Chapter 66

(**Sebastion’s POV**) 

By the time we reach the house, my curiosity was getting the best of me. I practically barge past Monroe to get inside. Her orange blossom scent let me know that Irina was waiting for me, so I follow it to my office. Monroe trails behind me as I make my way to the second floor. 

The sound of feminine laughter from inside my office makes me stop at the door. The voices I hear belong to my mate and my sister. Since they are laughing instead of fighting with each other, I will take it. So, to give them time to chat, I turn to Monroe and ask him if he would like a beer. 

“I won’t say no to that,” Monroe says. 

We head back downstairs to go to the kitchen. The smell of lamb roasting in the oven greets us when we walk in. Flynn is singing to Jace as he helps wash vegetables. Callie and Zasha are at their little table with crayons, paper, and scissors. 

“How did you get delegated as a babysitter?” I ask. 

I walk to the refrigerator, grab two beers, then motion for Monroe to join me at the window booth. 

“Your sister found a few teachers that fit what you want to do. She and Irina are up there going over the list and vetting the candidates. I hope there won’t be blood.” 

I chuckle at his last comment. “They were laughing when I was up there. I came down here and give them some time alone.” 

“This is some kitchen you all have here,” Monroe says. 

He is looking around at everything. The look in his eyes says more than he lets on. If I had to guess, I would say he looks lonely for what family life offers. Either that or he is just hungry, and the smell of the roasting lamb is making him look wistful. 

“This kitchen is all my mother’s creation with another two ovens added when Flynn joined the family.” 

“It is very impressive.” 

We fall silent after a few moments. There is something about the man sitting next to me. The revelation of who he really is didn’t come as too much of a surprise for me. I felt his power used on me when we first met. I have met many Alphas during pack negotiations or when one calls for help. In all those years, I have only met one that has the power to command other Alphas. 

That man is sitting next to me now, sipping a beer. 

“You, being the Alpha King, is a big deal. Is that why the council called my father to track you down?” 

The second I asked that question, I felt a shift in Monroe’s demeanor. That carefree look he carries with him vanished. What replaced it was anger. His eyes shifted to the small table in the room's corner, then to the kitchen counter. When his gaze finally rests on me, I instantly regret asking. 

“Hey, I told my father that I knew you, but that I had no way to reach you. I told him I would try by I lied to him. Whatever issues that you have with the council is your own.” 

“Why would you do that for me?” 

The guarded look in his eyes let me know I made the right decision to lie for this man. What did the council do to him? Why is he on the run from them? Why run from them when he has the natural power to make them submit to his every whim? 

“You helped me when I asked you to. Those we freed will now have a better life. My mate now has her daughter back thanks to your help.” 

“That and all the vampires, thanks to Rayne Solas.” 

“Yes, but it was your ship and your resources that got them out of the country.” 

“So, you will lie to your father, an agent of the Werewolf Council, for me because I helped you?” 

The surprise and disbelief in his voice makes me look at him. I try to show him with just my eyes that he can trust me. After a brief staring contest, Monroe takes a sip of his beer, then nods his head. 

“Alright, Little Alpha, you have an ally in me and my men. Your trust goes a long way with me. Thank you. One day, I will tell you why I am not leading the council. For now, however, I think it is time that I check in with my men.” 

“If you meet Finn out front, he will show you the empty houses that your pack members can stay in. He will go over the rules with you once everyone is settled.” 

“Will do.” 

With that said, he drains the rest of his beer, then stands to leave. He gives the room one last glance before he leaves. I am left with more questions than answers. I am becoming accustomed to unanswered questions. 

A few minutes later, I finish my beer. After rinsing the bottle and putting it in the recycling, I head to my office. This time when I reach the door, there are three women leaning against the wall outside my office. They are the three female warriors I put on guard duty for Irina.  

“Ladies. How did things go in the cellar?” 

Jodi looks at me before she answers. “Everything went smooth, sir.” 

“Then your three may go back to your duties.” 

“We can’t do that, sir. Our Luna has requested that we stay for a meeting.” 

Our Luna. That is a phrase that I was not prepared to hear. I was taken aback for a moment, then I nod at them before opening my office door. This should be interesting.  

Arianna looks up when I enter the room. They are both sitting on the floor in front of the sofa. They spread files all over the floor around them. There are three files open in front of them while all the others are closed. 

“I take it you two found teachers you approve of.” 

They look at each other, then they share a laugh before either of them responds to me. This is what I have wanted since my sister decided she hates my mate. Now that they are getting along, I am concerned. What embarrassing moments from my childhood has my twin shared with Irina. 

“Yes, we found three teachers that fit with what we want. Here are their files. Go over them then let us know if you approve.” Arianna says. 

I walk over to the sofa to help her up off the floor. “I will do that later tonight.” 

Arianna nods at me before she walks to the door. She stops in the doorway, then turns around. The look she gives me is full of so much mischief that I am now very concerned. These two getting along could bring more problems than when they were fighting with each other. 

Mainly for me. 

Once my sister leaves, I hold a hand out to help Irina to her feet. As soon as she is on her feet, I pull her firmly against me, then fuse my mouth to hers. By the little gasps she lets out, I can tell that I caught her off guard. Then she is kissing me back with equal passion. 

Much to my disappointment, she pulls back far sooner than I was ready to stop. If I had my way and there was no one waiting for us, I would have my way with her right on my desk. Sadly, there are far more pressing issues to deal with than my raging hormones. 

