The Alpha's Diversion

Blowing Off Steam

Addis.

Dust swirled around the truck as Addis slid to an abrupt stop in front of their makeshift quarters. There were roughly built cabins, a large building with a kitchen, dining area, and den where they spent most of their down time, and old army tents scattered around as additional housing. Addis and Alpha Josah agreed that they didn’t want to make the Susi pack nervous by making it appear too permanent, especially as it was steadily growing larger. They also agreed that Addis would keep a house closer to the Susi packhouse, so that the Susis would continue to trust him. Flint, Jeb, and Reed, along with a few other original Penumbra members, lived here with the new recruits.

The cool dirt felt good under his bare feet as he jumped out of the truck to meet Reed and Jeb, who were already walking towards him. Reed’s eyebrows were burrowed in concern as he studied Addis, which made him certain that Flint had already let the news slip about the pretty bartender.

“Still know how to make an entrance, I see?” Jeb smirked as he faked a cough from the cloud of dust the truck had kicked up. “It’s good to see your ugly face again, brother,” he said as he clapped Addis on the back.

“Wish I could say the same,” Addis joked.

The relationship between the men was unusually close, more like brothers than anything else. Although it wasn’t always obvious, they already regarded him as their Alpha. None present would hesitate to defend the others with their life. The trust they had in one another was unrivaled.

“So, tell me about the new recruit.”

Reed let down the tailgate and took a seat. “Name’s Viktor. He’s pretty young. Originally from the Dark Paw pack—”

Addis’ expression was enough to interrupt Reed, who chuckled, raising his hands in mock defense. “I know, I know. But we technically have no bad blood with Dark Paw and hear me out. He lost his mate a few years ago, went a little crazy, and he has no intentions of ever going back. He was an omega…you know how hard life can be for omegas in that pack.”

Jeb wrapped his arm around Addis’ shoulder. “And the best part? He had a run in with Dagger’s son, Blade, last year. Left him with a few nasty scars and a grudge.”

“Is it enough?”

Reed shrugged. “Yeah, he’s a good guy. He’s ready to be part of a pack again, just not a pack that reminds him of his mate. Bringing down the Sloan’s is only an added bonus for him. He knew Dagger from when he was lead warrior in the Dark Paw pack. Thinks he’s a major asshole. And he obviously has no love for the son.”

“Have you seen him fight?”

“He stepped in to help us out during a scuffle we had with a few rogues outside the Terra Moon pack. He held his own. He needs to train, but he’s got natural skill.”

“Alright,” Addis turned away from the truck and started towards the training grounds. “I’m ready to see for myself.”

Reed pushed off the tailgate as he joined Jeb and Addis. “Is there anything else you want to talk about first?”

“Nope.”

Jeb bumped against his shoulder. “Nothing at all?”

Addis kept walking.

“Flint mentioned you met someone at The Village Vault.”

“No one I’m interested in. Leave it alone, Jeb.”

“Yeah, he mentioned she may already be taken.”

Addis let out a low growl but kept walking, this time with more purpose.

Reed was silent. Addis’ posture was enough to warn him off. But Jeb? He liked to push the envelope. It was what his father loved about him. He was the type that made you want to kill him and hug him, all in the span of a moment.

“Hey, there’s no shame in it, brother. If she’s more into rogues than Alphas, then that’s her loss. I’m sure it’s not because you’ve lost your touch. If he’s already taking care of her in bed, it may be too difficult of a job to sway her.”

The training session turned out to be just what Addis needed. If Jeb regretted teasing Addis, he didn’t show it, instead laughing as he rubbed his jaw where a bruise was beginning to form. They were laid out on the grass with some of the others, letting the light breeze and the warm sun dry the sweat on their bodies as pure exhaustion took over them, and with it, a few moments of complete contentment.

Adrenaline enables you to do things you couldn’t usually do, gives you energy and courage when you need it. But the feeling that comes when you have given every bit of yourself and then given some more? It’s almost like a drug. The end of a hard training session was the only time Addis felt truly relaxed.

Reed’s quiet voice interrupted the calm. “You’re really not going to go after your mate, Addis? Is that what you want?”

Addis sighed deeply, looking over at his friend. Reed had known him since childhood, knew him better than anyone, perhaps. He was a couple of years older, and Addis had leaned heavily on him when they first arrived at the Susi pack.

“I have to stay focused on the task, Reed. And I couldn’t do that with her. It’s complicated.”

“I don’t think it’s as complicated as you’re making it out to be. What’s the harm in talking to her?”

“I can’t be with her, so there’s no point. Listen, I appreciate your concern. But I don’t want to talk about this, alright?”

Addis’ dark mood returned with the short exchange, and he pushed off from the grass to leave, wanting to be alone. He knew he was going to have to figure out how to get his feelings in check, and quickly. Until he figured that out, his wolf was going to be doing a lot of running off steam.