Chapter 52: Chapter fifty-one

Del pov

I wrapped my arms around his torso and squeezed. “Let’s get out of here. Let’s go back to the motel.”

Ajax’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the street. I wondered what he saw with his supernatural wolf senses.

“He could be here for other reasons maybe to visit Madam Margot,” I added.

Ajax’s shoulders slumped. “Yeah, right. I forget the old bag’s single.”

He draped his arm around my shoulder and hurried me along. He was still tense but we got into the car without issues. I was glad to get away from the eerie street. When made it back to the motel.

Ajax ordered take out and we settled for each other’s company instead of a movie. Ross was out enjoying the nightlife.

“What’s the plan for when we go back?” I asked, swirling the noodles in the tub.

“I’m going to confront my brother and Father about bringing the Diamond pack into our pack. They should be taking the threat seriously.”

Ajax had a good group of betas. They were strong and smart but they weren’t as big as the official army. If Ajax didn’t control the majority going to war was pointless. I didn’t want to lose my mate because of people who rejected him in the first place.

“What if they don’t listen?”

Ajax lifted my chin. He stroked my bottom lip and smiled.

“I guess I’ll bust some heads.”

I chuckled. “Any excuse to bust some heads huh?”

“I know Oscar’s going to be hard to convince but he’ll have to listen to reason.”

I let out a shaky breath. “I almost lost you please… if he doesn’t listen—”

He squeezed my hand. “Trust me, babe, everything’s going to be fine.”

He placed the noodle tub on the bedside table and pulled me into his arms. I snuggled into him, breathing in his soapy and earthy scent. His body was my relaxer, his touch gave me peace and his kisses set me on fire.

“I can’t get enough of you, Delanie.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. He spread my legs and positioned himself between them.

“We have an early morning, Ajax,” I whispered.

“There’s no backing out now,” he complained.

I giggled. So much for dinner, I thought. He grabbed the blanket and dragged it over our heads.

***

We left Star City later than we thought. I wondered if I’d hear from Margot again. If she managed to find me once she’d find me again.

Ajax’s betas were at the pack house waiting for him. What should have been a civil meeting turned into a clash of egos.

Oscar's wolves and Ajax’s wolves got into it at the pack house. Ross got the class as we drove into our neighbourhood. Ajax turned the car around so fast I got nauseous. We didn’t have the full story but when we got there it was a mess. There were people knocked out on the front lawn, people watching from the street and others staring from the pack house windows.

“I knew we shouldn’t have left, Richardson in charge,” Ajax grumbled.

“Of course, Oscar didn’t have the balls to stop this fight himself,” Ross grumbled and climbed out of the car.

“Babe, stay here, please, this shouldn’t take long,” Ajax said.

I nodded. I climbed into the passenger seat to have a front-row seat of the events unfolding. Ajax marched to the group going at it. At least they weren’t full-blown wolves trying to rip each other apart. Ajax grabbed a man dressed in a black leather uniform by the neck and hurled him to the ground.

“Enough!” Ajax barked. “What’s the matter with you?”

“They’re idiots. They’re going to destroy this pack and what everyone has taken years to build.”

“Richardson, pummelling them won’t help,” Ajax said.

I didn’t think I’d ever hear him say that. Oscar burst through the front door, his black satin shirt opened at the top, his chest hair poking out and his hair ruffled and wayward. I bet he reeked of alcohol and women. With Reign away from the pack Oscar was free to misbehave.

“I thought you’d take defeat more honourably, Ajax,” Oscar spat.

I clutched my heart at the same time my temper flared. “What’s he on about?”

Ajax’s betas rallied around him. I wanted to be next to Ajax too. Oscar’s group was significantly larger but they were the ones clutching injuries.

“Have your hooligans destroyed the pack house?” Oscar spat.

“Are you high? What are you thinking about inviting our enemies to lunch? Were you dropped as a baby?”

Oscar waved him away. “That’s none of your business. I’m Alpha, not you.”

“Oscar—”

“Stop! I’m running this pack the way I want. I’ll give the Diamond pack a tribe pack if I want but if it’s the way I want to do it I’m going to do it Ajax.”

“You can’t do that. There isn’t a single tribe pack you conquered, Oscar.”

“Like the River pack? Remember how you brought the Blue Moon pack to its knees after they killed her?” Oscar smirked. His eyes moved from Ajax to the car and rested on me.

Ajax wrapped his hand around Oscar’s throat. Oscar didn’t anticipate Ajax’s attack.

“Don’t look at her! Keep your savage eyes off her!” Ajax growled.

Ross pried his best friend off his brother and held him back. My heart was racing when Alpha Odin stepped out of the house. He looked fragile.

“Oscar, enough of this,” his voice cracked.

“Relax, Dad. We had a deal.”

A deal? I wondered.

“But I don’t have to put up with Ajax anymore. I’m tired of your damn shadow. I, Alpha Oscar banish you Alpha Ajax from the Mystic Pack and all your betas. You’re never to return.”

My jaw dropped.

Ajax brushed Ross off. “Fuck you. Everything’s going to crumble in front of you brother. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

I cupped my mouth. How could Oscar do that? Was he so arrogant to believe he wasn’t putting his pack in danger? Alpha Odin watched in horror. I hoped regret sat heavy on his chest. He did this but what deal did he make with Oscar? Was it worth what was going to happen and what had already happened?

Ajax climbed into the car and slammed his fists on the wheel.

“I’m sorry, Ajax,” I said softly.

“Forget him. Forget them all.”

I reached out and squeezed his thigh. He looked over and gave me a small smile.

“We’ll be fine. We’ll find a better house and maybe we can have some peace in our lives.”

I smiled back. That sounded perfect but I couldn’t dissolve the rock in my stomach. What about everyone else in the pack?

My phone rang as Ajax drove back to the house. My mind was on packing when I answered Ainsley’s call.

“Hey…”

“Thank goodness you answered. Someone happened to your studio.”

“My studio?” I shifted uncomfortably.

“Some guys broke in. The windows are busted and the door’s open.”

I rubbed my chest. “Who would do that?”

“I don’t know but you should check it out.”

Reign came to mind but she wasn’t here. I told Ajax and he drove us to the studio in town. The front door had been kicked in, paint was on the floor and my brushes were all over the place. Tears sprung to my eyes.

“Fuck,” Ajax said softly.

He paused and stared at the wall. I followed his gaze. I gasped.

The words, ‘Bad Blood’ were written on the wall in bright red paint.