Grey POV
I woke up this morning in a better mood than I have been in a long time. I decided to listen to my therapist and take some antidepressants. I needed to change my life and return to my children's lives. I was spending extra time on my appearance before my children arrived from home camp. I miss hanging out with my little girl. Well, she's not so little anymore. Where has the time gone? Just yesterday, she was ten years old, it seems like. I was sitting on my bed, trying to think about her birthday party, struggling to remember one party."You have been drunk the majority of the time. I'm surprised you still know you have children," Derrick laughed at me."I'm not that bad of a father," I refuted his claim."If you say so," as he returned to the back of my mind. As I stood on Beta Anthony's porch, I could hear them talking about camp. The joy in their voice was infectious. Before knocking on the door, I heard Libby say she learned the meaning of being a Luna, and Louis said he won Nightshade Blade in a fighting competition."I would like to see what fighting skills this prick has learned," Derrick said, coming to the front of my mind. He was eagerly pacing in my mind, ready to take control at the sight of Louis."Can you leave him alone? He hasn't said or done anything to get you angry.""I'm going to leave him in a body bag." The way Derrick sounded it, I knew he meant business. I shoved him out so he could not hurt Louis today. Regaining my composure, I proceed to knock on the door. Stepping into the house, all the laughter stopped. All eyes looked up at me from the dining room table, but Louis was not among them. It was a sigh of relief. I did not feel like fighting with my wolf for control and finding a seat at the dining room table, glancing at Libby while she was eating lunch with Beta Anthony and Kim. When Libby got up to clear the table, I took the opportunity to hug her. Libby stood there stiff as a board. I continued to watch Libby as she cleaned up the kitchen. She reminds me so much of her mother from the way she looks and talks. It brought back memories of my wife and the good times we had. Those memories seem to settle Derrick. It's been a while since I heard silence from him. It felt good to have a moment of peace."Libby, would you like to go for ice cream with me?" Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. She looked at me like I had grown three heads, and then she looked at my Beta as if silently asking for permission."I would love to," she seemed nervous, but I expected that with how I have been acting lately. We enjoyed our father-and-daughter time at the ice cream shop. Libby continually talked while we were there. When I would bring up Louis, she would avoid that part of the conversation. It was like he was invisible, and she didn't know much about her twin. Later that evening, we went home and watched movies. It was a great day, except Louis, who continuously avoided me at every turn. I went upstairs to Louis's room to see how he was doing and if he needed me to do anything for him. I knocked on his door, but my knocks went unanswered. I felt heartbroken that Louis couldn't even spare me five minutes of his time."I know I have not been the picture-perfect father, but at least today I was trying," I yelled at his door. No matter what I said or did, Louis still refused to acknowledge my existence. After standing at his door for a long time, I decided to go for a walk. When I walked outside, I saw Louis on the swing set. I chuckled to myself. I was banging on his room door, and he was outside the entire time. Walking to the swing set, but he tried to run away. Grabbing ahold of his arm, "Could we talk for a second?" He was speechless that I was not causing him any harm."I overheard you tell Beta Anthony's a Nightshade Blade. Did you enjoy the wrestling class at camp?""It was cool. The kids there had a lot of different talents." Scratching his head nervously. It was surprising to hear him talk. This is the most he has spoken to me in years. I could tell he didn't fully trust me enough to let his guard down as he shuffled back and forth. Leaving him outside to enjoy the summer and walking around the community, I noticed how much it had changed. It used to be full of life, and now it isn't very interesting. No one was outside on their porches, no kids were running around, and most shops were closed. I don't know how long I walked, but I found myself at my wife's grave. It's been a while since I visited her. I sat there long, crying and begging her for forgiveness. I woke up the following day in my wolf form. Derrick was crying and angry that he could not protect her. He was asking her how to heal his broken heart. He needed her to take his pain away. I felt terrible for him. I never gave him a chance to grieve. It was all about me. By the time I made it back home, everyone was at the kitchen table eating breakfast. It was my first time eating food that Louis cooked."Louis, this meal was delicious. I'm sorry for judging you before." He was utterly shocked by my compliment, especially since I was against him learning how to cook.Louis POV My father excused himself from the table and went to lie down. Once the coast was clear, we all started discussing what had happened."Someone pinch me. Did my father actually say something nice to me? I must be dreaming." Nobody could believe my father complimented me. My father must have a mental disorder and it was starting to freak me out. My mind was uneasy with my father behaving this way. I visited Beta Anthony to see what had happened with my father while I was at camp."Alpha went to therapy a few times, and the doctor prescribed some medicine. The medication is effective if it is taken at the same time every day. I don't know how long he's been on the medicine or how effective it is with his fits of rage. Just be careful, is all I ask Louis." Beta Anthony inform me."Ok, I understand. I'll try to keep an eye for his mood changes and get out of the way before Derrick takes control." After talking to Beta Anthony, I had a better understanding of wha
