However, we’ve found withholding sex will eventually make her cooperate. Which Volt is doing now while I check in on island operations.
The power and telephone functions were finally fully restored three days ago.
Alpha Lance, Alpha Edwin, and Alpha Ion all worked as a team to help clean up the mess Alpha Kin made. Alpha Ebony and Alpha Pan also returned after the burial to assist.
And Alpha Dirk oversaw the restoration of telecommunications on his own.
I’ve reviewed it all from the den, giving assistance where I can without leaving Clove’s side.
She’s showing signs today that her estrus is coming to an end. It’s been subtle, but there have been a few moments of clarity where I’ve overheard her mentally ask herself what she’s doing.
Of course, then she’s on all fours again in the next minute, begging to be fucked.
It’s an adorable cycle, one I very much look forward to repeating in the future.
Except it’s going to be at least a year until that happens.
Because our little Clove is pregnant.
A fact that makes my heart skip a beat.
We don’t know who the father is yet as it happened the first night—it’s what caused her to go into a nest creation fit.
All three of us stood in wonderment, watching the Omega work, knowing what it meant. Her scent confirmed it, too.
We’re thrilled.
And also in hyper protective mode.
I’ve already started making arrangements for our future den with the Black Mountain Pack. It’s a property my father secured for our clan several years ago.
But I need it properly prepared for our Omega and future child.
So I’ve been sending off messages the last few days, listing requirements.
Which is probably why my phone is ringing now with my father’s name on the screen.
Or maybe it’s just because he wants an update on our situation.
I quietly excuse myself from the growling contest going on between Clove and Volt, and answer the call in the hallway.
“Hey,” I say, my voice low. “I know I’ve sent a lot of requests. Sorry.”
“Requests?” my father repeats.
“Yeah, for the house.”
“Oh, right. Well, that’s expected with your return to the pack. Which is actually why I’m calling. The Elders just reached out. You’ve been released on all charges.”
“Really?” I feign surprise. “That’s shocking.”
He huffs a laugh. “I think they were pretty shocked. It was smart of Alpha Duncan to export the surveillance to an external server.”
“Yeah,” I agree.
I didn’t even think about the footage being jeopardized by Alpha Kin’s antics. But Alpha Pan did. While en route to Black Mountain Pack territory last week, he checked the archives and found where Alpha Duncan stored all the surveillance footage.
Then he handed the video files to my father to give to the Elders.
I could have sent the details to them myself, but my father is the acting Pack Alpha, thus giving him far more authority than a Reject Island wolf—otherwise known as me.
My father also included a letter that pretty much said, I would appreciate it if you released my heir from your custody, you dumb old fucks.
But more politely worded.
“He was a good man,” I add, referring to Alpha Duncan.
“Yes, he was. And an even better wolf.”
We both fall silent for a moment, respecting the shifter’s memory.
Then Clove starts to moan in the other room, causing my groin to tighten. I’m not wearing clothes because she keeps ripping them off me. So I’m pretty much saluting the hallway now.
Thankfully this isn’t a video call.
Because that’s really fucking inappropriate.
“So, when are you coming home?” my father asks.
I clear my throat. “Soon. Maybe next week. Clove’s still—”
Her moan turns into a scream, the sound definitely loud enough for him to hear.
So I don’t bother finishing my statement.
He chuckles. “I see. How about two weeks from now?”
“Two weeks may be safer,” I say.
“Good. I’ll make the necessary preparations for your arrival.”
“Thank you, dad. The pack is looking forward to coming home.”
“I know they are. But who are you leaving behind?”
“No one,” I tell him.
He’s silent for a moment. “We can’t just abandon the island.”
“I don’t intend to,” I reply. “But I’m not leaving anyone behind because Alpha Ebony and Alpha Pan have already volunteered to stay. They like it here and a lot of the rogues respect them. Alpha Dirk has also offered, but I haven’t accepted it yet.”
“Is he still looking into who helped Gafton get to the island?”
“Yeah. But he texted me earlier saying he thinks he found something. I haven’t had a chance to reply yet.” Because Clove promptly pulled me into the nest after he messaged and I didn’t prioritize replying after we finished.
“It wasn’t Alpha Nick,” my dad confirms. “But he’s definitely Clove’s father.”
I’m silent at that pronouncement. Not because I’m shocked. I’m just… angry. I really hoped to learn that it wasn’t one of our wolves that raped her mother. But after everything with Alpha Kin, it doesn’t surprise me.
“Sorry, I should have softened that.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m just deciding what to do with the information,” I admit, palming the back of my neck.
“It’s technically my responsibility to assign punishment since it happened under my rule. However, I’m willing to hold back my judgment if you would prefer to be the one to handle it,” he offers. “They are unique circumstances.”
“I would prefer to handle it.” I need the clan to decide how they want to respond.
I vote for death.
Volt will vote for disembowelment.
Caius will vote for death.
But Clove’s vote will trump all of ours.
“Consider it done,” my father replies.
“Thank you.”
A short silence falls between us, ending with my dad saying, “I’m proud of you, son. Your mother and I are looking forward to having you home. Well, the whole clan is. The pack, too.”
I smile. “We’re looking forward to it.”
There’s some murmuring in the background, causing my father to muffle the phone a little. He chuckles and comes back on the line. “Your mother wants to know if she can help decorate the nursery.”