Survival of the Bloodline

Ch 7

*CASPER'S POINT OF VIEW*

    It was just another day in the pack house. Sun peaks through my blinds waking me from my drunken slumber. I roll over and see.... Of course i'm not alone. When aren't I? Being the future alpha does have its perks. But even after everything, I can't wait to meet my mate. I'm not a gushy, romantic type but, to finally have someone I can depend on and someone who is as laxed as I am. It'll be the best time.

    I'm the oldest of three in the Moon Mountain Pack. My name is Casper O'Neil and I am 22 years old. I'm not all hands on with the whole "Learning to be Alpha" juuuuuuust yet because, well, Dad doesn't need to give it up just yet. He's still kicking, the pack is safe, all our alliances are held strong, why do I need to do s**t? I might as well be young while I still can. 

    I drag myself out of bed and head out to my balcony. I reach into my hiding spot and pull out my bowl. Packing it nice, I light up and enjoy the early morning sunrise over the Rocky Mountains. I hear rustling behind me then feel a hand on my back.

    "Mmmhm you gonna share? Or are you being selfish this morning?" Kayla, last night's smash and consistent FWB since hitting our teens, asks as she gently scratches my back with her nails.

    "Nah, i'll be nice today, since you were courteous last night," I pass the bowl and place a kiss upon her cheek. As we stand outside and chief on the now almost empty bowl, I hear a knock on my door.

    "Casper, you up? I need you in my office today."

    s**t!!!! IT'S MY DAD!!!

    "Uh, yea Dad, i'll be down in a half hour. Just rolled outta bed." I holler back trying to hide my bowl in case he comes in.

    "Alright, i'll see you in a bit. OH, and Cas?"

    "Yea dad?"

    "Next time you wanna smoke in the pack house, block the crack under your door. At least so your mother doesn't smell it.""

    f**k. I smack myself in the face. I forgot about the f*****g door. 

Way to go dumbass. Now we're really screwed!!  Ian, my wolf says. He said one more time and we're cut off.

"I know, I know. But what am I suppose to do? Quit cold turkey? It's easier to deal with life if im fried. What's wrong with that?"

   Umm, you could be normal and train like every other person here!! Even Kayla can kick our ass at this point. Face it dude. We're getting kicked out of the pack.

    I block him out. I don't need a speech from my alter ego. He's right but, I just don't see the need to train if we never fight anyone BUT each other. I'm better at solving problems with my wit, charm and words, rather than my fists. It fits my vibe better.

    I look over at Kayla and she just shakes her head, "Well, Cas. It was fun while it lasted. Buuuut I think we need to end this."

    She turns and walks back into my room, I'm on her heels. "What do you mean end this?"

    She sighs, "Don't get me wrong, Cas. You're an incredible person. But I'm ready to find my mate and start a life. I'm ready to grow up and take responsibility. Unlike you. You just wanna party, get high and wait for your new life to be handed to you. Which you're not nearly even READY for. All I'm saying is: I'm not hooking up with you anymore. I'm not gonna party with you anymore. I'm moving on. Annnnd moving out of the pack house. So after today, this is goodbye."   She looks over at me and sees the sadness growing in my eyes. "You haven't been the same since..."

    I stand tall and turn my back to her, "Dont even say it."

    Kayla sighs, "This is what i'm talking about Cas. You don't wanna open up and we all know its eating you alive. Thats why you party. Thats why you smoke. You dont wanna feel. You'd rather be numb and shut down, then deal with your problems than grow up. I'm sorry Cas, but I cant aid in that any longer. I will always be here for you but only when you're ready."

    She has already changed her clothes and walks over to me. She kisses me on the cheek and then walks out the door. My knees buckle and I hit the floor. I'm heartbroken. We may not have been mates but she was my first and only since we were 16. Even if we weren't together officially, everyone knew we were an item. No other male in the pack was allowed to even look at her that way. And she's such a fierce warrior. Number one Female wolf in the pack and has my father's utmost respect. And I just let her walk away.

Serves you right dude. She's right. YOU NEED TO GROW THE f**k UP!! I'm tired of being attached to someone who doesn't give a s**t.

"If you didn't like it, why didn't you MAKE me do anything YOU wanted?"

Hey dumbass that's not how I work. I'm like your conscience. Only you have the control over your life. I am here for you to bond with and utilize for the good of yourself and your family and your pack. You're a future Alpha for Goddess's sake and YOU CAN'T EVEN FIGHT! That looks so bad and it makes the pack look weak. 

"Ok, and? Our alliances are sound."

For now. But what if the next generation of Alphas feel the alliances are trash and wanna expand territory? You can't even fight side-by-side with your men. What then?

"Ian, what do you want me to say? I care about my pack?  You know that."

