The Alpha and the Mistake novel Chapter 16

Ryder

I sat in the back seat of Harry's car, my knee bouncing with anxious nervousness. We headed to my pack's territory to visit Brook. It was risky, but Brook's mom needed to see her and in all honesty, so did I. I needed to apologize and fix this mess. I couldn't live with Brook thinking that I'm a monster. A weight lifted off my shoulders when I saw the packhouse. I smiled when I noticed the unfamiliar car. I admit I thought she might run off before we'd get here. I still had a chance to fix things.

At the door, my parents waited for us. "Welcome Harry and Nancy Ford, betas of the Black Mountain pack. We are honored that you trusted your daughter to our care," Dad said.

"I'm just happy you found her and brought her here. I owe you a debt for this Alpha of the Blue Crescent pack," Harry replied.

Dad offered him a smile, obviously pleased. In acknowledging the debt, Harry also acknowledges Brook as his.

"Is she okay?" Nancy asked, her hands twisting the strap of her purse.

"She has a concussion, but this morning her symptoms improved immensely. You have a very strong daughter Mrs. Ford," Mom said.

Brook's mom visibly relaxed. "Thank you, would you take me to her?"

"Of course, follow me." With a wave of her hand, mom invited Brook's parents inside.

I started to follow, eager to see Brook too, but a look from my dad stopped me. "Do you realize what you're risking by being here?" he asked with an uncharacteristically stern expression.

"I'm sorry, Dad but I had to come. I really messed up."

"Yes, you did. You need to learn better control than that Ryder. This won't be the first time your adversary will say something about your mate to get a reaction from you. You have to be the stronger and keep your cool."

I nodded, knowing as much as I hated getting a lecture, he was right. I needed to be stronger. "I have to fix this, and if Alpha Ryan finds out I'm here then I'll tell him I came here to visit with my injured mate. That would be an acceptable reason for the violation,."

The right answer because the edges of Dad's mouth tilted upward. "Good. Now that's using your head." Relieved, I let out a sigh and lifted my hand to run it through my hair again, but my dad grabbed my wrist. "What is this?" Anger radiated from his face as he stared at the piece of plastic.

"My punishment for the fight. Both Mike and I got one."

Dad's lip curled in a silent snarl and he took a deep breath and seemed to deflate. "This is unacceptable! The fight was stupid and reckless, but it doesn't warrant silvering. This is all too convenient. He's now weakened you in his territory. My instinct tells me he is planning something."

"Framing me for Brook and her family's death," I told him and explained everything Brook had said to me the day we met at the park.

"Would he really go so far as to murder his own because they found their mate?" Dad said, looking stunned. "I'll have to meet with my counsel and figure what to do about this. But right now I want to talk about your mate." I stilled. My mate? Why? Did she say something? Has she rejected me already? The pain of that single thought made it hard to breathe. "Relax Ryder. I can read your thoughts in your expressions. I only wanted to say that she's everything you told me."

"How is she dealing with being here?"

"She's suspicious, as expected, but she's not treating us like monsters. She seems to handle your brother well enough, and Andy likes her."

A strange surge of jealousy hit me, although he was only talking about Dean and Andy, who had a mate already and my best friend since fifth grade.

"But I have to tell you. It's not all fixed Ryder. Brook is adamant about leaving, and well, she knows everything."

"Everything, everything?"

He nodded. "I had to tell her. Brook knew we weren't telling her something so I had to tell her the truth or risk being thrown in the same group with your uncle and cousin."

"Okay, so how did she take it?" I never wanted, yet feared, an answer so badly in my life.

"Well she didn't go running into the night, so there's that, but I'm not sure she fully understands exactly what it means. I believe she thinks that we'll force her into it, despite my assurances to the contrary. I'm hoping her time around the others will help relax her. I have to warn you, Ryder, while she's a strong young woman, what's happened to her in Black Mountain pack has affected her. You need to remember that."

"Of course. I'll do what I can to make her feel safe."

"Good, now let's go see where Brook and her family are at."

We found them in the game room. Harry was playing a game of pool with Dean, Andy, and Marco-our beta. Brook stood next to her mom.

"Hey Bro," Dean yelled at me.

Brook's eyes met mine, making my heart race, but she quickly looked away.

"Come over here and join us so I can kick your ass too," Dean said, waving me over.

Dad shot him a chastising glare but either Dean didn't see it, or he didn't care. Even though I didn't want to play, I walked over to the table, taking the pool cue my brother held out for me. Maybe this would help show Brook that I'm just a guy and not a monster. "Someday Dean that mouth is going to get you in trouble."