Louis POV"Son, are you awake? Our appointment is in twenty minutes." I rolled over to see it was after ten in the morning. I have never slept that late. I guess I was extremely exhausted last night. "Give me a few minutes to take care of my hygiene." I got out of bed and rummaged through my drawers to find a pair of basketball shorts and a tee shirt. It took me ten minutes to get ready. Running downstairs, snatching a piece of fruit off the table as we walked out the door. We arrived at the barbershop right on time. "Good morning, Alphas," the barber said as we entered. My father looked confused, as if another Alpha was on his territory without permission. "He's not an Alpha," my father corrected, glaring at me. The barber turned his neck in submission."My apologies, Alpha and Louis. What can I help you with this morning?" No one wanted to piss my father off. The pack members avoided confrontation at all costs."I just want a shape-up, and my curl turned into coils," I described
Louis POV I slept peacefully last night. We woke up to my father screaming Libby's name. "What's his problem now?" Libby shrugged her shoulders and left my room. It was the last day of summer break; Libby and I settled on spending it at the lake together. It was our last day to be ourselves before she became the popular kid and me a reject. This year is going to be different because I feel different. I'm not as depressed anymore, and I stopped taking my depression medicine at camp. Everyone was at the lake today having parties. "Louis, let me know if you want to leave. There are a lot of people here today." Libby express. "It's fine for now. I don't mind hanging around people. It will help with my social skills." She laughed at me. Plus, I knew she didn't want to leave the lake. We found a spot in the shady area. All eyes were on us. Most of the younger generation knew Libby was the Alpha's daughter, but who was I? I never hung out with people except for Beta Anthony. My fathe
Beta Anthony POV After dropping the twins off at school, I returned to the packhouse to pick up the Alpha for our morning treaty meeting. Upon arriving, the Alpha was still asleep. I had no choice but to attend this meeting on his behalf. I was there to listen and take notes. I could not make any suggestions without my Alpha's consent. This treaty meeting lasted an entire day. I was exhausted. I had to listen to privileged Alphas argue about land, properties, mating ceremony, and much more. The only thing everyone agreed on was hosting mating ceremonies on neutral territory, and all wolves of age must attend. Meanwhile, I received a text message from Libby that they were out of school and waiting on me. I had already told the Alpha to pick them up when I called to update him on the treaty meeting. I guessed he was running late. A few moments later, I received another text saying the Alpha picked them up. I was relieved that he didn't forget his kids at school.
Louis POV Punching a hole in my bedroom wall, I was beyond furious. Out of days for Derrick to appear had it to be today. He wants me to be miserable just like him. Derrick has another thing coming if he thinks he will keep abusing me like before. I refuse to allow him to steal my happiness. It took everything in my power not to hit him back. I knew it wouldn't be a fair fight if he decided to shift into his wolf form. I kept my cool and stood my ground against him. I had to prove to him I was no longer the little boy he used to abuse. Soaking in the bathtub, I started planning my escape route again. I looked over the previous plans Dr. Johnson made years ago. Some of the information was useful. It was even better now that I was older. I wouldn't have to live in Fox Village with Alpha James for an extended period before I could challenge my father for his title. I planned on avoiding my father for the rest of my life. Out of sight, out of mind. It would keep the hou
Libby POV I ran out of the house crying. Louis wouldn't abandon me without telling me first. We never kept secrets from one another. I thought to myself. As I banged on Beta Anthony's door hard, my hand started to hurt. Once the door was open, Louis got an ear full."Why did you move out without telling me? Twins don't keep secrets from twins. Then I had to have dinner with a psychopath because you refused to forgive him. Now I'm stuck in the middle of the two of you all. Did you ever consider my feelings before doing this?" I was so worked up that I didn't give him a second before I started ranting off the next set of questions. Louis just hugged me until the tears stopped falling. "I'm sorry, Libby. It was best that I left. His bipolar mood swings are driving us further apart. I only put up with it because of you. Dad will not allow Derrick to hurt you. I, on the other hand, am something different. You are safe at home. I'm safer here. It's not like you don't see me every
All of us were fresh. Libby wore this yellow spaghetti strap dress with some laced-up sandals, Alexis had on a purple halter top dress with black high heel boots, and all the guys had on different color polo shirts with black slacks and jewelry to match. We had on every color in the rainbow. We waited for a cab to take us to the steakhouse located in Atlantic City. It was a mixture of supernatural beings and humans. Some humans were oblivious to our kind; nonetheless, we had to blend in to avoid the hunters lurking amongst the humans. Atlantic City was live; people everywhere shopping, eating, and hanging out. Entering the steakhouse, I ran into Alpha James and his son Levi."Hey man, what a coincidence to see you here! Everyone, this is my good friend Levi from summer camp." I introduced Levi to the squad. "I'm thrilled to see you here. Now I don't have to sit with those stuck-up older adults. Can I join you guys? You guys seem like a better dinner party suit
Back at Beta Anthony's house, my father sat on the couch watching football. He looked peaceful. I settle down to watch a few quarters of the game with them before showering. Stripping off my sweaty clothes and placed them into the laundry basket by the door. The basket was overflowing. I had gotten used to the omegas cleaning up around the house. I wasn't used to doing chores. Looking at my reflection once again, my eyes were black."I'm glad you didn't squeal like a little girl," Majestic laughing at me."I'm glad you find this funny. I figured it out after I ate breakfast that you were my mother's gift to me." I said matter-of-factly. I wonder if he can hear my thoughts without people looking at me crazy talking to myself. "Good, now you know I will always be by your side. FYI, you can talk to me without opening your mouth. I can hear your thoughts." Majestic clarified my thoughts. "Why are you here early? You are not supposed to show up until after my 16th birthday. Will