Innocent Little Runt
Chapter 62

Xavier’s POV

I stared out at everyone who had attended the pack barbecue dinner. It was tradition in this pack that when my parents come home we have a pack dinner. It is not required to attend but almost everyone did.

We had moved aside all training equipment and set up tables to fit in room for the food. The area of tables and blankets for people to actually eat at stretched out far back until it almost hit the treeline. Towards the opposite side of the closer tree line there was a fire that a lot of the little kids and even some older people liked to make s’mores at. It was like a gigantic family reunion.

Lunch earlier seemed to go really well. Lycer met Lesa and Mother and didn’t show them his attitude that he showed me, which I was glad about. Mother seemed to like Celeste but I could tell it would be a bit before she accepted Celeste truly into the family. I invited Father but he didn’t show. Mother said he was busy but that is a bunch of bull s**t.

I look over to where Celeste was with Lycer and Lesa. Her and Lesa were laughing at something Lycer told them and although I was envious that I wasn’t the one making her laugh, I was glad she was laughing. Her laugh is beautiful.

“Xavier.” I look over to Father. His hair, the same color as mine, is starting to get more grey than the last time I saw him. He also has a permanent crease between his eyebrows from where he would furrow his eyebrows in anger.

“Father,” I say in annoyance. “You didn’t show for lunch.”

“I was b-“

“Cut the s**t. Why won’t you just meet my mate? She was asking about you at lunch.” I could basically feel him rolling his eyes.

“Son-“

“Don’t call me that,” I sneered. “Until you can accept Celeste as my mate, don’t even consider yourself my father.” He sighed in disappointment.

“Xavier, why can’t you see what I do?” I looked up at him. I was able to see it in his eyes. “She will not make a good Luna.” And there it is. “She is too young!”

“So was Mom when you met her! Your age gap is bigger than ours so just say the real reason.” He ran a hand through his hair.

“Fine. You want the truth? She is weak. Runts always are. I worked hard on making this pack great again after it was attacked right before I became Alpha. I don’t need some puny girl ruining it when you could easily just reject her.” Forget wanting to punch Lycer, I want to punch my father.

“I’m not going to reject her,” I sneered while resisting the urge to vomit. Just the idea of rejecting her made my heart clench and made my stomach churn. I’m sure Celeste could sense it because she looked around until her eyes caught mine. I gave her a reassuring look and she went back to talking to Lycer and Lesa, only giving my father a passing glance.

“You’re right.” My eyes widened in shock. I didn’t think he would give up that argument easily. Hell, he would never even give into mine and Lesa’s arguments about going into the town nearby. I mean, we went anyways but still.

“That would look bad for the pack.” Ah, there it is. “We can always have her disappear. . . again. Have her not come back this time. Or even fake her death. Throw in some tears and everyone will just see you as a mourning Alpha.” I growl and turn to him, my eyes growing darker.

“She is my mate and I love her! Nothing you say or suggest is going to change that.” He quirked an eyebrow.

“Are you sure about that? I mean I always had someone lined up for you, to be your Luna. She’s a sweet girl, strong enough to help you run the pack.” I punched him. A few times.

People who were surrounding us looked at me in shock but left as they met my eyes. I was furious. I grabbed my father by the collar and made him look me in the eyes. “Either you learn to accept her or I want you out of this pack,” I sneer, my wolf coming out making my voice deeper than usual. “You have two days.” I throw him to the ground and walk off.

“Xavier,” Celeste had run up to me with worry in her eyes. Her hands were shaking with worry as she placed them on my chest. My eyes softened at the sight of her. “Are-are you okay?” I gave her a tight smile and nodded.

“I’m fine, better now that you’re here.” She rolled her eyes making me chuckle. I pulled her to me, taking in her scent until my wolf and I calmed down. “Come on, I have a surprise.” I start to yank her back to the house while she giggles.

“What’s the surprise?” I playfully rolled my eyes.

“If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise would it?” When we got close to the house I put my hands over her eyes and she held onto my wrists, trying to not topple over her own feet.

I lead her in the kitchen where I saw Lesa, Jake, Josh, Jared, Delian, Zay, and Lycer were waiting. “Are you ready?” She nodded and I took my hand off her eyes just as everyone yelled, “surprise!”

Celeste smiled with a confused look in her eyes. I leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Happy birthday little one.” Her smile widened.

“Thank you,” she said to everyone. They went to talking and Zay cut the cake. Celeste turned to me. “How did you even know? I didn’t even realize.”

“When we were doing research for Christopher we came across your family. The only child was born March 20th of 2000. You’re a Pisces which seems to fit you well.” She smiled and I turned my head to leave a k**s on her neck. She giggled and turned around. “What do you want for your present?”

She rolled her eyes and said, “This is enough for me.”

“You deserve everything so tell me what else I can top this with.”

She was about to open her mouth and I could tell it was to argue me when we heard Lesa gasp. She clutched her stomach and Zay ran to her side. “I think my water just broke.” Cheers broke out until Lesa yelled at them to shut up as Zay led her back towards her office.

“I think that is enough for now!” Celeste giggled.