I step away from Irina and walk to my desk to compose myself. Aries is howling in my head to fuck her hard and fast. I think it is time to let our wolves out to play tonight. By the way he pants in my head, I can tell that he agrees with the idea. 

“So, want to tell me what happened in the cells?” 

Irina comes to sit in a chair in front of my desk but angles the chair towards the sofa. She calls for the three guards to join us. She has my interest piqued, so I just lean back in my chair and let her lead the show. 

Melissa, Jodi, and Frankie join us. Once they are seated on the sofa, Irina looks at each of them, then at me. I can tell she has made a decision. A very important decision.  

“I have decided that I want these three as my personal guard. I also want to train with them in the mornings. My fighting skills are rusty, but I can hold my own. I want to train with them so that the four of us become a well-rounded group. When I become Luna, I will need to be able to defend this pack just like you and all the other warriors.” 

Holy shit, my mate is a badass. She just took charge of the situation and told me how it will be. Told me, not asked me. That is so hot. 

*Down boy,* she whispers through the link. 

*How do you feel about letting our wolves out to play later?* 

*That sounds great to me.* 

Jodi clears her throat. This brings my attention back to the three guards. All three of them are the best female fighters this pack has. Frankie is fierce in combat. Jodi is one of our best trackers. Melissa uses strategy to fight her enemies. I feel confident that they will keep my Luna safe. 

“This is agreeable. However, this will require a rank change for two of them. Jodi is already a Beta since she is Finn’s mate. Melissa and Frankie are not.” 

“What rank would they need to be my guards?” 

“Beta or Gamma.” 

“Then what is the problem?”

There is no way to win this, but I will agree for now.

“Nothing at all. We can do their ceremony after we do the one for your family.” 

Frankie let out a whoop that got cheers from Melissa and Jodi.  

Irina clears her throat to silence them. They instantly went quite at her command. My reluctant Luna had found her footing. If I were not already in love with her, that would be the tipping point for me. 

“Now, for the next part. If they are going to be my guards from here on out, I need to share the threat with them.” 

Oh, hell no. 

“That is not a good idea.” 

Anger burst through the link like a wildfire. Oh, shit.  

“Why is it a bad idea? Is it because they are women? Do you not trust them to keep our secrets because women are inherent gossips?” 

Fuck my life. 

*You put your foot in a gigantic pile of shit now.* Aries laughs. 

I sigh, “No, that is not it at all.” 

“Then explain.” 

Irina stands up from her chair and glares at me. Her fists are clenched as she stands there. This is not helping my raging hormones at all. Moon Goddess, help me.  

“It isn’t anything personal towards any of them. I just worry about the impact it could have on them.” 

“Finn, Justin, Wade, Arianna, and Flynn already know. Who else among your guards knows what we face? What harm could there be in adding three more abled bodied women to that list?” 

She has a damn point. 

“Oh, not to mention your parents, my father, and my siblings.” 

“Ok, I see your point. If I agree to this, then the three of you will be sworn to keep it to yourselves. Except Jodi, whose mate already knows everything.” 

Irina gives me a smile. To have that smile on her face, I will do anything. I just hope I am making the right choice.  

Over the next thirty minutes, Irina and I fill the new guards in on all that we are facing. To their credit, they saved their questions until after we gave them the facts. There was one unanimous question among the three of them. 

When will Vicktor Treadstone bring the fight to Redwood. 

That is the question that has plagued my mind since we brought Zasha home. Surely Treadstone has learned that all his captives have been freed. His most prized possession is now in my house drawing pictures with her new friend. 

“I have no answer to that question. All we can do is prepare for the inevitable.” 

“Then you have our words of honor that we will fight for you and for our Luna. We will defend this pack with our lives if it comes to it,” Jodi declares. 

Melissa and Frankie both nod their head in agreement with Jodi’s words. This makes me proud of them. It also makes me rethink the training program. We don’t have enough female fighters. I feel some want to train but are afraid to ask. 

It is time for a pack meeting.  

“Are there any more questions for us?” Irina asks. 

“Not right now, but I may have more later,” Franks says. 

After that, Irina tells them to return to their duties but to meet her on the training field in the morning. Once we are alone, I lean back in my chair and just let out a sigh of relief. That could have been bad, but I underestimated the three of them. 

I won’t make that mistake again.  

“Now, tell me what you learned from Fiona.” 

Irina walks to the sofa and plops down. She sighs heavily before she looks back up at me. This doesn’t bode well. There is a weariness to her eyes that makes me get up out of my chair to sit next to her. All the tension leaves her body when I wrap my arm around her shoulders. 

“The spell she is under is nasty.” 

“How so?” 

“When she sees your face, smells your scent, and hears your voice, she sees her mate. Sineen. I believe they put the spell on her as Vicktor’s backup plan. I had a feeling he would have one. It was just one that I didn’t expect. Vicktor never believed in magic nor did he want to be involved with witches.” 

“What did you say to her?” 

“I show her my brand. The one he gives all his prisoners. The moment she saw it, the real Fiona came through. She asked how I got free. I told her, but the spell took her under again. I pray to the Moon Goddess that Sineen is in the compound in France.” 

If he is there, then maybe he and those with him will be free soon. If that happens, then I know for sure Treadstone will come for us. Losing the last of his collection will no doubt drive him to seek revenge. Or spur him on to take back what he thinks is his. 

I am not sure what to pray for more? More time until that day comes or for it to come sooner rather than later. Either way, one thing is certain. My entire pack will need to be made aware of the coming threat. 

Now I just have to find the right words to say.