The Strong Alpha

11. A Million Little Sticks of Dynamite

"Juniper, I sense other wolves, we shouldn't be here," James whispers inaudibly to the human ear, though my wolf catches it. "James, it's fine, I promise. We're safe and I can promise you that. There's nothing to worry about," I whisper back, just as quiet. "Where are you taking me Juniper?" He asks, getting slightly frustrated. "I'm taking you to my pack house so you can meet my Father and Sienna. They're the most important people to me and I want you to meet them," I say, looking up at him with a soft smile. "So soon? I have no problem meeting the man who raised you and trained you to be this gorgeous, kickass wolf, but we just met each other," He smirks and nudges me with his elbow. "Yes, we did just meet each other but I don't think "too soon" applies to mates," I say with a soft chuckle. "What if they don't like me? What if your father decides I'm not the kind of wolf he thinks you deserve and kills me? Oh my Goddess, what if Sienna murders me in my sleep?" He asks, looking over at me, very worried causing me to laugh softly. "There's nothing to worry about. Father will be absolutely thrilled that you're my mate. And Sienna is nine; she couldn't hurt you even if she wanted to. James, everything is going to be fine, you have nothing to worry about, ok?" I reassure, coming to a stop and looking up at him. He nods his head slightly and I hug him. "Feel better?" I ask to which he nods. "Good, we're here," I mumble quietly and he freezes, looking me in the eyes and slowly turns to look at the pack house. "Well here goes nothing," He whispers before I grab his hand again and walk to the door.

We walk through the front door hand in hand and I lead us to the living room where Father is sitting in a lounge chair, reading some paperwork, and Brent is laying in another, watching the TV. I stand there shocked for a minute just staring at Brent while Father stares at James in shock and James stares at me in confusion. After a moment of this, Brent finally senses my presence and jumps up, running to me and pulling me into a hug, causing me to go rigid and James to growl lowly, pulling Brent away and getting in a defensive stance in front of me. "What is he doing here?" Brent questions after rising from the floor, running a hand through his hair with narrowed eyes. "Business," James says angrily, glaring at Brent. "James, please. He's not going to do anything. It's ok," I whisper, rubbing his shoulder softly to which he immediately relaxes a bit. "Brent, what do you want?" I ask, bored, and put my hands on my hips. "I want another chance, Jay. Please, I know I made a mistake and I shouldn't have lied to you but I just didn't want to lose you. Please-" Brent begs only to be cut off mid-sentence by James. "Do you ever stop talking?" James asks sarcastically, already knowing the answer and looks over to Brent with an annoyed look on his face. "Damn it James, shut up so I can talk," Brent snaps, clearly pissed off. "No, he's not going to shut up. He's defending his mate," I blurt out suddenly. Everyone freezes and stares at me wide-eyed with their jaws dropped. "He is your mate?" Brent growls out angrily and James and I both just nod softly, looking over at each other awkwardly.

After a moment of silence, Father stands up and engulfs me in a tight hug. "Congratulation sweetheart, I'm so proud of you," He says excitedly. Brent's jaw is dropped by now and he just stares at us all like we're insane. "Are you kidding me?!" Brent shouts, clearly angry. "James is the most feared Alpha in the world and you're going to let him take over this pack? Not to mention that we've been enemies for years. Not happening. Absolutely not," he says as if he's in charge, causing me to chuckle softly. "Oh Brent, that's cute. You actually think I'm going to listen to you? Have you forgotten that you're talking to your Alpha? Not to mention the fact that you're being disrespectful to the highest ranked Alpha in the world, while in the presence of your recently retired Alpha," I say powerfully as I cross my arms over my chest. "If you merge with him, I will rebel against you," he says angrily causing James to growl softly. "You know she could just kick you out of the pack right now, right?" James asks Brent, matter-of-factly. "This is ridiculous," Brent mutters, clearly pissed off, and storms past us, shoving past James with his shoulder, causing me to chuckle. I sit down on a loveseat and James joins me as he and Father start talking. I soon join in as Father and James get to know each other, asking simple questions here and there.