Chapter 14: Suspicion

John returned to his house, but Selina was not there. He relievedly sighed, as he didn't want to talk with her after what they had done last night. Then there was a knock on his front door. John opened the door to see Jamie.

"Beta John, sorry to visit so early in the morning."

"What is it, Lambda Jamie?"

"Uh, our Alpha wanted to see you."

John frowned as his father could use the mind link. As his son and also his Beta, they have a mind link. It was strange that his father needed to send Jamie to him. John stared at Jamie for a few seconds until Jamie moved his feet a little. The sweat broke on Jamie's forehead.

"Uh, is there anything on my face, Beta?"

John said nothing, then asked, "It's been twice my father used you to call me. Are you his dog, Jamie?"

Jamie gulped and shook his head. "I didn't know what you meant, Beta John." But he avoided John's stare. "My place is near Alpha's house. When I jogged, he called me. That's all."

John gazed at Jamie again. "If I find out that you lied to me, if you turn out to be my father's spy, then you will taste what I'll do to a traitor."

Jamie moved his hand frantically and shook his head again fast. "No, Beta! I'm not your father's spy. It's just a coincidence that I was there when your father needed to contact you."

"I see. Okay, I have received your message. I'll meet the Alpha now."

Jamie bowed for a few seconds longer than it should be. "Yes, Beta. I'm leaving."

But it was only a few steps when Jamie walked; John called him, "Jamie?"

"Yes, Beta? Do you have any orders?"

"No, but I mean it with what I said. I hate traitors, and anyone who tries to buy my loyalty only to betray me later will pay the highest price."

Jamie crossed his hands on his chest, showing his pledge of loyalty. "I swear that I'm not a traitor, Beta John. You can trust me."

"I'll take your words for that. Now, leave."

"Yes, Beta."

After Jamie left his house, John opened the link channel to Daniel. 'Are you awake yet?'

'Hey, buddy. What's up?' Daniel yawned, as he wasn't completely awake. 'I'm still on the bed.'

'What do you know about Jamie Hock?'

'Jamie Hock? The Lambda?'

'Yeah, how many Jamie Hock do we have in our pack?'

'Uh, only one.' Daniel scratched his head while yawning again. 'Just make sure I remember his last name correctly. Why do you ask about him?'

'It has been twice since my father asked me to meet him, and he sent Jamie as the messenger.'

'Huh? It's weird.' Daniel sat on the bed, patting his chin with his fingers. 'Ah, I just remember. His place is near your father's, isn't it?'

'He said it too, but I just feel weird with the coincidences.'

'What are you trying to say?'

'I suspect Jamie may be my father's spy for me.'

'For what?'

'I don't know.' John shrugged. 'Do you think I'm overthinking about it?'

'Maybe. Look, buddy. I know you have a strained relationship with the Alpha after Luna Vivian's death. But it doesn't change the fact your father loves you.'

'Yeah, keep telling that, but I won't buy it. What father shows his love by whipping his son? Nobody!'

'Hey, buddy, I don't defend our Alpha, but I can understand him a bit.'

'Oh? Tell me then. What was in his head when he beat me?'

Daniel scratched his head, then chose his words carefully. 'I must admit that I'm not a mind reader. I may be wrong, but—'

'Cut the crap, Daniel. Just tell me what you think.'

Daniel grinned. 'He prepares you to be the best Alpha for our pack. I'm sure of that.'

John laughed so hard that his stomach ached. 'It's the biggest joke of the year. But, sadly, your joke ain't funny.'

'Who's joking? I'm serious! Look, after your mother's death, he truly distanced himself from you. But he did it not because he hated you.'

John thought nothing. His mind was too full of memories of their happy life together as a family. He was only six when his mother passed away. The tears pooled in the corner of his eyes, but he wiped them fast. 'I wish I were the one who died instead of her. It would be better for everyone.'

'Don't say that. But I think I can guess why Alpha Ryan took distances from you. I have seen Luna Vivian's picture twice at your father's table. Her face was quite a resemblance to yours.'

'So? For sure, we look alike since I'm her son.'

'No, silly! What I mean is maybe each time your father sees you, it reminds him of your mother.'

John let out a sigh and gulped. 'Yeah, and each time he sees me, it hurts him to know she's no longer here with us.'

'Hey, don't be so sad. Tell me about Sophia.'

'Ah! I made a promise to meet her again a week from now. I wish she marked me too so I could always talk with her.'

'Are you sure she is a pup?'

'What do you mean? Of course, I'm sure. She is just eight. I asked her to know her age.'

'Is she a pure-blood?'

John frowned as Daniel's question was unexpected. 'I don't know, but I don't care if she's a pure-blood or a hybrid.'

Daniel scratched his head again. 'I guess Selina isn't as good as she boasted, huh?'

'Huh?'

'You must have bedded her, right? Yet, you sound like an unsatisfied one.'

Then John groaned and laughed. 'Oh, man, you don't know how you brightened my day. Selina, she's good, but I felt guilty about bedding her. Sophia's smile haunted my mind.'

'Shoot! So, what will you do?'

'Nothing. I'll meet Sophia a week from now. Well, six days from now, I'll tell her everything about Selina, my mother, Ma Imelda, my father, and my future as an Alpha. She deserves to know anything about me.'

'What if she wants nothing to do with you because you have Selina?'

'Then, it's a consequence I must bear.'