Free Dianthe Rising by J.B. Miller Page A

Alpha would come.
    A soft hand landed on my shoulder and I looked up into worn eyes that had seen too many of life’s hardships.
    “Son, what you did, needed to be done. It does not make you your father.”
    Reaching up, I covered her hand with my own, “Thank you, Mother,” my voice cracked slightly. “I can’t be like him. I won’t be like him.”
    Mum smiled down at me when she wrapped her arms around me. It reminded me of the times she had held me in secret when I was a pup.
    “Oh, my darling boy,” she whispered against my ear. “You could never be like him. You are a much better male than he was. Your pack will follow you with love and respect. You just need to be strong and lead them to that path to begin with. They can’t follow what they have never known.”
    She pushed a strand of hair behind my ear and resolve hardened her eyes. “You never wanted the power of Alpha. You took it to save the pack. That’s what makes you strong. You are a good leader, not because you want the power but because you do not.” She leaned away from me before she took my face in her hands. She was so tiny compared to me, but I respected her more than any other wolf I had ever known.
    “Now,” she said. "Go get that mate of yours and bring her home. I want grand children to spoil.” She smiled gently and kissed my nose.
    Laughing, I picked her up and twirled her around. The happiest I had been in a very long time. “Yes, mum, I think I will.”
    If only I had known it wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought it would be.
     
     

Chapter Seven
     
    Dia…
     
    The phone began to ring while I was trying to unlock the front door. I dropped my bag and made a dash for it. No one called my landline. Out of breath, I reached it just before it would have gone to the answering service.
    “Hello?”
    “Dia, hello, this is David Davies. I tried to reach you earlier but I had no luck getting you on your mobile. I hope that this isn’t an inconvenient time?”
    “Oh no, no, Mr. Davies. I just walked in the door. Sorry it took me so long. I lost my mobile, a man mugged me last night and I’ve not had a chance to replace it.”
    “Dear Lord, my girl, are you all right? Were you injured?” he exclaimed.
    My eyebrows arched into my hairline. I believe this was the first time I had ever heard Mr. Davies raise his voice.
    “Nahhh, it’s just a few cuts and scrapes,” I replied. “My brother, Sean, filed the police report and helped me get everything cancelled today, so I’m good. I’m just going to need to run out during my lunch break tomorrow and pick up a new phone.”
    “I’m so glad to hear that you are alright, child.” The concern was thick in Mr. Davies’s voice. I did have the best boss .
    “Yes, well,” he continued, “I was calling to let you know that in light of all the hard work you have put in these past few weeks and with it being your birthday, Happy Belated Birthday by the way. I wanted to give you tomorrow off as a small present from me. You can have a long weekend, and come back in on Monday. I have several meetings in the morning, and I will be unavailable. So there is no reason to drag you in.” Even over the phone, Mr. Davies sounded flustered and I had never heard him as anything but calm and collected.
    Tentatively I asked, “Are you sure, Mr. Davies? I can come in and get some paperwork done while you’re in meetings. There are loads to catch up on,” I countered.
    “No, no,” he replied. “In lieu of your injuries I insist you take a long relaxing weekend.” I could almost see him smiling as he said the next part. “After all, come Monday, I will be working you like the proverbial slave driver I’ve been known to be.”
    Laughing, I gave up. “Okay, Mr. Davies, if you insist, I will lay about tomorrow and do nothing. But I will be in bright and early on Monday morning, so be prepared.”
    “Indeed, Ms. Mclearey,” he replied drily. “If you would be so kind, please text me your