Jake
He doesn't know what to think of as he reluctantly walks the path to his destination .
He came back to his pack, only to receive jarring news of his father's collapse, after which he was summoned by the pack elders who want him to take his father's place only for him to meet his father just for him to agree, and not only that, but he will need to find and mate someone to do so. It was too much for him to handle.
And now he's being sent as an errand boy to call on his father's Beta.
Irene. He thought, feeling burning hatred for the girl. Despite being the son and ergo the heir of the Alpha, she acted condensendingly towards him, never showing him an ounce of respect whatsoever. He felt rage anytime he saw her raise her eyebrow at him, and whenever she scolded him, treating him like a child.
He scoffed out. For all her beta status the girl was nine years younger than him, she hadn't even clocked 18. Yet she always had the audacity and criticize his every action.
So be it. He was only here to send for her by his father's command. It was just a simple errand he will have to tolerate her in the meantime.
As he walked, his mind trailed back to her unknowingly. Despite her young age she always acted so strict as though she was years younger. She even tried to look the part, always putting her hair in a stiff bun akin to a school teacher.
He imagined how she would look if she let loose, if her hair wasn't in such a constricting style and was let loose, the waves running down. He wondered just how long her hair was, if it was as silky as it looked. He had never even seen her give a smile and wondered how she would look like . Perhaps... perhaps if she wasn't acting so stiff, then he might even...
He stopped his thoughts, what was he thinking all of a sudden? This was Irene for goodness sake, someone he despises, he should most definitely not be fantasizing about her.
He squeezed his eyes shut and ran his hands through his raven locks to clear his mind.
As he neared her door he heard a muffled giggle coming out from the door and couldn't help but wonder if she was entertaining anyone. A wicked gleam came onto his eyes at the thought of catching her off guard and embarrassing her.
He knocked on the door and proceeded to open it right after.
"Irene." He called out before he looked and his mouth fell agape.
Well, this was not what he expected.
She was wearing nothing but a pink towel wrapped around her,l as she gasped at the door. Her damp long hair was splayed on her back, reaching the towel end. Her face still ridden with shock looked flushed in a way that implied something obscene.
Against his assumptions,nobody else was there.
He analysed all this in the first two seconds, her face quickly contorted into a blank one filled with disdain.
"Weren't you taught to wait after you knock?" She said, her words laced with venom.
He quickly gained his composure, learning his side on the doorframe and raised an eyebrow.
"I was taught that, but why should I care?"
"She gave a mocking laugh "Of course, why should anyone expect anything good from you."
The disdainful words made his hackles rise. Yet he was distracted by a strange scent.
Past the mist he could smell a slight musky scent. His heart skipped a beat as he realized what it was.
Arousal
He turned away from her to avoid her noticing the stirring in his lower region. Instead turning to rest his back on the doorframe whilst willing the boner which was arising to stop.
"Unfortunately, I'm not here to fight with you, no matter how much you wish I did. I was sent to summon you." He said, before turning his head to look at her.
"I've been summoned?" She asked
"Alpha Corneal has asked to see you "
Her shoulders slumped, and he could see the relief in her eyes. "He's awake now?"
"Well I wouldn't be here if he wasn't." He muttered, lowly, he looked to see if she had heard his words and judging by the ecstatic look on her face, she hadn't.
"I'll be there soon. You may leave." She said, turning to her wardrobe and dismissing him.
"Wait." he said, making her turn her head to him again.
"What?" She asked, already looking annoyed.
"He told me to escort you back. In other words Irene," he gave a smirk "We're going together."
He revealed in the shock this new piece of information brought and felt retribution for the insult she gave him earlier.
"Well if you can see, I haven't dressed up yet." She retorted.
He looked at her up and down, admiring her curves. She had good curves.
'Stop it' he scolded himself
"Well, only you can deal with that." He spoke, folding his hands and raised an eyebrow "but I will have to wait for you, and that means-"
"Get out." She said suddenly
"What?" He asked incredulously
"You heard me. Get out, and stay outside till I'm done." She spoke, her words sounding final like a command.
He felt rage at her at her commanding him like he was a nobody. He shut his lips to stop himself from retorting and nodded, turning away to the hallway and holding the doorknob to shut it.
Shutting the door, he gave a sigh, looking at the floral wallpapers on the walls to while the time.
She came out, looking as standard as ever. She wore a sturdy and comfortable pair of jeans with a black shirt. Her hair, which he was able to see in all its glory, was once again, packed in its tight bun. Inwardly, he tried to not feel disappointment.
The path to the Alpha house is silent, both of them unwilling to say a thing. They stayed that way for the entire journey.
They walked side by side until they reached the door to his father's room. He opened it and stepped inside first.
"Dad" he said , stepping aside to let her come in.
His father looked the same as when he'd last seen him, frail and weak. Despite knowing that nothing would have changed within the short period of time he had left, it still felt jarring to see him in such a state. His mother was sitting on a chair beside the bed, looking at him.
"Irene." His father said as he focused on her, ignoring Jack's greeting.
The woman in question stepped forward, giving a bid in greeting to his mother who nodded in turn before facing his father.
"Alpha Corneal, thank goodness you're awake."
His father laughed jokingly, as though to appease her
"Don't worry. Death still has a long way to go before he can take this old man down." He joked
"You should be resting right now, not joking about death. You told my yourself that a weak alpha cannot lead a pack. So please do well to recover."
He had never been around her presence for more than necessary, so it was strange to him as he watched the familial interaction her and his father shared.
"But, you are right." His father says in a more grave tone
"A weak alpha cannot lead a pack properly. It is obvious that I am already getting too old to lead this pack."
"Don't say that. You are not old and will live for many more years to come." She defended.
"Of course, I may live, but what of the pack? My sudden fainting was just a sign, and no doubt it has already begun to spark doubt within the pack." He said.
Hearing the last words, Jack clenched his jaw as he recalled the meeting with the elders.
He knows what he is going to say, remembering the conversation he had with his father in this same room less that an hour ago.
"Which is why I want my son to take my place as alpha." The Alpha finishes.
She turns to him and despite being unwilling to take up the task, he feels smug as she turns to him, surprise evident on her face.
"Which brings me to what I wanted to tell you." His father continues, making her turn away from him and back to his father.
"You have been very helpful to me for the past few years. Despite giving you the beta position when you were so young, you have done it well, fulfilling your duties and doing your best for the sake of the pack."
His father paused and Jake held his breath as he anticipated what will come next.
"Which is why as my beta, I need you to help him."