Chapter 949: I WAS WAY OVER MY HEAD
You know that joke about why the chicken crossed the road? Exactly! Even the chicken could cross the road! I was the ALPHA! I wanted to argue my case so bad! Why did Dad have to limit me to this side of the road?
But I didn't. I wanted to, but I didn't. It was just a flash of realization, but there were too many onlookers. My Dad could be reasoned with, but it would be easier for him if it wasn't in front of an audience. Also, as I glared at the road that was now the black dividing line between me and the other half of our newly expanded pack, I also realized that the line Dad had drawn was big enough for a buffet line, a live performance stage, and a dance floor. It was a very fat line.
Technically, as long as I stayed on the road, I wouldn't exactly be crossing it, would I? I wasn't sure if this was by omission or design, but Dad left me ample wriggle room.
My hair had flared at first, but it calmed the moment I realized this, "Okay."
For some reason, this surprised the adults around me.
"What?" Dad asked.
"I said okay." I nodded agreeably, "I won't cross to the other side."
I took another bite of my ham and cheese croissant, "This is really good."
"Sam..." Mum pressed her lips together.
Hn?
"Your dad is doing this for your own good." Mum said.
"Yeah. I know." I answered, momentarily confused. I said okay, didn't I?
Mum sighed, "If you're up to anything..."
"I'm not!" Seriously! How could my own mother suspect me like this?
"Hoo boy. She's definitely up to something." Beta Lucas was Dad's beta, but growing up I always felt he always sided me over Dad secretly – and always sided Mum openly. I don't think Dad knew this, but he was really Priority #3 to his beta.
"Sam..." Beta Lucas decided to get down to the truth of the matter, "What exactly do you mean by 'okay'?"
I'm not sure how many ways "okay" could mean. I had always used it to mean "okay."
Lizzy tried to help, "Dad, if Sam said okay, then it's okay. Sam always keeps her promise."
Beta Lucas shrugged, "Yes...yes, but I'm asking Sam."
Sorry Beta Lucas, Sam is too stupid to understand how to answer you. I tried anyway, "I won't cross over to the other side of the road."
"You won't cross over to the other side of the road?" Beta Lucas repeated. He paused, and then he asked, "Are you sure, Sam?"
Which made me wonder too. Why? Did he WANT me to cross over to the other side of the road?
"Yeah?" I answered. But I stopped sounding sure now.
"Yeah?" Beta Lucas repeated. Which only confused me more.
Dad frowned, "I suppose if you really want, you can come with me later."
Well, it's not that I really wanted to. I mean, I could meet them on the road too - so it was okay, really. It was more like I was really confused.
"Okay." I agreed again.
Dad nodded, "Okay."
"Yah man. Okay." Beta Lucas nodded.
I decided to go back to finishing off my croissant and would have brushed the entire episode off as just another one of those conversations I was too slow to follow when I accidentally caught wind of Sabre and Lizzy's private mindlinks.
{Sigh. It's always like that.} Savy observed aloud, {In the end, they'd always cave in to Sam.}
{Yah.} Lizzy sounded amused, {I never thought I'd see my Dad backpedal so quickly.}
{You'd never see Dad let me cross the road.} Savy huffed into the mindlink, {They never let ME do anything.}
{Yeah, it's too bad Sam can't help you meet River...} Lizzy started and then she stopped.
You could literally see the light bulb shine through the mindlink.
Savy was obviously on the same track, "Sam?"
I swallowed my sandwich, "Yeah?"
Like given that I just overheard their mindlink, shouldn't I have come in cooler? But no... I needed a swig of juice too. So I took a quick drink while Savy smiled like an angel.
Today, Savy was wearing a white billowy blouse and white capris. With her blond shoulder length curls and silver grey eyes... I mean, no wonder River thought she was a fairy! I felt she rather looked like one today.
Savy looked really nice in this look. It was all light and natural and feminine . I mean, the maroon threads and leather jacket with black torn jeans she wears to school was cool, but this look was very becoming on her.
"Sam?" Savy asked again. I think she noticed I was distracted. I put down my drink, "Yeah?"
Right. Lizzy and Savy wanted me to help them. I nodded. Naturally, I was going to do my best!
"Are you going to the Spring Equinox Concert?" Savy asked innocently.
I knew the answer to this. I nodded affirmative, "Yes. I am!"
Well, excuse me for the less than natural response! I was determined not to mess up, and unfortunately, my reply came out a tad over enthusiastically. Like that of a really bad actress. I winced internally, but it didn't look like the adults noticed.
