Chapter 8: Speaking of Political Correctness

Alastair

After William Holden departed, I realized that I had a great deal more on my plate than before. I called everyone who was in the house together; there was no need to hide anything from them. No doubt, Harlyn had heard part or more of the conversation that was had between Elder Holden and me in the first place.

It was evident that whatever this favor was that he would call for, I’d have to pay a lofty price for it. And as I stood there, staring at Valene I had the distinct feeling that she may be the price to be paid.

Because Valene was a gold blood, there were certain clothes and even lotions that had to be specifically made to mask her scent. It was the only way to keep those around her from going crazy with bloodlust, though one could always sense that her blood was different whenever she was near them. She was a true rarity indeed, and unfortunately, all those who came into contact with young Valene wanted her, if nothing else than for her beauty alone.

“So, that was a heated conversation that I walked in on.” Toran commented, taking me out of my slew of concerns, as we stood there in the dining room.

I went to the fridge and returned with a pack of beer. I popped open a can and passed one over to Toran. “It was.” I simply replied, shaking my head. For the time being, however, I wanted to concern myself with Valene. “I trust you had no problems getting Valene back home.”

Toran shook his head, no, but I could tell that there was something on his mind that did bother him. “The ride went smooth. Of course.”

“But?” Toran’s stoic expression turned frustrated. “What is it?” I looked at Val again and realized that her expression changed into something bothersome as well.

“What is it?” Harlyn asked. “What happened?” Now she too was looking at Valene.

“John.” Toran said.

“John?” I squeezed my finished can crushing it under my large hand. “What..about John?” I hesitantly asked. Knowing that something had happened concerning my Delta was aggravating enough. The fact that Valene was present when it happened was even more bothersome. I was beginning to wonder if I’d have to get rid of him.

“I can’t be one-hundred percent sure, but…he may have been following us.”

“What? Why? Why would he do that?” Harlyn asked. I could tell that she was troubled by this. After the conversation that we had prior to this, I was unsure whether the reason behind her concern mirrored mine.

“He’s always had an…unhealthy obsession.” said Tor frustratedly.

“You’re kidding me right?” Harlyn laughed. “What do you mean he’s had an unhealthy obsession? What could he possibly be obsessed with?” I glanced at Valene and when Harlyn saw where my eyes had rested, she gasped. “Vali?” My daughter looked at me incredulously. “You can’t be serious!”

“Gold blood, Harly.” I said. “Unfortunately, when I adopted Val, I didn’t realize that I was-”

“Adopting trouble?” Harlyn looked at Valene with a small chuckle, shaking her head. “So what? Now Penny’s dad is trying to vassal-nap our human?” She rolled her eyes. “What a perv-”

“That’s enough, Harly.” I intervened. I could tell that Valene wasn’t feeling so good about the idea of someone showing her so much attention. There was no doubt that she probably thought that she was causing us trouble. “Are you alright, Val?” I asked her.

“Yes! Yeah, sure, I’m fine!” She quipped, her gaze glued to the floor.

The moment that I saw her skittish demeanor, I knew that John had done or said something inappropriate to her. “What did he do, Val?” I asked, approaching her closer.

“Nothing that a vassal cannot handle, Master Wade,” she quipped, her gaze facing forward though not meeting anyone’s gaze.

I looked at Toran, knowing that at this point, he would be the only reliable source to find out what really happened. “Slaughter?”

He sighed, “He practically made a pass at her. When she backed away, he looked as if he’d either grab or strike.”

“Is this true?” I growled angrily.

“Daddy, calm down.” Harlyn replied, stepping in between me and Val. I was so upset that I didn’t realize that I was on an aggressive approach until Harlyn stood between us.

I backed away, and took a few deep breaths. “An example will be made out of him.” Aziz growled in the back of my mind.

“Yes, it will.” I hissed.

“Tell me that you’re not planning something,” Harlyn stared at me closely, waiting for my answer.

I didn’t respond, only stared at my daughter, who seemed to have something on her mind, and I was curious as to what it was. My gut told me that it was something that I more than likely wasn’t going to like.

Harlyn glanced at Valene and then turned her attention back on me. “What? You’re seriously not going to press Minken because he made a pass at our human!” Her tone was bordering on that of cynicism. It was as if she could not believe that I would go to bat for Valene.

“I should go.” Valene quickly countered and turned to leave.

“No one said that you could!” Harlyn snapped.

“Harlyn Wade!” I chastised with frustration.

“What, daddy?” Harlyn walked towards Valene and stood next to her. “Did I say something wrong?” Neither I nor Toran said anything. She turned to Valene. “Did I, Vali?” She asked.

“No, Mistress, you did not.” She answered. “I should not have dismissed myself without permission.”

It amazed me that while this conversation no doubt made Valene uncomfortable and probably hurt her feelings, she answered without flinching…without emotion.

Valene turned around, her head bowed to the floor. “If I may, Master Wade,” She requested space to speak.

“Speak, Valene.”

“I am your Vassal and you are my Keeper.” She said. “As Vassals, it is apart of our position in life to deal with a lot of things. Regardless, of how taboo they may be. I request that you allow me to deal with this as any vassal would. I’d rather not have anyone making a fuss over me, if it is not something that would be done for another.”

