Chapter 8 Kieran

• I was in a rather good mood until the alpha mansion came into view and I saw the man who made my life miserable, standing on the front porch with his hands on hips. ‘Fuck me! I was only ten minutes late for dinner.’ I thought as I glanced at the clock on my dashboard. I rolled to a stop at the base of the steps, cut the engine and calmly inhaled and exhaled before exiting the car.
• “You’re late. You don’t make the rules yet, I do! Dinner is served at 1700 sharp,” he bellowed, causing several nearby pack members to stop and glance in our direction.
• “I’m sorry I caused you to worry, father. Perhaps sending me to bed without my supper will teach me a lesson,” I drawled causally and watched him flush scarlet. Prick.
• He launched himself off the porch and drew his fist back to take a swing at me as he shouted, “I will not tolerate your disrespect boy!”
• I easily sidestepped his movement and noticed that Billy and Tommy were quickly approaching in my periphery. I gave a subtle shake of my head to hold them off while keeping my eyes on the deranged man that was my father. He easily recovered from his failed attempt to punch me and came at me with rage burning in his eyes.
• I blocked the next punch, but the following one grazed my shoulder as I pivoted and followed through with one of my own that caught him mid chest. We continued to trade blows until the fucker decided to play dirty and shifted.
• I didn’t even have time to blink as Thunder surged forward and countered the attack. I can’t really say how long we continued to fight but I could tell that he was growing tired. I was stronger and faster than he was, especially in wolf form. When he faltered slightly, Thunder seized the opportunity and clamped his jaws around Rocky’s neck.
• ‘Submit or die! Your choice,’ I said through the mind-link as Thunder increased the pressure of his hold.
• ‘I’ll never submit to the likes of you! You’re pathetic and a disgrace!’ my father shouted through the mind-link and continued to struggle.
• ‘No, you're the disgrace and now I will end my pack’s suffering as you die without hon…’ I replied as my father’s body convulsed and went limp.
• Thunder released the hold he had on Rocky’s neck, and I shifted back quickly. I looked up and Xavier was standing next to my father’s body with his hands held high. “I couldn’t let you do something you would regret later, Kieran. You would never forgive yourself for killing him. I’m sorry, but I did it for you,” Xavier said.
• “If you’re gonna be mad at anyone, blame me. I mind-linked Xavier when I saw things were taking a turn. He’s right, you would never forgive yourself for killing him, Kieran,” Billy said, stepping forward.
• “Dose him with wolfsbane, put a silver cuff around his neck and throw him in a cell. I’m going to get a shower and see you in my living room in an hour,” I said and walked into the mansion.
• Cookie came out of the kitchen and took in my appearance before quickly scurrying away. I will apologize to her later. I needed a shower and to clear my head.
• Why couldn’t he just act like a normal father, just once? Why was he always looking for a fight no matter what I did? I have taken his anger for years and brushed it off as him not knowing how to deal with his grief. I can’t shoulder his grief any longer, I was barely able to deal with my own.
• These were the thoughts that were circling through my head as I stepped under the hot spray of the shower. I hissed as the water hit my shoulder and looked over to see that the old man had gotten a good swipe in at some point. I turned so that the water hit the spot as the claw marks slowly closed and the blood-tinged water ran clear. Once I was clean and my muscles had relaxed, I cut off the water and dried myself off before heading to my closet.
• I slipped on my ‘Guns and Roses’ t-shirt and walked to the dresser and grabbed a pair of sweats and slipped them on. The guys didn’t care what I looked like, and this was not something I felt like I had to dress up for. I didn’t even bother with shoes before heading down the stairs.
• Just as I got to the bottom of the stairs Cookie was wheeling a cart into the living room. “Cookie, you didn’t have to go to that trouble,” I said as I followed behind her.
• She whirled around and her eyes were raw with emotion. “Pardon the disrespect Alpha, but you don’t get to tell me how I get to deal with my stress. I have had to stand by and watch that hideous man torture the closest thing I have had to a son! Your mother may have been my Luna, but she was also my best friend. It nearly destroyed me having to keep my mouth shut while he did his best to make you as miserable as he was. Elizabeth was a beautiful soul, and her son is just like her. That’s what Charles hated most about you; you were his heir, but you were Elizabeth’s son!” she shouted and crumpled to the floor sobbing.
• “Shh, please don’t cry Cookie. I’m gonna make things right, I promise. No more torture, no more suffering, we’re going to finally have peace. Thank you for loving me when no one else would. Don’t think for a second, I didn’t know the little things you did to let me know you were looking out for me. Come on let me help you up from here,” I said as I stood and helped her to her feet.
• I led her to the sofa so she could sit comfortably, while I went into my father’s office. “Stay here for just a minute,” I told her and walked away.
• When I walked into the office, I went over to the desk and took a key out of the top drawer. Then I went over to the bookshelf and squatted down to reach for what looked like several books, but was in fact a false front that held a safe box. I took the box out and used the key to open it and took out two copies of the pack credit card. Then I closed the box and returned it to its hiding place.
• When I walked back out into the living room Xav, Billy, and Tommy had come in and taken seats. They were completely silent as they watched me walk through the room. I am sure they were keenly aware that Cookie was upset, so they were being respectfully quiet.
• I went to Cookie and handed her one copy of the card. “I want you to take this and take two weeks to go wherever your heart desires. I am leaving the day after tomorrow and will be gone for a week myself. With any luck, I will be bringing home a new Luna for you to love as you did my mother and hopefully someday having an heir of my own for you to love as you have loved me,” I said softly and watched as silent tears fell from her eyes.
• “I can’t take this, besides who will tend to your father?” she questioned.
• “He will remain in the holding cell until after I return. The pack house kitchen can send him a cheese sandwich and a glass of water for each meal. Please take this time and go somewhere nice. Maybe a spa or just a sunny beach with someone pampering you for a change. Don’t argue, because I won’t take no for an answer,” I explained.
• “I won’t argue but I will wait and leave when you do. That is my one request,” Cookie replied.
• “That’s fine Cookie. Go ahead and take the rest of the night for yourself. I’ll make sure my dishes make it into the dishwasher when I have finished with what’s on the cart,” I replied, bending down to give her a hug.