The Reluctant Alpha (2 page)

“I know you and your dad have a difficult relationship, Cam, but he’s uptight for other reasons. Can I confide in you?”

Cam wondered what the hell was going on. “Of course you can, Mum. What’s wrong?”

His mother didn’t answer for a minute or two, the silence stretching out but Cam didn’t rush to fill it. He’d spent far too much time in high powered meetings where he learned quickly to wait out the other person. Refusing to speak until they had. He waited and as was usual the other person would start to babble to fill the awkwardness. It was no different with his mother.

“Cam, please, you can’t say I’ve said anything but we’ve got two problems. Serious problems. Your father has been slowing down lately, not quite his usual self and a few of the other Wolves have voiced concerns.”

His mum’s voice quavered before continuing, “So, we need a new Alpha...”

“No! Not a chance!” Cam almost shouted into the phone.

“Cam, please just shut up and listen!” his mother returned the shout and Cam quietened instantly, rarely hearing his mother raise her voice.

“I know you will never be Alpha here, I’ve accepted that but your father has not. But, we have another problem, your Uncle Fearghas called and he’s got some problems and is asking for our help. He wants both you and your brother to go there but with what’s going on here it means one of you has to stay and take over as Alpha and one of you has to go to America.”

Cam’s breathing increased as his mother spoke. Even the thought of being Alpha to their Pack causing him to think about flying far far away. “I won’t be Alpha, Mother. Not ever.”

The sadness in his mother’s voice was so thick he was sure she was near tears. “I know that, Cameron, but I wanted to let you know what’s happening so you can be prepared. I didn’t want this sprung on you when you got here.”

“I appreciate that, Mum, I do.”

“Cameron, your father is finding all of this to be very difficult. Accepting he is no longer the strongest in the Pack is hurting him deep down, Son.”

“He’s not been the strongest in the Pack for a long time, Mother.” Cam sighed, “It’s one of the reasons I stay away. We may not be close but I don’t want to rub his nose in that fact.”

“Oh, Cameron, my son, I wish things were different and I know I’ve never said this to you, but, I am sorry, so very sorry.”

Cam could clearly hear the tears now, causing his heart to ache. “It wasn’t your fault, mum.”

“Yes, it was, in part anyway. I should’ve done more to change the way he was with you. I love your father but the way he treated you was wrong, plain and simple.”

At his mother’s acknowledgement his heart lifted slightly. “That means a lot to me. Thank you.”

“Please know that I love you, Cameron, I’ll always love you.”

“I know, Mother. I’ve got to go, we’re leaving for the plane.” Cam needed to compose himself, never allowing his emotions to show to anyone but his closest friends. “I’ll see you later, bye.”

“Bye,” his mum almost whispered just before he ended the call.

Cameron took a few moments to sort through the information he’d been given, knowing the Pack needed a strong Alpha to lead them, but he was not that Wolf. His home land held nothing but bad memories for him. There was no way he could ever live there again. Not in a million years.

“Who was that?” Jinx interrupted his thoughts.

“My mother.” Cam smiled ruefully, “Appears there’s trouble within the Pack and also my uncle in the US needs help of some sort.”

Jinx walked to the door to their suite, placing his suitcase on the floor before turning around, a frown on his face. “I guess we need to go and see what’s going on.”

Cam ran a hand through his hair. “She said the Pack needs a new Alpha.”

“What?” Jinx came over. “Fuck, what are you gonna do?”

“I’m never going to be Alpha of that Pack, Jinx, not ever,” Cam sighed. “I hate being there, it’s mostly bad memories for me and I don’t think I could go back to that life even if I wanted to.”

“So where does that leave the Pack?” Jinx looked worried as he stared at Cam.

“I’m not sure but we’ll soon find out.”

“I guess we will,” Jinx replied softly.

~
Chapter
2
~

“You okay?” Jinx asked as they neared Scotland.

“What do you think?” Cam answered a little too sharply.

“Hey, don’t take it out on me because you’re riled up.”

Cam looked out the small window, seeing his homeland come into view as the jet lost altitude. “Sorry,” was all he uttered as his stomach tied itself in knots.

“What do you think’s going to happen?” His friend was obviously worried about their Pack but tried to hide it.

He could see it though, Cam could always tell when his friend was worried, a little pulse in his neck giving him away. “The Pack needs an Alpha so we need to make sure they get one, just not me.”

“Who?”

Cam had been toying with the problem since his mother had called and came up with the only solution he could. “Grant.”

“Grant?” Jinx asked quickly. “He might not be ready, Cam, and you’re the oldest. It should be you, not your brother.”

“How many times do I have to say this?
I
will never be Alpha
!”

“I know, you keep saying it but you
are
an Alpha, Cam.”

“Jinx.” Cam locked eyes with his oldest friend. “Don’t push me on this.”

“Fine!” Jinx’s hands flew upwards in exasperation. “Have it your way but I’m telling you I’m staying long enough to visit with my parents.”

“Okay, I’ll give you some time with them,” Cam smirked. “Hell, I may even join you. Your mother makes the best mince ‘n tatties I’ve ever tasted.”

