Fight for Me

“We’re here Alpha.” Micah says to Nick as he parks the car in front of the hotel.

Nick just gives him a curt nod as he gets out and walks straight to the indoor restaurant, with Micah following not that far behind and keeping a close watch on his alpha.

Entering the large building, Nick immediately seems out of place with his messy hair, casual attire and his mountainous build. -The complete opposite of what the city folks obviously preferred, as everyone stares at him in their fancy suits and branded clothing. The large and sparkling chandelier hanging in the middle of the foyer was just the cherry on top.

Though, annoyed with all the irritating attention, his wolf grows eerily tense and inadvertently releases a sinister aura off of him. Everyone that were looking were quick to look and walk away. A few humans, however, ended up sprinting away when the realization hit that the new arrival was perhaps a supernatural.

As he enters the restaurant, he makes his way to the table with someone already sitting and waiting.

As Nick sits down, with Micah standing steady and ready just a few steps away from them, the man looks up from eating his food and stares at Nick with a surprised expression.

“I didn’t think you’d make it.” He wipes his mouth with the napkin and continues to stare at Nick, giving him all his attention. Though, the smirk on his face makes it clear he knows it’s annoying Nick.

“Is this supposed to be business or personal? ...Or both?” Nick questions as he waves away the approaching waiter.

“You know me, son. Of course, it’s both.” His grin widens as he leans back into his chair. His own warriors making themselves known as they stand not that far behind him as well.

Nick just raises a brow, urging his father to carry this conversation to wherever he intended with this whole meeting.

“You should really order something. The food is great here….My treat.” He suggests with a brow quirking up.

Though Nick just rolls his eyes. A habit he has found pleasing in dealing and tolerating his father, even though it may make him seem like a child. But the irritated look on his father’s face is priceless nonetheless.

“You weren’t always this difficult.” He grunts out.

“Was I easy to deal with before?” Nick asks.

“Yes.” He answers instantly. “You were obedient.”

Nick growls lowly.

“As much as you may have questioned me, you still did what you were told. It seems I might have been away for too long.”

“Away?”

“My sons are turning into disasters.”

Nick raises a questioning brow. He knew his father had recently visited his brothers as well. It was obvious to Nick that he was just keeping an eye on them, or rather keeping tabs on his almost-empire. After all, if it wasn’t for the council, his father would now be Alpha-king of four of the largest packs, if not more. He only stepped down before the council even brought it up, just to save face.

He just did it to get the council off his back. Pretending to retire into silence. But father is always up to something. He doesn’t know how else to live. I just never paid too much attention to it because he finally left me in peace once I did what he said. But now,…

“Just when I thought things were going better,…” His father continues. “Maxim, my eldest finally blessed my legacy with an heir. But then he winds up getting accidentally injured in an attack where the council were. Just how weak did he make my family look?”

Nick can hear the anger in his father’s voice and at the rate he is going, he knows his father is far from finishing his venting session. So he leans back and crosses his arms, making himself comfortable.

“And Tristan.” His father scoffs as he continues. “The moon goddess blessed him with one of the most powerful witches as a mate, and he allows her to walk out on him. How the hell can he lose her? -His mate!? And let me not even get started on Anthony.” He shakes his head as he wipes his face with his palm in frustration. “I don’t know what sick joke destiny is playing on him, on me, but what are we supposed to do with a male mate? He’s not fit to breed, to bring heirs into the Zokolov family. His mate is useless. And to think that Anthony dared to threaten me just to protect that rut.”

Nick can see his father fisting the steak knife in his hand, bending the utensil with his potent rage.

“And then there’s you. You.” He focuses back on Nick. “You had so much nerve disrespecting me for your human-mate, just to let someone take her from you the next day. From your own pack-grounds! I mean, how stupid do you have to be to let something like that happen?”

Nick growls through clenched jaws, stopping himself from setting the record straight. But his father continues his ranting.

“The Zokolov name was once respected and feared above everything else. But now, you and your brothers have turned it into a laughingstock.

He breathes heavily and loudly drops the crumpled knife on his plate. The thick air around them fills with silence.

“You done?” Nick queries, getting an annoyed growl from his father.

“Nicholas!” He slams his fisted palm on the table rattling all the utensils. “Your lack of respect for me has reached its limit.”

Nick sees the two men standing behind his father each take a step forward as if to affirm his father’s warning. Nick can even hear the deep warning growl from Micah standing behind him, sending his own warning.

“Your threats are usually more intimidating than this.”

“Tell me. What is the cause of this insolence? I know you always despised me, especially after what happened to your mother. But I despised you too. That was never a secret between us. And yet, we always found a way to tolerate one another. For the sake of the better good.”

Nick stares out the window focusing on the bustling street just outside as his fist clenches tighter.

For the better good? I only tolerated him for my own peace of mind.

“So, what information are you trying to fish out of me?” Nick looks back at his father with an annoyed smirk.

“Small talk has always been a waste on you.” He sits up straight, leaning back into his chair. “Will you be joining the fight?”

“Which fight? If it’s one of yours, then no.”

“Oh. You haven’t heard yet? The wolf council has declared war. And so has the witch covens.”

“War? Against whom?” Nick knew about the witch covens declaring war, but not the wolf council.

His father smirks as he takes a sip of his brandy. “Everyone.”

“Everyone?” Nick questions, noticing the tension in the room growing from his father’s men. This must be the first time they’re hearing about this too.

“Anyone who is not allied with them of course. Which is why I asked if you’ll be joining the fight. Should you choose not to, they’ll declare you an enemy.”

“And what of everyone else?”

“What of them. This is a fight for survival. If they’re smart enough to join us, maybe then they’ll stand a chance.”

“So, the council plans on ruling over everyone. Or do they plan on annihilating everyone?”

“War is war. There will be casualties. So, if you know what’s good for you and my pack, you’ll fight. I worked hard to build my family name. I will not let you destroy it.”

“…..My pack.”

His father’s stern expression turns to slight confusion. “What?”

“It’s my pack. Not yours.”

“You’re only alpha to that pack because I gave it to you to run, for the mean time.” He says with a soft chuckle.

Nick looks up at his father, giving him a challenging glare.

“Want to fight me for it?” Nick suggests with a knowing smirk.

“Watch it, boy. You may be the strongest of your brothers, but you get your strength from me.”

“And I’ve learned a lot more from you, in how to always survive.” He says in a soft but warning-filled tone.

His father grows quiet, knowing Nick’s words carry truth. He gets distracted from the screeching of Nick’s chair.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have a pack to run.” Nick stands and straightens himself, giving his father a stoic look before turning and leaving, with Micah following him closely behind.

There is no need for goodbyes. He doesn’t care, and he knows his father certainly doesn’t either. Even if this may be the last time either of them see each other again.

“I’m your best chance of survival.” He father says out loud to him as the distance between them grow. “Your best chance to keep your mate safe.”

Nick suddenly stops in his tracks as he glimpses back at his father, seeing a smile appear on his face.

“Surely, you must know people are after her. After her secrets. I’m the only one that can keep her safe. Just know that, should you find her.”

Seeing the satisfied grin on his father growing bigger, Nick turns and rushes out of the restaurant. Now, less interested in getting away from his father, but more eager to get to her.