Chapter 5 Nathaniel in the picture

Nathaniel's POV

"Again!" I shouted as I watched the two young wolves in front of me get ready to fight again. We have been falling behind in our practice lately, and I cannot allow that. The two wolves jumped at each other, trying to push the other one down. It took about two minutes until one of them lost.

"Alright, that's enough for today. You two can go now," I said in a calm tone. They both lowered their heads and walked toward the pack house.

"Training the pups again, I see," a voice I knew well said from behind me. I turned around to see my best friend, Ethan. His full name is Ethan, but I only call him that when we are training or when I am angry.

"Yeah, we have really been slacking on our training lately, and I cannot let that slide," I replied. Ethan just rolled his eyes.

"You are always so serious."

I gave him a sharp look when he said that.

"I am going to be the Alpha soon, Ethan. I cannot let my pack become weak and give other packs a chance to attack us."

"Nathaniel, we are one of the most respected and feared packs in all of North America. Relax, I get it, being Alpha is a huge responsibility, and I am going to be Beta. But sometimes, you just have to go with the flow."

"Whatever," I mumbled, which made him smile widely. "So why wasn't the future Beta at school today?" I asked, trying to change the topic. But for some reason, his smile got even bigger, and his eyes sparkled.

"Oh, I was planning to go, but a rogue showed up-"

"There were rogues?!" I yelled, cutting him off. Why didn't my dad tell me? Ethan waved his hand dismissively and gave me a glare for interrupting.

"Let me finish. Anyway, a rogue was spotted on our land, so I went with your dad to take care of it. Turns out, it was a young girl, and she had a baby with her. Dude, let me tell you, she was really attractive. After some shouting and stuff, Alpha Lucas took her to his office and allowed her to join the pack. So now, we have two new pack members."

He finished his story, spreading his arms out as he said "two new pack members." I kept my face blank while I thought about what he said. Why didn't my dad tell me there were rogues, and why didn't he inform me that he allowed them into the pack? I am the future Alpha, for crying out loud. I should be helping him make decisions like this.

Ethan noticed that I was upset and patted my shoulder. "Don't worry about it, man. I am sure he has his reasons for not telling you, but I think the main reason is because he was embarrassed by how he treated Lila's baby."

I felt my whole body tremble when I heard that name. My wolf stirred inside me, feeling restless.

What is going on?

"Why? What did he do?" I asked, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling.

"Well, when we cornered the girl, she had something in her arms. None of us knew it was a baby until your dad basically snatched him out of her arms and held him up. I think we were all too shocked that it was a baby, so no one moved."

Ethan had a distant look in his eyes as he remembered the scene. He looked pretty upset too. I patted him on the shoulder.

"You did not know, man. She must have wrapped the kid up really well for you to not notice it was a baby."

Ethan nodded, but he still looked bothered.

"Come on, man, let's head inside. Dinner should be almost ready." I led Ethan toward the pack house. I let go of him as I walked up to my room on the fourth floor.

I really hate climbing the stairs, but Mom and Dad won't let us install an elevator. I could hear Ethan following me since he also lived on this floor with his family.

I walked into my room without bothering to close the door behind me.

"Dude, your room looks like a tornado hit it five times!" I looked around my room-or what is supposed to be my room-and realized he was completely right. There were clothes everywhere, my desk was stacked with books and papers, and I could barely see my computer. I gave Ethan an awkward grin.

"I don't have time to clean. I am always training, and I don't think the girls would want to clean it for me."

Ethan nodded, not even trying to step into my room. "You should hire someone to clean it for you."

I rolled my eyes as he nodded to himself. He was totally right, but some of this stuff I wouldn't want a clingy girl touching. What if the person was a thief? I don't have time to interview people, so I don't know how that would even work.

"That's what I'm going to do!" Ethan shouted, snapping me out of my thoughts. I looked at him, waiting for him to explain more. "I'm going to hire someone to clean your room. Your birthday's coming up, right? When's your birthday again?"

I opened my mouth to tell him, but he kept talking.

