Maybe

Like a Madman

14: Like a Madman 

Scarlet's POV

"We need to talk," was what Nathan said.

Those four words made one of the scariest sentences ever made. It was a sentence used for when you are in trouble, when someone breaks up with you, and when a kind person is trying to help you. But those four words were never used in situations like these.

There is a rumor within all of the werewolf stories I've read. And that rumor is that one must kill the alpha to become the alpha. I have to say, that is true. But what if the alpha doesn't want to be an alpha anymore? 

Do you know what it feels like to lose your mate? No, my parents weren't soul-bonded. But losing your mate makes you weaker, I know that--I've felt it. It feels like there's a voice missing in your head, and you would find yourself talking to... well, yourself. You feel empty, and hollow inside, because a part of you is just... gone. 

Ever since my family has died my father made no attempt to create another one, with the exception of Nathan of course. He couldn't fill in the hole inside his heart. In the same day as the fire, he was no longer an alpha. I was a survivor in that fire, and I could see it in his eyes, that he could no longer do it. Mom wasn't there to speak with him, to comfort him, to support him. It was pointless.

I never really had a family again, and that's probably why I'm bubbling with excitement.

Now we're sitting in the living room, Nathan staring intently at my dad, and as I look at him, he seemed to be crumbling on the inside. 

"I'd like to say something to you, Mr. Perez," Nathan said. "Thank you."

My dad blinked, surprised. "Pardon?"

"Thank you, sir. I'm finally free. I'm finally who I'm meant to be."

"But all the pain I've caused you..." My father whispered, still confused. Suddenly he looks up onto the wall where Nathan's little old glove was hung, and I knew memories were attacking him again.

"All the pain... compared to this feeling... there is no comparison." I was touched by Nathan's words, even if it had nothing to do with me. "But, I have one thing to ask you."

Without any hesitation, my father replied, "Anything, Nathan."

"Would you... would you please by my beta?" he asked, unsure of his terms.

My father's eyebrows furrowed. "Beta..." he whispered, but I'm sure he knows the term by heart. "You mean... you'll become an alpha?"

"I'm starting over my life... with your daughter of course," Nathan said, putting his arm around my shoulders and I couldn't help but shiver. His touch over so warm. 

Dad's eyes widened. "No, you can't. You can't start a pack. It's too early for you; you're too young. And... you two have known each other for a month! It's unacceptable! You've changed once, Nathan. Once isn't enough to fight others. It isn't enough to start a family. You're seventeen."

"I'm aware of my age!" Nathan yelled, making my dad and I jump in our seats. "Do you know why I want to start a family? I want to start a family because of your daughter! She doesn't have a family, a home. I know it wasn't your fault the fire happened, but get over it! You're her parent! Parents are there to comfort their children--teach their children. But you, you just keep reminding yourself about that day. She feels it too. She's been reminded too much. I can feel her pain. What's the point of that?" He rushed all of those statements together so quickly I thought I couldn't follow, but I didn't need to. I felt his anger, and my heart swelled.