Jake’s POV
I was standing by the window, looking into the distant dark clouds. I was in deep thoughts, still pondering over everything I had overheard the werewolves who had attacked me say amongst themselves.
“What are you thinking about again?” Seth asked as he walked into my room. He had become a constant visitor in my room, always coming in uninvited, but not unwanted. His company was always needed, always having the right words to say.
“Hope you’re not here to remind me of the meeting with the Alpha?”
“Definitely! That’s why I’m here,” Seth chuckled. “Your brother has decided not to proceed with the meeting unless you’re present.”
“Then it’s as good as saying the meeting won’t hold.” I scoffed.
“Come one Jake. I don’t expect this from you.. You’re also an Alpha.”
“No I’m not, Seth,” I interrupted him. “John leads the pack. I’m just a figurehead.”
“I don’t care how you see it Jake, but huu can’t change the fact that in this pack, there are two Alphas. You and your brother,”
“Is that what he asked you to come and tell me?”
“Jake, don’t make things hard for John. He’s doing everything he can to make you see that he respects you as a co-alpha of the pack. It’s not easy for him too. Think about it,” Seth gave me a gentle tap on my shoulders before turning to leave the room.
I stood there speechless for a while, my mind still wondering round in thoughts. Seth was right. I was being the difficult one, and not John. He was really doing everything to make out brotherhood bonf grow stronger.
I’ve been doing the same thing before, but for some reasons, after I brought Reyna to the pack, all of that had changed.
Taking a deep breath, I reached out for my jacket, and made my way to the conference room where the meeting was taking place.
As I walked down the hallway, my thoughts continued to swirl. Seth’s words lingered in my mind, gnawing at the guilt I had tried to bury. He was right-John had been more than accommodating, always making sure I felt like an equal in the pack. And yet, ever since I brought Reyna here, things had shifted between us.
I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something inside me felt off, like a part of me was disconnected from the pack and even from myself.
When I reached the conference room, I paused outside the door. I could hear the murmurs of conversation inside, John’s calm voice leading the discussion. I knew the meeting was important, something about the threat note that Reyna’s father had sent to us.
The alliance between our pack and other packs was fragile, and now more than ever, we needed to be united.
Pushing the door open, I stepped inside. The room went silent as all eyes turned to me. John stood at the head of the table, his expression neutral, but I could see the relief in his eyes when he saw me.
“Glad you could join us, Jake,” he said, his voice steady but carrying a hint of warmth.
I nodded and took a seat beside him. The tension in the room was palpable, but John quickly resumed the discussion, as if trying to diffuse any awkwardness between us.
“So where were we?” He asked, pointing towards Dylan, one of the most trusted betas in the pack.
“You were saying something about the threat from Reyna’s father and the need to protect her,” Dylan replied.
“Oh, yes,” John looked at me. We’ve just started actually so you have not missed much.
I gave an indifferent facial expression, my ears itching to know what else was left to discuss.
“It’s not new to any of us that Reyna had failed the test to be admitted into the pack, but that notwithstanding, we can’t leave her to the mercy of her father who sent her away from his pack, and who now suddenly wants her back.
“But, offering her protection when she’s not a full fledged member of the pack would mean going against the werewolf code.” Dylan was quick to sound the reminder.
“I’m very well aware of that, ” John admitted, though painfully. “But we can’t just give her away when in fact we are not sure of the reason why her father now suddenly wants her back.”
Dylan, ever the pragmatic beta, continued to press the point. “We understand your concern, Alpha, but the werewolf code exists for a reason. Protecting someone who isn’t a member could endanger the entire pack. If Reyna’s father brings his pack down on us, we’ll be risking war over someone who hasn’t proven her loyalty.”
I could feel the tension in the room rise again, but this time, it wasn’t because of me. The other pack members were murmuring in agreement. Dylan was right. The werewolf code was the foundation of our survival, and bending it could put all of us in jeopardy.
John ran a hand through his hair, clearly torn. “I know the risk, Dylan. But there’s more to this than meets the eye. Reyna’s father sent her away under strange circumstances, and now he wants her back. That doesn’t sit right with me. I can’t help but think we’re missing something.”He turned to me, his gaze sharp.
The room went silent, all eyes turning to me. I hesitated, my mind racing. What could I say that would help?
“I think the Alpha is right to be cautious,” I finally said, choosing my words carefully. “Reyna’s father doesn’t strike me as the kind of man to suddenly change his mind. If he wants her back, it’s for a reason, and we need to figure out what that reason is before we make any rash decisions.”
John gave a subtle nod, appreciating my support, but Dylan wasn’t convinced.”Even if that’s true, we can’t let her presence jeopardize the pack. If her father comes here with a demand and we refuse, that’s an act of defiance. We’re not in a position to fight off another pack right now.”
“No one is fighting. We’ll handle this with all diplomacy,” John let out a deep sigh.
For the very first time, I saw the difficulty that comes with being the Alpha, and I couldn’t deny the fact that John was handling it well.
“So what’s the decision?” I asked.