15. Boys

I'm in the process of training the advanced warriors when I can feel a mind link coming through. I've put up a block to focus on the training and give the warriors my full attention. The only people capable of getting through this blockade are my alpha, my fellow beta, my luna, or my mate.

Liam is currently training the elites, and I can literally hear him from my own training place. Aryanna has her day off and went on a date with her mate, Jazz. She has reminded me and Liam plenty of times that she plans to have some sexy times, so if any of us dares to interrupt her, it better be a life-or-death situation. Luna Annalise is at a luna's meeting. Being the luna to a lycan alpha, she can technically expand her mind link so that it reaches her pack, but in case of an emergency she would probably rather contact her mate.

That leaves my own mate.

Ella, I open the mind link anxiously. Did something happen?

I got a call from school, she says. Heading there now.

Damn it, did something happen?

There is a short moment of silence. The usual, D.

I sigh. Do you want me to go?

No, you have the warrior training. I was supposed to organize something for Annie. I already talked to her, and she told me to make sure to get Charlie first.

Ella closes the mind link, and I can't help a sigh escaping my lips. Everything had been going well for the first couple of weeks Charlie spent with us, but ever since she started school here a few weeks ago, things have gone downhill.

It's not like she is being terribly delinquent, but she tends to get into fistfights with boys a lot, and she also gets hurt… a lot.

Part of me wants to approve that she stands up against other kids, and that she doesn't allow anyone to walk over her, but I know she seeks out these confrontations, almost as if she waits for them to provoke her. The therapist says that all we can do is be patient and reassure her over and over again that we are there for her, that we won't leave her no matter how much she messes up.

I just wish I could help her.

I wish she would trust me. I know she doesn't, not yet, but she is part of my family now, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to make her feel safe with me.

Training ends without any more incidents, and I'm glad I can wrap it up without any of my warriors having additional questions. Probably helps that it's shortly before lunch. I don't even wait for them all to have left before I grab my phone. Ella has already messaged me, saying she is at the school nurse with Charlie.

"Dante."

I spin around when I hear Liam's voice behind me.

"I shouldn't be able to sneak up to you like that," he says.

Technically he isn't wrong, though as my alpha he certainly has his ways to outsmart me.

"What's wrong?" he asks with a frown. "How come you are still here after training and not meeting Ella?"

I sigh, and he instantly catches on. "Charlotte?"

"She punched someone at school again," I say.

Liam sighs. "Well, at least she stands up for herself."

"We both know there is a thin line between standing up for yourself and just unleashing your anger."

"That's true," Liam agrees. "Do you think it's because of her friends, because of Ty and his little gang?"

"I'm not sure. Austen is a good kid, and she hangs out with Gisela too." I pause. "Ty is definitely setting her up with bad ideas. Last time I heard him talk about sneaking out, and I'd hate it if he got Charlie to do that."

"Have you talked to her?" Liam asks.

"Ella did, but it ended with Charlie getting mad and yelling at us."

"So how do you normally react?" Liam wants to know.

"We tried different approaches," I admit. "We tried to be super understanding; we tried to be strict. We always talk. Ella tried to put her foot down once, but it's difficult for her too. In general it works better with Ella taking it up with Charlie." I pause, feeling my chest clench slightly. "I don't think Charlie likes me much."

"I don't think that's true," Liam says. "I think she just doesn't know stability, and the way her life changed so drastically is making her spiral. I also don't think you and Ella are doing anything wrong. For what it's worth, I feel like you are doing all you can."

"I just don't know what to do anymore," I say. "I know something is wrong, but she won't share it with me or Ella. On top of that, we still haven't found the mercenaries."

Liam frowns. "The fact that they went into hiding is truly concerning. I don't know what they want to achieve and why."

"It feels like they were spying on Ella and me," I say. "And waited for Ella to find out about Candy and Charlie."

"I came to the same conclusion," Liam says. "It might be someone from Ella's past, or rather from her father's or sister's past. Someone who knew Candance and who also knew Charlie exists. I will research more in that direction." He pauses. "Do we know anything about Charlie's dad?"

"Unfortunately, we don't." I sigh. "And the many threats and questions make the situation even worse. I think it's another reason Charlie lashes out against us."

"What does your family therapist say?" Liam wants to know.

"To be patient," I answer. "But that's not enough for me. I refuse to believe that I can't do anything."

"Then how about we try something new?" Liam offers.

"Like what?"

"I've invited my youngest siblings for the weekend," Liam explains. "Aurelia is still in Paris, helping her mate there. However, the twins are coming to stay for a week or two."

"Wait, are you for real?" I feel hope rising again.

My preference would have been for Aurelia to be here. She is a strong young woman. At barely nineteen, she is already making a name for herself. Ever since Liam gave up his birthright to save Red Claw, Silverlake was left without an heir. But Aurelia eventually came out on the top and was chosen as the new heir. I know Charlie looks up to Ella, and I know she will also look up to Aurelia. Aurelia is younger than Ella and not related to her, so maybe this will give her a whole new chance to connect to another role model. Once she is back I hope the two of them can connect.

As for the twins, Dario and Felix are still in school. And while Felix is a bit mischievous, he is also a very good guy, and Dario is a gentle soul.

"I promised you I would talk to Dario and Felix," Liam says. "So, I did. And they are eager to help. Dad is allowing them to stay here for a week or two." He chuckles. "It needed a bit of convincing from mine and mom's side to make him agree. You know how overprotective he can be."

"I know," I smile. Alpha Elden, Liam's dad, always comes off as stern and scary, but he is always doting on his kids. "Thank you," I say. "Your help means a lot to me."

