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.”

“I’m not going to. I want you to stay.”

Dean sat back down next to me and put his arm around my shoulders. “Alright, I’ll stay,” he said and I as I looked up our lips met. Leaning into him, I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave myself into the kiss and to him. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but whatever it was, being with Dean was nothing like it. Afterward, we laid in bed, him holding me, not speaking, but just being. It was the most relaxed and safest I can remember feeling.

We didn’t get up until nearly noon the next day, and after a breakfast/lunch, we went to meet with Antoine in Father’s room. Wesley and the others waited outside in the doorway listening. Dad scowled at us all, but I had a feeling it was more for show now. “So, I suppose I could consider allowing you be the alpha of my pack,” he said with a sniff.

Dean shook his hand, covering his face with his hand and I rolled my eyes, but Antoine crossed his massive arms over his chest and smirked down at my father. “Then I suppose I could consider allowing you to be my beta and helping me and my family settle in with the pack,” he replied. Dad scoffed, but the scowl wasn’t so stern. I resisted a grin as I watched him. Could he actually like Antoine? God, I hope so.

“Any news about Douche?” I asked, refusing to call Brandon anything else but that.

“Not yet,” Antoine said. “It seems he’s truly gifted in running. Stayed ahead of the enforcers all the way out of his territory. I’ve alerted all the other alphas, explained the crimes he’s committed and asked them to return him if he’s found in their territory.”

“How likely is it they’ll cooperate?” Wesley asked.

“I made sure they knew well the series of events that lead him to this point. Noone in their right mind would harbor him,” Antoine replied.

“You might want to make it official. No doubt you’ll be challenged soon enough,” I told him.

“When the time is right,” he replied.

“Well, Dean and I are going to be staying here for a few days. We’ll do what we can to help you get a good start.”

“Thank you,” he replied and gave me a tight lipped smile.

The next few days were busy. When I wasn’t visiting Father or helping Antoine get to know the pack and vise versa, I went out with Dean, showing him some of my favorite places around town. Father spent all that time in infirmary. True to the doctor’s word, he was healing humanly slow. When it came time for us to leave, he joined us but had to be in a wheelchair. Wesley and Sade had decided to stay with him. I gave them both my blessing. I knew this was Sade’s home and I didn’t need her staying by my side to know she was my friend.

“Good luck,” I said, shaking Antoine’s hand. “And thanks for one hell of a fight. Take care of the pack, or I’ll come back to kick your ass.”

He laughed. “I have seen you fight. You won’t find me so easily next time.”

I looked to Father. “I forgive you for being a sexist asshole. Try to learn a few things from Antoine here.”

He grunted with a scowl. “I’m too old of a dog to go changing my ways now.”

“Well, certainly not with that attitude. If your breathing you can change. Don’t be a jackass.” This time he only grunted in reply. “And you can still call me daughter after today.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek and Jon, Dean, and I got into Alpha Brent’s jet.

“You okay,” Dean asked for what felt like the hundredth time.

“Of course,” I replied, taking his hand in mine. “More than okay, and we’ve got a lot of work to do. I’m eager to get started and get the pack project underway.”

Dean grinned. “No regrets?”

“None.”