Page 7

Sam

Dad’s voice echoed around my head. He was even angrier than I’d anticipated. I instinctively angled Meg behind me, not that she was in any real danger, but it was a natural instinct—protect your mate at all costs.

The vein in Dad’s forehead throbbed. Another stood out along the side of his neck.

“What…is…this.”

It wasn’t a question—it was a condemnation. Not only from a father to his son but from an Alpha to a subordinate.

I swallowed and tried not to wither on the spot.

“It was actually an accident,” I answered, thankful there was no tremor in my voice.

“An accident?” Disbelief colored in his words. He jolted forward, intent on searching Megan’s neck for the bite.

I was quicker and pulled her fully behind me, shielding her from my father’s angry face, but bringing me straight into the inferno of my father’s wrath.

“How do you accidentally bite someone, Samuel? You’ve put the entire pack in disgrace! Have you no respect for the law? Show me the bite.” Steam seemed to rise off him as his rage was barely contained behind his clenched teeth.

My feet rooted to the spot, planting me firmly between Megan and my leader.

“Move aside.” I felt the words to my core. It was an Alpha’s command. I fought it for a few seconds and then felt my feet move against my will. I still gripped Megan’s left hand but now stood beside her instead of in front of her. I felt weak. Shame tasted bitter in my mouth.

Dad stalked one step closer, his face inches from Megan. Slight tremors shook her hand, but I knew it wasn’t her wolf trying to come forward. Her wolf was probably cowered in abject terror in her first meeting with an angry Alpha.

My throat was dry as I tried to swallow. Meg stared at my father, fear clearly in her eyes, but her back was straight. She was amazing.

Dad searched each side of her neck and then hunted up and down her throat.

“Where is the bite?” His frustration was palpable.

Megan glared at him and raised her finger right in front of his face and pointed to the tiny slit already starting to heal on her forehead.

My dad blinked and stopped short. He’d never looked so perplexed as the rage simmered down to a slow boil.

“Perhaps I should take Megan to a different room while we discuss this a bit more privately,” Rev cut in smoothly.

Without waiting for my dad’s permission—a statement in itself—Rev gently put an arm around Meg’s shoulders. She flinched but didn’t pull away. Her eyes found mine as her fingers squeezed my hand. My heart slammed in my chest, which was embarrassing because I knew the other three wolves in the room could hear it.

“Are you okay for a few minutes?”

She gulped. She was not okay, but if Alpha Dad wanted me to stay and talk, I couldn’t go with her. She nodded. I let her fingers slide through mine, and Rev led her to the stairs.

I turned to face the wrathful judgement of my father.