Chapter 10: Alpha Rising

When Dimitri pulled up into the family driveway, a car he didn't recognize parked in front of the house. Lainie didn't tell me we had company. He parked behind the strange vehicle, shut off his engine, and slid out of the driver's seat and into the humid North Carolina night. He hadn't taken two steps toward the front door, though, when the door exploded open with a jerk, and Lainie stormed out and down the front steps. "Un-fucking-believable!" she shouted as she hit the walkway and turned toward the woods.

Dimitri could see the beginning of her shift and called out to her, stopping her from completing the transformation. "Hey, what's happening? Whose car is that?" he asked, pointing to the strange vehicle.

Lainie spun, pointing at the house as she snarled, "Our dear father invited the Hemingways over, so I could get to know Miles better. That asshole stuck his nose right into my ass and sniffed me. Can you fucking believe it?" She shoved her hands onto her hips as she took a deep breath. "I should have farted on him. I told our wonderful father I wasn't interested in that idiot. Hell, Miles' hair is as greasy as his damn personality, and Dad wants me to be stuck to him for the rest of my life? Hell to the fucking no."

Dimitri glanced back at the house, surprised their father hadn't chased after his disobedient daughter by now. Unbelievable. "Miles really stuck his nose in your ass?" he asked, trying hard not to laugh. "Like our animals do?"

Lainie glared at him. "Don't you dare fucking laugh," she threatened, pointing a finger at his chest. "The corpse of our brother's future isn't even cold yet, and Dad's already setting up the funeral for mine. He truly expects me to just lay down and take it, in more ways than one. I'm not some negotiation piece for him to offer up for his damn business. I won't do it. I won't."

Dimitri turned back to his sister, walking over to her and placing his hands on her upper arms. "Nor should you have to," he said. "Look, that's part of why I wanted to meet with you and talk. I was offered a job in Florida, and I want you to go with me. It'll mean turning your back on what's here more than likely if I know our father, but it'll keep you from being stuck in a marriage you don't want."

Lainie looked into his eyes, her anger still quite apparent on her face as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Florida? What job in Florida? Why is this the first I'm hearing about it?"

He shrugged as he let go of her arms, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Because I just found out about it last night. The Paranormal Council wants me to be alpha of a town called Bull Creek. Apparently, it's a refuge for people with nowhere else to go, and the current alpha is kind of one-sided with his decisions. Josh is going, as well."

Lainie gave a snort of laughter. "Of course, he is," she said with a shake of her head. "That man is joined at your hip. Has been since elementary school." She shook her head and sighed as she glanced back at the house. "Still, I think a change of scenery may be my only answer. I'd need to give notice at the department, maybe seek a transfer down there if they'll have me."

"Jed says the area has a small sheriff's department. We could get you a job there. I'm sure Quinton would give you a glowing recommendation." He took a deep breath, hoping that with the way she talked, Lainie had decided to join him. It would be good to have her on the police force there as well as Josh helping him out. At least, that would be three against the coyotes. "So, you'll go with me?"

"Go with you where? And I thought your brother needed a ride because he had truck problems? Seems he made it home on his own, after all. With his truck, too."

They both turned at the sound of their father's voice, eyes wide with surprise that he even managed to sneak up on them. Dimitri took a slight step in front of Lainie, protecting her from their father's ire. This was not how Dimitri planned on their father finding out his plans. Still, might as well rip the Band Aid off and be done with it. With a deep breath to steel his nerves against what he knew his father's reaction would be, he said, "The Paranormal Council has asked me to become alpha of a town called Bull Creek. I'm thinking of accepting their offer, and I wanted Lainie to go with me."

Daniel Everest narrowed his eyes at his son. "And just why the hell would you do that? Your responsibility is here with your family, to your alpha, not with some project of the Council's. They can run their own errands. Besides, alphas aren't appointed; they're made."

"While I stay here and run your errands?" Dimitri shook his head. "Nope. I don't think so. I'm tired of you dictating my life. Fitz may have given in to your manipulations, but I won't do it. I'm making my own decisions."

"Nor will I," Lainie snapped. She pointed at the house again. "I told you I'm not marrying Miles. I'm not even going to go out on a date with him. He's disgusting. You saw what he just did."

Their father took a step toward Lainie, but Dimitri stepped in front of him, blocking their father from getting any closer. "You'll do as you're told, young lady." Daniel turned and glared at his son. "You both will do as you're told." He turned back to Lainie. "And Miles was just sniffing out his mate as all shifters do. It's a natural act."

"As their animals do?" Lainie yelled. "People don't do that. Not normal people anyway."

Dimitri crossed his arms over his chest, his panther hissing within at the threat in front of him. "No, I won't. I'm taking the job in Bull Creek. You'll have to find another way to merge your company with someone else's business."

"And I'm going with him," Lainie said as she stepped up beside her brother, her arms over her chest as she glared at her father. "I won't stay here while you parade me around like some prize to the highest bidder. My future is not yours to auction off."

"I'm the alpha of this family, and you'll damn well do what I tell you," Daniel snapped, his fists clenched tight at his sides.

Dimitri grabbed Lainie's arm and pulled her along with him as he stepped around their father. "You're not my alpha anymore," he said as he stared at his father as he passed. "An alpha looks out for the best interests of the members of his pack, not for his own selfish ambitions. I'll be out of the house by morning."

Daniel stopped him by gripping his arm. "No. You'll be out of the house now if you refuse to abide by my wishes." He glanced over at Lainie. "That goes for both of you."

Dimitri shrugged. "Fine. We'll be out of your house now. There's nothing in there I can't live without, including your money." Without a backward glance, he led Lainie over to his truck, his anger a nauseous knot in his stomach as his panther continued to growl, wanting out to fight with the Everest alpha. It's not worth it.

As they slid into their seats, Dimitri glanced over at Lainie. "Well, I hope this is what you really wanted."

She nodded once. "It's time," she said. "It'll only get worse here, especially if you're gone. He'll make it worse until I give into him."

Dimitri reached over, taking his sister's hand in his and squeezing it. "We'll make it. You'll see. And for the record, I'm glad you're coming with me."

She gave a soft laugh. "Someone has to keep an eye on you two," she said.

Dimitri just smiled, knowing he would be the one keeping an eye on her. He just prayed she truly meant to leave the house where she was raised. With the way their father was, there was probably no returning home. Ever. He glanced in the rearview mirror as he pulled out of the driveway. And I'm okay with that. He called Jed Hawkins and accepted the Council's offer. He was ready to go.