“Damiano, you never fail to disappoint me,” Thor said. “Just once I’d like to not hear your name coupled with bad news.” He shook his head as he shifted his glare to Maverick, then to Jordan. “And you two?” His glare shifted back to his son. “Why, Damiano? Can you just please tell me that?”

“Why what?” Damian asked.

“Why in the fuck were you guys near their fence? Why do you constantly do things you shouldn’t? Why are you so hell-bent on causing me to have a fucking heart attack?” Thor screamed his questions.

“You’re over-reacting, again. I told you, we went hunting. We never crossed their property line, I swear. Isn’t that right, Mav and Jordan?” Damian said. His two friends nodded their heads. Thor’s eyes never deviated from his son. “I’m not lying. I promise you I’m not.”

“What exactly do you want me to do, Damiano?”

“Please, call Xavier to see if his pack was involved in any way. I just need to know.”

Thor kept his eyes trained on his son and let out a long sigh before he walked into his office.

“Your dad is really pissed,” Maverick whispered.

“You think?” Damian scoffed.

Thor returned from his office with long strides and furrowed brow.

“It wasn’t him,” he said. “Xavier told me two of his own pack had reported being shot at the day before. We both agreed, we have to spread the word to others, and be extra careful when we shift.”

“I agree. I can help get the message to others in the pack. As a matter of fact, Mav and Jordan can help me.” Damian turned on his heels with his two friends flanking his sides. Before they reached the door, Thor stopped his son.

“Damiano, you stay. We need to talk.”

“Mav and Jordan can wait for me, right?” He turned to his friends. “Just hold on. Okay?”

Before either could reply, Thor spoke. “No, Damiano. Your friends should go. This is a conversation between you and me only.”

Damian turned his head and looked at his friends in the doorway. He dreaded the thought of having a conversation with his father alone. He suspected this wasn’t going to be good.

“Please, shut the door behind you, Maverick,” Thor said.

When the door clicked shut, Thor walked over to his son and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him into a hug.

“Damiano, I love you. You know that, right?”

“Yes, I know. I love you, too, Father.”

“I can’t keep bailing you out of these crazy dilemmas you find yourself in. This thing with the Pumas, that’s, um, well, son, it’s just plain stupid. I know the felines are beautiful, but you know how they feel, yet you disrespected them anyway.”

“I had no idea they’d be so mad.”

Thor released his son and faced him. “Then perhaps you aren’t paying close enough attention. Xavier has been extremely clear about his feelings.”

“Yeah, well.” Damian shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head slightly. “I can’t change it. It happened.”

Thor inhaled deeply, then sighed. “This is really difficult for me. As I envision the words swimming around in my head, I’m still struggling with my decision.”

“Please, just say it,” Damian said as he widened his stance.

“Despite the unbelievable pain this will cause your mother and me, I think it’s what’s best for you. You may not realize it now, but you will one day. Or at least I hope you will.”

He looked into Damian’s eyes and saw the little boy he had been so proud to announce to his pack shortly after his birth. The little boy he’d cradled in his arms and protected with his life. The same little boy who loved running through the woods with him. The little boy he taught to hunt. The little boy who used to curl up next to him each night and fall asleep before he was carried off to his bedroom and gently placed in his own bed.

Thor’s heart broke, and he fought back his emotions at the thought of the message he was about to deliver. He swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

“I’ve always wanted nothing but the best for you, son. I’ve raised you to be a great leader, and I know you will be.” Thor extended his arm so his hand grasped his son’s shoulder. “It saddens me, Damiano, to have this talk. Patience is not your strong suit. It never really has been. I understand. You’re part of the instant gratification generation. But this pack can’t have two Alphas, and I won’t be relinquishing my position anytime soon. I don’t want to feel like I’m holding you back, and I don’t want there to be any more bad blood between us. I cherish our relationship far too much for us to come to blows. And it’s for those reasons, and in an effort to help you become the leader you were meant to be, that the time has come to let you branch out on your own.”

Damian shrugged his shoulder, trying to remove his father’s hand. The grip Thor had on his son was relentless.

“You’re throwing me out?” Damian asked.

“No, son. I’m not. I know you want to be Alpha, and with your own Pack you can be. Take Maverick and Jordan as your Betas. They’re loyal to you and always will be. If there’s anyone else you’d like to take, let me know. We can work something out so you have a strong base to begin your endeavors.”

“Does Mother know you’re throwing me out of the Pack?” Damian shrugged twice more and Thor’s hand fell to his side.

“Son, you need to listen to what I’m saying. I never said I was throwing you out,” Thor said. He straightened his spine and shoved his shoulders back.

“Maybe not, but that’s basically what this is,” Damian huffed. “Fine, you want me gone, then I’ll leave. I don’t need anyone by my side except my two best friends. I wouldn’t want to take any of your precious Pack mates with me. I don’t need your spies reporting back to you about everything I do.”

Thor rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest, then stared at his son. Instead of replying to Damian, he chose to remain silent. Continuing the banter back and forth would quickly turn the direction of the conversation sharply to the south.

Thor was thankful they hadn’t escalated to hollering at each other like they had so many times in the past, but he knew his son was upset and hurt. That wasn’t what he’d hoped for. He’d hoped Damian accepted his opportunity, that it was time to be on his own and to forge ahead with his own life. And, more than anything, time to grow the fuck up.

Thor told Damian about a few log cabins that he’d inherited when his father died. They were situated along a common area with a huge parcel of land several miles from where they currently resided. It had been a long time since Thor had been there, and he wasn’t sure what shape things were in, but he assured Damian he’d help get everything restored and in working order. He wanted to make sure Damian had a safe, comfortable place to begin his reign, and eventually live with his soul-mate. Damian scoffed at his father’s comments while shaking his head.

After a forced hug, Damian slammed the front door behind him. Calista walked into Thor’s office.

Calista’s warm hand rubbed across Thor’s stubbled jaw. “One day, sweetheart, our son will understand the gift you bestowed upon him.”

Thor inhaled a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “He’s a stubborn young man, and I love him with all of my heart. I hope you’re right, my love. I was so close to not doing it. He’s our only son. Our only child. I never want him to think I’ve turned my back on him.”

Thor wrapped Calista in his arms and held her tight against his chest.

“We had this conversation, Thor, my love. This was best for all of us, but most of all for Damian. Yes, it will be difficult for everyone, but in the long run he will be better off, and will finally realize his full potential as Alpha. And when he does, he’ll thank you. Mark my words,” she said. Her arms wrapped tight around Thor’s waist.

“I hope you’re right.” He kissed the top of her head. “Goddess knows I hope that.”