Chapter 6 Love Is For Fools

Kyle POV Blood fills my mouth as Zach's second punch hits my jaw. Eryn's hands are twisted in my suit jacket as she peers over my shoulder at her brother. She is shaking, but I don't know if it is with fear or anger. Zach is waiting for me to hit him back, but I refuse. I won't fight with my best friend. I hold up my hands in surrender. "It's not what you think," I repeat Eryn's words. "It fucking looked like you were taking advantage of my sister," Zach growls. "He wasn't taking advantage of me," Eryn groans from behind me. She lets go of my jacket and steps between Zach and me. She stands tall and separates us with her arms. She isn't afraid, and it is sexy as hell. I finally take the time to let my eyes roam over her body. She is wearing the same royal blue strapless dress from last year, but she fills it out much better now. Her chocolate brown hair falls in soft waves down her back, and she has little to no make-up on. If the Moon Goddess were walking this Earth, it would be her. "That's not what it looked like," Zach growls at his sister. "Why were your arms pinned behind your back?" The growl stirs something protective within me, and I try to pull Eryn to safety. Zach grabs her other arm and yanks her toward him. We are playing a ridiculous game of tug of war with Eryn in the middle. A loud growl comes from her lips, and she rips her arms away from both of us. "Would you two knock it off," she screams. "No one is taking advantage of anyone else. I wanted him to kiss me." A smug smile spreads across my face. I knew she had feelings for me, too. "Wipe that fucking smile off your face," Zach snarls. "She is a child." I take another moment to look Eryn up and down again. "She doesn't look like a child to me." Zach pushes Eryn out of the way, and her back hits the wall. She lets out a little whimper of pain, and my eyes dart to her. While my attention is on Eryn, Zach makes his move. He lunges for me, tackling me to the ground. Only this time, I am not willing to let it slide. We roll around on the ground, trying to land punches where we can. Blood covers my knuckles, but I don't know who it belongs to, Zach, or me. The fight is sloppy. Neither of us is taking our training into account. Eryn is trying to pull us off each other while she scolds us for fighting. "Enough," my father's Alpha command washes over me, and I instantly stop fighting with Zach. Clumsily, I get to my feet. My vision is blurred, and one of my eyes is beginning to swell shut. I look at Zach, and he doesn't look much better. Blood is running down his nose, and he has a gash along his cheek. "What is going on here?" Beta David demands to know. "I will fucking tell you what is going on here," Zach growls. "This mother fucker was taking advantage of Eryn." "I already told you that's not what happened," Eryn whispers. Looking in her direction, regret fills my chest. Her dress is torn so badly that she has to hold it up to cover herself. Blood is splattered across her face, and tears are streaming down her cheeks. Beta David turns to Zach. "Take your sister home." I expect Eryn to argue, but she doesn't. She hangs her head in shame and walks toward the exit. "This isn't over," Zach growls at me before grabbing Eryn and dragging her out of the hallway. A crowd has gathered in the hallway, and everyone is gossiping over what happened. My father's arms are crossed over his chest, and he is unamused. "My office now," he says through gritted teeth. The crowd parts as my father walks through. Holding my head high, I follow him. I pass by Jesse, and she does not look pleased. There is a deep scowl on her face, and she is glaring in my direction. I know I should feel bad for her because she was my date, but I can't bring myself to care. To be honest, I only invited her to make Eryn jealous. People begin to filter out of the ballroom. The Charity Ball is over, and it is all my fault. I am sure that is why my father is so angry. Stepping into my father's office, I close the door behind me. Normally, my father would take a seat at his desk, but this time, he decides to loom over me. "Have you lost your mind?" He growls at me. "I am sorry for fighting in the middle of the ball, but Zach started it," I try to explain myself. My father begins pacing back and forth. "I don't give a fuck about the fight," he snarls. "What were you doing with that girl?" "That girl?" I snap at him. "You know she is the daughter of your Beta." "Exactly, the daughter of a Beta," my father emphasizes the word Beta. "Are you saying she isn't good enough for me?" I ask. "You can fuck whoever you want right now," my father says crassly. "But when you turn eighteen, you will choose Jesse as your mate. Arrangements have already been made." "Arrangements?" I ask. "What are you talking about?" "A treaty has been drafted between us and the Starlight Pack. Your union with Jesse solidifies that treaty," he tells me. "What about my fated mate?" I demand to know. "Am I just supposed to toss her to the side?" "Do you want the long answer or the short?" My father retorts humorously. "This isn't funny," I growl. "An Alpha is stronger with their fated mate, and I believe Eryn will be my mate." "She is beneath you," my father says simply. "But if you wish to keep her on the side, I will not stop you." I can't believe what I am hearing. I drop down into the chair behind me and rub my temples. "Is my whole life planned out for me?" "It has been since birth," my father tells me. "I won't have you ruining my plans now." "I think I am in love with Eryn," I admit out loud. My father snorts with laughter. "Love is for fools."