Brayden
I sigh and grumble under my breath as I fight to keep my eyes open. How could those two idiots not let me sleep? Well, we got a few hours this morning, but clearly it wasn’t enough. I can’t argue too much though. I was screaming for more last night, which they did as I requested.
However, the next time I talk to them, I’m going to give them an earful.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time this morning. But when I finally corner them, they will wish they didn’t pull a stunt like that.
I ease up to the front of Yellow Moon’s pack house, which is about average for its size. However, the white paint is chipping, and the flower beds need to be weeded. I can’t tell what flowers are even in there with all the weeds hiding them. If this is any sign of how they run everything else, I’ve got my hands full.
As I step out of the vehicle, a tall, dark-haired man walks out of the building and calls out, “Alpha Brayden. I’m so glad you could come on such short notice. I didn’t know if my request would be looked at since we are such a small pack.”
I give him my professional smile and shake my head. “Alpha Blake. All packs are important. You shouldn’t have worried.”
As I walk around the front of the vehicle, he meets me and greets me with a handshake.
He adds, “My father had told me that our pack is too small for packs like yours to worry about, unless we have something important that you want. Sorry, I should have believed in our alliance agreement more than in my angry father.”
My eyebrow raises up as his words swirl around in my head. I’m going to have to make sure that other packs aren’t thinking the same thing.
The quickest way to break up an alliance is to plant a seed of doubt within it. I don’t have a seed right now. I think I might have an entire forest.
I’ll add that to the already growing list of things to address with him and the pack elders.
A slight frown appears on my face as I ignore his comment. “So, I’ve read your email with your initial request. Is there anything else that you would like for me to look at while I’m here, or do you want me to do a full review of everything? To be honest, I’ll probably catch more with a full review. I have a feeling there are plenty of things you don’t even know you need to change or improve on.”
I glance back over at the pack house. This is only the first thing of many that needs to be fixed.
He flashes me a bright smile. “Really? You would do a full review of everything?”
I turn my attention back to him. With a smile and a nod, I answer, “Yes. I honestly think that would probably be the best approach. It will take me longer to do, but I think it is the only way for me to identify everything that needs to be done. Will you be able to devote enough time to sit with me, so I can go to that depth?”
His smile doesn’t falter as he shakes his head. “I’ve asked my younger brother, Zack, to be your point person for me while you are here. Someday, he will make an amazing Alpha to some pack. Honesty, he is better at it than me. However, he still hasn’t met his omega mate.”
I stare at him for a moment before I ask, “Why do you think he will be an alpha of a pack and that his mate will be an omega? It is rather common to have a beta mate. Plus, there aren’t too many packs with omega heirs who are looking for their alpha mates. You know it is very rare.”
He nods his head. “I know, but you will understand when you meet him. He is clearly fated to be an alpha of a pack, even the elders say so. He just needs to find his omega mate.”
My stomach twists, but I ignore it and mentally shake my head. It is just a coincidence.
I walk past him to the other side of the car. “I’ll get my things and then you can show me where I’ll be staying and where I’ll be working. Once I put my suitcase in my room, I’ll come back down, and we can get started right away. I would like an overview of the pack and the current lines of defense. Then I also want a to do a walkthrough of the area. In addition, I want to watch your training sessions.”
As I open the passenger’s door, Blake follows right behind me. “Wow. You aren’t kidding when you say you are going to look through everything. Okay. I’ll start with you, but when I need to leave for a meeting, I’ll have Zack take over and finish everything. Then you can proceed tomorrow directly with him.”
I toss the strap of one bag over my shoulder and reach in for another bag. “I would like to have daily updates with you, so you know every day the things which I have immediate concerns about. There is no use waiting until I’m done with my entire investigation to take action.”
I glance over my shoulder at him as he nods and replies, “Sure. That is understandable. I will make sure we talk at the end of every day.”
The hesitation in his voice also sends up another red flag.
I’m not here even ten minutes, and I can see where the issues begin. I also have an idea about how it has gotten to this point.
This is not going to be an easy ‘get in and out’ review. I have a sinking feeling I’m going to be here longer than I have expected.
***
With my tablet in one hand, I point with my other hand over to a run-down building which looks like it is going to cave in any minute. “What is that building? Why is it in such a state of disrepair?”
Blake sighs. “That building was built and used by my great grandfather. However, after his death, the building was never used again. I’m not sure what is in it. To be honest, no one has gone inside since my great grandfather passed away.”
I raise an eyebrow and stare at the building. The exterior shows the many years of neglect, but there is something about it that says there is more to it than what appears.
