Depend On Me [18+]

Day 3: Rejected

Chapter 9

***Kaiden***

After the fight, Elder Joseph was rushed into the pack's hospital. We still don't know the severity of his injuries, but that didn't stop him from running his mouth. The day after the fight, Mora and I were called to my dad's office.

"Do you have any ideas what you have done?" My dad asks when we sat down.

"You have disrespected your Beta. You have disregarded our rules and customs for what? A short power trip! How did it feel, huh, Kaiden? Do you feel powerful now after ruining your image?" My father paces back and forth in front of us.

Yes. I wanted to say but I held my tongue. I was getting impulsive. I didn't like this new change. 

I was sitting on the cold couch in my dad's office clenching my hands and gritting my teeth. Mora was sitting next to me in human form glaring at my dad, while my mom sits on the opposite of us. Waiting. Observing. So, I had to put on an act. 

"We were going to wait to introduce your mate to the pack, but now-"

"She has a name." I interrupt with a frown. My father stops and stares at me coldly.

"Did you just interrupt me?" My dad laughs and his eyes start glowing.

 "Am I the one who has my picture on the pack group chat? Am I the one who has a picture of your mate trying to rip out the throat of the most influential werewolf in your school? Do you know what they're calling her? A lawless cunt. Carly and her dad are out there milking every drop of sympathy while calling your mate unruly and undisciplined, which she is. " He growls out as smoke curls around the corner of his mouth. Mora gapes in shock while my mom casually sips her beer in the corner. 

"Her name is Mora! Zamora" My brows lower and my mouth set in a straight line. "We were provoked first." 

My emotions were a mess. I don't know what was going on with me. This wasn't me. This moody teenager. This angsty teen who keeps humiliating himself in front of his mate. This weakling who couldn't protect himself. Or his mate. The corners of my lips tug down, and I fight back tears.  

"Wow. You finally grow a backbone. Too fucking bad, it's made of straw. 18 years, Kaiden. 18 years! I've taught you that your mate makes you emotional. I've taught you discipline. I've taught you RESPECT! I'VE TAUGHT YOU PATIENCE! FOR WHAT??? A FEW MINUTES OF POWER!" He shouts.  I guess this useless fool was really who I really was.

Discipline? This facade of mine has existed since I became aware of my responsibilities in these last 18 years. My head swims and I felt as if my head was submerged underwater.  Maybe I was useless. Mora is new to the whole society thing, but I am not. If only I kept us in-line and avoided Carly, none of this would have happened. If only. 

Mora grasps my head as I did to her yesterday. Her cold eyes bore into me searching and asking me permission for something. I look at her and realize that I failed my first task as a mate. It was my fault. Everything was my fault. 

My mom sets her beer down and gets up slowly. She wraps her arms around my dad and whispers. "Calm down." 

My dad's angry eyes shift to her, and she inclines her head toward her seat. "Sit down. I got this." With a sigh, my dad stomps to the sofa.

  I look down and clench my teeth tighter. I wanted to prove myself to Elder Joseph and Carly and made a mess of everything. Mora seems to take my actions as an answer and the room's temperature plummets. 

My mom sighs and looks at me. "Kaiden..."

Her soft tone makes me shiver and I try to make myself as small as possible.  I press my shaking hands between my legs.