The Alpha and The Fool novel Chapter 29

“Thank, Dean,” I said as we left the infirmary.

He grinned. “You really need to stop thanking me for doing normal, decent stuff, Beautiful.”

I rolled my eyes and hugged him as a red faced Marquice marched up to us. “Where have you been? Do you realize what’s going on?” he demanded.

I stiffened, narrowing my eyes at him. “Yes, my father was attacked. I was with him now.”

“I’m not talking about that,” he said. “That...that pretender. He’s been taking over, acting like he’s alpha. Do you know he’s been organizing the enforcers to search and track Brandon?”

“Really?” I said, surprised. And pleased. This was good.

“Yes, and what are you going to do about it?”

“Nothing,” I replied. “I’m not the alpha. I told that to Father from the beginning. I wasn’t going to be the alpha. Sounds to me like Antoine is doing us all a favor, taking over while Father is recovering.”

I gave Dean a little tug to continue walking when Marquice grabbed my arm. “We’re not finished. How dare you turn your back—”

It was only Dean, grabbing me and pulling me back that save Marquice’s face from my fist. “You,” he said, pointing at Marquice, “Can go. Do what Antoine tells you to. Joseph is already considering giving him the pack and being his beta like he did Brandon. Come on Nic, let’s get you to your room.”

I gave Marquice one final glare, before letting Dean lead me away from him and to my room. Once there I sat on my bed and ran a hand over my head, the length of my hair still strange to me. “How did this all get so messed up?”

“Well,” Dean said, sitting next to me. “If you ignore that your brother tried to kill your dad, I say it’s not all that bad. I mean yeah, you’re dad might as well be human, but he didn’t seem to take it all bad, and I don’t think he hates me as much either.”

I laughed and shook my head, leaning against him. “When you say it like that...it still sucks.” Then I realized Dean had been cut with the same knife as Father. My heart jolted, and I looked up at him. “What about you? Are your cuts going to heal? Are you going to suffer the same effects as Father?”

“No, mine was shallow, and they were able to flush it clean,” he replied.

“Sorry I didn’t ask sooner,” I said, feeling guilty.

“It’s okay. You were worried about your dad.”

I hugged him. “Not sure I deserve you, Dean.”

Dean laughed and gave me a soft squeeze. “You need sleep, Nic. You’re getting delusional now.”

He started to get up, but I stopped him. “I’m not delusional, and I’d like...I’d like it if you stayed,” I told him, not wanting to be alone, but also ready to take another step in your relationship.

“Are you sure, Nic. It’s been a long day.”

I nodded, “But if you don’t want to, I understand too,” I said, letting him go.

Dean sat down next to me. “No, it’s not that.You’ve been through a lot, and I don’t want you to regret anything.”