Page 64 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

Benjamin looks more and more confused. “Well…” he starts, but doesn’t say anything else.

“Did you have fun?” I ask him cheerfully.

“I did,” he admits, finally unwrapping his sandwich.

“Met someone,” I ask him and wiggle my brows. By the way he blushes, I know the answer instantly. “You did!”

“Nothing serious,” he blurts out. “Just a bit of flirting.”

“Good for you, Casanova!”

“I…no,” he looks even more flustered. “It was just,“ he pauses. “You are teasing me, aren’t you?”

“Caught up, huh?” I grin.

Benjamin finally seems to relax a little, the guarded expression subsiding while he takes a sip of coffee. “Why are you not mad at me?”

“Why would I be? You are an adult. You can go out as often and for as long as you want. It’s not like you missed training or anything. I was just worried you’d have been attacked because you are usually so diligent. Silas called me stupid for it, though.”

Benjamin frowns. “But you are the alpha…”

“I don’t control my pack members. It’s an honor to be their alpha and to have them put their trust in me. They are not my property. They believe in me and have faith in me, and that’s nothing any alpha should take for granted.”

“I have never seen it that way,” Benjamin admits.

“I know,” I say. “I also know you think that for whatever wrong you do, you will face repercussions far above what you deserve. I trust you, Benjamin. When Alpha Elden and Alpha Liam approached me and asked me to take you into my pack, I decided to put my faith in you. Maybe at that time, that made me gullible, but I did, and I was willing to give you a chance the moment I heard about your history. And it was the right decision, as you are proving, over and over again. I gave you a chance. So how about you give me a chance, too?”

Benjamin looks slightly nervous again but nods. “I will try. I mean, I can’t continue being so meek. I am an alpha’s son, for Goddess’ sake.”

“I will officially adopt you as my little brother,” I grin.

Benjamin chuckles. “I always wished I had siblings,” he admits. “Though, whenever I did, I saw my father in front of me and how he treated me, and I never wanted to see him abuse a potential sibling.”

“None of this was your fault,” I say quietly.

“He killed my mother,” he says sadly. “I don’t know much about her, but the woman who helped with feeding me andlooked out for me, Aunt Ludovica, she sometimes talked about her. She didn’t know much either, but she said I resemble her. I am trying to cling to that truth. I don’t want to be likehim.”

“You are nothing like your late father,” I say. “Anyone who spends time with you would say the same.”

“My old pack members would disagree.”

“Your old pack members don’t know your history,” I say. “They had their own problems with their alpha and the warriors, and you are right, they might not care about you, but we here do. And we are seeing you for who you really are. Nova only met you recently and saw you foryou.”

“Isla didn’t,” he says, the look of defeat back on his face.

“Isla wouldn’t have settled for any unranked wolf,” I say bitterly, still pissed about what he told me about his former mate. “That’s not on you.”

Benjamin sighs. “I am trying to be the best version of myself so that I won’t become my father. To make amends.”

“You don’t have to make amends here,” I say. “Everyone here likes you and respects you. You have proven to be reliable and kind.”

“I feel it’s not enough,” he admits.

“Then, how about you work on that new goal of yours?” I say. “You said you wanted to become a stronger warrior and want to take your training seriously. I expect you to live up to that promise, because I’ll need a gamma eventually, and you, as an alpha’s son, would be clearly the best choice. As for my beta, I want to honor the vampires in our pack. Silas and I have decided on Lucian.”

“Lucian would be amazing!” he exclaims before furrowing his brows. “As for me? I am not sure I deserve it.”

“See it like I see my rank,” I say. “Being an alpha is not just a fancy rank; it also means to work for the pack and put them first.As a gamma, you are providing for the pack, too. You are at their service, and you have to make sure they keep their trust in you.”