“Mom, you literally got us shot at the way you behaved there,” Levi commented, while they all sat in the car.
“What was my mistake? That fucker was getting on my nerves. Why the hell was he behaving as if I am a criminal, which I am not? I know I came back after 18 years, but that’s no excuse for his behavior,” Maya shrugged.
“He was half right too. He is the Alpha, and there is no way you can disrespect him, but I liked it. He is an asshole too,” Rish laughed.
“Jackson, how did he even become the Alpha? Like why is he the one who won the voting?” Maya looked at Jackson, who was driving the car.
“He got voted because of how he helped everyone. He was not from our pack, but he helped everyone. He was a rogue who helped us fight the rogues who attacked us,” Jackson stated.
“How so? Why would a rogue help? And why the hell did everyone accept a rogue as the Alpha?” Maya gasped in shock as she took in the information.
“He helped, that’s why people in the pack started favouring him. He is a cunning fox. I didn’t even figure out how he got to know about the attack and why he came to help us,” Jackson sighed.
Maya pondered Jackson’s words for a moment before replying, “That just sounds bizarre to me. A rogue becoming the Alpha of our pack? It’s unheard of.”
“I know, right?” Jackson agreed. “But he proved himself invaluable during that attack. Showed incredible leadership and fighting abilities. The pack elders decided he was worthy.”
“I still can’t wrap my head around it,” Maya said, shaking her head. “This Alpha seems shady as hell to me.”
Levi chimed in, “Well, shady or not, you really pissed him off today, Mom. We’re lucky if he doesn’t try to banish us or something.”
“Banish us?” Maya scoffed. “Over my dead body. I’m not going anywhere.”
Rish laughed again. “You’ve got spunk, Mom, I’ll give you that. But maybe cool it around the Alpha for a while until we figure him out?”
“Fat chance of that happening,” Maya muttered stubbornly.
Jackson could already sense the storm brewing between Maya and Lucas. He tried to stay optimistic as he drove them back towards the house. “Let’s just take things one step at a time. We’ll get to the bottom of this, I promise.”
“Priya, how are you feeling, sweetie?” Maya asked, seeing Priyank still rubbing Priya’s back.
“I’m feeling a bit better, Maya. Seeing the dead body really made me nauseated,” Priya softly answered.
“You have to start adapting because you’re the royal heir. When your identity is revealed, it won’t be all sunshine and rainbows. Pack attacks and blood spillings are so normal, just like you saw today. It’s nothing new, so you have to bear it all,” Maya declared.
Priya nodded slowly, her face reflecting a mix of concern and resignation.
Maya sighed heavily, the weight of the day settling on her shoulders. Levi broke the silence, “Mom, we need to figure out how to handle this Alpha situation. You can’t just keep antagonising him.”
“I know, I know,” Maya muttered. “But he’s so damn infuriating! Walking around like he owns the place.”
Rish chuckled. “That’s because he does, Mom. He’s the Alpha. The big guy in charge.”
Jackson interjected, “Lucas isn’t all bad. He’s tough, but he’s kept the pack safe and united.”
Maya shot Jackson a sceptical look. “I still don’t trust him. A rogue becoming the Alpha? It doesn’t sit right with me.”
“He’s not like other rogues,” Jackson explained. “He saved lives during the attack. People respect him.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to like him,” Maya said under her breath.
As they approached the house, Jackson turned into the driveway and parked the car. “Let’s try to keep things civil, at least until we figure out where we stand.”
Maya nodded reluctantly. “Fine. But if he tries anything…”
“We’ll handle it, Mom,” Levi reassured her.
Priya spoke up softly from the backseat. “I just hope everything will be okay. I don’t want any more trouble.”
“We’ll protect you, Priya,” Maya said, reaching back to squeeze her hand.
“I am here to protect you, Angel. You don’t have to worry about anything,” Priyank said, after listening to everyone.
“You’re just a human. How will you help?” Jackson narrowed his eyes.
“I will protect her, no matter what. Even if I don’t have powers, that doesn’t mean I can’t protect her,” Priyank rolled his eyes.
He didn’t like how Jackson dismissed him just because he was human. They may be wolves, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t protect his Angel. It was ridiculous.
“Nonsense.”
Priyank took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure despite Jackson’s scepticism. “Look, I understand I’m not like you guys with all your wolf abilities, but I love Priya, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”
Jackson sighed, his expression softening slightly. “I get that, Priyank. It’s just… this world is dangerous, and we’ve seen things you wouldn’t believe.”
Priyank nodded. “I know it’s dangerous, but I’m not backing down. Priya needs me, and I won’t let her down.”
Maya placed a hand on Priyank’s shoulder, offering him a reassuring smile. “Thank you, Priyank. Your determination means a lot to us.”
She didn’t know why she even did it. Though she didn’t like him, his concern for Priya is instilling confidence, and she can see it in him. Wolf or not, he looks like a predator who would love to tear everyone apart.
Rish grinned. “Yeah, man. You might not be a wolf, but you’ve got guts.”
Levi nodded in agreement. “And anyone who messes with Priya will have to deal with all of us.”
They all got out of the car and walked into the house.
Once they were settled in the room alone, Priyank looked at Priya, who appeared more unsettled. In the car, he could see how she feigned confidence, but he knew she was too innocent for all the bloodshed and fights she would have to endure.
“Angel, if you don’t want to be here, you just have to tell me. I’ll make sure to take you away from all this. You don’t need to force yourself.”