A/N: make sure to read the first part if you haven't already! Let me know what you think, I love hearing your feedback <3

Vince's POV

I didn't know what I was expecting when I opened the door, but it was weird seeing my brother in his human form. The only recent encounters I'd see him was during our hunts, and he'd always been in wolf form when we spotted him. His hair was disheveled, but aside from that and his messy choice of clothes, he still wore that cocky grin like he believed he had a one up on us. He was sitting with his arms crossed, legs propped up on the table like he owned the damn place, seemingly to brush off the fact that some of our strongest RC betas were standing next to him.

The room was rather small, but Dwaine, Xavier, and Lucas squeezed in, flanking my sides as we wondered what Michael had to say. His grin grew, watching the four of us before taking his legs off the table and leaning over the table. "Well, if it isn't my baby brothers and my cousin dearest."

I could sense Xavier tensing, before I blurted, "What do you want?"

"Well," he sighed leaning back in the chair before gesturing up at the lights. "This place doesn't quite have the same aesthetic or appeal as it once did. You know, this place used to be bustling with rogues, but it's looking more like a ghost town now that I've seen it in person."

"Quit blabbering, and start talking," I warned.

He rolled his eyes before smirking. "I think you know exactly why I'm here, Vince."

I glared at him, unsure of what he was talking about. If he wanted revenge, it didn't make any sense why now. And besides, nothing would bring his mate back nor would he ever be allowed to be alpha.

"Well it seems I have to spell it out for my poor dimwitted brother," he said before looking at the betas behind him. "If you'd excuse us, this is a private family moment."

They looked at me, and I hesitantly told them to step out, telling Lucas and Dwaine to step out as well. As soon as the door shut behind them, Michael leaned forward again, resting his head on his palms with his elbow propped on the table.

"Now dear brother, do you understand why I'm here?"

I frowned, before he continued, "I met with Simon recently, a nice fellow that one. A bit depressing if you ask me, but who could blame him? With a mate like you, I'm surprised he's still alive after all those years."

I glared at him, wanting to wipe that awful smirk from his face for good. "So what?" I spat. "You want revenge for David? Or is it about being alpha? I won fair and square, remember?"

"You know, when you killed David I was mad. Heartbroken. Devastated. It hurt worse than being kicked out of the pack by my own brother," he said. "The bond nearly killed me, still nearly kills me every now and then. There are days where I just want to jump off a cliff, drown myself, etc. I've thought of so many ways, but I knew that it would do nothing really. Nothing could bring David back, wouldn't allow me back home. But as much as you two hate me or whatever, I at least have you alive and well. Mother is alive, and the people who I used to know are still safe and sound here within the pack. Even the rogues I've met have become another family.

"But Simon...poor Simon has no one really. See you took that away from him, Vince. He really doesn't have any family, maybe a few friends, but the ones here think he's a traitor. We both know that's not the case, but somehow you got your brain so twisted that you just had to ruin his poor life all for what, father's approval?"

I nearly lunged at him, but Xavier held me back.

He continued, "He's dead, Vince. You don't have to prove anything to him. You can't ruin a bond like this, brother. My guess is that you're already feeling the effects of it. Unbearable pain, painful shifts, lack of empathy, they're all classic cases. But the worst kind of pain is losing your mate for good, Vince. It'd be a shame for the mighty alpha of this pack to go insane, all because he couldn't protect the one person he was supposed to care for. I mean look at me, is this really what you want your life to become?"

"You don't know anything, Michael," I seethed. "You were the reason our pack and father's name was tarnished. All because you couldn't just listen to him!"

Michael scoffed before glaring darkly. "You think I don't know anything? I knew everything about this pack, the ins, outs, our dark oppressive past, everything, Vince. Down to the everyday policies, pack relations, and dad's precious dirty little secrets. What? You think dad was so pure and righteous? How do you think I know what a huge mistake you're making? You're following in his exact fucking footsteps!"

I wanted to yell back, but his words stopped me in my tracks. Xavier had flinched, before gripping my arm tightly in case I lashed out.

"What are you talking about?" I demanded.

He brushed it off though, replying, "honestly, I don't know why I even try. You and father both, I swear you just crave power too much. I should just put Simon out of his misery, save him the torment and pain. Maybe then you'll get it through your thick skull that the bond is a precious thing that shouldn't be broken–"

"What about father?" I interrupted. "His footsteps?"

"Honestly you're more of a fool then I take you for. David and I had nothing to do with father losing his mind. The bond killed him, Vince." He rolled his eyes. "Mother wasn't his actual mate, he had a male mate like the rest of us."

My legs felt like jelly at the news. If it hadn't been for Xavier next to me, my knees probably would have given out. That couldn't be true, he scorned Michael, threatened me. To think he had a bond with anyone other than our mother was terrifying.

"Now, as I was saying," he sighed. "If you won't fucking treat Simon with just an ounce of respect, I might just have to put him out of his misery. Maybe it'll teach you a good lesson going through a severed bond."

"Michael–"

"Vince," he mocked before warning seriously. "Protect him with your life. If you have the slightest shred of decency, you would protect him not just to protect the bond, but the pack, and your sanity. At least give him that. Prove to me that you're better than father, that you earned the alpha title for a reason, brother. If you can prove to me that you are willing to at least try to salvage the bond, then maybe I won't try to rip the alpha role from you, because goddess knows that you don't fucking deserve it."

I almost wanted to argue, but I bit my tongue. The truth was if I were to fight Michael in our wolf forms, I probably would lose given how difficult shifting was. So as much as I wanted to spit at him or punch him in his smug face, I held back, knowing if he really did fight me for the role, there was a chance he could take it from me. And that honestly scared me more than the stupid severed bond threat he made.

"What do you say, brother dear?" He raised his brows.

"Fine," I spat. "I'll make sure he's still alive, but don't think I'll just let him back into the pack or anything."

He looked like he wanted to say something, but let out a sigh instead. "Fine, I'll be watching, Vince. And remember, you're capable of being better than our father. Hold yourself to a higher standing, would you?"

Making a deal with Michael seemed like a disaster waiting to happen, but I held back, hoping that this wouldn't be a complete trainwreck.

"And Xavier," Michael called out. "Keep your brother in check, even though you're younger, you turned out better than him already. I'm glad one of us turned out sane."

Xavier huffed, before leaving to get some betas to escort him out.

We seemed to stare at each other in silence for minutes, even though it was only a few seconds for Xavier to grab some RC betas that were stationed nearby.

Once Michael was officially out of pack territory, Xavier turned to look at me, a mix of worry and confusion on his face. Craig and Dwaine had resumed their normal duties, as Lucas joined Xavier and me staring out into the forest that Michael walked back into. They looked back at me, wondering what next, and bit my lip.

I sighed, looking at them for a moment before announcing, "I'll put you two in charge of watching Simon."

Lucas nearly snapped his neck to look at me with a strange look. I informed him about the deal with Michael, before explaining further. "Nothing serious, just watch him from afar, I guess. I don't want him to expect anything out of this, but if Simon gets hurt or killed, Michael will be out for blood, mine specifically. Not that I can't handle my brother, but it's best we don't try risking it."

Lucas seemed confused, which was understandable. But Lucas had been there to witness when I kicked Simon out, one of the only betas who knew the truth about what happened, and it was just easier, given where his loyalties lied.

"You guys can take turns or whatever, you can decide on your own, but don't make it obvious," I elaborated. "Can't risk anyone finding out about him."

Xavier gave me a pointed look, but I shrugged it off, suddenly craving a nice round of beers.