Jacob

It's been about a week since Gisele's eighteenth birthday, and I haven't really seen Ana.

Although, I think I might have an idea why she is avoiding me; I have had almost no time to go find her and ask. "Keep up, slacker," my old man says, dashing alhead of me like he wasn't pushing fifty. I pick up the pace, chasing after him until Ive caught up. He sends me a smirk.

Is there a reason you're dragging me out to the western border when it's this hot?"

I complain, wiping the back of my hand across my forehead. "And why the hell are we not in wolf form for the run?" "So, we can chat," he says, all cavalier like the heat doesn't even bother him.

It grinds my nerves, but I figure heat is the reason behind my irritability.

I feel like we never get to just talk anymore," he says. "What do you want to talk about?" I ask curiously, deciding not to beat around the bush and get the inevitable lecture over and done with.

We're getting closer to the cliffs that overlook the ocean just outside our borders. It was somewhere I loved going as a kid, and I missed the salt-scented breeze that chased after me when I ran from the waves. "This and that," he says off-handedly. "Have you seen Anastasia recently?" he asks.

And there it is, the reason being the father-son outing. "No,"I admit. "And something tells me you had a hand in making that happen."

He chuckles and runs a gnarled hand through his salt and pepper hair; the ends curling out from the last haircut he got.

The breeze gets stronger the closer we get to the cliffs. I'm tempted to run the rest of the way there just to sit and swing my legs high above over the rocks and crashing waves far below.

Ijust feel you're hiding feelings you shouldn't have, especially now that you and Gisele are officially mated," he says, slowing down a litle. "What is that supposed to mean?" I grumble, refusing to meet his stern gaze.

No matter how old I got, he always knew exactly how to make me feel two inches tall when he really wanted to.

It means that everyone saw you practically carry Anastasia out of the party and it sends a really twisted, confusing message to the rest of the pack." "Who exactly is reading that deep into this message anyway, Dad?" I groan, walking further along to avoid his hard stare.

Why do we have to care about what other people think, anyway?" "You're still so young. Jacob," he sighs, trailing after me. You still think the pack lives to serve the Alpha. Let me tell you, kiddo, but they don't We' live to serve them. Who stays behind during an attack?" "We do," I say. He nods. "Who brings up the rear of any formation when escorting the pack?" Isigh. We do, "So, who serves the Alpha?" he asks, knowing what I'm going to say. "No one," I answer, and I get it as much as

I wanted to argue with him. I still believe what I choose to do with my life and my friends is my business. But I'm also painfully aware that I have to put the pack first. The pack always comes first. "Fine, so why is it bad that I'm sending this message?" I ask. "Your fated mate is Gisele," my dad says, clapping me on the back. "But you are constantly running after the little Omega at every given chance. It makes the rest of the pack question your loyalty and your consistency. It is not a good look for the future, Alpha."

Ilove Gisele, Dad," I tell him emphatically. "She's everything to me. But Ana has been my friend since we were pups. I can't just toss her aside because the pack thinks I'm unfaithful and I can't decide who I want to be with."

It isn't just that they might see you as unfaithful," he explains, looking a little sheepish. He doesn't really want to put it into so many words. "Gisele is the next

Luna, son. And if any of the younger males in the pack see an opportunity, they'll take it. That means a challenge you won't be able to decline no matter what might be at stake."

Yeah, I figured that much out all by myself.

Before I could reply, he speaks again. "How are things going with Gisele?" he asks, his voice gentler, more compassionate this time. "Really great," I say honestly with a smile. "It all feels right, like everything feels like it's going according to plan. Whatever plan that is. And it feels great.".

*That's exactly what I like to hear," he booms. "You know how important it is for

Alphas to continue the bloodline, and you can only do that with-" "My fated mate, yealh, I know"I finish his sentence for him.

Of course, I wouldn't get away without him reminding me that Alphas can only reproduce with their fated mate.

We're close enough to the cliffs now. I throw caution to the wind and walk to the very edge. "Which will happen, Dad. Years from now." "You can't blame me for being excited to meet a few grandkids, can you?" he chuckles.

Reluctantly, I offer him a smile. I guess I can't blame you for that."

He chuckles and looks out over the expanse of endless blue sea, white foam icking at the shoreline on the other side of the bay.

