Just like Patrick now, people were not the primary concern, but rather tools for the benefit of a group within the society. He was a young alpha, always being educated to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who had achieved outstanding success at a young age. It seemed that every statement subtly accused Patrick of not measuring up to his ancestors. People needed him on one hand, while gossiping about him behind his back, withholding care and support from him.
Even his own mother was the same.
In the end, the only ones concerned about his physical and mental well-being were May, a powerless servant, and her younger sister, who had not been around for long and had never experienced much respect. His former close friends had abandoned him, his mother neglected him, and he no longer had his father.
Emma increasingly felt that many seemingly grand and prosperous groups relied on consuming others to become so powerful. They molded exceptional, vibrant, and creative children into thoughtless machines, holding them in their hands as puppets for their own profit. And in the end, they made these children doubt themselves. Was it me who did something wrong?
“So, in my opinion, you are doing well. Whether your wolf will appear again or not, it doesn’t change the fact that you are already an outstanding alpha,” Emma said.
Patrick hesitated, looking at her. “You trust me a lot. Everyone tells me how to be a competent and mature alpha, but so far, I haven’t really heard any feedback from others.”
As an alpha, showing vulnerability was not allowed. He should handle everything flawlessly like those experienced alphas, without complaining, without showing his fatigue. He should be like Iron Man, but even Iron Man needs to recharge. It had been a long time since he had rested properly.
He learned how to work like his father, reviewing different documents every day, sifting through vast amounts of information to find useful parts, and then delegating tasks to those around him. Every day, he pondered on what a competent alpha should do, and how. His father had not had the chance to teach him everything he had learned in his lifetime before he passed away.
So, he had to figure it out on his own.
Emma smoothed his wind-blown hair, pushing it back, revealing Patrick’s handsome face. His usually stern and cold countenance was no longer expressionless; his features were lively and fragile. This Patrick was no longer the mature and steady older brother he used to be. At this moment, Emma wanted to protect him.
“You are excellent, believe me, you need more confidence,” Emma said gently to him.
Patrick gazed at her. “I need you. You are the only one who is willing to encourage me, to tell me I’m doing well. Talking to you, for some reason, I feel unburdened. It’s like I can share all the good and bad secrets with you. And talking to you is easy; you are very intelligent, more so than many people I have met. They lack your keen insight and empathy. You make me feel at ease.”
Emma replied gently, “Whenever you need me, you can always share with me. You know, when I was in the Blue Halo Pack, I was the best at keeping secrets for others. Everyone liked me.”
But that was after she met Florence; everyone liked to come to the restaurant to see the beautiful and sociable Florence and then confide their troubles in her, who was once silent and reserved.
“Thank you,” he said sincerely.
“You’re welcome,” Emma stood up, imitating the curtsy from the old noble gatherings. “You are welcome to come find me for a chat anytime, dear Patrick.”
Patrick looked at her and smiled, “I like it when you call me Patrick.”
He stood up as well, and they both went back to their respective rooms. As they descended the stairs, Emma suddenly stumbled, almost falling down the stairs. Patrick quickly reached out and caught her. The sudden force made Emma fall into Patrick’s arms, and she quickly struggled out, blushing, and thanked him.
Patrick was also taken aback. There was a faint, intoxicating floral fragrance emanating from Emma’s body, enough to make someone want to collapse by the roadside. But she was his sister!
He suppressed the agitation the scent brought to his blood, saying, “It’s all right, be careful next time.”
But all of this was witnessed by Jennifer below.
After seeing Emma to her room, Patrick turned to Jennifer, who had been observing from the shadows all along, “Mom, why have you been standing there all this time? You should be at the swimming pool for practice. Mike said you signed up for a swimming class, saying it would help stabilize your emotions. It’s time for your class now.”
“I was going to go, but when I saw you and Emma coming down together, I decided not to go.”
Patrick glanced at her, “Why?”
“I don’t like you being with her,” Jennifer stated bluntly.
“I’m an adult now, Mom. You shouldn’t interfere so much with my social freedom. It’s my decision whom I befriend. You should go to your class now, I’ll take you there.”
They walked down the stairs together, during which Jennifer repeatedly brought up the disasters that could occur from the union of a werewolf and a regular wolf or human. Patrick’s ears were almost calloused from listening, and he had to interrupt his mother’s ramblings, “My relationship with Emma is perfectly normal. You don’t need to be so anxious. She’s just a kind and ordinary girl; she won’t do anything out of line.”
“I’m not anxious, I just don’t want you to fall in love with an ordinary wolf. You are the werewolf king, Patrick. You cannot mate with someone who is not a werewolf. It would contaminate the pure werewolf bloodline, and you could very well lose your position as king.”
“She’s not of age yet, Mom,” Patrick forced himself to focus and talk with his mother. “And Nelson has werewolf genes. Don’t be so quick to jump to conclusions.”
“Nelson’s grandfather was the last werewolf in his family, he mated with a regular wolf, thus tarnishing his own bloodline. Even Nelson never had his own wolf in the end. What makes you so sure Emma will have her own wolf once she comes of age?”
Patrick turned to look at his mother, she looked infuriated. What on earth was wrong with her?
“I don’t know, Mom,” Patrick said, “I don’t have feelings for her, but you always assume that I do. I’m just discussing whether she has a chance to become a true werewolf.”
Jennifer felt he was skirting the main issue, “You’ve spent a lot of time on her. You shouldn’t. You should focus on the other girls from the Silver Moon Pack, they are the potential candidates to become your partner, to become the Luna of the Silver Moon Pack. Patrick, Emma is just an ordinary girl.”
Suddenly, Patrick realized the absurdity of this world.