Alpha's Prophecy

Chapter 23

Jake

My dad isn't a man who expresses his emotions unless he wishes to tell you how much you've managed to piss him off, which, for me, was often. As a pup, I wasn't showered with praise, love or affection from my father, instead, I received criticism and an abundance of loathing.

In his eyes, I could never do right. He had campaigned for me to become Alpha of the pack but once I was in the role, he would berate and challenge every move I made, belittling my ideas as if were a child. He wanted to mould me into the leader he envisioned himself being and when I finally stood up to him, reminding him that he was disrespecting his alpha, he left the pack and hasn't spoken to me in over a year.

Word of Hannah's return to the pack was bound to reach him or he'd find out about our impending war against the vampires. Either way, I was anticipating his arrival back on to pack land within the next few days. He'll march in like he's the hero, here to save us all and the pack will fall at his feet because they worship the ground Quinton walks on.

When Hannah went missing it was my dad who led the search party. He vowed to the pack members that he would not stop looking for her and promised to bring her home safe but as days melted into months and then years, his promise seemed to slip further from reach. I believe that Hannah's kidnapping haunted him, he felt that he had failed his pack. Louisa and I were not even allowed to mention Hannah's name or we'd risk being scolded.

I had two options, I could call him, and have a brief conversation about Hannah which would most likely result in him then tell me how I've fucked up and how he would have handled this situation. Then there was the option of not calling him at all, which would still end in him making me feel like a failure.

I knew that before I could even consider how I would handle my father, I'd first have to break the news to Hannah's mother, Annabelle. Hannah's dad had passed away three years ago from a heart attack and her mum decided to leave the pack, choosing to live in town. Once a vibrant, outgoing woman, who prided herself on being Luna of her pack but now she kept to herself. I didn't blame her for wanting nothing to do with us, she had lost the two people she loved the most and the pack was just a heartbreaking reminder of that.

The conversation with Annabelle wasn't one that could happen over the phone, she deserved more than that. Hannah also deserved to reconnect with her mother privately, away from the pack. The only issue standing in the way of making this much-needed reunion happen was Emma.

I'd contacted the hospital as soon as I woke up, leaving a message for Hazel, the witch doctor, stating that it was a matter of urgency. Having a witch on staff at the hospital had benefited the pack greatly as she was able to mix up antidotes for rapid healing but I was worried that soul transformation may be beyond her capabilities. The longer I awaited that return call, the more I began to doubt if Hazel would be able to help us.

I checked the clock on the wall and saw that it was getting closer to 10 am. Hannah was still asleep in the guest bedroom, we'd both decided it was too much temptation if we shared a bed last night but now I wish I could see her face as she woke up.

I crept into the guest room, careful not to make a sound and knelt down beside where she lay. She's breathtaking, even with her messy bed hair and the purr of her snoring. She looks so peaceful, so calm, so beautiful. I can't resist reaching my hand out to stroke her forehead and I smile as I watch her eyes flutter open.

"Good morning my gorgeous mate." I greet her, thinking to myself how lucky I am.

"Please stop touching me." She says sternly, swatting my hand away and causing alarm bells to go off in my head. "I can't even stand to look at you after what you did to that boy yesterday."