A Matter of Convenience

Five

~Isis~

I’m not sure how long I’ve been sitting in the hallway. The elders haven’t returned, for which I’m grateful. I don’t think I have it in me to deal with them professionally right now. I have too much on my mind to play nice with anyone right now.

Nurses have been in and out of my dad’s room, and it breaks my heart. I can’t believe that my dad is so close to death, and I’m only now learning about it. I wish I had more time with him; I wish I had known sooner. A mindlink interrupts my thoughts. Alpha Isis, you have a visitor. I have no idea who this visitor could be, and I’m not in the mood to entertain.

Alpha Isis, it seems that the visitor you have is your mate. He just told Frankie who he was. That bastard! I quickly run out of the clinic and shift, running to the front gate. I stop when I get close and grab a long shirt from one of our many reserve boxes. I throw it on and walk out of the gate to see Frankie’s back facing me and Jovanni standing in front of him. I’m pretty sure that they are a second away from coming to blows.

“What’s the problem here?” Frankie steps back and turns to the side. Jovanni looks me up and down as I walk toward him. I notice he has my bag with him, and I feel a bit of relief. I wasn’t looking forward to replacing my phone or other items.

“This buffoon refused to let me through. He said something crazy about me not being allowed on the premises.” I stand up tall and cross my arms across my body.

“Yes, that’s right. I see you brought my bag. You can hand it over before you leave.” I hold a hand out, waiting for him to place my bag in my hand. Jovanni sneers at me, but I keep a neutral look on my face.

“What the hell is this about, Isis? You left my pack without a word. I had no idea that you were running back home. I can’t even get in to see you when I get here, and I’m told I’m banned. Explain now!” I scoff, looking at this man in front of me who’s meant to be my forever.

“Who, exactly, do you think you’re talking to? You don’t demand anything of me, and I don’t owe you a fu.cking thing.” I step forward, pulling my hand back and crossing it over my body again. “You want to know what the problem is? I finally realize who you really are: a lying, scheming, self-absorbed piece of sh.it! Did you actually think that I would fall for your bullsh.it? I knew that immediately marking and mating with you would be a disaster, and I’m so glad that I listened to myself. You should go back to your little girlfriend that you have tucked away and forget you ever met me!” Jovanni’s eyes get bigger and bigger the more I speak. I know he’s putting two and two together and realizing he’s been outed. I don’t care to discuss how he was outed; it doesn’t matter. I just want him to walk away.

“Isis, come on. Whatever it is you think isn’t right, I swear. Let’s sit down and talk ab-” I hold my hand up, having had enough of the foolishness.

“I, Isis Weston, future Alpha of the Scarlettmaw pack, reject you, Jovanni Bolton of the Darkfang pack, as my mate.” Pain erupts in my chest, but I ignore it, not wanting to show him how much this affects me.

“I do not accept your rejection! You and I are meant to be, and we WILL be!” I roll my eyes and turn to walk away. I stop and turn back with one thing on my mind.

“Give me my stuff, NOW!” I know the moment my Alpha command hits Jovanni. He can't ignore my command since our bond is hanging by a thread. He tosses the bag at my feet, and I roll my eyes at his pettiness. I pick my bag up and turn to walk back through the gate. “Orders still stand. He’s not welcomed, nor is anyone from his pack.”

“Yes, Alpha.” I walk through the gate and make my way back to the clinic to see my dad.

~Ericson~

“I’m not sure that now is such a great time. As you can see, I’m a bit under the weather.” I can’t believe they want to talk to me now while I’m stuck in a clinic under medical supervision.

“We are here on another matter, so it makes sense to talk to you while we are here.” I’m really not interested in this bullsh.it and if I had a death wish, I would make my irritation known. I sigh and shift on the bed. I push the button to raise the top part of the bed until I’m at eye level with the three.

“Why are you here?”

“We’ve heard that your status has changed. You were reported to have found your fated mate, but now you seem to be mateless.” Of course, the werewolf council has heard about my predicament. They always seem to know everything, as if they have someone in each pack with the specific job of reporting every little thing that goes on. Who am I kidding? That’s probably exactly what they have going on.

“Why would that matter?” A man steps up, leaving a woman to hang back in the shadows.

“Excuse Elder Jose. I’m Elder Thomas, and this is Elder Mia.” He motions behind them, and the woman nods. “I’m sure you know, but I just want to reiterate the laws that we abide by. Without a mate, fated or chosen, we can’t allow you to take over the pack from your father.” I scoff and close my eyes, foolishly hoping that when I open them, these three will disappear. The door opening causes me to open my eyes.

“I’m so glad you could make it.” His voice makes me jolt up, and my eyes open widely. My fu.cking father is here, shaking the hands of the elders as if they are best friends. “I see you guys are talking, so I’m going to let you finish.” My father steps back and crosses his arms in front of him.

Son of a bi.tch! I can’t believe my father was behind this, but I'm not even surprised when I think about it. He’s always been an asshole, and he’d rather I take whoever as my mate than worry about a fated or pine over a lost love. Elder Thomas clears his throat, making me focus my attention on him. “Yes, your father alerted us to the change in your status, but we are glad he did. He says there are some potential she-wolves that you could have as your chosen mate.” I swallow, wanting to make sure my next words are clear.

“I have no intention of taking a chosen mate, no matter what my father has said. I don’t need a mate to take over this pack. If you are insistent on it, then I guess my father will just remain the Alpha.” A growl sounds throughout the room, but I ignore it.

“Son, you need to grow up and listen to the elders. They are telling you what needs to be done so you can take your rightful place.” I don’t respond; instead, I push the button to let my bed go back down. I burrow under the covers with no intention of entertaining any more of this conversation.

“Uh, I guess we will let you rest. We will be back in a few days to see what you’ve decided.” I don’t react or move, waiting for everyone to leave me alone in my room.