THen prove it. Stop being what everyone assumes you to be and become the Alpha they need you to be.

And with that, he goes silent.

    I shake my head and climb in the shower. As the hot water mulls over, I think about what Kayla said. What Ian said. I hate when other people are right. I think I need to actually grow up and become the next Alpha like I should've been doing years ago. I let my pride get in the way and maybe, just maybe, Dad will give me a chance to finally get my s**t together. And as much as it pains me, i have to face my past as well. I am NOT ready for this s**t.

     I hop out of the shower, get dressed, and head down stairs. Granted my outfit doesn't fit my new mindset, (Rasta Tank with Bob Marely on it, my flip flops and my swim trunks because I promised the boys a pool day today) I refuse to take a step back. Buuuut maybe after I finish with dad I can hit the bowl---

ARE YOU TRYING TO PISS ME OFF?!?! NO MORE SMOKING!!!!! IF YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT BOWL I WILL MAKE YOU THROW UP EVERYWHERE!

"Alright note taken. Not even one last time?"

CASPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Alright, alright. I get it" Insert eye roll.

I make my way to the main floor and swing by the kitchen. My morning wake and bake munchies are kicking in. I sneak in and notice most of the pack is at morning training. Perfect, time to raid the pantry. Just as I reach for the pack of Oreos calling my name, I hear “DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT CASPER!”

Fuck. I’m caught. I turn to see a short stout woman, The chief chef of the pack, Lydia. Her hands are on her hip and I can feel her stare burn a hole in my empty stomach.

“Morning Lydia,” I give a weak smile. But she is unphased. She crosses her arms and it only scares me more. I drop my head in defeat and hand her the Oreos. She takes them willingly but still stands in front of me. Now I’m confused. 

“On a scale from 1 to starving, how bad are your munchies?” Lydia rolls her eyes and chuckles. I laugh too.  She turns and signals me to follow. “On second thought, don’t answer that I already know.” 

I follow her into the main kitchen and sit along the island that matches the size of a bar counter. Mostly used for warriors and me when I’m fried at 3am. Lydia begins to busy herself making my favorite, French toast smothered in powdered sugar. 

Lydia is the ONLY adult in this pack that doesn’t disapprove of my smoking of the devils lettuce. She once told me she did it when she was young. And she also said I’ll grow out of it. That i highly doubt, but thanks for the vision of hope. It’s quiet for a while until she finishes.

She hands me my plate and she climbs up beside me with a plate herself and we dig in. It’s like he’s heaven on a plate. I moan and Lydia busts out laughing. 

“Contain your enthusiasm lover boy. Kayla might get jealous.”

With that, my heart sank. I forgot. She’s leaving me. She’s leaving what we have. I begin to poke at my food. Lydia notices and stops eating, “boy if you waste your food, imma beat your ass. “

I shook my head. “I won’t, it’s just Kayla. She’s moving out today. And she cut me off. She doesn’t want to be with me anymore. I’m just taking it hard.”

Her faces slumps. “I’m so sorry Cas. I didn’t know. I didn’t mean to ruin your mood. How about this? I’ll bake your favorite cake for dessert tonight. That way you can have a comfort food ready for your nightly scavenge.” With that, I smile. She always knows how to cheer me up. I wrap her in a hug and thank her. I devour the rest of my food and head in the direction of the alphas office.

I make my way to dad's office, thinking over what i'm gonna say. 

"I'm sorry I'm a failure" No, too mean. 

"I wanna make you proud." No, too obvious.  

"I'm ready for whatever I have to do. I wanna help." Perfect

Plus, "sorry it took so long."

I reach his office door and get ready to knock when I feel Ian pulling on me.

"Hey, I gotta somewhere I need to be."

Get the to front door.

"Ok, why?"

JUST GO!!!

    Without a second thought, i race to the front door. I open it and see a woman getting ready to knock. My eyes go wide

I hear Ian scream, MATE!!!!!

And she collapses into my arms. I catch her and flip her over.

"Ian are you sure?"

CAN I ASK WHY IN THE ACTUAL f**k I WOULD LIE TO YOU!!!!!!

Ok fair point. I check her pulse, still beating but it's weak.

I need to get her to doc. I mind link with Doc, "Doc I need a bed ready stat!! Someone just collapsed and i'm heading your way as fast as I can!"

    I pick her up and hoist her on my shoulder and take off for the med house. I mind link with dad explaining why I didn't come in and told him i'd talk to him later. I just hope he's not mad. That's all I need right now, an angry alpha right when I meet my mate. 

    At the Med house, Doc Ann evaluates her as I stand frantic in the corner. Ann is taking her sweet ol' time and im going insane. And i'm still in shock. My mate just showed up at my house, on my doorstep and she's pretty much dead.

