The Ritual 2

Niko's POV

*This chapter is dedicated to everybody whose lost anybody close to them, which is just about everyone. To Lexie Marissa, You were the best cousin I could ever ask for. I love you 1994-2011 "Gone but NOT forgotten." <3 This chapter is also dedicated to a couple of my readers and fans: alulu73, Petrina88, SydneyCrapson and PamPawlowski. I really appreciate you reading, liking and adding! *

I really wanted to stay home with Mel today. She hasn't been getting enough rest lately, but my dad set up a mandatory all day meeting with him, Seth and I. I could've missed it if Mel didn't literally push me out the door. She just has this way of keeping me on my toes ya' know? Melinda is starting to show slightly. I can honestly say she looks amazing. She always does, but now she's glowing! I can't wait to hold my son in my arms, to teach him how to ride a bike, and how to play catch. My dad my not like it, but my family is going to be more important than this pack. Mel and I both know how hard life can be when you lose a parent at a young age. My son will never feel that pain, as long as I have a say so.

I sigh, hearing my phone ring in my pocket. Ugh, Seth. I really didn't need him yelling at me about the baby. I didn't brain wash Mel into having it. Seth knows that I'll be a good father to this baby. He just thinks his daughter is still a little girl, which is perfectly normal, even though Mel is an adult. I decide not to answer, seeing that I'm less than a mile away from the pack safe haven.

My dad has us meeting at the pack safe haven, which it was everything but. Our 'safe haven' was nothing but an old bar that went by the name Wolves Bane. Ironic, I think not. I pull the car to a stop right in front of the bar and turn it off. I sigh, spotting Seth waiting at the door. I guess that pissed off look never went away.

I unbuckle my seat beat and slide out the door. Before I have a chance to close my door, Seth is in front of me. He looks into my eyes with his exhausted ones. I can tell he's been stressing. Seth waits for me to close the door before he speaks to me. If he's so worried about Mel all he has to do is call her. Mel never stopped loving him. She's told me more than enough times.

"You're late." Seth grunts, narrowing his eyes inside the car. My dad probably didn't tell him, he'd gotten it for Melinda and I. Seth would probably complain to my dad about rewarding us for being reckless and having a child at such a young age.

"I have a pregnant fiance at home, excuse me if I'm not punctual." I reply, making my way towards the the door of the bar.

"A good alpha can be there for his pack and his family." Seth mutters, as he walks through the threshold of the bar. We stroll all the way to the back, ignoring the barkeeper that knew us all too well.

"Its a good thing i'm not alpha then, right Seth." I smirk. I see my dad sitting at a small table, waiting for us. I thought Seth looked tired. My father looked worse. He stood before I took my seat next to him. He smiles at me.

"Niko, I wanted to wait until the baby was born for this, but I don't have all the time in the world -"

"What do you mean you don't have time?" I cut my dad off.

"Are you so blind that you can't see a dying man when you look at one?" Seth mutters. I look at my dad as the frown creeps on his face. He lowers his gaze to avoid my stare.

"How long did it take you to find out Seth?" My dad asks, his head still down.

"Instantly. We used to be friends-once."

"How stupid am I? I still thought we were friends." my dad smirks warily. There's no way. This can't be happening! He's supposed to here for me. I can't run this pack by myself! I can take care of the pack like he can. He can't be leaving! He just can't! How did I let this happen?