"Never mind. I'll handle everything. I'll even try to find a hot girl to do it. Maybe she'll be like one of those French maids with the fancy outfits and accents. Oh man, I'm going to hire one for myself too!"

I rolled my eyes as Ethan grinned at me.

"Go ahead. Now, leave so I can take a shower." I waved him out of my room. He left quickly, closing the door behind him so no one could see the mess. I took a quick hot shower, letting it relax my muscles, then headed downstairs for dinner. I was just about to walk into the kitchen when I heard my mom talking. I know eavesdropping is wrong, but sometimes I get curious.

"You should meet her, Lizzy. She's adorable, and her little boy is the cutest." I heard my mom say.

"All babies are cute, Sophia," said another voice, which I knew belonged to Ethan's mom, Lizzy.

"Yes, but there's something different about this baby. I feel a connection to him. It's hard to explain. It's like something is telling me to protect him, like he's my own child."

There was a pause. "Do you think this new girl might be Nathaniel's mate?"

I think my heart stopped when Aunt Lizzy said that. I didn't have time to think about it because Ethan suddenly showed up behind me.

"Dude, what are you doing?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin. "Ethan, geez, you scared me," I said, glaring at him. He gave me an awkward grin.

"Sorry?"

I rolled my eyes and turned back to listen to more of the conversation, but I was interrupted when I saw Mom and Aunt Lizzy standing in front of us, arms crossed, tapping their feet. I was definitely in trouble.

"Have you been listening to our conversation, young man?" my mom asked.

"Me? What? No way, why would I do that?" I said, trying-and failing-to lie. For some reason, I can never lie to my mom about anything. It's impossible to keep anything from her.

She still looked mad. Then she turned to Ethan. He raised his hands as if surrendering. "I didn't do anything, Aunt Sophia. I just got here."

I gave him a look for not backing me up. He just gave me an innocent smile, and I rolled my eyes. I turned back to my mom, feeling a little nervous. Most moms would spank their kids, but not mine. No, she pinches, and let me tell you, it hurts like crazy. I think she left a few bruises last time. I gave her my best puppy-dog eyes.

"I didn't hear anything?" I said, making it sound more like a question than a statement. My mom clicked her tongue.

"Yeah, right."

I let out a sigh of relief as she turned around and walked back into the kitchen.

"That was close, man," Ethan said. I nodded in agreement.

We walked into the kitchen, and the smell of grilled meat, vegetables, and mashed potatoes filled the air, making my stomach rumble. I think I might have drooled a little.

"Mmm, something smells great," I said. Mom and Aunt Lizzy were at the stove, cooking up a big meal for the pack members who lived here.

"So good," Ethan echoed.

"I bet it does," my mom smirked, then turned to me. "Now, be good boys and grab the plates and silverware."

I groaned as Ethan and I went to do what she asked.

"Hey Aunt Sophia, do you think Lila will join us for dinner tonight?" Ethan asked as he set the table. I tried to ignore the shivers and the restless feeling my wolf had when I heard that name again.

"I'm not sure. I should go ask."

I watched as she left and went to the girls' section of the house.

"Need any more help, Aunt Liz?" I asked. She smiled at me.

"Can you bring me the bowls for the potatoes and vegetables, please?"

I did as she asked right away. My mom came back just as I finished putting the mashed potatoes in the bowl.

"Lila won't be joining us tonight. Poor thing was fast asleep when I knocked on her door. Oh, I can't wait for tomorrow!" She looked really excited.

"Whats tomorrow" I asked

"I am going to take her shopping to get some clothes for her and that little one, along with everything else she might need." By now, she was practically jumping with excitement. Just then, Dad walked into the kitchen.

"Something smells delicious," he said, inhaling deeply and sighing with satisfaction. He glanced at my mom, giving her a gentle smile. "Why are you so cheerful?"

"Lila," was all she said. The chills crept up my spine again, and Dad's face turned red. My mind drifted back to how he treated the rogue when she first arrived. For some reason, my wolf stirred in anger over what he had done. This is seriously confusing right now.

I let out a long sigh. I wonder if Ethan Will actually get me a hot maid.