    Ann finally finishes, "Well for a girl her age and in her condition, i'm impressed she's still breathing. She's physically exhausted but stable. She needs her rest. Then we hear her stur for the first time in hours.

(You guys already read this part in chapter 6. If you need a refresher, refer there :))

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As I walk back toward the pack house. It hits me, I finally met my mate! I’ve been dreaming of this day for so long but it didn’t turn out as I had hoped. Yeah, she’s absolutely beautiful. Her dark hair and her piercing silver eyes, nothing but a cold stare. I wish I knew how to help her but she wants to leave. I can’t let her go so easy. I just got her. 

Well, her wolf DID tell me she thinks you’re a weak Rasta i***t and doesn’t think you could survive the lifestyle she’s forced to live, Ian chimes in. 

Great. She thinks I’m a weak fool. That’s ALL I need. If she thinks I can’t protect her, she has no reason to stay. Well I f****d this up before it’s started. 

“Hey Cas, everything okay? You ran out in a hurry.” Dad mind links me. 

“Yeah, I’m on my way back now. And we have a lot to talk about.”

“Alright I’ll have Lydia bring us lunch. It’s one of those kinds of talks” and with that he disconnects. I start running, he’s right. It’s that kind of talk. 

- - - - - - - - 

Inside dads office, I’m seated in a chair opposite him. The tension is thick enough to cut through. I sigh and relent, “why did you want to talk to me this morning dad? If it’s about my laziness and my unwillingness to step up as next in line, I don’t blame you for being disappointed.”

My dad raises his hand to stop me, “Casper, I know you feel like a disappointment and I do wish you would start learning the job finally. But I can’t force you to do anything. But you’re getting to that age where it’s time for me to retire and you to step up and assume the title.”

“Well, Alpha Everett, if you will have me as an apprentice. I’m would like to learn and take my place as the next in line for the title of Alpha.” I stand before him and extend my hand. He smiles, beaming with pride and shakes it. It’s official now, I’m the future alpha and am responsible for the well being of this pack. Take that Ian.

Took you long enough asshole. 

As we sit back down, I remember Alys.

“Dad, I Have big news. The reason I couldn’t make it here earlier was because I found my mate.”

Dad beams again. “That’s wonderful son. Is it Kayla? You two have been mighty close for a very long time.”

This time, when talking about Kayla, I don’t feel daggers in my heart. Probably because of the mate bond. 

“Actually no dad. She’s still moving out.” His head drops a bit in disappointment. “Her name is Alys and she just arrived this morning. But not under great circumstances unfortunately.”

This peaked my fathers interest and thus I begin telling the events of this morning. I left out her history just because, well, it’s not my story to tell. Once I finish, dad sits back in his chair. 

“This is troubling indeed. We haven’t taken in a rogue in a very long time. And we can’t keep her if she does t wish to stay. I don’t know what to do son.”

I groan, “dad you don’t understand. We HAVE to protect her. Just forget about the mate bind for a second. She’s not just another rogue. She’s my mate. My one and only.”

Dad shakes his head, "Son, you know the laws of this pack. It's not up to me. It's up to the council but you know how they feel about rogues. MY hands are tied."

    I run my fingers through my hair in frustration, "Alpha Everett, i am asking not as your son but as the next alpha, at least meet her before you pass judgement. How can she defend herself when no one knows who she is. She is to be the future Luna of this pack, she has a right to fight to stay here."

    My dad sits back in his chair and ponders my words. I see he's deep in thought and really thinking about this. Am i actually going to get through??

If you actually convince him, i swear to the goddess i will s**t a brick. Ian says dumbfoundedly.

Big bet.

After a few intense moments of silence, my dad stands. I rise to meet him.

    "Alright son. I'll take your offer. I will meet her then see if the council needs to be involved or not. But i will warn, if the elders hear i went over their head, it's on you to handle the situation."

    I extend my hand in agreement. He takes it and we shake on it. "For her, dad, I'd take on the world. She's resting in the Med house right now. I said i'd be back later to check on her, if you'd care to join me?"

    "I will in a bit son. I have one more meeting then i'll be that way," Da says sitting back down. I nod and exit his office. Once the door is closed i let out a huge sigh of relief.

    I cant believe we just did that.

    I'm still impressed he's at least willing to be the rules for you. Well done Cas, you've managed to convince your father to back down. But can you handle the council?

    Hey, one battle at a time dude. First, let's make sure she's stable and get her into the pack house before we tackle the big stuff. Cool with you?

    You're the boss. Then Ian goes silent.

    I head to the kitchen and see Lydia already baked my favorite cake, Triple Chocolate with Cream cheese frosting covered in sprinkles (dont judge me). I grab a couple slices then make my way back toward my mate.