The Runt novel Chapter 20

TO BE A GOOD QUALITY

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"Alpha Kace? You asked to be notified as soon as the patient awoke," the voice tells me over the phone. Why they wouldn't just mindlink me is beyond my understa- "your father was in to see her," the voice finishes. Now I understand – they didn't mindlink on the off-chance it wasn't as private as it was supposed to be and they want me to know my father was there.

What the hell did he do?

Better yet – what did he say?

I'm guessing it wasn't a positive experience for anyone, especially Penelope – otherwise why risk mentioning it? My father would not appreciate this person telling me his movements, regardless of his intentions – but I know they aren't good. My father is a selfish asshole and him going to see Penelope right after she wakes up is either not a coincidence or super shitty timing.

What are the fucking chances he's there and I'm not when she finally opens her eyes?! Goddessdamnit!

As seems the usual when it comes to Penelope, I'm not where I'm supposed to be and I'm not doing what I should be – I'm continuing to screw things up. How can I ever expect to have a chance with her when I've done nothing but ignore her or make her feel bad about herself to the point that she ended up in the fucking hospital! I don't deserve her, I'm not worthy of her but I'm going to beg for a chance all the same.

I just have to figure out what to do about my father.

I have had AJ quietly looking into things for me and I'm not the only person my father likes to bully – even in business. It's also looking more and more like I'm not the first person he's screwed over for his own selfish gain – but by the time I'm done with him, I swear I'm going to be the last. Whether he's still breathing or not at the end of this remains to be seen but at the very least, he's going to be facing charges in front of the Council for embezzlement and theft. He's been sneaky and he's good but I know people who are better and we found the trail – he's going down.

As I'm standing in the livingroom contemplating my options, the devil himself enters the room. His swagger bespeaks confidence – he believes he's untouchable and at the end of the day, he's going to get the girl too. He's sitting on top of the world and he doesn't care who he has to climb over to get there – even his own son. He pours himself a drink before sitting down comfortably in one of the chairs, his gaze casually on mine.

Fuck. Him.

"Father, where have you been? I've been wanting to talk to you," I keep my tone casual which is difficult with Phoenix howling in my head about how much he wants to 'tear this motherfucker asshole from earlobe' – it is both distracting and entertaining at the same time.

"What do you want?" He asks simply, negotiating for his life. Shocked that he's conceding so easily, I don't say anything for a minute while I re-gather myself.

"I want to mate with Penelope, if she'll have me. I want her to be my Luna and I don't want to hear anymore shit from you about it," I nearly shout as he nods his head slowly. "I also want to be allowed to run MY pack the way I see fit – I know I'll still need your help from time to time but this is my pack and you need to let me do my damn job!" Now I am shouting, all the years of my father's verbal abuse spewing out in sentence. He nods his head again slowly, thinking about everything I've said.

"I've heard everything you've said, son. Can I have some time to... process?" My father's voice is the softest I've ever heard it and I suddenly feel like a total prick for shouting.

"Yes, of course. I uh, I'm going to head to the hospital to see Penelope," I tell him and he holds up his hand to stop me. Shaking his head he gives me a lopsided smile.

"Son, this is your first time really trying for her heart – maybe something nicer than torn jeans are called for?" I look down at my jeans and T-shirt and decide he's right and taking ten minutes to change isn't a big deal – I've waited this long for her to open her eyes; I can wait a few minutes more to put in extra effort. I give my father a big smile and race upstairs to change.

It's time to win my mate's heart.