"What are you doing after that?" Savy asked.
I knew the answer to that too! I smiled widely and announced confidently, "I'm going out with Hen and Marc and the others."
My answer caught Savy by surprise. It wasn't just Savy, the adults looked up from their picnic too.
"Who?" Savy asked.
"Hen..." I was going to list all my friends when I realized she wouldn't know them, so I said, "My friends from Winderhill. They're coming for the concert and then we're meeting after the concert to hang out for a while."
Savy raised her brows at that, then she turned to Mum, "How come Sam can stay out and I can't?"
From the look on Mum's face, this late night outing was news to her too. She looked at Dad. Dad shrugged and looked at Beta Lucas. Beta Lucas pulled out his phone to check, "Ah, yes, here it is."
He read out the memo, "Permission to host the Young Alpha Henry of Silver Mountain and company at the Langston Coffee House. Hoo boy, that's a fancy hang out, Sam. Permission Status: Waiting for Response. Purpose: to extend hospitality and nurture good relations with VIP guests visiting Gate City for the Spring Equinox Concert. Persons: Young Alpha Henry, Young Alpha Marcus, Liam, Jasmine, possibly 3 or more human classmates from Winderhill High. Accompanied by: Ki, and Harvey. Security detail on duty: Da da da da yup, looks like it checks out Alpha."
"Permission granted." Dad decided.
Savy looked beseechingly at Mum. Mum looked accusingly at Dad.
Dad cleared his throat, "Sam is on official duty."
Urm yeah. Sure. But now Savy was looking at me. I winced.
"What if I took Savy with me?" I asked meekly, "Oh, and Lizzy too."
Because I couldn't not see Lizzy's puppy dog eyes.
"And why would you need Savy and Lizzy to come with you?" Mum asked before Dad could do anything dumb like agree.
"Ah... Urm..." I looked at Savy and Lizzy for help, but they were just looking at me with those hopeful eyes, "Ah..."
Where were my betas when I needed them?
"Oh!" I thought of something, "I'm thinking maybe I should ask River to come hang out too."
I remembered Henry and River's last discussion in school, "Hen, River, and I have a plan!"
"A plan, Sam?" Beta Lucas asked, "What kind of plan?"
"A future corporation plan! It would be good for River to come hang out so we can talk about it." I decided, quite on the spot.
The men nodded.
"What has this got to do with Savy and Lizzy?" Mum asked. Mum had always been the sharper adult in my life.
"Urm..." I was really winging it here, "She can help me convince River to... to… you know…"
Seriously, Savy totally owed me for this one.
"What is it, Sam?" Dad frowned.
"Oh." Beta Lucas was the first to sit up at that. He leaned over to Dad and whispered, "You know, Alpha… what we discussed yesterday night…"
What did they discuss yesterday night? Omo.
"Oh." Dad's frown deepened. He looked me in the eye, "Are you SURE, Sam?"
"Yeah?" I answered, not sounding sure at all, but this was because I had NO IDEA what I was being sure of.
"I see." Dad said, "Sam. As you father, you must know I have my concerns, but I can understand your decision."
Really? Because I didn't understand what was happening at all.
"You have my support, Sam." Dad said seriously, "You know, you will always have my support."
I nodded and swallowed. What had I just gotten myself into now?
"I know."
No, I didn't.
"Things were not so complicated in my time." Dad said, "But since it has come to this, all I can say is make sure you discuss this properly with your soul mate first. If you can gain his support in this ah… venture, it would stabilize your position greatly."
Gulp. This sounded really serious.
"And one more thing." Dad said gravely, he looked like he was bearing a thousand worries though, "The both of you are sisters. Remember that Savy will be the next Luna Queen of the Snow Moon Kingdom. Perhaps it is unfair for me to ask this, but no matter what, look out for each other."
Savy nodded. I nodded too.
{What's Dad talking about?} Savy was starting to worry now.
She should be.
{I have no idea.} I admitted, {I was just agreeing so you and Lizzy could hang out with River.}
And because Savy knew me well enough to understand this was something I would do, she sighed, {Oh Sam.}
Savy had been talking like Mum a lot lately.
{Maybe it won't be as serious as it sounds.} Lizzy hoped.
Yeah. Right.
I helped myself to another croissant. If you can't beat it, eat it. Ah, no… what I meant to say was, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
I actually said that aloud, mostly to myself.
Should I be worried that the adults all nodded.
"Yah man." Beta Lucas agreed, "We'd never know till we try."
And then Dad put his large hand on my head, "You've really grown up, my puppy."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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