[i]"Please, father; let me try again. I promise you I will get this alliance. Just give me another chance, I know I can do this! But there has to be another way! Let me find a way without that poor girl having to endure the torment we both know uncle will give her... Please..."[/i]

Oh, he shouldn’t have said that. Luke was scarily still, his eyes widening in shock. “Why do you care so much about what Rick does, Jaii?” he growled, taking a step forward and, without warning, throwing a punch at his son, right in the jaw. “Why don’t you mind your own damn business and remember your place? You aren’t alpha of this pack. You aren’t even Beta! Rick and Evans are true mates, there’s nothing you can do to change that!” A small ring let Luke know he’d received a text. Pulling his phone out he smirked, reading the message from his brother.

“They’re close. If you don’t believe me then ask them yourself. Either way they’re mating and [i]you[/i] are never being given responsibility again. I should have gone myself instead of sending you.” His phone went off again, this time a call. “Leave, Jaii. I have more important things to do than babysit you.”

******

“Don’t you know it’s dangerous to text and drive?” Vera asked accusingly, looking over at Rick. They were going down the long paved road that led to the pack garage, and he was barely looking up from his phone.

“Don’t you worry about a thing, doll,” the Beta wolf answered, as if that was supposed to calm her. Soon enough they were parked and she stepped out with a sigh, sneakers skidding across the asphalt as she kicked the tire in frustration. Above those she wore a pair of dark jeans and a black long sleeve shirt. "Wonder where everyone is. Whatever, I’m starving, lets head to the kitchen. I had to skip breakfast because I drove all the way to pick you up,” he said, looking over at Vera as he led the way outside and through the front doors. It was a beautiful foyer; modern, fairly expensive. She had a feeling Mr. Talon did everything he could to look like money was no object to everyone around him. Was it a mask, or real?

“I’m not hungry,” Vera commented, getting a huff from Rick. He ran a hand over his brunette hair, barely looking at her. She would have said something more insulting, but a few children from the pack were playfully running from a room down the hallway and up the stairs. Judging by the fruit in their hands, they were probably coming from the kitchen. “Can’t I just sit outside while you grab something?”

“And risk you running? No, doll, you’re sticking with me.” The male shifter suddenly grabbed her by the wrist, receiving a growl from the younger woman. “Come on, we both know you won’t say a thing. You have nobody listening.” Rick jerked her forward, a startled cry following him to the kitchen. He immediately started searching the pantry and fridge for the necessities to make himself a few sandwiches.

“You’re an idiot, Ricky,” Vera muttered, sitting down in one of the many chairs at a rectangle dining table, looking rather bored as she put her chin on the table, black hair spilling out around her.. The kitchen really was beautiful and luxurious, she had to admit. High ceiling, island in the middle. Spending time in here might be nice, distracting herself with cooking. Not that she was any good, but if her life was over then why not take the time to learn?