The Runt novel Chapter 5

"You said what?!" Sometimes AJ can be a real dick, especially when he is pointing out the obviousness of what I already know to be true – that I fucked up. Our first meeting could have gone better and I don't know how to salvage our relationship now.

Relationship? Could have gone better? You made her sound like a piece of luggage you have to deal with! Phoenix is not happy with me and hasn't been since we meet our beautiful mate Penelope. I didn't even tell her how happy I am to meet her, or how excited I am to earn her trust – all of which is true and would have been a great way to start, but noooooooo... not this idiot. Nope, not me, I opt for the cold, heartless asshole route instead.

"Ok, I screwed up but she needs to learn – father isn't going to be welcoming to her and you know it," I say to AJ and that finally shuts him up. He knows I'm right; my father is not going to like Penelope the minute he sees her. It is going to be a fight right from the start for me to stay with her – he's going to want me to reject her, I know he is but I don't want that – I want my true mate.

He isn't going to make it easy for her, or for us, Phoenix points out and I agree. We're going to have to make a point of keeping an eye on her, just to keep her safe. I don't trust my father not to play dirty just to ensure he gets his way. He wants me to find a mate and produce an heir but I have a strong suspicion he's not going to be happy with Penelope simply based on appearances – he's that much of a bastard.

"Because of her size? Fuck him – I talked earlier to some warriors and everyone here loves her. They're going to hate us for taking her away – we're lucky to get her," AJ tells me, making me extra proud of my beautiful mate. I clearly have a lot to learn about her – she's a stranger to me and I to her but hearing things like that make me even more excited to do so.

And more determined to protect her.

PENNY, FINAL GOODBYE

I spend my final day saying goodbye to everyone, which is extremely difficult and there are a lot of tears – not just my own. I'm going to miss these people, my extended family, my pack. They're all I've known for my entire life and now I'm being taken away without my consent and no one cares how I feel about it.

For the first time in my life, I regret being a she-wolf.

I'm sure Alpha Kace is thinking no further than guaranteed sex and an heir, which I'll now be expected to provide. Does he know I can't do that for him? Did Alpha Daddy warn him? As I walk toward him, the smile on his face tells me that he probably has no idea what he's getting into with me, and my health concerns. I don't think Alpha Daddy told him anything – why would he set me up to fail like this? I feel like I'm walking into the lion's den and I'm nothing more than the sacrificial lamb – oh Goddess... is that what this is?

Is he ready to be rid of me?

Did an opportunity present itself that he simply couldn't resist to get me out of his hair once and for all? Why else wouldn't he warn off Alpha Kace? He's sending me away, likely hoping I stay healthy long enough for Alpha Kace to either fall in love with me or knock me up and therefore be stuck with me – either way I can't return home and become his problem again. Oh Goddess... I can't believe this is happening – I don't have my safety net after all.

So much for just a phonecall away.