Taking after my father

Chapter 2: The Confrontation

I, Jay, Zeke, Marx, Storm, Rayne, and the twins, Jack and Ashling, were all in our spots in the rafters. Storm, Rayne, Jack, and Ash were on one side, watching the meeting, while the rest of us were on the other, hidden in the dark, listening to my father discuss the packs and any new developments.

I knew a few people from different packs and got along with them, but one pack always pissed me off—the Bluestone Pack. They weren't all bad, but their Alpha, Cain, and his brother, Ryder, were notorious players. You know the type.

My father didn't like their mother, Sarah, for some reason, and to be honest, I didn't either. Back to my father talking, "As I was saying, the annual hunt is coming up soon. Does anyone have suggestions on where we should have it?" he asked.

"I say we should just have it here," I whispered to Jay. He laughed softly and replied, "Yeah, but you know your father."

"Yeah, I know," I said, continuing to listen.

"Anyone?" my father repeated. And guess who suggested we have it at their field? You got it—the Bluestone Pack. Great, just great.

Just as I was about to say something, Cain spoke up, inviting everyone to their place. I couldn't help but giggle, and so did everyone else in my pack. My father hesitated, "I, um, guess we can do that."

"Well then, it's settled. We'll have it at my place," Cain declared.

"Oh no, I don't think so. We are not having our annual feast at their place," I said, and Jay and the others started to protest, causing everyone to look around, trying to figure out where the voice came from.

Cain was about to respond when my father suggested we take the discussion outside. "Okay, let's go," Cain said, and we followed the crowd outside.

Outside, everyone was talking about the feast at the Bluestone Pack. My father was trying to answer questions when the Bluestone Pack approached him, with Sarah in tow. I could see my father was uncomfortable and getting angry, while Cain and his friends looked smug. That's when I got mad and told Jay and the others to follow me.

I walked up to my father and asked, "Is there a problem here?"

"Yes," my father replied, but Sarah quickly interjected, "No."

I turned to Sarah, "What's the problem?"

"There is no problem here, so why don't you go and play," she said dismissively.

That's when I lost it. "Who the hell do you think you are, talking to me like that?" I snapped. Cain stepped up, getting in my face.

"You better back the fuck off. No one talks to my mother like that," he growled. By now, we had an audience.

Before I could respond, my father growled loudly, silencing the crowd. Cain stepped back, and my father, visibly pissed, said, "Where the fuck do you get off saying something like that to my daughter? Boy, you better have respect for your superiors."

I couldn't help but smile.

Cain's eyes flickered with a mix of anger and embarrassment. He opened his mouth to retort, but my father's presence loomed over him like a shadow. The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel the eyes of every pack member on us.

Sarah, trying to regain control, stepped forward. "Trey, there's no need for hostility. We're all here to discuss the hunt, not to start a fight."

My father's gaze shifted to her, his eyes cold. "Then perhaps you should teach your son some manners, Sarah."

Cain clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "We don't need a lecture on manners from you," he spat.

I stepped closer, my yellow eyes locking onto Cain's sapphire blue ones. "Maybe you do. Because if you think you can disrespect my father and me, you've got another thing coming."

Jay and the rest of my pack moved in closer, their presence a silent but powerful show of support. The Bluestone Pack members exchanged uneasy glances, clearly not expecting this level of confrontation.

"Enough!" my father barked. "This is not the place for this. We will discuss the hunt and nothing more. If anyone has a problem with that, they can leave now."

The crowd murmured but no one moved. My father turned back to the group, his voice steady. "The hunt will take place at a neutral location. We will not favor one pack over another. Any objections?"

There was silence. Even Cain and Sarah remained quiet, their earlier bravado gone.

"Good," my father said. "Now, let's get back to the meeting."

As the crowd dispersed, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Jay, his expression a mix of concern and admiration. "You handled that well, Nikki."

I shrugged. "Just doing what needs to be done."

We made our way back to our spots in the rafters, the tension slowly dissipating. But I knew this was far from over. The Bluestone Pack wouldn't forget this confrontation, and neither would I.