Chapter 190 Chapter 190
Blair nodded and looked around at everyone. He didn’t feel right asking any of the other women. Turning, he looked back to Kobie, tilting his head to the side in hopes that she’d get what he was asking. She held up her hand, telling him just a minute.
When Blair looked back to the other women, they weren’t there anymore, they were going in the house. “I feel like someone forgot to mention something.” He mused.
Calum patted him on the shoulder and gave him an abrupt nod. “I’m going to make sure Shaelan isn’t alone with that asshole. I’ll be right back.”
Blair stood there, looking around for a moment. Two of the new guards, he needed to find out names, were still out checking the property. He pulled his phone out and checked to see a message from Gage telling him their patrol was clear. Stuffing it back in his pocket, he blew out a breath, he was still going to hold everyone to taking turns running on Ed’s property. He clenched his jaw and looked around the yard. He still didn’t know how they had gotten off the land, but until he did, he wasn’t taking any chances.
“I was hoping he’d be mellower on his return.”
Kobie was right beside him. “So that’s not a one-off?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. “No. He’s been like that as long as I can remember.” She chewed the inside of her cheek for a second. “His wife died a long time ago, then his sister, Nichelle’s mom, disappeared about five years ago. He’s eternally pissed off.”
Blair digested that for a second.
Calum came back. “Did he ever challenge your father?” he asked without preamble.
Kobie opened her mouth, then closed it and shrugged, “not that I’m aware of, but they kept a lot from me.”
Calum turned to see Jay was still sitting there talking to Robbie. “My gut tells me he has.” He motioned toward her brother. “Let’s go ask.”
Blair caught Kobie’s hand as she went to walk away. Lifting their hands, he placed a soft kiss across her knuckles. Despite the new arrivals, he still wanted her to be clear about where they left off. “Want to go for a run after dinner?”
She glanced up at him.
“At Ed’s.” He clarified.
She smiled. “Yes.”
Gage rubbed a hand over his jaw and looked over at Calum. “So he challenged the rightful Alpha and was still part of the clan?”
Calum shrugged and crossed his arms over his chest. “They postponed resolution until they returned.”
Cale sat in the solo chair outside the little building he’d claimed as his own. “What happens now? The challenged Alpha didn’t return.”
“I don’t know. This is a question for Devin or his father.” Calum said quietly.
“Did the women know?” Gage asked.
Blair shook his head, “Kobie had no idea. I don’t think the men of the clan shared a lot with them.” He looked up the lane toward the house. “The mated ones may have known.”
“It’s not like he’s in any shape to challenge Blair right now,” Cale said getting up.
Calum nodded. “The tension it’s going to cause is more the issue right now.”
Blair snorted, “yeah cuz it’s bad enough they survive and manage to get back to the clan and find out some guy took over in their absence.”
Gage grinned at him and then gave Calum a look. “You haven’t taken over yet…”
Blair glared at him, “don’t start.”
“Oh, come on, you rode me hard for years about Kelsey, I’m due some payback.” Gage looked at Calum again.
Cal lifted his hands in defeat, “I’m not getting involved.” He walked by Blair. “He was a dick to me too after Shae.”
“You guys are no fun,” Gage stated.
Blair glanced to Gage, then quickly followed Calum. “Any suggestions?”
Calum didn’t even hesitate. “Put him in his place, quickly, but with respect.”
“Sure. And I do that how?”
Gage and Cale caught up with them.
“No idea.” Calum glanced behind them briefly. “I’m going to find my mate so we can go for a run.”
“Here or Ed’s?” Gage asked.
Calum was silent for a moment. “Ed’s. I want to do a run here when we get back.”
“I’ll go with you.” Cale piped up. “When you get back.”
Blair looked down at the ground. He needed to talk to Kobie about this, to see if she had any ideas on how to put Niles in his place without pissing him off more. He blinked. Was that even possible? The man was filled with so much rage it oozed from his every pore. Blair didn’t blame him, losing his wife then sister, he would be pissed off too, but he had Nichelle and should be put her first now.
“Don’t burst anything important while you’re thinking, there,” Gage said with a grin.
Blair blew out a breath. “I’ll try.” He stopped and looked around. “I’d just like one day where I didn’t have to figure out how the hell to do something.”
Gage smacked him on the shoulder. “You need to spend more time in the shop.”
Blair nodded. “I plan on it as soon as this tidal wave of issues is gone.”
Calum stopped and pulled out his phone. He answered it, then frowned. “Mari?” He looked surprised. “Well, no, Devin can’t do…” He opened his mouth, then snapped it shut, “you can’t just stab everyone with the fork, Marilyn.” He nodded, “I know. I will tell Shae to call you later and then we’ll get to the bottom of it.” He grinned, “no. I’m sure you’d make a wonderful great-aunt, but that’s Shea’s call.” He opened his mouth and then looked down at his phone.
Gage chuckled. “We need to get that fork away from her.”
Calum sighed, “it seems Dev’s been ducking her calls.”
“Who gave her a phone? She wants to use the fork on him?” Gage grinned.
Calum nodded, “yeah. I better go fill Shae in.”
Blair looked at Gage after Cal walked away. “Who is Mari?”
Gage laughed, “I hope you get to meet her soon. It’s Shaelan’s aunt and probably the scariest woman I’ve ever met—in a fun sort of way.”
Blair opened his mouth, then closed it having no idea what to say to that.
“He doesn’t look happy.” Cale motioned to the house.
Blair looked to see Robbie standing there. Alone, looking back at him with a hard expression on his face.
“I’m going to say he’s been filled in,” Calum stated quietly.
“I’ll go grab you a beer.” Cale jogged toward the house.
“Make it two,” Blair told him before he was inside.