Curtis restricted and reformed the outburst of his emotions to that which would look like he wasn’t working with the Blue Moon’s pack.
He allowed his face to contort in slight fury and then curiosity, in just the right amounts that would propel his father to explain himself, and not doubt that he was still on the latter side.
“I know. I know that you are angry. But I had my reasons. The alliance is just for the good of the pack.”
Just like you had when you had caused our separation from Uncle Peter?
Then, Curtis had been actually happy for the separation, happy to be away from his perfect cousin. Although he had wished for less bloodshed, he had aligned with his father’s statement then; that peace usually came after a war.
And for some years he had been living with that delusion until now. Until he discovered that his father was just a power hungry ruler. Yet he piqued his right eyebrow, in a way that suggested that he was ready to listen.
He was actually curious to see what his father had to say to excuse himself from his atrocities.
“It is all for the future of the pack. Obviously Legardo and Leonarya will win this war; they are a powerful and formidable force combined. So, I believe that I am wise enough to admit that, and just play it safe, so that our pack will not be annihilated as the other strong headed packs. That’s why I did what I did. It’s part of the plan.”
Curtis nodded his head, as if he understood the picture now. As if he wasn’t fighting with stopping himself from shouting at his father for poisoning his younger brother.
That was also part of the plan? How could he do that to his own blood?
No matter how cold hearted he was, Curtis knew that he could never kill his own sister, no matter the feud or how power hungry he was. And what about Emma?
Curtis stopped himself from thinking; he might go overboard with his feelings if he ventured to that topic.
“What about Penny? Who is she really? Another spy from White Sted pack?”
Arnold nodded, and Curtis stopped himself from growling in the anger that was perforating his veins. His father was lying. He was still lying. Curtis held back a sarcastic laugh.
“So you wanted me to mate with her, because..”
“It will solidify our union with the White Sted pack. She is the daughter of one of the ruling elders, and she is a very powerful wolf.”
Cutis couldn’t resist making a dig now, a puncture in his father’s plans. “Well, that won’t be happening now.”
He made sure that to infuse the right amount of weariness into his voice, the right amount of sadness at a plan gone to nought.
“Why?”
Arnold frowned, not understanding. He thought his son was beginning to comprehend him. Why was the latter proving strong headed now?
“She has found her mate. Her mate is the Beta Caden’s son, Clem…”
Curtis stopped himself from adding that his own mate was the latter’s sister. He still found it funny; the humor of the goddess, or fates, whatever that was.
He watched, holding back a smile, when his father hit the table in anger.
“That’s why I told you to marry her then. If you had married her…”
“If I had, I would have been left stranded. Do you think she would have stayed with me, and rejected her mate?” Curtis asked, cutting his father’s tirade.
Arnold scoffed, then stood on his feet, and began pacing around.
If his son was right, then there may be nothing literally stopping Legardo from cutting him off from the deal, except for the cave. But then, if Penny gets to that, as she is mated to the beta’s son, then that leverage was off too. He needed to do something. But what?
What could he do? He palmed his hands that were beginning to sweat, forgetting Curtis for a minute, until the latter coughed.
“Do you have any idea on how to continue the union with them?” He threw the question to his son, having no other choice, since Maya wasn’t here.
Curtis stood up to his feet. “I don’t know father. You should think of whatever edge you have, actually I think you should have one. Is there something about my cousin’s pack that Legardo doesn’t know? An entry, a passageway, a secret meant only for the Trigger’s family? For example, the cave-from what I had from uncle Peter- the only people that knows the location and has the map is the Alpha.”
Curtis paused, waiting for a beat, to make sure that his father was following him. His old man couldn’t feel hopeless now. He would give him enough hope, and then, well…
A nod from Arnold, and he continued:
“I know that this information can never be given out even to the Luna, not to mention a beta. So, I don’t think Penny can get her hand on the information. I don’t think your union with the others is off yet.”
Curtis mentally beat his chest at his proactiveness, when his father smiled, and tapped him on the shoulder.
“That is true. For a moment, I had panicked for no cause. Have you eaten supper?”
“Not yet. I will take that as my cue to look for mother. I haven’t seen her since I came back. She must be in the kitchen, since she isn’t here right?”
His father’s eerie silence told him that she was not in the kitchen. Yet he thought it wise not to question him. Rather with a bow, he bid his father well, and walked out of the room, heading first to the kitchen.
“Mother!” He called out loud, returning to the passageway when he found the kitchen empty, the plates too clean, yet dusty. When was the last time cooking was done there? No wonder his father had been looking so gaut.
Where was his mother? When he saw one of the doors to the rooms ahead of him open, and his mother’s head pop out, he sighed in relief.
“Mother, I have been looking for you..” He mentioned as he engulfed his mother in a bear hug.
“Let’s go inside. We have a lot to talk about.”
His mother said, looking behind him, with something similar to anger on her face.
Curtis turned then, and saw his father watching them with longing in his eyes. That had never happened before.
What was happening between his parents? Why were they sleeping in different rooms? He wondered, as he stepped into his mother’s room, and shut the door.
“Mom, what is going on?”
Jan shook her head, at her son’s question. “I am not comfortable with your father any more. His decisions are searing my conscience. When are you going to your uncle’s pack again? I would like to go with you. If I stay here any longer, I fear I might lose my mind; either by your father’s hands, or by the consequences of his actions.”