"Why do you care so much about Astrid all of a sudden?" he asks.
"Pack unity, Nick. Pack unity," I respond sarcastically. "Get her here."
"Man, I—"
"NO. MORE. EXCUSES."
"Okay, okay. I get it. But I think I'm going to need to carry her. I'll need help to avoid aggravating her injuries. Can you send my dad back to the packhouse to help me?"
"Fine. Yes. But hurry."
"Will do."
I turn to the four parents. "Nick just mind-linked me. The Little Brat is not cooperating. She's pretending to be unconscious. Nick needs help carrying her here. Beta Robert, please go and help your son."
"Kael, is this really necessary? I do not understand why she needs to be here," Margie protests, for what has to be the tenth time in the past fifteen minutes.
"I do not think it's necessary for me to take a chosen mate, but I'm going along with your plan. The least you can do is cooperate with mine. You want pack unity? Give me pack unity."
Beta Robert and Margie exchange looks. Beta Robert starts to say something, but seems to change his mind. He gives Margie a peck on the cheek and then leaves, headed for the packhouse.
(Beta Robert's POV)
I am completely baffled as to why Kael cares so much about Astrid all of a sudden. For years, he has done everything in his power to avoid her—and for understandable reasons.
If Astrid had not been in the woods whoring herself out six years ago, Stephanie would still be here. We raised our daughters better than that, and I cannot blame Kael for hating Astrid. If I lost Margie because of something Margie's sister did, I would hate Margie's sister too.
The only reason I can tolerate Astrid more than others in the pack is that I know I am equally to blame for Stephanie's death. The rogues that attacked her got through our border security without detection. To do that requires help from someone on the inside, a serious breach in border protocols, or—most likely—both. No matter what it was, it was ultimately my responsibility. I will carry that guilt.
I do not know why Astrid is not here. It is completely disrespectful for her to be absent. Margie mentioned that Astrid got hurt earlier, but Kael is right: with or without a wolf, a fall down a single flight of stairs should not be that big of a deal for a she-wolf.
I can only guess that Astrid is faking for attention. In a perfect world, I would ignore Astrid and refuse her the attention that she seems to be begging for. Unfortunately, however, Kael is demanding that she be here.
Before I left to help Nick, I was tempted to assert rank and tell Kael "no"—I still outrank Kael until he takes over for Alpha Randall—but I decided not to. The truth is that I expected Kael to fight us more on the concept of taking a chosen mate. Fated mates are important to werewolves, and I know he had been holding out hope that he might receive a second chance mate.
Kael took the ultimatum we gave him far better than we all predicted. Margie and I had actually expected that Kael would push back so much that his parents would relent and give him an extra year. The fact that Kael is cooperating this year, and that all he has asked for in exchange are a few minor tweaks to the plan and Astrid's attendance... I can deal with that.
I just hope Astrid has a good reason for her behavior. I do not need any further embarrassment or shame cast on my family. I guess I'll see for myself when I get to the packhouse.