After a few moments, I take a deep breath and turn my attention back to my tablet. I add additional notes to my already growing list. At this rate, I may be here for years.
I have never come across a pack who has let things slide to this extent. There has to be something more than what I’m seeing. There must be a cause for it.
I won’t believe that it just happened.
As I type a few things into my tablet, Blake asks, “It is about supper time. I know we didn’t get to eat with the pack during lunch, but I would like to introduce you to everyone, including my siblings who were busy earlier. Luckily, I could reschedule my meeting this afternoon, but I can’t tomorrow. I need for you and Zack to meet each other, so you can start working together.”
I look up from the tablet and nod. “That would be great. I have plenty of questions for him, too. You keep saying that he is the one looking over everything. So, I want to get an idea of what his thoughts are about how the current system is working.”
A snort instantly spills from him as he shakes his head. “I already know the answer to that. He doesn’t like our current systems and says they aren’t good enough. He is also the main reason I emailed the request for help.”
Well, that is interesting. I think I might like him already. He seems to be the only one with a level head here.
Blake nudges my arm. “Come on. Let’s go eat.”
I nod and quickly finish typing my notes.
When we get to the dining hall, my heart twists a bit. I don’t expect shining and brand-new tables and chairs, but these are so battered, I don’t know if they will even hold up.
I quickly make a mental note to ask my father to send our used table and chairs here. We have just gotten new ones in our dining hall, and we have put the old ones in the basement. However, we didn’t really know what to do with them.
We have a lot more than they need and they look brand new compared to what they are using now, but if this pack needs things like this, I’m sure I can find other packs who need them too.
A pang of guilt shoots through me. We only replaced our things because they only had a few marks on them. Instead of replacing only one or two, we decided to replace all of them.
Blake smiles at me and motions towards a couple of long tables at the front of the room. “You will sit with me and my family at the head table. My parents are away visiting family, so it will only be my siblings sitting with us, along with my sister’s friend. I swear those two are joined at the hip.”
I return his smile and nod while we make our way towards the front.
The room buzzes with chatter as people file in and head to their tables. As I sit down next to Blake and scan the area, I ask, “What is on the menu for tonight?”
My stomach quietly grumbles, and I quickly realize I haven’t eaten much all day.
He turns towards me and his eyes sparkle as his smile grows wider. “We have something special since you are here. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”
Surprise. I may love food, but it ruins nothing by telling me what we are going to be eating.
My eyebrows knot together as I stare back at him. However, I remain silent. Something in his look tells me it will ruin it for him if he tells me.
A deep, husky voice in front of me grunts, “Stop it, Blake. I keep telling you, no one likes these stupid surprises of yours.”
Even though the voice has a hint of irritation in it, it sounds sexy and alluring.
Wait. What the heck?
I turn my attention towards the gorgeous voice.
My heart skips a beat as my eyes land on a walking god strutting towards us. His short brown hair bounces slightly as his blue eyes lock with mine.
My breath hitches as his eyes narrow and almost drill into me. He stops right in front of the table and raises his sexy eyebrow, while his beautiful blue eyes scan me. However, I wish something else would run all over my body.
Wait. What am I thinking?
Gulp. Is it getting hot in here?
He leans down and puts his hands on the table while his gaze comes back to mine.
However, his next few words have my world almost grinding to a halt.
“Are you sure you are an alpha? I have never seen an alpha this short.”
Shit.
Brayden Jacob’s deep voice spills from my phone and sends a warm shiver through my body. “Baby, I miss you and Hunter. I wish you two were here with me.” Ah, an image of him with his plump pouty lips and his puppy dog eyes pops into my mind. I shake my head and stare out the window at the dark night sky. The clouds were building earlier, and storms will rumble through here in the night. However, right now, it is silent, but you can’t see anything except a pitch-black night sky. I shake my head. “You were the one who sent me here. Now live with it. Plus, you had really wanted to go on this trip with your parents.” That annoying feeling returns. There is something more to this trip than what he is telling me, but I’m not in the mood to fight and push it away. Hunter quickly chimes, “Yeah, Jake. You were the one to send our gorgeous mate away. Now you have to suffer.” My eye twitches at the word mate. I’m not their destined mate, but only a contract one. When they fi
ZACKWith a scowl on my face and my foot tapping on the hard tile floor, I glance at my watch and sigh. Where is he? I told him to be here at 8am sharp and it is now 8:30.He is nowhere to be found. Don’t tell me he is stilling sleeping like a baby up in his room.Ugh… I hate working with irresponsible people.The echo of footsteps stumbling down the stairs bounces around the lobby area.Yes. It is about time.I whip my head up and glare up the stairs.I take a deep breath and get ready to blast Brayden with my anger. How could he be this irresponsible? He is the alpha of his pack. People rely on him to do a lot for the pack. However, as soon as my eyes land on him, all the harsh words running through my head along my anger instantly disappears.His perfectly combed blonde hair from yesterday is gone.
