Page 6 of Plus-Size Sold Mate
His expectations for me have always been the highest, and while I can’t entirely blame him, it never left me any room to truly relax around him.
“You’re pushing this thing hard,” he says, moving close enough before stopping.
“I’m pushing because it’s necessary,” I return, carefully withdrawing my hands. Eve and Isaac brace themselves when I do.
“The others don’t seem to think so.”
My chest tightens fractionally, but with another quick reminder of what and who I am, I stand my ground, saying evenly, “The others will have to learn to be more flexible.”
Dad’s dark eyes don’t falter. “The pack is unsettled. There’s a new Alpha, a new direction, and too much at once creates instability. Overload them, and they’ll be less likely to make themselves receptive.”
“So I should just wait and pretend like magic doesn’t exist?”
His arms cross, slow and deliberate. “I’m saying, you should focus on leading them in a way they recognize. Establish strength first, give them a reason to believe in you. When they trust you fully, then implement change.”
Something about the word trust sticks out to me, and while subtle, it feels like something sharp between my ribs.
“You don’t think they trust me.”
“I think they’re adapting. Shifting allegiance doesn’t happen overnight,” he murmurs.
The boat house feels even smaller as we both stand completely still, studying like we’re waiting for a significant move from the other.
My brows lift in just enough of a challenge to make his gaze sharpen. “And you?”
Dad pauses, giving the question the chance to breathe before responding. “I stepped down because I believed you wereready. And I also think trying to change their minds about magic will cost you more than you realize.”
“That’s reason not to try?”
“It’s reason to choose your battles, and to know when to stop before you’re in too deep,” he corrects, hard expression telling me everything I need to know. “Being the Alpha means deciding when those battles are lost causes.”
Lost cause. That’s what he thinks this is.
It shouldn’t be surprising, but it reignites a familiar anger in my chest. One I’ve felt for a long time.
I want him to say he believes in me, not just as his successor, but as a leader. As someone capable of showing these wolves something new.
Instead, all I get is caution and silent disapproval. The words don’t need to come from his mouth for me to know exactly how doubtful he is of this.
But, instead of succumbing to his beliefs, I maintain my stance. “You led by protecting tradition and keeping the peace with the elders. I need to lead by preparing us for what’s coming.”
With the quiet kind of dissection he uses often, letting his authoritative eyes reveal at least some of his true feelings, he lets the moment drag.
“You’re Alpha now. You decide what that looks like.”
Leaving no room for further talk, he turns and leaves.
He gives no approval, and no outright disapproval either. Only distance that is far too familiar, and enough coldness to leave me wondering how I will ever measure up to his expectations.
Maybe I shouldn’t let myself worry about what he thinks, especially now that I’m leading, but it has always been in the back of my mind ever since I was a kid. Vying for his validation.
As much as it shouldn’t matter, it does.
***
Darkness fully settles in by the time I reach the northern border between Briarwood and us. Northwest of here lies Pine Ridge, where Hunter’s from. Both areas are what’s safeguarding us from Wraith Peak, but that border is flanked by dense woods, leaving plenty of space for any of their wolves to cross. Of course, they’re detected if they get too close, but that doesn’t stop them from trying anyway.
Out here, the forest is quieter, almost tense. I’ve frequented the area for as long as I can remember, making monitoring the space more like second nature to me.
