Handle It
1226 Words
Ralph’s POV
“So Travis, the elite warrior tournament is in two weeks. Tell me something useful for once. Did you get in contact with them?” I asked while leaning back in my chair, swirling bourbon through the crystal glass like I didn’t already know the answer.
My beta stood across from the desk with that smug look he always wore whenever violence was involved. Travis enjoyed his work far too much, but honestly, that was exactly why I kept him around.
“Yes, Alpha. Everything’s arranged. She won’t survive the event, sir.”
A slow grin pulled across my face.
Finally. After years of waiting. Years of pretending. Years of watching that pathetic excuse for a wolf breathe air she didn’t deserve. Traci’s end was finally within reach.
“Good,” I muttered, rubbing my palms together. “And her name’s officially on the roster?”
“Yes, Alpha. Registered and approved.”
I let out a satisfied hum before taking a long sip of bourbon. Expensive. Smooth. Aged properly unlike half the idiots in this pack. “Perfect. Once she’s gone, everything falls into place.”
Travis nodded once. “The rogues requested half payment beforehand. Remaining balance gets transferred once the job is complete. Should I handle it?”
I laughed under my breath. “Of course. What else would you be doing? Organizing flower arrangements?”
His mouth twitched with amusement. “I’ll take care of it immediately.”
“And Travis,” I added, setting my glass down carefully, “make sure she’s barely standing before the tournament even starts. I want her weak. Exhausted. Injured. By the time she steps into that arena, she shouldn’t have the strength to defend herself.”
A dark gleam flashed in his eyes. “Already working on it, Alpha.”
That was the thing about Travis. The man heard cruelty and treated it like a hobby.
“Excellent.” I grabbed the bourbon bottle again and poured another round for both of us. “To victory.”
“To finally getting rid of a problem,” he corrected.
Even better.
Before I could answer, the office doors slammed open hard enough to rattle the walls.
“Daddy!”
I sighed immediately. Darci stormed inside dramatically, blonde curls bouncing while tears threatened her eyes like she’d suffered some tragic injustice instead of a mild inconvenience.
“Sunshine,” I said patiently, “you do realize doors exist for opening normally, correct? What happened now?”
“That wench disappeared!” she snapped, stomping her foot. “My laundry isn’t done, breakfast wasn’t made, my room’s still dirty, and she’s nowhere in the packhouse.”
Ah. So Traci had inconvenienced my daughter. That alone deserved punishment.
Darci crossed her arms with an offended pout. “I had to look for clothes myself. It was honestly traumatizing.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. How brave of her. “Beta Travis,” I barked.
He straightened instantly.
“Find Traci. Now. Then remind her exactly what happens when she neglects responsibilities.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Darci huffed dramatically. “All my outfits are dirty. I have absolutely nothing to wear.”
I glanced toward her overflowing closet mentally filled with enough designer gowns to clothe half the kingdom.
“Truly devastating,” I deadpanned.
She ignored the sarcasm entirely. “And I’m starving.”
“Of course you are.”
“I could’ve fainted.”
“Yet somehow you survived long enough to complain about it.”
Travis coughed into his fist to hide a laugh. Darci glared at him.
I held back my own amusement before reaching into the desk drawer and tossing her my black credit card. “Go shopping. Take guards with you.”
Her entire mood shifted instantly. “Thank you, Daddy!” She snatched the card like it might disappear before the office doors opened again.
My mate Serena stepped inside gracefully, elegant as always in a fitted crimson dress that hugged every curve perfectly. Unlike Darci, Serena understood how power worked. She wore confidence naturally.
“Well,” she mused while kissing my cheek softly, “someone sounds dramatic.”
“Traci failed her chores,” Darci answered instantly.
Serena gasped theatrically. “How ever shall we survive?”
Darci rolled her eyes. “Momma.”
My mate smiled before turning serious. “The tournament’s close,” she said. “You’ll need new gowns anyway. Every important family in the kingdom will attend, including the kings.”
Darci’s entire expression brightened again. “Oooh,” she squealed. “What if one of them’s my mate?”
I nearly choked on bourbon.
Serena smirked. “Then you better look unforgettable.”
“And if they’re not,” Darci said arrogantly while flipping her hair over one shoulder, “they’ll still want me.”
That confidence definitely came from Serena. Possibly the attitude too.
“Go,” my mate laughed. “Before every decent boutique gets picked clean.”
Darci hurried out excitedly, already talking through the mindlink with friends about dresses and jewelry.
The moment the doors shut, Serena turned toward me. “Tell me honestly,” she said quietly. “Is everything truly arranged?”
I stood from my chair slowly and walked toward the massive office windows overlooking the pack grounds. “Yes.”
“The Rogue King accepted?” She asked with one brow raised.
“He’s sending elite fighters personally.”
“And Darren?”
I smirked coldly. “Alpha Darren pledged support as well. Several warriors from Dancing River will enter the competition. Between rogues and Darren’s men, Traci won’t survive long enough to become a problem.”
Serena finally relaxed. “My Alpha,” she purred softly while walking closer. Her fingers slid along my chest before she settled onto my lap. “You’re certain?”
I brushed my hand across her thigh lazily. “Completely.”
“And what exactly should I worry about then?”
“Nothing besides me.”
A soft laugh escaped her lips. “And how may I please my Alpha?”
Before she could continue, Travis’ voice slammed through the mindlink.
“Alpha.” I closed my eyes slowly. “This better matter,” I growled.
“It does. I found Traci.”
Immediately interested, I leaned back slightly. “Where?”
“Outside. Walking around the packhouse like she didn’t have responsibilities.”
My jaw tightened.
Walking. While my daughter searched for clean clothes. The audacity.
“I’m taking her to the dungeon now,” Travis continued. “Thought you’d appreciate hearing that personally.”
A cruel smile spread across my face. “Oh, I absolutely do.”
Serena shifted against me, listening carefully.
“Use silver,” I ordered coldly. “Wolfsbane too if necessary. I want permanent damage this time. Make sure she suffers.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“And Travis?”
“Yes sir?”
“Don’t disappoint me.”
The link closed. Serena tilted her head slightly. “Dungeon?”
I nodded once. “Traci apparently forgot her place.”
A pleased hum left my mate’s throat. “Good. Later today I’ll find another excuse to discipline her myself.”
“Make it memorable.”
Serena smiled beautifully. “Oh, trust me,” she whispered. “I fully intend to.”
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