Wanted by the Alpha King's Son

Chapter 7.

Shaun's POV

I leave the house before sunrise and head over to the tennis court. I couldn't go back to sleep, after the argument I had with my father.

I was still feeling pissed and I needed to blow off some steam.

I still can't believe the audacity that he had, telling me that I'll be his best man and that I'll toast him at his rehersal dinner.

He really must have had a ton to drink last night because he clearly forgot how much we hate each other and how little I think of him marrying a girl younger than me.

I'm sure the only reason he asked is because he wants to put on a show for the pack again. The adoring son, by his father's side, supporting him and wishing him well.

As if.

He probably also wants Emma to think that he is a wonderful father. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that he'll try to get her pregnant as soon as possible. A brand new heir to his thrown. A brand new life that he can ruin.

The sun has started to rise and sweat is dripping from my forehead. I've been going at it hard for a long while.

I just feel so helpless and so frustrated. I know that something has to be done and I know that I am the one who should be doing it. I just don't know what yet.

Why is it that the bad guy always gets away with everything?

I feel like smashing my tennis racket to pieces.

This isn't fair. Something's gotta give, sooner, rather than later.

A long while later, Stanley comes walking over to the tennis court from the house.

He is carrying a tray with what looks like a full english breakfast, coffee and orange juice.

I take a seat on the bench and whipe my face with a towel as I wait for him.

"Breakfast mister Shaun. A young and growing wolf needs to eat."

Stanley smiles as he approaches me and I take the tray from him. I place the tray on the bench beside me, I have to admit that I am very thankful for the meal, I have worked up quit the appetite.

"Thanks Stan, you're a real life saver."

Stanley takes a seat on the bench, next to the tray of food.

He would never be able to be this comfortable with my father. Joseph would probably have Stanley shunned from the pack for being so forward.

"I heard you and master Joseph going at it earlier this morning, mister Shaun."

I scoff and kick a pepble away with my shoe.

"Yea Stan, can you believe he wants me to give a toast at their rehersal dinner and he wants me to be his best man?"

Stanley sits in silence for a moment, regarding his hands, that are folded in his lap.

"Would that be the worst thing you could do, mister Shaun?"

I raise both eyebrows at Stanley, I'm a little shocked by his answer, but I know that Stanley is a wise man and a rational thinker, so I am also intrigued.

"What do you mean Stan?"

Stanley looks at me with a small smile teasing the corners of his mouth.

"Perhaps keeping up appearances with master Joseph will give you an advantage. Making him think that you might be on his side, allowing him to let his gaurd down a little.

I grin at Stanley. I had to give him credit, he knew what he was talking about.

"And if you don't want to do it for the sake of master Joseph, perhaps you could do it for the sake of the girl."

Now I'm a little confused. How will my giving a speech and standing next to my father on their wedding day, benefit Emma?

"Stan?"

"Show the girl that she has a friend in you, that she is not alone. Keep your father happy. We both know that he is less horrible when he is happy."

I sigh deeply and run a distracted hand through my hair.

Stanley is right. I can't argue with that.

While I am always glad for his sound advice, I hate what it means for me this time.

I will have to go back to my father, with my tail between my legs, and give him what he wants.

I'm doing this for Emma. I have to remind myself of that and it will make the whole thing more barable.

Suddenly my appetite has vanished and I feel sick to my stomach.

"You're right Stan, but unfortunately I have lost my appetite. I'm sorry Stan."

Stanley gets up from the bench and takes the tray.

"Not to worry mister Shaun. I understand completely. Good luck and have a good day."

I smile at him as I stand up as well.

"Thanks Stan."

I follow him up to the house, no point in postponing the matter. Might as well get it over with.

I leave Stanley in the kitchen and find my father having breakfast in the dining room.

He looks up from his plate as I enter, but returns to it right away.

I immediatley felt annoyed with him.

I take a deep breath to calm my emotions before I speak.

"I have given it some thought, and if you'll still have me, I would like to give a toast at the rehersal dinner and I would be happy to be your best man as well."

The words taste bitter, coming out of my mouth. I all but choke on them.

Joseph looks up at me again and raises an eyebrow.

"I see you've been talking to Stanley again." He half smirks at me.

I would like to wipe that smirk off of his face, but now is not the time for that.

"Does it really matter how I came to the conclusion, or does it only matter that I came to it father?"

I struggle to keep the irritation out of my voice.

Joseph sits back in his chair and folds his arms over his chest. He looks very pleased with himself.

"And why did you come to this descision? If you don't mind me asking Shaun?"

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair.

I hate every minute of this dog and pony show.

"I believe that it is better for the pack, if we present a united front."

Shit, I actually believe it would be better for the pack if he just vanished, but now isn't the time for that either.

"I knew that you would eventually come to your senses Shaun and that you would see it my way."

He is trying to play it cool, but I can tell that he is relieved. It would look really, really bad for him if his only son was a no show at his wedding. The pack would start to ask questions that he did not want to answer.

"Yea, sure dad, whatever."

I turn to leave, but he stops me.

"Shuan?"

I turn to face him again.

"Thank you son. Perhaps this is what we need to heal as a family. Perhaps this will bring us closer to each other again."

He's kidding, right? He's janking my chain. He has to be.

I just stare at him blankly.

How on earth can his marriage to Emma, the girl I love, help us to heal? How will this bring us closer?

A lifetime of hurt and trauma won't just be healed. Besides, I have absolutely no desire to be close to him. That is the last thing I want. The further away from him I am, the happier I am.

"Yea, I really wouldn't count on that dad."

He shrugs.

"Well, a man can dream. Can't he?"

He opens up his morning paper and starts reading it as if this entire conversation didn't just happen.

I turn and walk out of the dining room, shaking my head in disbelief.

How wonderful it must be to be the great Alpha King? How wonderful it must be not to care about anyone other than yourself.

Thank God that I am more my mother's son than I am my father's.