CHAPTER 005
1185 Words
"What the hell is all this?"
As I flipped through the pile of papers Ricky had left on my desk, I wrinkled my nose. Like he threw a heap of leaves in front of me, pages were strewn all over the place.
"Work, Alpha," he grinned. "You know, the things you're supposed to do between choosing birthday balloons and destroying cities."
I gave a low growl. "I'm at work. What should this be?
"Real estate. The old Magis house is a ruin, and the new owners have just arrived. I'm giving the keys to you. Showing them all the holes and black mould will be enjoyable.
From the other side of the room, Scott added, "Took 'em long enough." "This has been dragging on for weeks."
Ricky gave himself a forehead rub. "They're not drivers."
Scott and I exchanged glances. "What? As if they had come from another state on foot?"
"Yes. literally strolled."
Scott narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure you ran a background check?"
"I tried. There was nothing. Not even a blip. Marcus was unable to find anything. They seem to be nonexistent.
That was not encouraging. The wood creaked beneath me as I reclined in my chair. From the beginning, this deal tasted bad, and it got worse the more I heard.
Scott suggested, "Maybe they're just off-grid people." "Maybe tree huggers."
I rubbed my temples and muttered, "They're a nuisance."
Halfway out the door, Ricky smiled and said, "Just finish the paperwork." "Then we can all move on from this mess."
I threw a crumpled paper ball at him, and he ducked and made a face.
Scott chuckled. "Should I accompany him?"
"No. His phoney realtor smile will make them fall deeply in love. Allow the patrol to monitor the situation.
"The patrol route for the new border has already been altered, correct?"
I gave a nod. "Yes. Additionally, you need to prevent the teenagers from moving and getting stoned over there.
"Like you did?"
"Yeah, back in kindergarten. Leave my office now.
He laughed and walked away. I grabbed a pen and tried to concentrate, but I blinked, making the pile of papers appear to have doubled.
Ricky mind-linked me halfway through.
"I don't think you need to worry, Alpha."
"What are you worried about?"
"The new human."
I stopped. So it's not about pipes. "Why?"
"She's... unique. Maybe twenty-five. Lovely. Very lovely. Not only that, though. Be calm. autonomous. assured. As if she is self-sufficient.
"What makes you say that?"
"She exudes that feeling. carried just one rucksack when I walked here. She had no fear in her eyes. We're already discussing making the place better. If she needed equipment, I told her to go to your dad's workshop.
I tapped my pen on the desk while leaning back. We might have overreacted. "Then return and assist me with this dreadful paperwork."
"No. I have to finish the house's final file. Enjoy yourself, boss.
He severed the connection. Normal.
With a sigh, I turned to the next form. The beach houses have new plumbing. costly. However, we had to have it before summer arrived or we would lose money. I wrote a note to raise the prices and scrawled my signature.
Leaning against the doorframe, Scott reappeared.
"Old man, is your font shrinking?"
"What keeps you here?"
"Dungeon had an odour. Someone needed to clean it, according to Ricky.
I gave an eye roll. "It wasn't that bad."
"He says he'll just throw hibiscus tea on the floor the next time."
"Give him a chance."
"My friend will think you kept me late once more, you know."
"She will survive. I told you to leave.
He elongated. "I've already accused Ricky. Averted crisis.
"When will pup number two arrive?"
He flinched. "Not anytime soon. Even though Katie is only six, she acts sixteen. She has more attitude than I can handle."
"She has a spark."
"She has a death wish," he chuckled. "She manages the house as if she were the Alpha."
"I wonder where she gets that."
Scott leaned closer. "How about Liam? Is he truly going to dominate the pack?
I stopped. "I'm not sure yet. I'll continue to get him ready until he says otherwise."
"What if he's not interested in it? Natalie is unsuited to be a leader.
I let my pen fall. "Scott, where's this coming from? You've spent weeks promoting this subject.
He had a serious expression. "You're going to be forty, Dietrich. Even the King and Alphas are still at odds with you. You won't last forever.
I rested my chin on my laced fingers. "So, I'm too old now?"
He paused. "I didn't say that. I'm telling you to consider the future. At your age, your father retired.
I got up. "You believe you can fight me? Then challenge me. Show me how weak I am.
"Don't misrepresent what I said."
"Until I die, I will serve this pack. I don't care if it's another ten or twenty years. Now concentrate on your work. Start training Katie because she will become Beta one day.
"She won't be Beta."
"She will be unless you provide me with an alternative. I'll train her myself.
He slammed the door behind him and strode off.
I let out a sigh. Perhaps I was growing old. I was still needed by the pack, though. Furthermore, I wasn't resigning for any other reason than a number.
"Alpha?" Are you awake?
I opened an eye and groaned. Wasn't. "What is it?" "The Magis house, I guess." Something is going on. "Now what?" She's taking a shower outside while we were just doing a sweep. Nude.
I took a seat. "And you thought it was wise to tell me this?" "I told Frank that it was not a good idea!" She's really attractive. She also has this scar down her back. Crazy. As if she would smile while tearing out your heart. You are aware that you are intruding and observing. I won't be the least of your concerns if she files charges or worse. Proceed. Right now.' "Yes, Alpha!"
I rolled out of bed with a groan.
"What time is it?" Half asleep, Helena asked.
"Return to your nap. Patrol-related items.
"Then, why are you up?"
"Because I can't sleep again once I'm awake." I am going to prepare coffee.
The machine downstairs brewed with a hiss. Silently, the front door opened. With a sleeping Liam in tow, my dad took over.
"Dad?"
At 8:30, he fainted. I took him home because I didn't want to wake him.
"You always use the front door to sneak kids in?"
He gave a sheepish smile. "Tried to keep quiet. I suppose it didn't work.
I filled two mugs. "Coffee?"
"Yeah, why not?"
Silently, we sipped slowly at the table.
"The new girl. Consider her a problem? I enquired.
He paused to reflect. "I'm not sure yet. She doesn't appear afraid, though. She is intriguing just for that.
I gave a nod. The quiet before the storm. Something was coming—that girl, that house. It wouldn't be easy either.
- Writer