All I can hear is the distant call of gulls flying high above us and the crashing of the waves on the sharp rocks below.

Iremember the first time I brought you out here," he says wistfully. I look back at him, a question in my quirked brow. "You must have been around two years old.

You'd barely learned your left foot from your right foot, and I thought it would be a great idea to show you the ocean for the first time."

Yeah?" I prompt, hoping he'd continue with the story. My dad rarely brought up the past. It was something that always ended in a lot of heavy silences and tense sighs. So, hearing him bring it up voluntarily was huge. "Yeah," he chuckles. He takes a seat on the edge of the cliff and swings his legs off the way I love to do, and I join him. I have never known fear like I did the moment you let go of my hand and got too close to the edge. Moon and stars, kiddo, I saw my entire life flash before my eyes, and to this day, I still do not know how the hell I got to you in time." "What do you mean?" I ask, my brow furrowed in confusion. I remember nothing about a near death experience like this.

I almost lost you," he says heavily. "I only just got to you in timne to grab your hand as you went over. I was at least thirty feet away when I heard you scream. The next thing I know, I was hauling you back up over the edge." "Maybe you shifted without even knowing" I guess. "There's no way we can cover that much ground that quickly. Not unless we shift."

"Exactly" he agrees. I don't know if I did end up shifting, but I know that I'd never been more scared than the split second I saw you fall." "Aw, that's kind of sappy, Dad," I tease. I didn't know you could be this soft." "Fuck of, you little brat," he barks, his laugh echoing across the cliff faces below our feet.

We sit on the cliff's edge for a few moments in silence. Enjoying the cool, salty breeze and each other's company.

Listen, we need to talk about the recent reports of rogue attacks in our area. Things are getting serious," he says, breaking the silence.

I thought we had that covered." I frown. "Weve had extra sentries out on patrol for weeks now. Are they still posing a threat to usp»

My dad nods gravely, a darkness passing over his grim features. "Tve been getting reports they're getting braver, cockier.

They might not be the biggest pack of rogues, but they know what they're doing.

They have a few wolves who once held

Beta and Delta ranks, exiled because they were too violent and too aggressive." "What are we doing to protect the pack?"

I ask, racking my brain for solutions because this is something I should be able to fix. It's something Im going to have to deal with once I'm the Alpha, and these responsibilities are mine alone.

Tve spoken to a few of the wolves who frequent the border to find out how often these rogues get close enough to pose a threat," he says, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "It turns out it's usually the same handful of rogues that get close enough to spot the patrols before they disappear."

My brow furrows deep and I frown. "They're scouting." I realize, watching my dad nod in affirmation. "They're gathering intel on us before they strike." "Correct," he says. "They're only getting close enough to identify the faces of our patrols and when they're on patrol. They're looking for weak spots, entry points they can take advantage of to get through. How's

Warrick doing, by the way?" "Kimon?" I repeat. I wasn't expecting my dad to ask about my Delta: he wasn't exactly a fan of the guy.

Iheard he was badly injured a couple of weeks ago during a training exercise," he explains. "If these rogues decide to attack, we'll need all paws on deck, if you know what I mean."

I do," I say, holding up a finger. "First, please don't say 'all paws on deck', it's cringey as hell. And second, Kimon is doing a lot better. He's been going to physio for his knee and he's been able to shift with no issues. So, I know I can count on him if the time comes." "Good man," my dad says with a renewed smile.

My chest warms at his praise. I remember little of my mother before she died, and my dad had always been both mother and father to me. I worked my ass off every day to make sure I never disappointed him. While I know he'd never really be disappointed (he'd told me plenty of times how I could never disappoint him), it feels good to know I'm doing something right.

It's kind of funny to be sitting here side by side, our legs hanging over the edge and looking out across the horizon while discussing the latest dangers that threaten the pack.

I used to run away as a kid, when he had to spend days on end at the borders or at trade meetings, and all I wanted was his attention. And I always came here, searching for the man who spent hours chasing after me, while I chased after seagulls, convinced that, if I just ran a little faster, I could fly as well.

It's funny to realize he had gone nowhere.

That man who had watched me stack oddly shaped rocks into makeshift sandcastles with a proud smile on his face is still here.

Sitting beside me and watching me learn to take his place.

Prouder than ever.