Page 182 of A Broody Mate for the Human
Chapter fifty-nine
Is this the end?
*LIAM*
Thetwomensittingin front of me are surprising me more than I expected. Callum is a very serious young man. Ezra is a serious guy, too, but smiles a lot more. It’s interesting because Ezra was the one who got shunned by their father, and I expected him to be much more spiteful towards the situation, whereas Callum was groomed into becoming an alpha, yet he is much more distanced and quieter.
“I’m sorry for having to spring this on the both of you so spontaneously,” I say. “I know this isn’t easy.”
“Callum was raised to become alpha, and he ranked alpha too,” Ezra says. “I can’t just take that from him.”
“Of course you can,” Callum says shortly. “Everyone knows children from fated mates are stronger. We both ranked alpha, but your mother was his fated mate, and you are older than I am. It’s your birthright.”
I didn’t expect their reaction to be like that. I can see in Callum that his pride was hurt, but despite that his reactions are very level-headed.
“Then you have to become my beta, at least,” Ezra says.
“No.” Callum shakes his head. “I will support you as much as I can, but I won’t take the beta role.”
“Why not?” I ask. “It would make you the second in command. Seeing how composed and thoughtful you are, I could see you working well in that position.”
“It doesn’t feel right,” Callum explains while he looks at me. “Besides, it’s true that Ezra and I always got along well, albeit secretly so. But I don’t think it’s smart for family to work that tightly together.”
“I kind of agree with that in your case,” I admit. “Especially seeing how you were supposed to become alpha yourself. It’s just going to confuse the pack and probably strain your relationship.”
“But what are you going to do, Callum?” Ezra asks. “See? That’s why I didn’t want to agree to take over the pack.”
“But the pack needs you,” Callum says. “There will be a lot of restructuring as lots of warriors and ranked members are already imprisoned. They need a stable leader, and I think you can bring some fresh wind into the pack. The fact you are from our dad’s fated mate will make the pack have faith in you. Also, you already found your mate.”
“So, you already have a luna?” I ask.
“Yes, but I hid her from everyone,” Ezra says. “Our father was all for political matches, but there was no way I would reject my mate. I have already marked her so our bond would be difficult to sever. We decided that once Dad handed over the pack and we were safe from him, she would mark me in return.”
“Restructuring the pack will be a lot of work for you,” I say.
“I know,” Ezra says. “But I’m up for it.”
“You are going to do it?” I ask.
“Yes,” he says. “I won’t insult Callum again by rejecting the offer once more. I will take over the responsibility.”
Callum smiles.
We have met at the Council where Troi, their father, is being held. Ezra gazes at the monitor that shows the video from the surveillance camera, showing the room he is currently being questioned in by my own father.
“I hate him,” Ezra says. “He was cruel to my mother and didn’t care about me. But he was still my father. It just feels weird to see him like that.”
“I agree,” Callum says. “But I’m also glad it’s over, and we can stop hiding and plotting in secret.”
“Our mothers are finally free too,” Ezra says.
His words surprise me. I knew that Ezra’s mother was being shunned and hidden just like he was, but Callum’s mother was Troi’s chosen mate. I thought she had it better. “Your mother too?” I ask him.
“It’s weird, isn’t it?” Callum asks. “In a way, all Ezra and I did was try to protect our moms from this monster. If it weren’t for her, I would have left the pack long ago. Another indication that becoming alpha isn’t the right thing for me because Ezra never thought about leaving.”
Ezra chuckles. “My brother always had to stop me from heading headfirst into action,” he explains to me.
I smile at his words, suddenly feeling much more relaxed at my choice and less worried about these two men and the future of their pack. Raphael was right, they are both decent young men.
