Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 253

"No, it's not that," Ethel says. "It's just that werewolves like him..." He looks around, hesitantly. "They don't usually have imprints to begin with."

"What?" My eyes widen.

Ethel nods.

"Do they ever have one?" I ask.

"Sometimes," he says. "If they're a fourth wolf."

"But Onai's half?" I ask. Wow.

Don't get me wrong. This no imprint thing might be good news for Michael. But what if Onai really wanted an imprint? What if that's why he rejected Michael? Because he thought Michael wouldn't be enough for him?

But then again, that doesn't sound like Onai at all.

Ethel gives me a reassuring look. "Hey, it's not that bad. It's kind of a blessing if you think about it." He smiles. "Onai can live his life the way he wants. He can mate with whoever he wants and create a bond that's just as strong as any imprint." He nods firmly. "And he can do it without the fear of it all being taken away from him."

I nudge his shoulder, smiling at him. "You'll have that too, with your imprint."

"I hope," he says.

I hope too.

"I just think." Ethel starts walking back to the lunchroom. "That Onai's afraid."

"Afraid?" I ask.

Ethel nods. "He thinks that when he finally gets with someone, they won't think his love is as good as a 'pure werewolf.'"

I double take at him. Now it all makes sense.

Before I get the chance to say my Suzie plan to the group, Aiden calls an emergency meeting to order. Everyone gathers around the brothers' table, but we're in a state of disarray.

Aiden looks disgusted.

Bri and Krys can't stop looking at each other, giggling. It's cute, but not helpful at the moment.

Ethel's down in the dumps.

Michael invited himself until he realized he was supposed to sit between me and Onai. Now he's won't stop complaining.

Onai offers to leave altogether, to which I demand he stays. They need to work it out.

In the midst of this, Carson tries to "accidentally" spill milk on my clothes so I'll have to change out of Aiden's jacket. It takes everything in me not to yell at him. He smirks, swiveling the carton.

When Axel walks up to the table, back from wherever he left to, he stops in his tracks. His eyes sweep the table. Then he looks at me. "What's going on?" he asks.

I shake my head. "I have no idea."

"I left to take care of one highway repair..." He sits beside me. Taking my hand, he whispers. "If things don't get better soon, we'll ditch them."

That's the best news I've heard all day.

"Maybe we should just start the meeting?" Ethel asks Aiden.

"I can't hear myself think," Aiden says.

Axel sighs. "That's why we have our breathing exercises-"

"Oh my god," Carson and Aiden groan, looking at each other.

Axel glares at them.

Aiden keeps talking, looking around the table. "Starting today, Suzie will be included in Mia's guard shift."

Michael hits my leg under the table, triumphantly. "He's my favorite," he whispers to me.

I swat him away.

Suzie acts like she's just as stunned as the rest of the group. "What?" She touches her chest dramatically. Ethel looks between me and Aiden confused.

Aiden keeps talking. "The allies are coming in two days. In order to complete preparations, and at least look like we have some kind of sense, the betas need more time." He looks at Suzie. "For this reason, you'll be taking over the after school hours of Mia's watch. Can you handle that?"

"I most certainly can, Aiden." She smiles at everyone, even the people who clearly aren't smiling back-as in me.

I know I asked for this, but dang, I just hate this girl. But at the same time, I'm pleasantly surprised that Aiden took my words to heart. He's finally listening to me for once. It must be the hoodie. It's magical or something. The same thing happened with Carson when I left for my "locker break"-he listened to me more when I was wearing his jacket.

That's something to store for a rainy day.

"Did you ask Mia if she was okay with this?" Axel asks.