Liam shows me one of his rare smiles. "That's what friends are for."

I know Ella is pissed. She doesn't try to show it, but her eyebrow is ticking slightly. One of the guys in school made fun of Gisela, and when I defended her, he called me and her a cunt. No one fucks with my friends, as he knows now.

Ella parks the car in the parking lot of the packhouse. I don't feel bad for punching the idiot, but I don't like that she is mad again.

"Sorry," I mutter.

"Why did you do it?" she asks me.

I shrug.

"Charlie, that's not enough of a reason. Come on, give me something."

"He made fun of me," I finally admit.

"Goddess, Charlie," Ella groans.

"Come on, I'm sure you hit someone for that reason," I argue.

"No, I didn't," she says. "I was an angry kid, but I tried to channel my anger in a different way."

"I don't know why I can't do that," I mutter.

"We'll find a way," Ella reassures me.

"Did they expel me from school?" I want to know.

"No, but be aware that it's nepotism at its finest," Ella says bluntly. "They know you are Dante's and my niece. And Dante is the beta of the legendary Silver Alpha. School is being so lenient on you just because of Dante's rank in particular. I don't like us taking advantage of it."

"Me neither," I admit. I've always looked down on the kids who got it all just because their daddy had influence. I don't want to become such a person.

"You need to apologize to the boy."

"He was an ass," I argue.

"I know," Ella says. "You were on the higher ground first, but then you turned violent towards him. Listen, if someone assaults you, if someone downright bullies you, if someone attacks you, be my guest and punch them. But the brat was just a massive ass. I will try to reason with his mother, but I'm sorry, in this case, you weren't in the right either."

"It sucks," I groan.

"Yeah, it does," she mutters. "Okay, let's grab something to eat, shall we?"

I sigh. "How pissed off is Dante?"

"He is rather worried."

Her words make me roll my eyes. "Now that's a surprise."

"Charlie." Ella looks at me. "Don't be like that to him. That's not fair. He really likes you and tries to do everything for you."

"Whatever," I grumble, before opening the door and stumbling out of the door. Ella calls my name, but I ignore her and storm off. Fuck them, fuck everyone. I don't want anyone to be nice to me, and I don't want to be nice to anyone.

Why do they all even care!?

Why can't they just fucking yell at me and ground me or forget I exist. By the attitude I give Dante, he should have already hit me! But he never even raises his voice at me.

I stroll around aimlessly on the pack grounds, noticing how some of the guards are staying close by. I should have known Ella wouldn't let me storm off like that.

"Charlie!" I turn around to look at Austen, who comes running towards me. "Good to see that you are fine. When you punched Bobby, it was everything."

"He is an idiot," I mutter, though Ella's words are eating at me. I just don't know where to go with my anger.

"You are a legend now," Austen says. "Gisela says the girls think you are so cool, and the boys are scared."

"Never planned on being scary," I admit.

"I'm not scared," Austen says.

He is cute, and I think he likes me, but he isn't like super-cool.

"Do you wanna come and skate with Gisela, Ty, and me?"

I nod. "But I have the watchdogs behind me."

"Beta Ella sent the guards," Austen muses. "Doesn't matter. We are staying on pack grounds anyway."

"Good." I feel relieved. I don't want to piss Ella off even more.

I follow Austen to meet with Gisela and Ty at one of the less popular parks on pack grounds. Gisela is excited to see me and keeps telling me how awesome the girls in my class think I am. Ty is a bit more annoyed, though.

"What's the matter with you?" Austen asks him.

"Nothing, just that now some of my friends are interested in Charlie," he groans.

"Which friends?" Gisela asks.

"Rob," he says.

Rob is one or two years older than I am and one of the teens Ty hangs out with sometimes. He is a pretty cool guy and quite popular with the girls. I'm shocked, to say the least, that he is interested in me.

"Rob? What does he want?" Austen asks. He sounds cautious, but I decide to ignore him, instead listening to Gisela and Ty bickering, until Ty admits that Rob asked him to give me his number.

"What's your problem?" Gisela grins, elbowing Ty a bit. "Are you into Charlie, or is there another reason you want to prevent Rob from dating her?"

"No!" Ty exclaims. "I'm not into Charlie. But if they date, he will be too busy to hang out with me and the other guys."

Gisela rolls her eyes. "Rob is not the brightest bulb," she tells me. "But he is kind of hot." She starts telling me all she knows about the guy. It's funny because she is so cute and sweet with her blonde hair and her angel-like look, but she is confident and strong-willed. I really like her more and more every day. She is honest, and I appreciate that so much about her.

"You think I should go on a date with him?" I ask.

She shrugs. "Maybe a harmless coffee date to check him out." She grins. "Meanwhile, Austen can tell us all about his hot cousin who is visiting soon."

"A hot cousin?" I ask curiously.

"Oh, Levi's coming?" Ty asks.

Austen nods, a smile curling his lips. "Levi is my older cousin," he explains to me. "He is like a brother. He stayed with my parents and me for a few years, then he went to college. He is currently staying with a different pack to learn more about the work of a spy." It's obvious how proud Austen is of his cousin.

I smile at him. "He sounds like a great guy."

"Must run in the family," Gisela points out.

"I agree," I say with a nod. Austen is a great guy, too, nice and smart.

Austen looks a bit flustered. "Stop teasing me."

"We are not teasing you," Gisela says. "Now if we said that about Ty, then it would be a different issue."

I laugh while Ty grumbles under his breath. We hang out for a bit longer, and eventually Ty gives me Rob's phone number. I don't really feel like dating anyone at the moment, but maybe it would be fun to just meet someone outside of the pack for once.