Betty's POV:
I was surprised to hear Devin talk about who should be the next Alpha at a time like this.
I couldn't help feeling disappointed as I looked at him.
After all, it was hard to tell whether his father would make it out of this alive as he was still receiving
treatment, and all Devin could think about was who would be the next Alpha.
I always knew that he coveted the position of Alpha, but I didn't think that he would be insensitive
enough to bring it up at such a fragile moment.
Ever since they were children, Devin and Daniel had completely different personalities.
Daniel was kind and sensible, while Devin was selfish and domineering.
No matter how hard we tried to change him, he only did whatever he wanted.
As life went on like that, Marlon and I had given up on him, because at least, we still had Daniel.
As such Devin always bore a grudge against Daniel because he thought that we preferred his younger
brother over him.
Marlon and I knew that Devin wasn't the right person to inherit the position of Alpha.
After all, the leader of the pack had to be someone of good character.
Unfortunately, Devin fell terribly short on that account.
Grace hadn't been able to get pregnant after getting married.
Marlon had told Daniel and Devin that the one to have a child first would inherit the position of Alpha.
He wanted Daniel to get married and have a child as soon as possible.
Marlon's life was hanging by a thread and it was true that we needed to appoint an heir, just in case,
but this time, I wasn't going to let Devin get what he wanted.
"Devin, now is not time to talk about this," I replied, looking away to avoid his resentful stare.
"But Mom, it's important to decide who is going to be the next Alpha because we don't know how long
Dad has." Devin was adamant.
"If you don't give me an answer, I'll call the elders right now."
"Let's at least wait until your father gets better!"
I was so infuriated that I didn't know what to do or say without lashing out at him, so I sat quietly, wiping
my tears.
"Mom, I don't think it should be hard to figure it out! I am the eldest son.It's only natural that I inherit my
father's position in the pack.This is my time to take responsibility for the pack!" Devin said confidently.
Responsibility? What responsibility? Now that everything was fine with the pack, there wasn't anything
important that needed Marlon to deal with.
Didn't Devin say that just because he was eager to take office? The more he spoke, the more
disappointed I felt.
"Let's not be too hasty.I think that Daniel has a right to be considered for the position as well.I believe
he is an upstanding werewolf capable of taking over the responsibilities of an Alpha," I retorted.
"I guess I'm not surprised to hear that since you and Dad have always had a soft spot for Daniel.Aren't
you being unfair?"
Devin's voice rose in anger.
I was stunned by his words and didn't know how to respond.
The doctor in charge came into the living room and announced, "The operation was successful.Alpha
Marlon's life is no longer in danger and his vital signs have stabilized."
I stood up and ran to the bedroom in a hurry without bothering to argue with Devin, while the others
followed me.
"Honey!"
As soon as I rushed over and held Marlon's hand, tears streamed down my face again.
Devin's POV:
As I watched my feeble father in bed, I couldn't bring myself to feel bad for him even for a single
moment.
Why was he still alive? When I heard that he had fallen ill yesterday, I thought that the old man was
finally ready to die.I didn't hate my father.
However, he had been the Alpha of our pack for many years and I thought that the pack was due for a
change.
I needed to become the Alpha to prove that my doubters were wrong about me.
Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that my father and mother preferred my younger brother to me.
How could Daniel, that indecisive idiot, become the Alpha of our pack? Admittedly, our father liked him
more.
But in accordance with tradition, I should be the heir.
Besides, Daniel didn't have a child either.
As his elder brother, I was more suitable to be Alpha than him.
"Dad, how are you feeling?"
I took Grace's hand and walked up to greet my father.I even tried to squeeze out a few tears from my
eyes just to please him.
"Dad, you must have fallen ill because of exhaustion."
"When Devin heard that you were ill, he dropped everything and we came here as fast as we could!"
Grace spoke for me and I gave her a wink of approval.
"Devin, you are here."
Although he called out to me first, I sensed something strange in his tone.
"So, you want to be Alpha? Are you just for me to die already?"
I was stunned and the whole room quieted down with me.I felt utterly embarrassed.
"No, Dad.What are you talking about? You've misunderstood me.I'm just as worried about your health
as everyone else in this room.I was just thinking that you're no longer able to handle the intensity of
your work.If resigning is the only way to keep you alive, then I'll gladly share your burden."
I thought I was telling the truth.
"Humph, don't act as if you care about anything else other than yourself, Devin!"
My father glared at me, gasping for breath.
"I know what you are thinking."
"No, you've got me all wrong.I'm only thinking about the future of our pack.Dad, don't be so
stubborn.You are not as healthy as you once were.You'd better let me take over the position of Alpha
so that you can recuperate without any worries."
I was furious, but I couldn't let my anger get the best of me.
"Enough! Shut up!"
My father suddenly raised his voice and interrupted me.I felt humiliated.Why didn't my father care about
my dignity?
"Honey, let it go.Just calm down,"
Grace pulled my sleeve and whispered in my ear.
"Shut up! Did I ask for your advice?"
I was so angry that I poured my anger on her.
While I was speaking with Grace, I noticed my father call Daniel to his side.I immediately had a bad
feeling in the pit of my stomach.
"Daniel, come here."
My father held Daniel's hand and looked around at everyone around the bed.
"I declare that I will pass the position of Alpha to my youngest son, Daniel!"
What? I thought I had heard him wrong at first.
"What are you saying? No! Why is it Daniel?"
I was consumed by rage.
"I am your eldest son.I should be the one to take over the position of Alpha!"
In my anger, I pushed Daniel away and walked to my father's bed.
I almost grabbed his shoulders and shook him, but I stopped myself from doing so.
"Dad, this isn't fair.I'm your son too! I should be the next Alpha!" I cursed this old bastard in my mind.
"Silence! Have you forgotten that you are still speaking to the Alpha? It's up to me to decide who will
inherit my position.This is my decision and no one can change it!"
My father's chest heaved violently as he pointed at me with his trembling finger.
"Betty...Get him out of my sight!"
"Marlon, please calm down.You haven't recovered from the heart attack yet!"
My mother was so frightened that she hurried forward to hold my father.
She turned around and said to me, "Devin, is this any way to speak to your own father?"
My mouth was agape in shock and I shook my head at him.
When I looked at Daniel and his fiancee, I felt ashamed, angry, and embarrassed.
Why were they looking at me like that? They must be laughing at me.
They must be laughing at me for not being able to become Alpha.
"Dad, I am sorry to have angered you.Please forgive me."
I gritted my teeth and decided to give in for the time being because I was afraid that this old bastard
would die from another heart attack.
If that happened, no one could stop Daniel from taking over the position of Alpha.
"If you think that Daniel should become the Alpha, then I will respect your judgment and assistant him
in managing the Black Stone Pack."
As soon as I said that, my father's facial expression softened.
He shifted his eyes towards my mother and started talking about the ceremony for Daniel's coronation
as the new Alpha.
I stood in the corner silently, clenching my fists, and sneered inwardly.
‘'Daniel, do you really think that I will give up so easily? You don't deserve to be Alpha.That's my
birthright.No matter what the cost, I won't let you be Alpha!"
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda