While running I caught onto James' scent and it lead me to a rock. A rock that James was sitting on with his chin resting in his hand. He heard me approach.
"So this is where you've been hiding," I said once I shifted back to my skin.
"How is he?"
"An ass."
"I knew you two would bump heads. You don't simply follow the flow, Savannah. You stand up to the current."
"Don't get mushy on me please. I simply don't take well to overconfident entitled ass-hats."
"Then tell me what he did, what did he say to you?"
"He was real nice to me until I declined his offer to join his pack. He wanted me as another beta, but I don't feel a connection to him. I don't feel anything towards him, but annoyance and aggravation."
"I'm glad you declined, Savannah."
"He still is your father-in-law, James, and you'll never gain his respect by hiding here on a rock. While you were gone, he made side comments about you. It made us all uncomfortable to hear him talk about you like that."
"Cassandra didn't defend me, did she?"
"Her father is out of line. We all can see that, but the only real person that can defend you is you, James. Running away with you tail between your legs is weak. You are a beta, not a gamma. We aren't meant to bend to an alpha's command, not like them. We are made to withstand it. Maybe you aren't a true beta."
"I am a beta, Savannah."
"I didn't say that. I said a true beta, a wolf born with beta blood. Alphas let anyone become their betas, but real born betas don't take shit from alphas. This is your pack, James. That is your house he's staying in right now. Don't let him disrespect you and if you remain here, then stop whining about him because you are the one letting him walk in here and do this to you. You are the one who lets him walk all over you. I'm sick of you sitting here as if you are the victim when you have the power to change what's happening. Suck it up, James. Dammit!"
I was annoyed by his action the more I thought them over. How dare he not show up to greet Cassandra's parents while we were there. What kind of beta just hid? What the hell was he scared of? I'm sure he's endured beatings before and if not, then I knew what I needed to do because I couldn't watch this. My father wouldn't have allowed this behavior. Hell, my mother would have smacked me silly for whimpering in the corner like a pup. I was a real beta. Alphas dished a lot of shit and as a beta, we had to cut that out. We didn't take it; we called them out on it.
James was silent. I growled and pulled him off the rock. "What are you scared of? Are you scared to rock the boat? James, I swear to the moon, if you don't go down there and make a scene."
"That's her father. She would never forgive me if I picked a fight with him."
"She needs a good ass beating too! We'll work on her later, but right now you need to face your demons. This is ridiculous, James, letting another male come into your territory. What kind of wolf are you? You might as well give Cassandra to another male." I could feel the anger in him rising. His wolf wanted to stake their claim. Cassandra was his, no longer a pup that needed their father for protection. He would protect her from now on.
"She is mine and mine only," he growled, and I laughed.
"You say that, but who are you going to stop? You'll let them walk past you and take her."
"Stop it, Savannah."
"Stop what? I'm only saying the truth. You would let them take her belly up because you're too scared to ruffle some feathers. Am I wrong? Prove it to me then." He growled and shifted into his fur, running in the direction of the cabin. I smirked and shifted too, running after him. This was going to be entertaining.
Cassandra sensed her mate was near and she was the first to walk out of the cabin. James growled, and her eyes widened. His aura was swirling around him, the way it should be. James was a real beta. I knew that from the moment I met him, but David was not the alpha he was meant to serve. His daughter might have been the one, but who knows? The Moon worked in mysterious ways and she had her reasons, no matter how crazy they seemed to be.
Cole exited the cabin along with his mate, pulling Cassandra behind him. James growled, not liking this. Cassandra should be on his side, standing next to him. She was his mate.
"What are you doing, boy?" Cole asked. James growled, challenging him. Cole looked shocked. "You don't want to do this, boy. You aren't meant to be alpha." I rolled my eyes and then he looked at me. "Ah, I see. This girl here has made you feel froggy. Cassandra, I don't think you should trust this female. It's obvious something is going on between her and your mate."
"How pathetic are you to try and pin this mess on me? Are you that scared to fight James? He has come to challenge for Cassandra and here you are trying to find an escape goat. I won't be it." He narrowed his eyes.
"I have had enough of you."
"I think we all have had enough of you." James shifted into his skin, his aura not diminishing.
"I'm tired of you. This ends here. I have let you walk all over me for years and not once have I stopped you because of Cassandra. You are her father and I never wanted to be that person to come between you two. Cassandra loves you and I love her, but it's actually sad how I stress over you. I shouldn't. I shouldn't be letting you come between me and her. The moon paired us for a reason and I am going to show to you that you can't control me anymore."
"How touching," Cole growled. "I will take Cassandra from here. She belongs home with her family."
"Stop it!" Cassandra shouted. "I'm not going anywhere. This is my home."
"Cassandra..." her father said.
"I thought Savannah was wrong. I actually thought James was wrong, but it's been me. I've been wrong. I won't forgive you if you hurt him, Dad. James is my mate and I love him with all my being. How could you possibly think I would return with you?"
"He isn't good enough for you, Cassandra."
