Page 33 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

“Do you think I could pick up my training?” I ask.

“That, you need to ask Marcellus in person,” Silas says. “You can do that right now when you go to fetch him for dinner. I refuse to wait for him. Also, I am not your messenger boy. You have a voice, use it to talk – preferably with Marcellus.”

“But I-“

“What are you waiting for?” Silas asks. “I know you are lying about your headache. Your only chance of me not pestering you with questions is to go and fetch Marcellus.”

I can’t remember the last time I’ve got to my feet so fast. I jump up and dash out of the house, my ears burning in embarrassment. He looked through me so easily, and now I have to talk to the alpha or answer questions. Either way, I am doomed.

“Ben!” I hear a high-pitched voice while I’m still pondering what to say to Marcellus.

I turn around, eyeing him with Sheila and Maddie. Maddie had difficulties pronouncing my name at first, and while she has no trouble with saying Benjamin anymore, Ben has stuck.

Maddie comes running towards me, and I make sure to scoop her up. I’ve had such a horrible day, with the uncertainty concerning my mate still lingering above me like the Sword of Damocles, but Maddie makes it better instantly. “Guess who’s got a present for you?”

Maddie beams. “Ben has a present for Maddie!”

“You got it,” I chuckle, angling in my pocket for the crocheted animal and handing it to her.

“It’s a wolf,” she says happily. “A violet wolf. Mommie, look what Ben gave me?”

“It’s beautiful,” Sheila says. “What do we say when we receive a present?”

“Thank you!” Maddie beams, while I let her out of my arms. She hurries back to her mother, and as usual, I am amazed by how fast she is on her short legs. “Can Ben be my brother?” she asks Sheila.

Sheila chuckles, kissing the top of her head. “Only if Benjamin wants to.”

“I would be honored,” I say, smiling at her. Sheila wears her blonde hair shoulder-length, claiming it’s easier to handle that way, especially with a child. She looks good either way, though, a fact Micah constantly reassures her of. I think he has a thing for her.

I pat Maddie’s head. “I am your big brother now. And this here,“ I point at the wolf, “is a good luck charm, and will always protect you.”

She clasps it in her hand and nods seriously. “I will take it with me everywhere.” She turns to Marcellus. “Marc,” she says. “Are there violet wolves?”

“I don’t know,” Marcellus says honestly. “I haven’t seen one yet. But once I find one, I will make sure to show you.”

“Well then,” Sheila chuckles. “I think it’s time for Maddie and me to go back home. Uncle Micah is eating with us, Maddie, and said he will bring ice cream.”

Maddie giggles happily, waving at me before Sheila takes her away.

With Maddie gone, I feel instantly nervous again, and at the same time, guilty. Marcellus is nice to me, yet I can’t see him as anything else but an alpha. And most alphas are dangerous and violent, especially when they are in a bad mood. “Talking about dinner,” I say awkwardly.

“Oh, shoot! I almost forgot!” Marcellus groans. “Good thing you came to tell me. Come, let’s hurry back. I bet you are hungry, too, seeing how you were out with Micah the whole afternoon.”

“Yes, I am hungry,” I say, trying not to sound too anxious. Silas said that I need to ask Marcellus in person, and he wouldn’t do it for me. So, if I want to do something for the pack and be a useful member, I need to man up. “Alpha… I mean, Marcellus?”

Marcellus halts and looks at me curiously. “Yes?”

“I just wondered, you know, maybe…“ Oh, fuck it! “I was wondering if I could train to become a warrior.” When Marcellus looks at me, surprised, I hurry to explain. “I know I am out of shape, and my father’s training regime sucked, but I think I could do it. I’ve started doing more cardio and strength training recently, and… and-“

“Benjamin,” Marcellus interrupts me before I can continue.

My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach. First, my mate looks at me like I have a contagious disease, and now I will get rejected a second time. “Yes?”

“I was waiting for the day that you would come to me and ask this,” he says to my surprise. “It’s a fantastic idea! You can start training with the other warriors next Monday. I will see how you are doing and then decide which group you will join.”

“Really?” I ask, my heart skipping a beat.

“Yes. I think you will do very well,” Marcellus says. “I know you didn’t have the best training, but you were born an alpha’s heir. You have it in you.”