Knight
“Is she okay?” Elliot asks.
The twins wanted to see my parents today, and here we are on the ranch again. They didn’t come for Grandma and Grandpa Shark, though. The friends they made are here running around the house with them, and my mom couldn’t be happier.
“She’s trying to cope with the link,” I say, and look back at Phoebe, who has been staring at the barn since we arrived. I know exactly why she can’t look away, and I feel bad about letting her in. Yet, I’m not getting any distress from her. Her emotions are oddly calm. “You wanted to talk the last time we spoke.”
“Dad is pissed at you,” he says gently.
“I know.” I laugh. He didn’t say a word to me when we arrived. It didn’t go unnoticed by my family either. “It’ll be some time before he gets over it.”
“I want you to arrange a meeting with Eloise Lockwood for me,” he says suddenly. I give him my full attention.
“Am I allowed to ask why?”
“Yeah,” he smiles. “I want a transfer there.”
“What?” what the fuck?
“Yeah, I’ve been working for dad a long time, and I’m never going to meet his standard as alpha. I know they have open sectors, and I want more than what I’m settling for here. I know I have more to offer than running bullshit drills here.”
“You’re the oldest after me.” I remind him. I guess I can’t really say I’m surprised.
“Yeah, but that’s the problem. I’m not you. Even with you being the Rogue King now, he will look for someone more suitable. I’m tired of begging for something I wasn’t born for anyway. Time for me to move on.”
“If that’s what you want.” I agree. “What happened to you don’t want to be-”
“Come on, man,” he scoffs. “You never wanted it? I’m an alpha. I’m not as strong as you, but no one is. Arnold made sure of that. The call was lost when-” he shakes his head. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry.” I shrug it off. I feel when Phoebe’s eyes snap to me.
“It wasn’t on you. None of us would even exist without you. It’s not easy coming in second to the chosen one. It just makes everything we do seem-” he swallows hard.” Small.”
“Eli-”
“It was his choice, Nate. I’m not mad at you. My dad has these expectations. He wants
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to be Arnold so bad. He forgets we’re not like you because we’re his blood. I know
Tess was excited when she got the fuck out of here too. Being a Luna is better than this shit.”
“What if I talk to him?” I offer. “Lockwood City is nice and sparkly, but it’s not exactly a safe place for outsiders.”
“That’s why it has to be LC. I feel like I’m on a leash here. The blood supply is running low. Humans are on the verge of extinction. They’re breaking through, and they will run when they find out they’re just pets here. You know exactly what’s waiting for them out there.
“The hunters are preparing for war. Cali is going to be a battleground. I don’t want to play war games with the fangs. He wanted you to become the alpha to buy time. Blake Industries is done. There’s only one option, but you know him. He’ll never bow to your actual father.”
I’ve known that for a while. It’s why Arnold has been sticking around more than usual. Phoebe was the perfect excuse, but now that we’ve chosen our place. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to get his hands on whatever the fuck is going on in Blake Labs. That’s why he’s stepped down. I knew that motherfucker had something up his sleeve. Now that Phoebe is his biggest fan, he knows this property is as good as his.
“I give it a year.” I nod.
“You knew?”
“Perry owns Lycan Tech and Obsidian Corp. She doesn’t know how to keep her mouth shut, and Violetta is manning the big guns.”
“Fuck,” he laughs.
“Their shares with Lycan Tech are the only reason it hasn’t happened already.”
I’ve been trying to keep them from selling, but it doesn’t look good for them to stay with something that has been failing for a long time. It’s not Freddy’s fault—it’s my father’s. He’s just that ruthless, and no one stands in his way when he wants something. It has nothing to do with his company.
He wants my mother back. With the way Freddy has been dealing with things, it looks like he’s going to get his wish. She’ll go rogue before she lets the surrounding alphas get hold of her. That’s who she is, a survivor. Alphas like Freddy don’t survive the end of their reign. They never want to.
“You plan on helping?”
“Not really. I can’t interfere anymore. It would be in violation of my position against the Pack acts protecting Rogues. I’ve completely rejected anything alpha–related. Unless it‘ s a request from the Alpha King himself, my hands are tied.”
“I’ve never told you, you’re my favorite brother,” he laughs.
“I’m your only brother.” I grin.
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“Thank god for that. More of mom’s sons would have fucked the place up already.” he pats my back.
“You’d be able to fix it, you know. Make shit fair for mortals. If you really want it, fucking take it. The passed on call was lost, but you can still take his. I didn’t kill Arnold because it would double my power. I can barely handle it now. I don’t know what it would do to my family if I did. This is your home, therefore your birthright. I’ve never known you letting shit stand in your way. But watching it all burn down would be just as satisfying for a novice.”
“You said that.” he looks up at me, and I see it in his eyes. It’s not the first time it has crossed his mind.
“We’re animals, Elliot. This is what we do. I’ve done a lot more for a lot less. He wants an alpha who is willing to do what my father did. Give him one. Just be sure you take it properly and if you hurt my mother, I’ll fucking end you. I know Arnold would do anything to get her back.”
“You’re a piece of shit, Knight.” he grins.
“That’s the word.” I agree. “I’d sleep on it.“.
“Thanks, man,” he says and walks away from me. Phoebe doesn’t hesitate to skip toward me.
“What was that?” I laugh when she gets closer. I drop the water bottle when she jumps. I growl, hating the way my stomach drops, thinking she’s going to hurt herself. She makes no complaint about me holding her off the ground when I catch her.
“You okay? Did he tell us to leave?” She rushes out.
“Do you want to leave?” I set her down.
“Yes, and now so do they.” She smirks.
“Now, me, Daddy!” Ayrie shouts from behind us. I turn around to see her galloping with her little arms stretched out. She pushes off the ground with force. I catch her and swing her around while she giggles excitedly.
“Can we go home now?” Aizen asks. “I want to play Minecraft with my friends. Pop- pop sent us new mods, and we want to try them.”
“If we’re all ready to go.” I agree.
“We ready.” Ayrie yawns and rests her head on mine.
“Okay, let’s go say goodbye.”
“Grandpa was so rude to you, Dad.” Aizen shakes his head. Phoebe presses her lips together and looks the other way, telling me she agrees. I crouch down in front of him.
“I know. But just because he does it, doesn’t mean we will do the same. He is your grandpa–shark, and just because he’s upset with me doesn’t mean we forget that. You will say goodbye politely, and that’s it. Yes?”
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“Why?” his eyes flash red. “You’re the strongest. Nobody should be mean to you or mom. Pop–pop said so. You’re the King.”
“We are,
which is why we don’t act like those lesser. We’re better, and it’ll bother him more if we don’t acknowledge his behavior.” I tip his chin and motion for him to do as I
ask.
“Okay, Dad.” he nods and looks up at Ayrie to ensure she does the same. She wiggles out of my hold and takes his hand so he can escort her.
“You had me in the first half.” Phoebe clears her throat.
“This is the last time they’re going to say goodbye to him,” I shrug. “He shouldn’t feel guilty for it later.”