“That she does,” Jinx laughed. “She better have made some or I’m not gonna be happy.”

“If she knows we’re coming then she’ll have made it. She does like to spoil her little boy.”

Cam started laughing at the outraged look on his friend’s face.

“I might not be as big or muscular as you but I was built for speed,” Jinx grinned. “I can leave you behind most of the time, Sin, and don’t you forget it.”

“Yeah, yeah, in your dreams, my friend.” Cam looked at Jinx, taking in his reddish blonde hair, freckles on his pale skin, thinking he looked far more Scottish than he did himself.

“We’re there,” Jinx motioned with his head to the window as Cam saw the plane was almost touching down.

Inhaling a deep breath, Cam tried to calm his racing heart. “Suppose we should go and see what’s happening.”

At the slight bump of the tires landing on the tarmac of the small runway, Jinx stood up anxious to see his family. Once more, Cam wished that was how he felt when he returned home instead of the desperate desire to escape he always experienced.

Cam sat until the jet stopped, his pilot, Marcus, appearing to open the door and let down the steps. Jinx standing waiting eager to leave the confines of the plane. “Come on, Cam. Let’s go.”

His friend took a step out and then poked his head back in. “We’ve got a welcoming party,” he whispered as Cam finally joined him.

“Just what I need!” Cam turned to Marcus. “Have it ready, just in case.”

“Will do.”

Cam nodded. “I’m not sure where we’re going to be heading after meeting with the Alpha. I know I’m supposed to be going to that charity thing in New York but plans may change.”

“I will need to land and refuel somewhere if it’s going to be a longer journey, Cam.” Marcus being one of the few that got to call him by his shortened name.

“Okay, check and find out where the nearest location is that you can refuel and if necessary you can go fill her up. I’ll let you know where we’re heading as soon as I can.”

“No problem,” said Marcus turned away, heading back into the cockpit.

“Let’s get this over with.” Cam straightened his back, standing as tall as possible as they started to walk towards the small group of people waiting for them.

He could see his father, front and center, with his brother at his side and his mother behind. Jinx’s parents stood beside Grant, Jinx’s father one of the Wolf guards who patrolled their land and still one hell of a tough man, even if he was getting on in years.

“Go,” Cam said and Jinx took off, jogging towards his smiling parents.

Cam continued at a more leisurely pace, taking in his friend’s welcome from two people who loved him unconditionally. Jinx’s father held him in a tight embrace, patting him on the back as his mother tried to reach up to place a kiss on his cheek. Jinx laughed, patting his father’s back in return.

Nearing his own father, Cam kept his face neutral, not letting any emotion show before stopping right in front of him. “Alpha.” Cam tried to make his voice sound respectful but wasn’t sure if he had pulled it off. Going by the tightening of his father’s jaw…probably not.

“Cameron. We have a lot to discuss so let’s get going.” His father about turned and walked away without another word.

Typical.

Grant stepped forward. “Hi, Cam, how’s things?”

Cam looked his younger brother over, his hair and features so like their father’s. “I’m good. You?”

“Well, we’ve got a few problems but I’m sure Father will tell you about them soon enough.”

“I’m sure he will,” Cam replied as he saw his mother’s face blush almost scarlet.

“Come, Son, I’ve baked some scones for you.” His mother smiled, holding a hand out.

Cam patted his brother on the shoulder before going forward and hugging his mother. Her body in his arms feeling much frailer than it had the last time he’d held her. When was that? Damn, but he couldn’t remember.

“You know I love your scones, Mum.” Cam held her hand as they walked the short distance to the camp and going straight to the Alpha’s house.

He caught sight of Jinx and his mum and dad following them, chattering away with ease. The sound of Jinx laughing bringing a smile to his own face. It always made him glad to see his friend happy. “There are others waiting for us.”

His mother’s whispered words bringing him crashing back to the here and now and the reason for his visit. Cam didn’t have a chance to ask anything as they reached the wooden steps leading up to the largest cabin in the camp. The door wide open as they made their way up and inside.

Cam smiled when he saw some of his friends, Cormac Brody coming forward to hold him in a bear hug for a moment before releasing him.

“Hello, Cam, it’s been too long.” Cormac, or Mac as he was known, grinned at him.

“I know, Mac, but it’s nice to see you.”

Then the twins, Rory and Logan Dunbar pushed Mac out of the way. “What the hell? Why are you dressed like some poncy playboy?” Rory laughed while fingering Cam’s suit.

Logan grabbed an arm, fiddling with a cufflink. “You’re all prettied up for a visit here, Cam?”

Cam laughed, grabbing both of them to him in a playful tussle. “It’s nice to see you two trouble makers again. I assume you are
not
staying out of trouble?”

“Us?” Rory grinned. “We always manage to get outta trouble. Admittedly,
after
we’ve gotten into it!”

“Some things never change.” Cam slapped the two of them on the back as a loud ‘harrumph’ interrupted them.

“Can we get down to business?” his father growled, standing in front of the fire with his hands behind his back.

Cam left his friends, who went back to where they had been standing, and walked over to stand in front of the Alpha. “Want to tell me what this is all about?”

