Silent Strength: The Female Alpha Leads the Purge

Chapter 5

Snarling teeth were the defining feature that my eyes locked on as I continued circling the wolf who had I once thought to be my ride-or-die. He had let me down. I had every right to say the things I had to him. My mate lay bleeding on the ground and didn’t even send someone in his stead. He only challenged me now because I hurt his pride. Or maybe he was actually angry at himself for his actions and decided to take it out on me. Either way, I was about to unleash all training I had reserved for his father’s demise on him.

“What the hell, Sam? You don’t denounce a position because you’re throwing a tantrum!”

“Tantrum? That’s what you think this is? You didn’t even send help. I was on my own. I thought I was going to have to watch her die!?” I yelled through our link.

We both kept pacing around each other. I wasn’t sure if our linking was getting closer to dropping the potential blood bath or closer to it. I didn’t have a chance to figure it out though as my father’s large figure walked directly between us. He was probably the only male besides Damien who would be confident enough to get between two strong wolves while staying so calm. His arms were crossed at his chest and he stared disapprovingly at the two of us.

“Shift back. You’re too old for this shit.”

My mother was wringing her hands, leaning up against the frame of the back door. I crouched as I shifted, untying the clothes from my leg and jumping into my dark jeans. I threw my shirt over my shoulder as I walked toward the house, wearing a crooked smile and scoffing at Joshua who remained naked. My mother exacerbated my humor as she searched for something to offer her Alpha in order to cover him up, only to untie her short apron and hold it in his direction. Laughter could no longer be contained and spilled over as I took a seat at the round kitchen table in my parent's cottage.

I ran my hand over the top, worn with age. It brought back memories of all the times Clara would stand, telling tall tales of playground conquests and the fights she won. This was also where my mother would serve peanut butter cookies, Joshua’s favorite, when she realized how he was being manipulated by his father. I ran my hand underneath, smiling as I felt the initials we “secretly” carved into the bottom. My father had us run at the training grounds until we puked as punishment, but my mother refused to let him sand them out. Instead, she put a heavy layer of protectant on top. I looked over at her, realizing that the male throwing on my father’s shorts wasn’t simply her Alpha, but in her heart, he was her adopted son. This was probably killing her inside and I couldn’t stand the thought.

Joshua sat across from me, face still hard. I didn’t want to forgive him, but I also realized I didn’t want him as an enemy.

“Remember when Dan thought he would get the upper hand on Clara and tried jumping her after school?” My voice held a tinge of amusement as I fiddled with the pocket knife which always sat on the lazy susan in the middle of the table.

“We put him in the hospital for a week,” Joshua replied, his eyes also not meeting mine, but a middle ground being formed.

“Listen, we’ve always been there for each other. I needed you there for me. You knew Scarlett was okay, but my Kristi was dying. I felt helpless, but even worse, I felt alone. It shouldn’t have been that way.”

He didn’t answer right away, and my mother’s tears from the kitchen started boring holes in my heart.

“You’re right. I could only think about Scarlett. You were always there for me, and I let you down. I’m sorry.”

Well, that was unexpected. My father, finally approving and relaxing a bit, pushed off from where he leaned against the wall behind Joshua and walked to the kitchen, kissing my mother’s cheek.

“Okay Lonna, you can give them cookies now.” He stole another kiss before grabbing a glass and the bottle of whiskey, joining us at the table.

Both Joshua and I held confused expressions as we looked over at the single glass as the amber liquid poured inside.

“You act like children, you get served like children.” He said, taking a drink.

“You know I’m your Alpha?” Joshua said with his brow raised.

“Then act like one.”

No one else could have gotten away with that response but my father. The usual respect that his voice held was drained. Maybe it was because we were in his house. My mother set down a large plate filled with cookies and I pushed back the slight agitation at being treated as a child when I realized half were chocolate chip.

“So, how is Kristi?” My mother asked, sitting on my father’s lap even though there was an empty seat.

I sighed. “She doesn’t want me. She refuses to let me even go to her until I learn sign language. I have no idea what role she will let me play in her life. I feel… lost.”

I could tell they all felt bad for me. It was to be understood. I sat there, wearing her mark, yet not a part of her life. My parents had a typical wolf relationship, finding each other once they came of age. Joshua was Scarlett’s hero, so he also had no idea what to do. Kristi was different. She was an Alpha in her own right, she didn’t need some Beta to rescue her.

We all sat silently for a moment before my mother interrupted our thoughts.

“Seems pretty easy to me, then.”

We all turned to face her, eyebrows raised.

“You learn sign. We all do. It seems like she hasn’t had anyone do that for her. Maybe this is a test. How would you feel if she wouldn’t accept you because you have Beta blood? That would crush you. Everyone has refused to accept her because she is deaf. You were both born that way, and there’s no changing it. You simply want people in your life to love you the way you are, who don’t want to change you. We are her family now, so we will all learn.”

She said the words in such a nonchalant manner, that it was as if she were explaining how to make the cookies in front of us.

I couldn’t help my smile. “Thank you, mom. But how do you suppose we do that?”

“Samuel, I thought you were smarter than this. How does anyone learn a new language? There are classes in the human town, books, online courses, and even the cutest little teacher right here in our pack.” She looked at Joshua as she spoke, not exactly hoping for his approval, but more demanding it.

“Of course. I imagine Rose would be thrilled to know we all want to learn her sister’s language.” He smiled.

I nodded gratefully at all of them before starting to get up, thinking I would head to the pack house and start my lessons right away when the pain started ripping through my chest like nothing I had felt before. I grabbed onto the table, trying to steady myself as I fell to the floor, white noise blocked the yelling out of my ears as everyone reached for me, and lights sparkled in my eyes as a singular word escaped my lips…. “Kristi.”