Chapter 51 Lost time
~ Dagan's POV ~
“Stay here and keep watch over the pack house. I will go with the others to check the situation at the border,” Kael said to me, and in that moment I could not have been more pleased with the order he had given. I was not interested in going with them anyways.
“Will do, Alpha,” I replied in a calm and reassuring tone, watching as he turned and left with the others, their presence fading from the pack house one step at a time.
The moment they were gone, my composure cracked. Annoyance surged to the surface as I walked back into the pack house, my footsteps echoing faintly through the corridors. The west border had just been attacked, and although the attack itself had been orchestrated by me, my anger burned hot because it had not been carried out exactly the way I had instructed. That single mistake could shift variables I had carefully accounted for, and it threatened the outcome I was working so hard to achieve.
As I reached my office door, I pulled my phone from my pocket, already rehearsing the words I intended to unleash on the person responsible. Before I could unlock the door, Elder Cross appeared in front of me, forcing me to pause. He tilted his head slightly as his eyes settled on me, studying me as though he was not entirely certain of what he was seeing.
“Beta Dagan?” he called out, hesitation clear in his voice.
“Elder Cross, good evening,” I greeted him politely, letting my hand drop away from the door handle.
“You did not leave with Alpha?” he asked, stepping closer until he stood directly in front of me, his presence an unwanted obstruction.
“No, I didn't,” I answered evenly. “Someone has to remain behind to watch over the pack house.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “That is true. Our security needs improvement. We must start prioritizing the safety of our people.”
I nodded in agreement, though inwardly I was growing impatient. I needed him to finish whatever point he was building toward so I could make an important call, one that would allow me to release some of the frustration coiled tightly inside me. I was preparing to offer a generic response about tightening patrols when it became clear he was not done speaking.
“I understand Alpha’s reasons for keeping the witch here,” he continued, his voice measured, “but if her presence puts our people at risk, then we should hand her over and focus on strengthening our defenses against whatever threat is coming.”
For a moment, I wondered if I had heard him correctly.
“You do realize that saying something like that would have you accused of treason against your Alpha if he heard you,” I said, keeping my tone neutral.
He nodded as though he had expected my response. “Of course he would. He is being influenced by witchcraft, whether he realizes it or not. Iron Fang was never meant to have dealings with witches. Now we are drawing attacks upon ourselves because of her.”
I laughed silently to myself. Elders were supposed to be wise, yet his hatred had blinded him completely. Even knowing the importance of the witch, he still believed letting her go was the solution.
That blindness, however, could be useful.
“You make a valid point, Elder Cross,” I said calmly. “I understand your concern, but Alpha will not accept such a suggestion easily.”
“That is why you must speak to him,” he pressed. “You are his Beta. You are closest to him, and you have sense. Talk to him. A good leader listens.”
“Thank you for the advice,” I replied smoothly. “I will try to speak with him. Hopefully, he will listen.”
Satisfied at last, he gave a short nod and walked away.
The faint smile that had been stirring inside me finally reached my lips. When the time came, Elder Cross would be one of the easiest pieces to move into place.
I entered my office and lowered myself into my chair, the familiar space grounding me as my thoughts returned to unfinished business. I picked up my phone and dialed the number, but just as it began to ring, a presence appeared outside my office door. I ended the call immediately, irritation flashing through me.
A knock sounded moments later. Even though I already recognized the scent, I asked, “Who is it?”
“It’s Brenda. Can I come in?” she asked.
I granted permission, knowing the call would have to wait until later, when I had the privacy of my bedroom.
Brenda stepped into the office wearing a loose dress that brushed the tops of her thighs. The sight of her stirred something familiar and unwelcome in my gut.
“I heard about the attack at the west border,” she said as she approached. My eyes followed the slow sway of her hips until she stopped directly in front of me. “If you are still here, then I assume it was not that serious.”
“I am still here because someone has to watch over the pack house,” I replied, my tongue briefly grazing my lips. “The Alpha and the others have gone to assess the situation.”
“Good,” she said. “I just hope that if he catches whoever is behind it, he does not let them walk free like he did Taren. That judgment still makes my blood boil.”
“Forget Kael,” I said, deliberately steering the conversation elsewhere. “I did not see you yesterday. Did you forget our arrangement?”
“I had a lot on my mind,” she replied with a slight eye roll. “I fell asleep before the time.”
“Well, now that you are here,” I said, my hand drifting to my belt, “we can make up for lost time.”
“Slow down, Dagan,” she said lightly. “This is your office. I will come to your room later.”
I shook my head. “Some of the best sex ever recorded happened in an office setting . I think this is exactly the right place and the right time.”
I lowered my zipper, freeing my already bulging cock. “Come work your magic, girl.”