"How is he not when the Moon herself gave him to me. I can't allow you to disrespect him any further." Tears ran down her face. This pained her to stand in-between her family and mate. "Is this what you wanted?" she screamed at me and I was taken aback. I didn't expect her to turn on me. "You always think you're right. You've pinned them against each other. I never wanted this drama. I know James hated my father, but to challenge him? I know that's all you, Savannah."
"I was only trying to help you."
"I never asked for your help!" My wolf whined because she saw Cassandra as her friend and we only wanted to help her. My gaze hardened, and I laughed.
"You know, I've been down this road before. I try to help a friend, but they can't handle the truth. They never can. I don't have time for this shit. Been there, done that." I shifted into my fur and ran. I didn't need to stay to see what happened. I didn't care what happened. Why did I bother sticking around? Maybe because I grew attached to these wolves. I had started seeing them as friends. That was my mistake. This wasn't my pack, my forever home. I didn't need them. Maybe I didn't need anybody.
My wolf and I were pissed and disappointed. I decided to run. I would find my forever home on my own. Hopefully I found it before the first snowfall. Before I could cross the border, I was tackled to the ground. My wolf snarled at the attacker until we realized it was Ryder.
"What the hell?" I growled.
"Were you seriously thinking about leaving?"
"What's it to you? You knew I was leaving someday anyway. I don't see why I can't get a head start."
"Do you honestly think none of us would have cared that you're gone?"
"I'm just some wolf that showed. I'm a rogue."
"Shut up, Savannah," he growled. "You aren't just some wolf. You're our friend."
"Oh really?"
"Cassandra was just in the heat of the moment. Don't take what she said to heart."
"It hurt, Ryder."
"I know what she said was out of line and I'm sure she's going to regret it in the morning, but don't leave. We only have so much time with you before you have to go. Stay here with us, Savannah." Ryder convinced me to return back with him, but where was I going to stay? I couldn't possibly stay with Cassandra, not after what she said to me. I wouldn't put up with her crap any longer.
"What happened after I left?"
"I don't know. I ran after you." Ryder took me back to his place. Everyone was still gone, probably still at Cassandra and James'.
"Was I wrong?" I asked Ryder once we were back in our skin and clothed.
"You had the best intentions. Everyone can't see the world in black and white like you can. Not everyone can take the harsh truth and roll with the punches. A beating may set you straight, but everyone isn't like that. I feel James and Alpha Cole would have come to blows at some point. James couldn't keep letting him walk all over him, not if he wanted to keep Cassandra. I knew that alpha would try to take her home. It's just all complete crap."
"I heard you there."
"Maybe the snow will give them a chance to work their shit out. They'll be trapped in together."
"They might kill each other."
"Nah, they love each other too much."
"From what little experience I have, mates seem to cause a lot of trouble."
"They're supposed to."
***
Ryder and I waited hours. I thought it was odd that he hadn't left to check on everyone else, but it was probably because he didn't want to leave alone in fear that I would run off again. The twins and Jeremiad didn't come home until later that night, so late that Ryder and I had fell asleep on the couch. I heard them come in and woke up. Jeremiah growled when he saw that I was in what looked like a cozy embrace with Ryder. I rolled my eyes and punched Ryder awake.
"What?" he asked and then he woke up enough to see the others. "What happened after we left?"
"Alpha Cole tried to take Cassandra. We had to call David because James wasn't in his right mind. He saw Alpha Cole taking his mate and that didn't sit well with him," Lincoln explained.
"Of course it wouldn't," I said.
"Cassandra was in hysterics as her father tried to drag her away. James attacked Alpha Cole and took all of us to pull him off. David decided it was best for Alpha Cole to leave to which he was reluctant. He swore up and down that James was a mad man and that Cassandra wasn't safe with him."
"David told him if that he didn't leave, then he would have no choice, but to send wolves after him," Jeremiad said.
"The last thing we need is a war right now," Ryder said. "Where is Cassandra?"
"She left with them."
"She what?" I growled. "How could she do that? What about James? How could she leave him?"
"It was the only way to get Alpha Cole to leave without a war."
"Where is James?"
"He's with David. He's a total wreck," Malcom said.
"I'm going to go see him," Ryder said as he got up.
"I'm going with you," I told him and he paused.
"No, stay here. I don't want him to lash out at you in case he blames you."
"I did nothing wrong!"
"I know you didn't, but he might not see it that way. He isn't in his right mind right now." I sighed and felt defeated. How did this night turn into shit? "I also think it would be best if you stayed with us until spring."
"Me stay in a house full of males? How is that a good idea?"
"Things are too tense with Cassandra and James."
"It's not like I would stay with them after how Cassandra treated me."
"I told you she'll feel guilty in the morning."
"You could always stay in the pack house with all those young wolves," Malcolm said, knowing I wouldn't do that. I sighed in defeat again.
"Fine, I'll stay here, but Jeremiah, you better not start something that you don't want to finish," I threatened. He gulped and took a few steps back. Ryder chuckled and left to go see James.
"So," I asked, "where am I sleeping?"
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