117

117

BRADLEY

The day had just begun but I'd already made a few new decisions.

I was going to see all three packs that sat at the top of the list. This was my chance, to get most of them on my side before Damon got to them.

I would go see Jay Cross, because somehow most of the issues fully circled back to him and his pack.

I wanted to find out who was at the head of this, this still mysterious J.

I prepared, wearing my clothes. I would go see Jay this morning, before I did or made any decisions.

On my way to the office, Elias joined me.

“Alpha, our men are preparing our weapons for war," he said.

I liked that, "I need everything fully stocked, armies from the other packs under us. I won't be making the first moves but I can sense him coming”

My senses had alerted me already. It wasn't too far and I needed as much information as I could before it began.

"I'll do that, Alpha, a parcel came in.” he handed me an envelope.

I could already smell it before I opened it, the Whitemore pack.

I opened it wondering what could be in it.

The Whitemore pack invites you to their regular hunting expedition, a night away. You are cordially invited, your presence will be appreciated. It will be taking place in the central hunting field.

Yours sincerely,
Loras Whitemore.

I folded the letter; this had simply presented another opportunity, but one I was still unsure about. What if it was simply a trap?

Our packs weren't exactly close so I would play it safe.

“You go for this, make sure to ask him as many questions as you can about this, keep backup," I ordered.

I didn't want any serious fatalities, not yet.

I took care of some stuff in my office, arranging the order in which the packs would use their army before heading to Diana's room.

She hadn't been out all morning, not even for our training. I wondered if she was sick.

I knocked on her door and waited. I could use her code to get in, but I didn't want to intrude on her privacy.

The door opened a few moments later, her dark eyes meeting mine.

I couldn't help the way my eyes roamed down her body, she had worn shorts, and I could see her thighs. The urge to hold them was tearing at my insides.

“Eyes up here," she said softly.

My eyes trailed back up slowly, past her toned stomach to her face. I noticed the dark eyes then, as if she hadn't rested all night.

“Are you okay?" Although I already knew the answer to that.

She shrugged, “What do you think"

Her voice was cracked; she had been crying. I wanted to hold her, pull her into me but I decided to hold back. I would be here if she needed me.

“I'm going to see Jay Cross," I told her. I wanted to change the subject and take her mind away from her sadness.

Her eyes lit up mildly, “You're not coming" I told her quickly, amusement filling me.

I knew she would want to come with me when I told her.

Her face dropped in disappointment, “Why can't I?"

“It's more business-related, really." A lie, but I didn't want her to leave the pack surroundings, not even if she was with me. Damon could do anything and I didn't want her getting harmed.

A look flashed past her face, one I didn't catch.

“Alright then, be careful," she said, her tone resigned.

I wanted to lean in, give her a kiss but I held back. I wanted her to come to me of her own accord.

I began to walk away, “Wait" she stopped me.

I turned around to see why, she was right behind me when I turned.

Her hands slid up my chest to behind my head, pulling me down slightly and leaning up to meet my lips.

I couldn't help the way my heart rate quickened at the contact with her soft lips. Her tongue slipped into my mouth and I pulled her in closer.

She bit my lips, which caused me to let out a growl. Fuck, what was she doing to me?

Suddenly she stepped back, our lips departing against my wishes.

I heard her breath, its quickness. She had been just as affected as I had been.

“Good luck today," she said, turning around and going into her room.

My hands combed through my hair in sexual frustration. Was that a sign? Was she finally slowly accepting me?

I adjusted myself and went to the car. I would drive myself there but accompanied by a few other wolves.

I only trusted myself to go as fast as I wanted.

The kiss lingered on my mind persistently but I pushed it back so that I could think back to what the plans for the day were.

I drove past the speed limit, much higher than was appropriate; I wanted to be fast. Plus, I hadn't made an appointment with him, so it might be difficult to catch him.

Though I doubted that, he was too hospitable to leave me stranded.

Contrary to the forty minutes that it would have taken me to reach here, I was in the state in twenty minutes.

I pulled into the parking lot of his office building, and there was a lot of space to park in, so I chose the one closest to the entrance.

I walked into the building, heading directly to his office but a voice stopped me.

“Sir" it called. I turned to see it was his receptionist.

I raised a brow.

“Any appointment? Who do you want to see please?" She asked politely.

“Jay Cross, I'm Bradley Blackwood" I introduced.

At my name, she stood straight up, all her senses alert, she knew who I was, and I then. Good.

“I'll be going to see him then," I said, continuing my journey to his office.

The door was open when I arrived. Just as I was about to enter, his beta walked out. I could smell it on him: fear.

He greeted me, avoiding eye contact, and walked away.

I walked into his office where Jay Cross sat, back straight. His eyes flashed with surprise at my presence.

“You're here?" He stood up presenting his hand for a handshake.

I took it before taking a seat. There was no pleasantry to be had. I went straight to business.

I pulled out my laptop, pulling up the files and showing them to him one by one.

He read each document carefully, his facial expressionless as he went on. None of it seemed to have shocked him unless he was that good at hiding his expression.

When he finished, he passed it back to me.

“So, what do you have to say about you being on this list?" I asked.

He let out a deep breath, clearing his throat before he spoke.

"I mean, it's all there. What else is there to stay?” He said shrugging.

For the first time, I felt blind hot rage towards Jay Cross at his dismissive answer.

"Come on, say something” I managed to say.

He stood up, hands in his pockets, and began to pace his office. "All this happened before I became alpha, all good. I knew my father had shady deals, but then I can't explain how my pack is still on that list years after I've been alpha,” he finally said.

So, he was saying he didn't know anything about it?

He turned to me, "Although I do have my suspicions”

I paid more attention to those words, the bull shit of no knowledge had been tiring.

"What are they?” I asked.

"It could be one of two things, my father set everything up before he died, so he has his loyal men working in here with me,” he gestured to the building, indicating his company.

"Or what?” I asked to know his second reason.

"He's somewhere controlling everything himself. He had always been a control freak” he said.

I felt the anger that had subsided rise again. Did I maybe look like a fool?

“Your father is dead," I said simply.

He nodded, “That's what everyone says, but then that accident came out of nowhere. He was driving." Jay let out a huff, “Dad would never have crashed. He was that great of a driver"

I stared at him, I didn't know anything other than one thing, dead people didn't come back to life.

“You found his body?" I asked.

He nodded, “But then, was it really hidden? He was charred beyond recognition, we could only guess from his scent"

I stopped before he could continue, “That's enough proof. Someone is working within your company and for continued and prolonged peace between both packs, I need you to root them out.” I began.

His look changed, from thoughtfulness into a sort of defensive stare.

Of course, he didn't like being ordered around, but I also didn't care.

"I'll do what I please, Mr Bradley,” he said before I could finish my sentence.

I stood up, I needed to remember he was an ally, I couldn't make an enemy out of him.

So I clenched my fists and contained my anger. "You understand why I said so? The completion of this experiment is going to displace each of us”

He relaxed nodding in agreement. "I'll do what I can,” he extended his hand for a shake, and I took it. Our sign of peace.

"You don't know anything else about this?” I asked before leaving.

"I don't, just as much as you do
And that Damon Underwood, he knows more than any of us” he said, a fact I already knew.

But he wouldn't talk, and I wasn't going to get him to talk, not unless it was in a bath of his blood.