Page 5 of Becoming the Alpha

“Does she know what you did?”

“I mean we’ve talked about mating and what it means to claim someone. I’ve told her that she was mine and I wasn’t going to let her go,” I shrugged.

Dean frowned, looking pissed. His body was tense and he was standing near the door. I could feel his hostility and rage from where I was laying. My wolf was tense under my skin, confused as to why there was a problem.

“You claimed her without her fucking consent, Jason. You did it without fucking asking her. I know you’re not Callum, but it’s definitely something Callum would have done. That’s not you, man. What the fuck?”

“I fucking know! I fucked up, okay? I have no idea how I’m going to make it up to her,” I spit out.

Dean let loose a humorless laugh. “Make it up to her? How are you even going to fucking explain this to her? She may have lived among the wolves for the last year, but she certainly doesn’t fucking know our ways. You may have talked about what this is and how it works, but she Goddess-damned sure doesn’t know what itmeans.”

“I fucking know, Dean!”

“Then, what are you going to do about it, asshole?”

I let a frustrated growl loose, pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes. “I have no fucking idea.”

“Goddess help you. You’re going to need it.”

I dropped my hands into my lap and let my head fall back onto the bed. “Don’t I know it.”

“I need to make sure the rebels are taken care of and our borders are secure. Lily said she’d be back soon. I know your mom and sister should be here any minute. I’ll be back to check in on you later, man.”

I grunted a nonresponse to him and heard his footsteps retreat out of the room. The stifling sense of anger went with him, but left me sitting in a massive pit of shame. I was spiraling endlessly when the door to the infirmary opened. I lifted my head, seeing Laura walk in, a look of determination on her face. I could see through her attempt to stay strong and my heart broke even more, my wolf whining in my chest at the hurt he was causing.

“Come here,” I said, keeping my voice soft. I opened my arms and she launched into them. She broke down into sobs, soaking my shirt. I brushed a hand down her hair like I used to when she was little and had trouble falling asleep. It took about an hour, but her tears finally ceased and she fell into a deep sleep curled on my chest. I dragged a hand down my face, overwhelmed with the emotions that were threatening to engulf me. I leaned my head back against the bed again and closed my eyes.

The rhythmic rise and fall of Laura’s breathing lulled me into sleep almost immediately.

“Shh…you’re going to wake him up.”

I inhaled deeply, as the harsh whispered voices kept bickering. “He needs to wake up. He needs to talk to Lily.”

“Lily can wait. It’s not going to kill her.”

“Laura, you don’t understand. He marked her. He fucking claimed her without her consent. He needs to make it right,” Dean snapped. I opened my eyes, spying Laura in front of an irate Dean. I couldn’t see Laura’s face, but I felt her shock rippled through the pack bond. I watched her shoulders tense and she turned to face me slowly. I rubbed my chest, shifting on the bed. “I’m awake. Dean’s right, Laura. I need to make it right.”

“Jason…”

“I know. I messed up fucking big time. I have no excuse. I will make it right.”

Laura sighed, lowering her head. “Alright.” I met Dean’s gaze above her head and nodded. He gave me a sharp nod back.

“Laura? Where’s Mom?”

“She’s in her room. Dad’s on a rampage. He’s pissed.”

“I bet he fucking is.”

“What happened after the challenge?”

I sent a sharp glance to Dean. He shook his head. “They were in the bunker. News didn’t hit them and she came straight here. Your father informed your mom, albeit at a loud volume, during his rant,” He explained. I sighed, feeling the weight on my shoulders.

“What news?”

I grimaced, not wanting to explain what was going on, but knowing it needed to happen. Laura glared at me, then whirled on her heel, leveling Dean with a glare. He raised his hands in surrender. “Ask your brother.” She turned back to me.

I took a deep breath. “I issued the Alpha Challenge.”