Chapter 98

Phoenix

The warriors gather in the training building, where Loki and I assess each of them. There are only about fifty of them, which isn't too bad with a pack of around 500, but I know we can do better. Most of the warriors are my father's age or older, and the absence of young blood bothers me. We need fresh faces if we're going to maintain strong and build something that lasts.

An army that our enemies fucking cower in fear and know better than to cross us.

If Loki's plan to recruit doesn't work, we'll have to figure out something else. I would ask my fellow training camp mates, but I already know most of them don't want shit to do with pack politics anymore. So, if it comes down to that, it will probably take a lot of convincing and money. But I've inherited a rich pack, I can afford to give my warriors a higher wage than my father ever did.

I'm running on fumes, the lack of sleep making me a little groggy, but I know it's not noticeable to anyone else, except maybe Selene. Though, I'm sure sometime soon, Loki and I will be able to pick up on each other's moods as we work closely together each day.

It's already starting. I've honestly never seen this asshole more happy than he is today. Yeah, he's wearing his usual stoic mask, but I catch the subtle bounce in his step. I wonder if I looked like that when Selene and I were freshly mated.

As we watch the warriors run laps around the track, Loki stands silently beside me, but it feels like he wants to ask something. There's tension in his body, and I notice his jaw ticking.

What the hell is his problem?

'What's up, Loki?" I ask gruffly, throwing him a sideways glance.

He grunts, like he's considering his words. Or maybe how to phrase them. "Look, I know it's really none of my business, but I want you to be able to trust me."

I raise an eyebrow. "And you think I don't?"

That's a good question, though. Do I?

"No," he answers, his voice low. "You chose me as your Beta because of my skills. Not because we're best-fucking-friends or some shit."

I chuckle softly. "That's true, but that still doesn't mean I don't trust you."

"Then, what's going on tonight? You were in the bathroom with Luke for a long time, so I assume he's also involved."

Hmm. He's a perceptive son-of-a-bitch, I'll give him that.

I guess there's no harm in telling him if he wants to know. What could he possibly do to betray me? It's not like he doesn't know about my father and his crimes. He's overheard enough being around Luke and me.

"Alpha Nathan handed me a note last night stating my father is innocent and to meet him at Growlers' tonight at 9," I tell him through our mind-link.

"And you believe that it's legit?" he asks, the suspicion evident in his voice.

I press my lips into a thin line. "I guess we're going to find out. Selene insisted on coming and wouldn't take no for an answer, so at this point, I can only hope it isn't a trap. If it is, I'll have two warriors as backup."

I already chose them when we first got here: Greg and Ryder.

Greg has worked for my father since he became Alpha, and Ryder just joined a few months ago. From my observation, it looks like they'll work well together. With how important this meeting is, I don't have the patience for a single fuckup, and I let them know exactly that. I will never be cruel to my pack, but I also won't take the safety of my mate lightly.

"I hope everything goes smoothly then," Loki says quietly.

I nod in agreement, tension coiling in my gut. "It better, or people will have hell to pay."

After hours of grueling training, the warriors are beat, and so are Loki and I. We send them home, and I mind-link both Greg and Ryder to be ready to go tonight. If they're even a minute late, we're going to have problems. This is too important.

I miss the fuck out of my mate. I wonder what she's been doing since I left, besides, of course, talking about Loki and Makayla's sex life. Goddess, I'm glad Loki and I don't do that. I don't want to know anything about what they did, thought about doing, or are going to do. We don't have that kind of fucking relationship.

Loki and I mount our motorcycles and ride back to the packhouse, where our mates are waiting. As I step inside first, I'm greeted by a sight that makes me stop in tracks. Selene and Makayla sitting on the couch, Selene holding a huge cucumber in her hand with her hands gripping it like a dick.

The exact way she gripped my dick last night.

I raise a demanding eyebrow. "What the hell is going on in here?"

Selene freezes, staring back at me, heat rising to her cheeks. And if's even possible, Makayla's are more flushed. Loki looks bewildered, confusion etched across his face, which just makes me burst out laughing.

"Looks like we walked into some kind of dick-pleasing demo," I say, amusement lacing my voice.

if I'm being completely honest, Makayla made the right choice. Selene is the best possible teacher for her. She's a fucking natural pro.

Without a word, Loki stalks over and throws Makayla over his shoulder, ignoring her surprised squeal as he carries her off upstairs.

I stare down my mate, smirking. "Teach her anything good?"

She nods, blushing harder.

"Why don't you come with me upstairs and demonstrate what you showed her?" I ask, my voice dropping into a lower, teasing tone.

Her eyes darken as she bites her lip. "Bet."

With that, she darts upstairs, giggling, and I chase after her, ready to devour her until it's time to head to tonight's meet-up spot.