ZACKI shake my head.Something I’ve been doing a lot of today, as I look across the table at Brayden. I didn’t think it would be safe for him to eat supper with everyone since he can barely keep his eyes open today.His eyelids slowly slide down as his long eyelashes flutter slightly before his eyes finally close. His head bobs slightly and his blonde bangs fall down over his forehead.Before his head can fall forward and into the last few bites of his food on his plate, I quickly reach across the table and gently grab his cute face. My heart skips a beat as I get up and, while still holding Brayden’s gorgeous face, I carefully walk around the table.He had been hesitant to finish our conversation over a meal in his room, but I figured this would happen. It is better for him to be here than in the dining hall. At least he ate most of his food before he fell asleep.I sc
BRAYDEN Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. No. Not yet. I groan as I roll over and turn off my phone’s alarm on the nightstand. However, my hand stops in midair right afterwards and my eyes pop wide open. I slowly scan my outstretched arm. What happened last night? How did I get into bed? Wasn’t I sitting and eating a meal? I quickly rake through my memories, but nothing comes to mind. Towards the end of the meal, everything goes blank. Wait. Did I fall asleep while eating? No. This can’t be happening to me. I throw myself backwards onto the bed and kick my feet. Again, I halt everything in mid-kick. Please tell me I’m wrong. This can’t be happening. As I whisper a silent prayer to myself, I slowly lift up the sheets. Shit. I’m not wrong. I’m only in my boxers. I brea
ZACKI look up from my tablet and glance across the table at Brayden, who has his eyes locked on the various documents and the files on his laptop, completely ignoring me. My focus instantly goes to his luscious lips and the burning question which I still don’t have an answer to. Do his lips taste good?No. I have to stop thinking about it.I press my lips together and shake my head before I turn my focus back to my tablet.This is crazy.Suddenly, my dream from last night pops into my head as my throat suddenly goes dry.Heat rushes through me as the image of his soft plump lips pressing against mine has my body coming alive.Gulp.My pants tighten as my manhood springs to life.Shit. I can’t be sitting across from him and thinking about that.I move around on the chair, trying to find a comfortable spot while I discreetly pull my
BRAYDEN I stare at Zack’s back as he storms out of the conference room. What in the heck has got him all worked up? However, his subtle jab with his words earlier still irritates me. My eye twitches as I turn my attention back towards Blake. “I was going to say he has been very professional and helpful, but after seeing his little tantrum, I may change my mind.” Blake glances over his shoulder at the empty doorway and sighs. “He has his moments. I’m hoping he can find his omega soon. He needs to get in his alpha position before his frustrations and waiting eat him alive.” My heart twists while I fight to keep a blank face. However, I quickly push this strange feeling out of my mind. “Well, he is old enough. I have to admit that I’m surprised he hasn’t found his mate yet. Maybe his mate is a lot younger than him, which is why he hasn’t found her. I’m sure it will only be a matter o
ZACKI grumble under my breath as I march towards Brayden’s room. My brother’s stern voice still echoes in my head. “Go check in on Brayden. He didn’t come down for supper tonight.”Why do I have to be the one to always check in on him? Why can’t Blake have someone else be the babysitter?Ugh…I stop in front of Brayden’s door and again grumble under my breath about me always being the one to take care of the cute alpha.I take a deep breath and push away all my frustrations. This will only be a short delay before I head off to the nightclub. Even though I couldn’t find anyone available, I’m sure I’ll get lucky at the club. There are always women there who are willing and ready to have a night of fun with a tall, handsome man.Knock. Knock.My foot taps lightly on the floor as silence falls a
BRAYDENRing…ring…ring…Ugh… I roll over on the bed and grab my phone off the nightstand. A groan slips out of my mouth when I see what time it is. It isn’t even time to wake up yet. I should have another hour. Why?Grumbling under my breath, I put the phone on speaker and practically slam it back down on the nightstand as I grunt, “I still have another hour to sleep. You should have waited.”Hunter’s cheery voice replies, “I didn’t want to wait. I miss you. Plus, you didn’t call last night.”Last night. Jacob’s words bubble up in my mind while they also slice right through my heart.Luckily, Zack was here to take my mind off of it. I have to admit, I didn’t think talking to anyone would help, but it did. I still don’t know why I feel comfortable around him. Usually, the o