Chapter 58: Bye dad
Chapter 58
Eamon
"Send your regards to Father when you get there," Alric says from the doorway, leaning his shoulder against the frame like he owns the room.
I glance up at him. "I don’t think he’ll be very happy to hear from you."
"Ha." His laugh is humorless, a single puff of air that doesn’t reach his eyes. He steps in, closing the distance with that same arrogant gait he’s worn like armor for decades.
"It’s a good thing I care not what he—nor you—think."
"You were never going to be pack leader, Alric." My voice is soft, but it cuts between us all the same. And as I look at him, I can’t help but wonder... when did it all go wrong? At what point did my big brother disappear, leaving this brittle, furious stranger behind?
"And why the fuck not?" His lip curls, eyes flashing. "Just because I wasn’t born an alpha? Look at me. I am pack leader."
"It’s a fractured pack, Alric." My words are quiet, but there’s steel under them. "Half don’t respect you and never will. The other half accept you, but they look down on you."
I study him, really study him, and the truth is bitter. For all his talk about the Maen legacy, my brother has the least qualities of a leader. He thinks it’s because I was born with the title—because fate branded me alpha—but our father wasn’t an alpha wolf either, and he led just fine.
Alric is quick to temper, insecure, narcissistic... and when the fight truly turns, spineless. All bark until the moment the teeth sink in.
"Al, we both know that’s not gonna happen," I say quietly, my voice more weary than sharp.