Revenge of the fallen Beta

Chapter 07

　　It wasn't a bad party, as far as these things go. The food was delicious, the music was pumping, and everyone was friendly and welcoming. They also seemed relaxed. It appeared that with the absence of the Alpha and Beta, the guests were prepared to let their hair down.

　　Cara was mingling happily and was enjoying getting to know some of the new pack members. She had started the night wondering if she would have much in common with anyone, but was relieved to find they really were just werewolves like her, no better and no worse.

　　She had agreed to a secret signal with Dane so that if she was in an awkward or uncomfortable situation, he could sweep in and get her out of it, but so far she hadn’t needed it.

　　“Gamma Sam,” greeted Cara as he approached. “I’m Cara Nordstrom. Alpha Lucas was right, you do know how to throw a decent party.”

　　“Lovely to meet you, Cara. Glad you’re having a good time. Allow me to introduce my mate Kelly,” he said, gesturing to a dark-haired woman who was smiling brightly. “I can’t take all the credit.”

　　“He had very little to do with it,” replied Kelly, lovingly teasing her mate. It was easy to see the genuine affection and love they had for one another. “Come with me, Cara. I’ll introduce you to the other ladies.”

　　Cara did the rounds with Kelly, meeting new people and making connections. She was in awe of the effortless way Kelly worked the room. She was the perfect host.

　　Dane played his part and kept glancing over at her to see if she was alright. After a while, it appeared she had settled in and was enjoying herself, and his glances became less about her welfare, and more about checking out her perfect silhouette that was packed into a tight burnt orange dress. He wondered how much longer he had to put in here before he could take her home and remove it from her.

　　She caught him in the act and gave a discreet little jiggle of her butt for his benefit.

　　“You’re in trouble when we get home,” he mind-linked her, adjusting his pants.

　　“I should hope so,” she replied, moving out of his line of sight.

　　As he pondered whether to go pick her up and carry her home over his shoulder, he found himself cornered in the kitchen by one of his warriors. Wei Liu was a prototype warrior: tall, imposing, and with straight, jet-black hair that was pulled up into a bun on top, and left to fall freely on the back and sides. However, there was one asset that was missing, and that was bulk. Something Dane would certainly sort out with some hard training.

　　Wei wasn’t going to let slip the chance to schmooze with his new superior. Dane tolerated it because if he had to make small talk, he’d rather it be about warrior stuff than architecture or something equally boring.

　　“By all reports, this is a pretty exclusive event. How did you score an invite?” Dane asked.

　　“Gamma Sam and I are friends. He used to be in the warrior army with me until about five years ago. In fact, he was quite high up.”

　　“Used to? What do you mean, used to?”

　　A warrior doesn’t leave the army unless they’re badly injured, they reach discharge age, or they get promoted to pack leadership, but Sam had only received a rank recently.

　　“He got an, um, early retirement.” Wei looked uncomfortable, and Dane knew he was hiding something.

　　“For what?” he pressed, his tone leaving Wei little option but to talk.

　　“There was, err, an… incident,” said Wei, his eyes darting nervously around the room as he seemed to seek out an exit route. “I’m sorry, I’ve already said too much.”

　　Wei began to turn away but Dane gripped his shoulder and stopped him, passing a very strong smelling whiskey to him.

　　“I can ask the Gamma about it, or I can talk to you about how we can advance your position in my new army,” he said with a smile, patting Wei on the back.

　　He searched the room, looking for Cara as Wei gulped and nervously took a sip of his drink. And that’s when he saw an ambush that was just as good as the one he pulled off with the rogues at Mawson’s Hollow: Lucas was chatting to Cara.

　　He’d known Lucas for a couple of years, he was a snob through and through. There was no way he would be seen at a party with guests this low in the pecking order, and Dane instantly knew it was a setup. He was here because he knew Cara would be here… because he invited her.

　　Part of him wanted to march over and make his presence known. To rain on Lucas’ parade and stake his claim on Cara. But as he glanced back at his increasingly inebriated new pal, he made the decision that he had bigger fish to fry tonight. Right now it was more important to get some information on the Gamma, and by giving Cara some space it would show her how much trust he had.

　　Whilst Dane could certainly hold his drink, he had still made sure the Nordic drinking game he had Wei playing was unfairly stacked in his favour. He was handing Wei double whiskeys, to the singles he was hiding behind his large hand he had gripped on the tumbler.

　　After downing three more drinks in five minutes, Wei was a bit wobbly as Dane led him outside onto the deck, where they were alone.

　　“I need to know the real reason Gamma Sam was discharged from the army, and you’re going to tell me,” he demanded.

　　“I-I can’t betray Sam’s trust,” Wei replied, swaying slightly now the cold night air was hitting his face.

　　Dane leant in and menacingly stood over Wei, his large frame solid and intimidating.

　　“His trust will be the least of your problems if you don’t tell me what you know. You’re under my command until retirement, or death. Either way, it will be fun for me,” he growled, finishing his drink. “You need to decide whether it’s going to be as fun for you. Your choice.”

　　Wei wilted, as Dane knew he would.

　　“There was an incident, ok? He accidentally killed a pack member,” Wei said quietly, his eyes roving the deck. “I helped him bury the body, and he bribed Bruno to give him a discharge with full indemnity.”

　　Dane couldn’t believe his luck. This was bigger than he expected, although he wished he hadn't already killed Bruno. He could have been quite useful now.

　　“See, that wasn’t so hard. Now, one more thing. Where’s the body?”

　　“In the forest near the watchout hut on the way to Mawson’s Hollow,” conceded Wei, his last secret gone.

　　Dane playfully slapped Wei on the cheek as he walked away. “You’ve done well, Wei. I think you’ll have a bright future in my army.”

　　As he headed inside, his luck continued. The Alpha had received a mind-link and left to attend to some urgent business. He sidled up to Cara and gave her a kiss as he immersed himself in small talk with an architect. Some things can’t be avoided, after all.