Chapter 5 - Darren

I hadn’t even gotten to lay in my temporary bed for long before I felt restless. I ended up slipping out a side door wandering around a little bit. I like to familiarize myself with a new area anyways. Might as well do it now.

I certainly won’t be getting any sleep soon. I sighed, leaning my head back, closing my eyes, trying to clear my mind. It wasn’t working. The moment my eyes closed, all I saw was André.

He stood there naked and very proud of it as he ran his fingers through his hair and glanced back at me. The way he looked at me like he was committing every tiny detail to memory. The strange way that it made me feel.

It wasn’t a feeling of disgust, but I can’t place what it was. I’d never felt it before. I suppose I could best describe it as if someone released a swarm of butterflies in my stomach.

‘It’s called the mate bond, dumbass. You felt it and ignored it, you old frogmen.’  Cardinal snorted, using the nickname for SEALs in the form of insult. I rolled my eyes and ignored him. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the vision of André. 

I don’t want to remember the look on his face as he turned his back to me and walked away. It was only a second, but I saw something broken in those sapphire blue eyes. 

‘Because you broke his heart, asshole. I told you we should have followed him. Now it won’t just be a matter of apologizing and explaining the misunderstanding to get in his good graces. I hope you have knee pads.’ Cardinal shook his head.

‘Knee pads? What the fuck?’ I wrinkled my nose. Oh, hell no. Nope. Never. I don’t think I could do that. That Meatloaf song suddenly comes to mind. 

‘Get your mind out of the gutter! Though it would probably be an excellent way to get our mate in a good mood. I meant for all the begging you’re going to need to do.’ Cardinal rolled his eyes. 

‘And you shouldn’t say never. André’s our mate, and eventually, you’re going to do things to pleasure him. You weren’t a one-sided pleasure guy before. If you were willing to go down on females, we weren’t mates with you damn well will for our mate.’ Cardinal snorted.

Before I could comment, I heard someone calling for me. Furrowing my brow, I looked around the mostly empty town square I stood in. I saw a few Incubi pack members walking around. A couple of females were looking at me with interest. Obviously not who was calling my name.

Then I turned and spotted Kurt and Collin rushing over to me. I sighed because this couldn’t be good news. “There you are. I checked your room, but you’d left. We have a situation.” Kurt waved for me to come over.

I cracked my neck and headed their way. We haven’t even been in Italy that long, and there was already a situation. Just great. “It’s fucking hilarious.” Collin smirked, putting an arm around my shoulder as the pair guided me back to the town hall. 

“Can someone just tell me what’s going on?” I questioned. However, my thoughts completely derailed as we came around the corner and I saw André in the parking lot. Some blonde male was leaning against him as they laughed about something. 

White-hot anger filled my stomach as I saw how familiar this male was with my mate. I clenched my jaw, nostrils flaring as I looked from André to the blonde. He made no move to put distance between them. And I suddenly had a strong urge to rip the blonde’s head off.

‘He needs to get his hands off our mate. Who does he think he is to be so familiar with our mate?’ Cardinal growled. I took a breath.

I am not the Delaney who acts irrationally. I am the rational one. I’m the one that thinks things through. I leave the spontaneous and usually bad ideas to Azriel and to some degree Colby.

I turned my head from André and the blonde as I went inside with Kurt and Collin. ‘What are we doing? Get your ass out there. That’s our mate! Stake our claim!’ Cardinal insisted. 

I shook my head at him. ‘It’s not that simple. We don’t know him. We don’t know that male either. We can’t just go assuming anything. And if that male has been his lover, what can we really say? I’ve had lovers.’ I rationalized.

‘Had is the keyword. If Sheila tried to lean on you now, you better shove that bitch off.’ Cardinal growled. He wanted me to turn around and yank the blonde away from André. I can’t, and I won’t. 

This is André’s pack. For all I know that male could be family. It would be like if André had rushed over because Collin had his arm over my shoulders.

He’d look foolish for being jealous of not only my friend but my brother-in-law and a full-mated male. I will not make a fool of myself just to placate my wolf’s jealousy.

“Well, there’s an issue with Clement.” Kurt sighed. I groaned because somehow, I had a gut feeling Clement Shelton would be a pain in my ass on this mission. The moment his dumb mouth opened to say he was excited to fight for the sake of fighting. 

“What did he do? And where is he?” I questioned. Collin was wearing that megawatt shit-eating grin. The one I’ve learned in the last two years means big trouble. Kurt was also smirking now, no longer holding a straight face. 

I internalized my eye roll at the fact this kid was supposed to be an Alpha, well, if he ever stepped up and took the reins. I would almost feel pity for the Syndicate wolves having to follow him. Almost being the keyword. Fuck those rogue pricks.

“Well, that’s the thing.” Kurt smiled and gestured to a statue blocking the hallway. I frowned and looked at the statue. It looked eerily like Clement. Like an exact replica of the young wolf. Every detail was spot on.

“Someone explain why there is a statue of Clement in this hallway?” I demanded, using the same tone I did in the SEALs when giving orders. Of course, the tone didn’t phase Kurt, but Collin’s back went a little straighter. I eyed both of them, waiting for any answer, when an angelic voice sounded out.

“Who wants to know?” A blonde she-wolf questioned, stepping around the Clement statue placing her hands on her hips. She looks familiar, but I can’t place it at the moment. I just know she’s not Bloodmoon. Her eyes slowly looked me over, weighing and measuring me in a simple look.

“Darren Delaney, Miss. I’m the captain in charge of the warriors from Bloodmoon.” I introduced myself, offering my hand. She arched an eyebrow giving me another look of appraisal before shaking my hand. 

