alpha was on guard, jealousy surged in his heart, he felt so much fury coursing through his veins that he wanted to make his brother pass away.

He hung up.

After that, neither brother was able to sleep again. Hunter was working out and making the rounds of Andrea's house hoping to find his ex-boyfriend's rapist and beat him up. Harley went to the gym to get out the rage he was feeling. He was spinning the idea that they had slept together.

He was waiting for hours in the office for his younger brother to arrive, he was in a foul mood and everyone seemed to notice it, except Andrea. She looked radiant, she seemed to be happier than in previous days. That bothered me more. The more I noticed those little details, the worse her mood got.

Finally, at lunchtime, when everyone left the office, Hunter arrived. He had been watching for his girl to come out, because he didn't want her to know yet what kind of family he had, even though many people thought it was luxurious to have money, he didn't understand what kind of obligations they had.

He rapped the door with his knuckles twice.

—Just come in, i***t, why are you here? — claimed Harley pretending to look at some papers.

—Are you in a bad mood? Did someone give you a bad blow job?— the way he joked annoyed him, because he had a stupid grin on his face.

—Don't be disgusting or I'll call the city to get you out of my office— Hunter knew something else was going on. Before he came, he had heard rumors that he had defied his father and gave him an ultimatum.

—Let's be serious then- I sat in a chair in front of his desk— I went for Andrea Smith- Harley's heart stopped, would he know they had had something s****l?

—Andrea?— she feigned ignorance.

—Don't play stupid, she's almost your personal assistant, so yes, we'll talk about her.