Chapter 378
Chapter 378
44-Ben
Convincing her to let me take the wheel is always a struggle. Having spent months coming and going, I’m familiar with the pack’s layout-I don’t need to learn the roads or directions anymore. Still, I like to understand how she moves from place to place. As her Beta, anticipating her sudden impulses is part of my job, and knowing her usual routes helps me do that. When she leaves, especially if her mind is elsewhere or she’s upset, I need to predict where she might go first. I’ve spent a lifetime figuring out Jeremiah; now it’s time to focus fully on Elara. So, she gives me the directions, and I keep quiet, concentrating on the road.
Up until now, we’ve mostly gone our separate ways, checking in by text or through another warrior. It’s been a long time since we’ve done anything together inside her pack. The only times we’ve teamed up were for border patrols or visits to Junior’s pack.
“There’s his house,” she says, pointing toward a small bungalow. It’s nothing like I expected given the packhouse’s design. The house is modest-small, painted white, with plain shutters on the windows. The lawn is neatly trimmed but entirely impersonal.
From where I’m sitting, I spot Richard on the front porch, looking utterly bored. I can understand that feeling. She probably did the worst thing possible to him-maybe without even meaning to. She didn’t lock him away, but she stripped him of his purpose and confined him to a place that should feel safe but instead acts as a cage. He’s surrounded by warriors ordered to kill him if he steps off that porch, branded a traitor. Follow current novels on.net
I put the truck in park and quickly step out, positioning myself between her and Richard. She mentioned she hasn’t spoken to him since they caught Jeff, so I have no idea how this meeting will unfold.
Richard rises to his full height. I’m only eighteen, but we share the same build, made for the same kind of work. He doesn’t intimidate me; he irritates me. Like Elara, I want answers.
As we close the distance, he grabs the front of my shirt and yanks me so that my back slams against the side of his house. I hear Elara shout his name and release her aura, but we both ignore her. This confrontation needs to happen.
“You think you can just step in and take my place, pup?” he snarls, leaning in close to my ear.
“Someone had to do it. You were screwing up left and right,” I shoot back, feeling his grip tighten as his fist slides closer to my throat.
“Who says you’re better than me? You don’t know half of what’s going on here p>
“The Moon Goddess obviously thought your methods weren’t working. Why did you let your Alpha get attacked? Why was your Luna in danger from her Gamma? You should have been on top of that, Dick p>
He switches to mind link. “You can only help an Alpha who wants to be helped.” His gaze flickers over his shoulder for a moment before returning to me. “I loved Rick like a brother, but he got complacent. Thought we were too small to cause trouble. He believed training his daughter to be Alpha would be easy. She’s alive because of Sebastian and me. Rick didn’t even know half of it. He wouldn’t listen. And she definitely doesn’t know. She doesn’t need anything else messing with her head. Are you ready for that kind of chaos p>
“Is any Beta ever ready?” I retort.
He lets out a bitter laugh. “I won’t say more now, but you need to explain what happened at the hospital. Are you on her side or not?” I ask.
Still gripping my shirt, he opens his mouth to speak aloud so we both can hear. We’re testing each other. “I was with your parents that day, doing rounds. I suspected Jeff was shady, but I also know he’s a misogynistic asshole. He hated being a Gamma, hated protecting a female. But he did just enough so Rick wouldn’t replace him.” He glances down at his fist. “Can you behave so we can talk like adults p>
“Can you?” I challenge, aware that he’s more than twice my age and has the experience to back it up. But I refuse to be treated like a child. “Give us the facts, and the Alpha will decide if she believes you—and what your fate will be after this.” “You’re going to let her decide alone? Not together?” he growls, tilting his head. “I’m just the Beta. I’ll offer my opinion when I have one. The Alpha has the final say,” I reply without breaking eye contact. I can see him searching for something. After a long moment, he finally lets go and turns his back, heading toward the outdoor furniture on the porch. We follow, and I keep myself between them. If he’s lying or working with Jeff or whoever else is behind the Black Claw attacks, I know Elara can defend herself—but anyone who wants to hurt her will have to get through me first.