“Well, it’s not all the same to me, Val.” I quipped.

“Daddy, I care about Vali just as much as you do,” Harlyn interrupted the conversation between Valene and myself. “But just because she was adopted by you does not make her one of us. We’re treading the line of political correctness here! We have to remember that the allowances and privilege that she has here cannot be known outside of these walls. It’ll cause severe backlash! You’ve said yourself that Delta Minken has it out for you. You defending a drudge will only give him fuel to-”

I was enraged by this point at how callous Harlyn was speaking, I slammed my hand angrily against the table, silencing Harlyn. “Enough!” I growled. “I will not have another wolf encroach on this household as if he has any right to the possessions of it! That includes a human!” I did not enjoy considering Valene a possession as I thought far more of her than this, but since Harlyn wanted to speak in this manner I felt a need to communicate in her language. “Since you wish to be so politically correct, Harlyn, maybe you’d like to address why William Holden was here.” I in turn added. I wanted to know what my daughter would say about this matter. How far was she willing to go to support political correctness when it applied to her.

Harlyn’s eyes darted away, and she suddenly became anxious. “What about it?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Harly.” I countered. “I know you were near when Elder Holden brought up arranged marriage.” She was silent. “Do you know that this is also politically correct?” She did not answer. “Shadow Veil needs assistance, due to the heavy injury sustained to the pack over the last two months. Our numbers have waned over the last few weeks, worser still because of the attacks of those attacks!” I snapped. “In this case, pre-arranged marriage would be the standard move to make following this problem.”

“Alastair, maybe-”

I lifted my hand to silence my Beta. “No, Slaughter, I want to hear her answer.” I said. “Do you agree with me marrying you off to a random pack Alpha for the greater good of Shadow Veil?” When Harlyn didn’t answer still, I knew that she did not agree on the matter at all. “Because I do not.”

She seemed surprised to hear this; that told me that she had not been there throughout the whole conversation between Elder Holden and myself. There was a sense of relief on her face hearing this but I still needed to make a point clear to her.

“It’s apparent that neither do you.” I said. “Harlyn, we cannot pick and choose when we want to err on the side of political correctness.” I glanced at Valene who stood there, her eyes still facing the floor. “You may leave, if you wish Valene.”

“Thank you, sir.” She said. “Goodnight, Master Slaughter. Goodnight, Mistress.” Valene quickly departed shortly after.

When she was gone, I returned my attention to my daughter. “Harlyn, why have you suddenly become so volatile toward Valene?” I asked.

Her gaze averted from me and I knew immediately that there was something on her mind-something bothering her that she would not confide in me.

“It’s nothing, daddy.” She said. “Fear, I guess.” added Harlyn. “It’s hard enough being an Alpha’s kid. I just don’t want to give these people nothing else to talk about.”

In a sense that was understandable, so I did not question this, but I knew that there was something more to it than this. I decided, however, for the time being, that I’d leave it be. I could only hope that she and Valene would work this out amongst themselves.

“Unfortunately, that is one of the many things you will have to deal with as an Alpha; rumors.” I said. “The only thing that you can do is make certain that those rumors do not dictate how you lead others as well as your life.”

Over the last nearly seventeen years, I had come to realize how sensitive Harlyn was. Leaving her without a hint of compassion would only allow her to stew in whatever frustrating emotions she was already experiencing, and eventually it would blow up. No one would want to be around when that happened.

“I’m going to head to bed.” She said.

“Okay,” I resigned, kissing her forehead. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

“G’night.” She went over to Toran and embraced him. “Goodnight, uncle Toran.” She then headed out of the room and upstairs.

Right after her door closed, Toran sighed. “You think maybe you were a little harsh?”

“No,” I answered without hesitation. “Harlyn is my heir. If she’s going to lead my pack one day, I need her to be prepared for the harshness that comes with it.” I said.

Toran nodded. “Understood, and what about Valene? How do you think she took this conversation?”

I shook my head. “It’s hard to tell with that one, but, I find it hard to believe that anyone could actually listen to a conversation had about them as if they were nothing more than something to be owned…and not feel anything about it.”

“You think the kid will be okay?” Toran asked. My Beta really seemed to hold concern for Valene.

I nodded. “One way or another, Valene will always be okay.”

“Resilient, that one is.” Toran commented to which I had to agree. “So, what are you going to do about John?”

“I’ll talk to him first…feel him out.”

“You know he’s not going to be honest with you unless you force him to be.” Toran countered.

“I know.” I replied. Using the Alpha command was something that I tried veering away from-even with people such as Minken. It was, in some ways, a violation. I’ve always felt that a person should be able to make their choices-whether good or bad, and speak-whether true or false of their own volition. Using the Alpha command took this choice away from them. However, if my Delta was planning something around Valene’s well-being, I’d probably have no choice.

“Well, if you find that he has ill intentions…which, I, unfortunately, don't doubt that he does…what will you do?”

One thing that I did have to admit while listening to Harlyn’s reasoning for me not acting on John immediately, was that I had to act with caution, as an Alpha.

“I’ll cross that road when I get to it,” I said, hoping that my rage did not get the best of me when I confronted him.