(Giovanni's POV)
"Giovanni is off of the higher court," Kora finalizes in front of my mother and sister. They both freeze, trying to understand what she just said.
I hang my head in shame, not knowing what to say. I can't believe I caused this to happen. It was my responsibility to make sure everything stayed the same after my father died.
I was supposed to keep everything in order. I was supposed to replace him as head of the house, but I failed in every aspect of the word.
I was supposed to be a representation for all werewolves and be a leader, but I forgot about everything that came with being a leader and used my power for selfishness and revenge.
It's so shameful to say that I'm my father's son because I'm not a good representation of him and I tarness his name by telling people we're related.
Now when everyone thinks of my father, they'll associate him with me, his failure of a son.
"What does that even mean? What do you mean Gio is off of the higher court? He was next in line and it's his rightful spot to claim," my mother argues.
"You haven't been keeping up with everything he's been doing. He hasn't been doing what a leader and representative should do. In the amount of time he was on the higher court, packs have been drowning in debt, losing pack members, they aren't getting training, etc," Kora says.
Everything goes quiet for a while. My mom rubs her head, hoping to relieve a headache. My mom hasn't been outside of the house in a while and she has no idea about everything that has been going on.
I've been so focused on revenge that I forgot about my family and how much they've needed me. Everyone has been so distant and it's my fault. I should have been the glue that kept us all together.
"So what's going to happen? Who's going to be the werewolf representative on the higher court," my mom asks, realizing there's nothing she can do. My sister stays quiet next to her. She just crosses her arms and seems to be deep in thought.
"Not sure yet. For now it's only Cassandra and I on the board. We'll have to do our research to find the right person. Someone that won't make the same mistakes. Seeing as your family needs to heal, I don't think any of you should take up the responsibility of the higher court." Kora seems to already have plans as to what actions she needs to take next.
"Put me on the higher court," Gianna says. We all pause, looking over at her. "Technically, I am next in line. It was dad, mom, Gio, then me. Mom skipped to Gio and he messed up. Now it's my turn."
"Gianna, this is not a game where you take turns," my mom tells her.
"I know that. That's why I'm asking for you to put me on the court. Giovanni wasn't the only one groomed to take over the responsibilities of being a leader. I was to and it would be a crime to strip me of my right."
I look Gianna in the face to see if she's serious about this. She just went through a miscarriage. She can't be serious about wanting to do this. It'll put her under more unneeded stress. She hasn't even allowed herself to heal from everything that's been happening.
"How can I be sure you won't do the same thing? Plus, you need to be healing not leading," Kora says to Gia.
"I think I should be able to say how much I can handle. No one else should be able to tell me how much I can handle," Gianna goes on. Why is she so persistent on doing this? She has never even mentioned wanting to be on the higher court.
"You're right," Kora says, shocking me. She goes into deep thinking.
"You can't seriously be considering this," I say out loud.
"Why shouldn't I be considered? All these wolf packs need recovery ASAP because of you," Gianna says to my face and I clench my teeth to stop myself from saying something I'll regret.
"Honey, are you sure you want to do this," my mom asks Gianna.
"I'm not a baby, mom. I'm just as capable at doing the job as Kora and Cassandra are. I'm even more capable than Gio."
"Wow. I'm not offended at all," I whisper under my breath, but I know they could all hear me.
"Okay then. You're on the board," Kora says and Gianna smiles. I just stand there and zone them out as they talk about plans.
How did this happen? How did I allow my sister, that used to be crueler than me, to become the werewolf representative of the higher court? That says a lot about how much I've changed.
"I'm going to go," I announce.
"Where are you going," I hear my mom ask, but I'm already out of the door.
I get in my car and I start driving to the first place I can think about. The only person I know can help me feel better after all of this disaster.
I get there in a blink of an eye. It makes me almost seem desperate.
I park in the driveway and walk up to the family home. I ring the doorbell and wait for someone to answer. A little girl opens the door.
"Hey, Gio! Are you here to see me or my brother," she asks. This sassy, snarky little girl can only be Tarry's sister.
"Hello to you too, Layla," I tell the little girl and mess up her hair. She laughs and swats my hand away.
"Whatever. I know you're just here to see Tarry. I can't believe you used our friendship to get my brother," she fakes sadness.
"I would never do that. We're best friends. You always come first." She gives me a hug and runs off.
"You know you can stop kissing up to her, right?" I look up at my soulmate. He smiles at me with his arms crossed. "It'll make her think she owns you," he says and I roll my eyes.
"Hey," I say, but he stops me before I can say anything else. He grabs my hand and drags me up the stairs of his house. He takes me to his room and closes the door behind him.
"Sorry about that, but if my mom knew you were here, she'd just take you away from me and blabber on forever in your ear," he tells me. I bring the blonde haired boy closer to me by his waist.
"Did you miss me, pretty boy," I ask him, landing the tip of my nose onto his. He blushes and I give him a quick kiss.
His face turns into one of worry.
"Okay, that's definitely not like you. You usually go for more than a simple peck. What's wrong," he asks me. He knows me too well.
I breathe out a sigh and run a hand through my hair. He pulls me over to his bed to sit down.
"You know you can tell me anything, right? You've already told me the biggest part of your life. Everything else is simple after that," he tells me. He's referring to the night I told him everything about the supernatural world.
I didn't want to hide anything from him anymore. He's my mate and because we're going to live the rest of our lives together, he should know everything about the world that he's apart of now.
He didn't take it as bad as I thought he would've. He accepted me and everything that comes with being with me. Rather it's beautiful or dangerous.
"I'm off the higher court and Gianna is taking my place," I finally tell him.
"And what's so bad about that," he asks me.
"I don't know. Maybe because I won't have the control I want or because my sister is now my representative." He chuckles at my theory.
"I'll show you the bright side. You don't have to be that cold person with power anymore. You don't have the power to torture your friends anymore. When you did, you tortured them in a cold state of mind, and then you tortured yourself later for doing it. Now you don't have to worry about it. They'll be safe now," he tells me.
"I know it's just this monster inside of me speaking, but I crave that power." I cringe at the horrible thought. When I had that power, I could feel this monster inside of me growing. One that was okay with killing it's friends. I hated it. I hated hurting people, but the monster loved it.
"Everyone craves power. They think it makes them untouchable, but it doesn't. You didn't like yourself when you did have that power. Now you have a chance to heal and become better. Then, you can redeem yourself from all the wrong you did to your friends," he says and it helps.
"As for your sister, maybe this will help her. Maybe helping others will help clear her own mind. She's been through a lot."
"When did you become so wise," I ask Tarry.
"I've always been wise. You're just realizing this?" He shoves my shoulder in a playful manner.
"Have anymore advice for me, therapist," I mock. His grin turns into one of mischief.
"As for the control issue, I'll give you all the control you want over me, but only in this room," he whispers and comes closer to me.
"You're horrible," I tell him, laughing as he pulls me in for a kiss.
"Shut up. You love me."