Page 55 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

“I was about to say the same,” he chuckles. “So, there are two wolves we took in, as you already know. Percy is the male wolf. You know about the gambling story? Actually, he was tricked into it by some kids of high-ranking members of the pack.”

“You are kidding me?”

“Unfortunately not,” he says. “Percy took the fall. Poor kid.”

“Kid? How old is he?”

“Seventeen,” Ezra says.

“You are fucking kidding me?” I blurt out again. “Heisa kid.”

“Yeah, it’s not a beautiful story,” Ezra says bitterly. “Alpha Liam and his father are investigating it at least, so there’s that. As for Percy, no matter the outcome of the investigation, it’s better for him to start anew somewhere else.”

“Does he have any family?”

“No, he is orphaned, which made it easier for them to make him a scapegoat,” Ezra explains. “Then, the second wolf is actually half wolf, half human. Her name is Dolores, nineteen years old. She hasn’t shared all of her past yet, but from what weknow, she was assaulted and used by her alpha’s son, the heir to the pack. One of his enemies turned out to be her mate. He used her to get back at the other guy, then rejected her because she was anunworthyhybrid.”

“That’s pretty messed up, too,” I remark. “Are the stories verified?”

“Yes, Callum and Cassiopeia, the queen of the pride here, verified it. The werecat queen is a fantastic spy, just so you know. Alpha Elden did his own research and verified it, too.”

“Then, it’s set,” I say. “Silas and I will take them in.”

“Oh, the vampire prince,” Ezra says. “I wish I could have met him today.”

I remember the talk Silas and I had recently, and with a happiness I didn’t know I could feel, I find myself smiling. “My mate,“ I say, emphasizing the word ‘mate’, “is very busy, unfortunately, but he sends his greetings and is looking forward to meeting you the next time.”

Ezra looks at me, his eyes lighting up when he catches on. “That’s amazing news,” he says, not clarifying which news he is talking about. But he doesn’t need to. We both know what he is talking about.

twenty

Disgrace

*LORI*

5 years ago

It’s my fourteenth birthday. Nothing worth celebrating for anyone but me. I am half human; the child of a human man and a she-wolf, which means my pack sees me as an outcast. Dad didn’t want to take responsibility, and Mom just took me in because she had to. She doesn’t really care, though. I am just there, existing next to her. And as long as I don’t make any trouble for her, she lets me be.

I was even more surprised this time to be invited to the birthday party of the alpha’s son, who is turning fifteen. Elijah and I share a birthday, which is pretty hilarious to me, seeinghow he is one of the most important members of the pack, and I am at the bottom of the hierarchy.

“Look who is here!” Chris, the future beta and Elijah’s best friend, pops up next to me and puts an arm around my shoulder. “Looking good there, Dolores.”

“Thank you,” I manage, blushing slightly.

He is a handsome guy, and one of the most popular in the pack and in school. Obviously, he is going to be the beta one day. Although he is two years older than I am, he always compliments me.

“Careful,” Elijah says. “You can’t get flirty before I manage to score a date.”

“So, once you do, I am allowed to flirt with my favorite girl here?” Chris asks.

I feel my cheeks heat up, not sure how to respond. Fortunately, Elijah indeed spots the girl he likes, a beautiful cheerleader, and takes off to flirt with her. Meanwhile, Chris sticks to me, making sure I get something to eat. “I am so glad Elijah invited you,” he says.

“Really?” I ask shyly.

“Yes. Honestly, I asked him to, because I wanted to meet you here. And as my best friend, he was happy to fulfill my wish,” Chris says, smiling brightly. He hands me a glass. “Here, have a drink.”

I take a sip, noticing it’s alcohol. “I don’t think I should drink that.”