“Zoe Petridis, daughter of Beta Damon.” Zoe introduced herself. Great, the Beta’s daughter. At least explains why she has the aura of authority. I nodded my head, giving her a firm handshake before letting go. 

“Nice to meet you, Miss Petridis. Are you able to explain this situation?” I asked, folding my arms. “Only if you call me Zoe.” Zoe smiled, batting long thick lashes at me.

‘Is she your mate? Or just another she-wolf falling for your muscular arms?’ Collin teased through the link. I rolled my eyes and ignored him. I could feel Cardinal getting angrier by the second and needed to keep him back before he said something stupid to the Beta’s daughter.

‘Like that she should back off since we are her Alpha heir’s mate? Bet she’d back peddle those bedroom eyes real fast.’ Cardinal snorted. I opt to ignore my wolf. I’ve already got one ranked heir pissed. I would rather not add to the list.

“If you insist. Miss Zoe, could you please explain the situation to me.” I gestured to the statue. Zoe smirked as I found the loophole. I did call her Zoe. I just continued to include the Miss part.

“Before you go back to America, I will hear you say my name, and just my name.” Zoe smirked. Cardinal made gagging sounds in my head. Fucking wolf. Now I’m suppressing laughing. I am trying to not get in trouble with another ranked wolf.

“As for the situation, Captain Darren.” Zoe’s lips remained upturned in that smirk. If this had been a few hours ago, I might have considered it.

Granted, I usually go for brunettes, but she has curves and blue eyes, which I generally like.

‘Our mate is a brunette with blue eyes and curves just in a different way.’ Cardinal huffed as he sulked in my head. I rolled my eyes at him while giving a patient smile to Zoe. 

“This colossal idiot sexually harassed me.” Zoe explained, glaring at the statue of Clement. “A status sexually harassed you?” I arched an eyebrow because I’m obviously missing something here.

“Oh no. The statue is the idiot. My gift allows me to turn anything into stone.” She explained as her eyes glanced down to my crotch.

‘Seriously? The Beta’s daughter is opening checking your dick out in track shorts.’ Collin chuckled through the pack link.

‘Not amusing. Now shut up.’ I ordered while keeping an impassive expression on my face.

“I see. Interesting ability, Miss Zoe.” I wanted the facts.” Now we do, of course, take sexual harassment very seriously. May I ask what he said or did?”

“He thanked me for showing him to his room. I think he thought I was an Omega which even if I was what he did next would not be tolerated.” Zoe began to explain. “As I went to leave and continue assisting my mother with getting your warriors settled, this buffoon…” jabbing a thumb in statue Clement’s direction. “Grab my ass.”

And it all added up. I groaned and ran a hand over my face. “My deepest apologies, Miss Zoe. His actions will not go without discipline. How long will he be like that?” I questioned, eyeing Clement skeptically.

“Till morning. I could change the idiot back sooner, but even for you, I’m not inclined to.” Zoe shrugged. “How will he be disciplined?” She questioned, folding her arms. I can’t make her change him back. I don’t have that kind of authority. And serves the little shit right to wait till morning.

“I am limited to some extent. Our Alpha must decide on major punishments. However, he will be confined to his room unless I specifically let him leave it. Does his door lock from the outside?” I asked, nodding to the doorway that the Clement statue stood half inside. 

Zeo smirked, a devious glint to her eyes. “Why yes, they do.” She nodded, holding up a key. “Is there anything else you would need for his punishment?” She arched a blonde brow.

“Is there a bucket we could borrow to act as a chamber pot?” I asked. Collin and Kurt were snickering now. They were on the same page as me. I meant it when I said he doesn’t leave without my approval, even if it’s to take a piss.

“I can certainly get one.” Zoe nodded. “Good. That I think will be it, Miss Zoe.” I nodded. “Then I’ll be back with a bucket.” Zoe winked, handing me the key before leaving. I simply nodded as she left.

“You two move the dumbass into his room.” I instructed Collin and Kurt. The two groaned but did as I asked. Shuffling the heavy statue into the room. “He’s going to be pissed.” Collin chuckled. 

“I don’t give two shits about how he feels. He’s lucky I’m not leaving his punishment to the Beta to decide. Something tells me her father would offer worse punishment.” I sighed.

“Damn straight, our papa would want worse done.” A voice called from behind me. I turned and quickly schooled my face as I was face to face with the blonde that had been outside laughing leaning against André. 

Papa? That means he is the son of the Beta. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. Captain Darren Delaney. I can assume you are one of the Beta’s children, so a Petridis.” I introduced myself, offering my hand. 

‘Why are we offering our hand to this little shit? He was hanging on our mate! We should be biting his hand off, not offering him one.’ Cardinal grumbled. ‘Shut up. He’s a Beta. So most likely friends with André.’ I rolled my eyes at my wolf.

“Alexander Petridis, Beta Heir.” Alexander shook my hand with a firm grip. “I saw my sister flirting with you.” He commented. “Was that what she was doing?” I arched my brow. Alexander smiled. 

“Good for you to not be drawn in. I’m guessing as the Captain of these warriors, you’ll be coming with me upstairs to meet my father and when he returns my cousin, André who is our Alpha heir and acting Alpha while my Zio is otherwise occupied.” Alexander gestured for me to follow him.

‘See Cardinal. We would have looked like idiots to attack him. They are cousins.’ I shook my head at my wolf. “Thank you.” I nodded. “Kurt, come on. We’re going to the Beta to wait for the Alpha heir and your mate.” I gestured for Kurt to tag along. 

“Collin, make sure Clement is locked down and that the rest of the warriors know a toe out of line will get them the same treatment.” I instructed before heading to the elevators with Alexander and Kurt.