Grant joined him, then they both sat down on the sofa at their backs, as his father’s jaw clenched tightly for the merest of seconds. “Your Uncle Fearghas has had some problems and is seeking our aid. You know Fergie had that accident and he’s now in a wheelchair. Well, Fearghas is convinced it wasn’t an accident and that another Pack is trying to pick off his strongest Wolves.”

Cam stopped his father interrupting, “Wait up. Are you saying there’s been other Wolves injured?”

“Yes,” the Alpha almost snarled, obviously upset. “Several of his stronger Wolves, his guards, have either been hurt or disappeared. So, he’s asking me for help.”

“What kind of help?” Cam stared his father in the eye, not something that was generally allowed while in the presence of an Alpha. His father’s scowl letting all know he wasn’t happy with the outright confrontation.

“He wants you and Grant to go over with some of our Wolves to see if you can get to the bottom of things. He’s worried about asking for help from nearby Packs in case it’s them that’s behind the attacks.”

Cam nodded, his mind going a million miles a minute as he sifted through the information. “Okay, I can see where he may feel reluctant to trust anyone around them. So, why didn’t you just tell me this and I could’ve diverted, meeting Grant there?”

His father turned his back on him, placing his palms on the fireplace. “Our Pack also needs something.”

“What?” Cam waited, knowing the words must be sticking in his father’s throat.

The silence seemed to drag on as his father obviously fought to get the words out. A pin could’ve been heard dropping as everyone waited, breaths held. Finally his father broke the silence with a voice far lower than normal, almost a whisper, “An Alpha. I’ve been a little under the weather and some of the Wolves have expressed concern.”

“I see,” Cam spoke slowly, calmly. “Well, I think Grant should take over as Alpha.”

Cam had pondered his mother’s words all the way here and this was the only solution he could come up with. There was no way in hell he was going to be Alpha. Not a chance!

Grant jumped up stating, “Cam, you’re the eldest!”

“That I may be,” Cam said as he looked at his brother, while his father turned around to stare at him. “We both know I’ll never come home to live. I will not, under any circumstances, return to be Alpha here. Grant, you are the best choice.”

“Son,” his father’s voice causing both he and Grant to turn around, but it was Cam’s eyes that his father’s sought. “I always thought you would return. Take over from me, but I see now that won’t happen. Maybe it’s for the best.”

“It is,” Cam said stiffly as Grant gazed between the two of them.

Grant stared as his father carried on, his voice now forceful and commanding, “It’s settled. I’ll call a Pack meeting and announce Grant will take over as Alpha. There may be an objection or two and if there are then they will have to be dealt with as normal. Grant, are you willing to fight for your place as Alpha?”

Grant stood taller, his face shining with excitement. “Hell, yeah!”

Cam laughed, punching his brother in the arm. “That’s the way, Grant. Good luck, Brother.”

“I won’t need luck, Cam.” Grant gave a lopsided grin. “I’m much tougher than I look and if anyone challenges me then they’ll find that out the hard way.”

“I’m sure they will, Brother.” Cam looked to his father who seemed lost in thought.

“So, I guess I’m going to visit Uncle Fearghas.” Cam saw his father come out of whatever reverie he was in, nodding once.

“The three boys are going with you.” The Alpha stepped forward, placing a hand on Cam’s arm. “We may not be close but you’re still my son and I won’t send you without some back-up.”

Cam met his father’s eyes and saw for the first time something other than confrontation in them. What it was he couldn’t quite place but it cooled his reply, “Thank you, I’ll be glad of the extra help.”

*****

Mrs. Jenkins, Jinx’s mother, opened the door to leave, shouting over her shoulder, “Mince ‘n tatties will be ready soon boys and there’s enough for all of you so just pop over when you’re done.”

Grinning Cam shouted after her, “I’ll be there just as soon as I’ve had a scone or two!”

Jinx followed his mother out with his dad behind, slapping him on the back and chatting a mile a minute. Cam felt a twinge of jealousy as he watched the closeness between father and son. His life would’ve been so different if he had that.

Sighing he looked over to the twins and Mac, they came over, surrounding him and bombarding him with questions. “Where you been?”, “What trouble you been getting into?”, “Will that jet of yours get us to the US without crashing!” were just a few.

Cam grinned, trying to answer them all as they made their way to the kitchen and his mother’s scones. “Mum, can you butter me up some of those? I need to call Marcus and let him know our flight plan.”

“Sure, I’ll get you a nice cup of tea too.” Agnes busied herself getting plates out and the kettle on, “Boys, sit down, there’s plenty for everyone.”

The twins and Cormac were sitting down at the large wooden table with smiles and comments, “It’s been ages since I had one of your scones, Mrs. Sinclair!” Cormac beamed as he took his seat.

“Och, Cormac, you know just to come and ask if you’re wanting anything.”

Cormac blushed. “I don’t like to bother you. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate being Alpha female, Mrs. Sinclair.”

“I’m never too busy to bake or give you some of my scones. I’ll pack some of my baking up for you to take on your trip. It’s a long flight over there.”