Chapter 69: Chapter sixty-eight

Ajax POV

Before my first day of Alpha General duties I needed to speak with my predecessor. Originally, the pack house had a dungeon but after a small incident prisoners were taken to a small jail cell in town. The worst of the lot like Maximus were locked up on the outskirts of town.

I came alone. It was secret prison hidden under ground. There were a total of ten prisoners here. Some old and forgotten wolves whose names I didn’t remember.

A beta guard unlocked Maximus’ cell. He sat on the edge of the single bed, his hair covering his face and his nails digging into his long pants.

“Alpha Ajax, what a surprise,” he said. “Don’t worry I couldn’t smell you. You detached my wolf, remember.”

“I know, Max,” I ground out.

He lifted his head. He may seem broken but I knew this man. He was dangerous regardless.

“You killed Arabella, didn’t you?” I asked.

“You’ve come to ask me about the Seer? I thought your sweetheart sent you so we could get her Mother.”

“You’re disgusting, Max. You sold Delanie hope. You know her Mother lost her mind.”

Max barked out a laugh. “Alexandra? I wish she would have lost her mind. She’s perfectly sane believe me.”

I inched closer. “How are you sure?”

“I’ve spoken to her. I visited her. She hates seeing my face. All these years she thought her daughter was dead. I may be a little cruel for allowing her to think that after I found out Delanie was alive.”

A little cruel, was he serious?

“I heard something interesting from one of your loyal betas.” I looked over my shoulder.

The beta stood outside the door but I didn’t need what I was going to say getting out. I knocked on the metal door and asked the beta to give us a minute.

“Now you want to gossip, Ajax?” Max frowned.

I took a step forward and clenched my jaw.

“Word has it you’re not sure if you killed Harvey Cross. Harvey Cross, Delanie’s Father.”

Max turned away and growled. I struck a nerve. So it’s true. Del’s Dad could be alive.

“Are you the one who vandalized her studio? That’s low even for you, Max.”

“Me? Vandalism? Are you stupid?”

“You or someone you hired!”

“I didn’t do it and Harvey Cross is dead. If someone vandalized your girl’s studio it’s because they saw the Rider’s emblem there. She really need to hide that piece of shit.”

“Are you sure? Because the beta was adamant Harvey was a tough one to kill and he was a strong wolf. You’ve always wondered if he managed to heal.”

Max chuckled. “He’s dead. If he survived, he would have tried to get revenge.”

“His group was destroyed and you might have killed why wouldn’t he stay in hiding? The Riders were incredibly rich.”

Max rolled his shoulders back and looked me in the eyes. “If you tell that girl there’s a chance her Father is alive then you’re the one selling her hope.”

He was right and I hated it. I didn’t want to keep secrets from her either but I needed more to go on before bringing this to her.

***

I placed a fresh bouquet of roses and tulips on the passenger seat. Something nice for my lady. I checked my phone and stared at the missed call from Rebecca. Avoiding her wasn’t the best option but I didn’t want anything to rock my relationship with Delaine.

Seeing Rebecca reminded me of someone it took me ages to get over. They just looked too similar and it opened up wounds I wanted to keep closed. I was on the road home when Ross called.

I groaned.

“Ross?”

“You’re needed at the pack house.” Ross’ voice came from the car speakers.

“What now?”

“Oscar’s made a decision about the Alpha position.”

I didn’t know he was thinking about anything. I made a U-turn and drove back to the pack house. Can’t a man bring flowers to his woman in peace? I marched into the house and went straight to the secret operations room. Dad and the other high ranks were there.

Reign stood behind her husband’s wheel chair.

“Thanks for joining us brother,” Oscar said.

Yeah, yeah, whatever.

I stood next to Ross.

“I don’t like this,” Ross mumbled.

I’m starting not to.

“I’ve made a decision about the Alpha position. Since I can’t assume my duties for now and Dad’s hell-bent on retirement. I’ve decided to make Reign, active Alpha.”

Ross and I shared a look.

“Are you sure about this?” Evan asked.

Evan barely speaks that says a lot about Reign’s crazy antics and our belief in her leadership skills. Yeah, we’re fucked.

“She’ll make all the decisions from now on. I trust my queen.”

Reign giggled and smiled maniacally. “Thank you, my King.”

He kissed her palm. I didn’t like this at all a rock settled in my gut but I couldn’t explain the anxiety I felt. Reign was the daughter of a high ranking beta so she knew how a pack should be run but I just felt Oscar had made a mistake but only time would tell.

***

“Delanie!” I called when I got home.

Goby bellowed in response. Damn chicken.

She wasn’t in the backyard so I went into our room. The door was partly open. I stopped to watch her on the bed. She had something in her hands and a white carryon bag on the bed beside her.

“Hey, babe.”

She jumped and shoved the box in her hand under her thigh. I dipped my head to the side.

“What are you hiding?”

“Me? Nothing.”

I smirked. She knew I was going to pounce. She didn’t move fast enough. I had her in my arms and subdued.

“No, Ajax, leave me alone.”

“Never.”

“Ugh…”

“What is this?”

I grabbed the box and quickly scanned it before she could snatch it. I wondered how bad it could be then I read what it was.

“Delanie, do you think you’re pregnant?” I asked.

She rolled out of my arms and onto the bed. She stared at me with those big innocent eyes.

“I hope I’m not…”

“You don’t want to have kids with me?”

“That’s all I want,” her voice cracked.

I noticed her eyes were red and her cheeks were slightly puffy.

“I’m just scared Max’s plan worked. Ainsley told me to wait to take the test but I’m nervous. I just want to know.”

I got off the bed and paced to the window. Damn Max. What if Delanie got pregnant with his baby? I couldn’t wrap my head around the possibility.

“But you could smell the baby if I was pregnant right? Can you smell it?”

A smile tugged at my lips. I turned to her. “Yes, but only when the little bugger wants to make himself known.”

“What does that mean?” She frowned.

I sat on the bed and hoisted her onto my lap.

“Every baby has a unique scent but it takes time for the scent to develop.”

“What do we do, Ajax?”

I wrapped her in my arms and held onto her for dear life. I didn’t know what to do.