Page 4 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha
Even Beta Floyd seems to cut me some slack this week.
With graduation over and our birthday approaching, it feels like the world is truly ours.
Mom has invited the whole pack to our birthday party. She always likes to involve everyone, of any rank and status. Eugene and I don’t mind, we would have celebrated with our friends or just within the family, but none of us wants to take this joy away from Mom. Olive was right, she is so proud of us, and so happy we are going to take over the pack eventually.
She keeps saying how well we balance each other out. I’m rougher and more impatient, while Eugene has more control over his emotions and is more level-headed. At the same time, Eugene is more extroverted than I am and really good with crowds, while I take risks and handle tense, dangerous situations better.
“And if you and Eugene find your lunas,” she tells me, “it will make you even stronger.”
“Our lunas,” I muse. “What if it takes years for us to find them?”
“That doesn’t matter,” she reassures me. “Your father and I don’t make that a condition for you to take over. There is no need to stress.”
“What if it’s not a girl?” I hear myself ask.
Mom turns around to look at me. “What?” she blinks.
What was I even thinking by telling her? But I hate lying to her, so I couldn’t keep it in. “Forget that I said anything.”
“I won’t,” she says. “Marcellus, do you like men? I always see you with girls. I wasn’t aware.”
“I like both,” I admit honestly.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” she asks, confused. “Did you think we would judge you?”
“Uh, yes,” I admit.
“Silly boy,” she mutters. “Whoever the goddess chooses for you is welcome. Even if it isn’t a fellow shifter.”
She is so nice and welcoming. I swallow the lump in my throat and hug her. “Thanks, Mom,” I whisper. “Please don’t tell Dad yet.”
“I know you think he constantly is against you, but he would never judge you,” Mom says.
“Maybe, but I want to tell him on my own terms.”
She sighs. “Alright. Now go and pick up Eugene. He can leave the infirmary today.”
“I bet he would rather Olive pick him up,” I grin. “Yesterday I went to visit him and saw things I didn’t want to see.”
“Me, too,” Mom chuckles. “Well, they like each other. Aw, young love. You know, your father and I were like that.”
I grimace. “No, didn’t know, Mom.”
She smirks. “So dramatic.”
“Okay, I’d better go and fetch Eugene!” I blurt out and hurry away, before Mom can tell me a dirty secret about her and Dad.
The doctor agreed to let Eugene come home, because he will get his wolf spirit tomorrow and then his broken leg won’t be a problem anymore. Together with Olive, I manage to drag him home, the three of us a giggling, laughing mess when we finally arrive. “Should have taken the wheelchair,” Olive mutters.
“No way!” Eugene says. “I can walk!”
“Yeah, sure,” I reply, while draping one of his arms around my shoulders to get him over a few stairs.
When we finally stumble into the alpha suite, Dad spots us. “Goddess!” he groans. “What are you doing? Marcellus, why didn’t you take a wheelchair for your brother?”
“And as usual, it’s my fault,” I mumble.
“I didn’t want one, Dad,” Eugene says.
