Chapter 45: Get Into Living With An Asshole Wolf

The lessons went on as usual, but my mind was busy. I wondered what Alpha Kane was doing and if it had anything to do with threats. I hoped he’d tell me if he found out anything else.

Jackson took advantage of my distracted state and managed to tackle me to the ground twice. Mind you, I was pushing off with the same force and took him down at least a dozen times.

Sophia didn’t disappoint when she was paired with Cassie. Every time Jackson and I heard Cassie yelp or groan, we both had to fight back the urge to fall over laughing. Sophia’s anger and general dislike for Cassie pushed her to train harder, earning praise from Beta.

With ten minutes left in the workout, Alpha Kane came back into the room. I pulled an old t-shirt over my sports bra and waited for Sophia and Jackson.

"Zara, come here," Alpha Kane snapped, continuing his conversation with Beta.

"Yes, Alpha?" I couldn’t help but add a touch of condescension to my voice.

Alpha Kane shot me an irritated look, and his honey eyes darkened a few shades.

"Zara, you’re moving into my palace on Monday." Alpha Kane didn’t ask; his tone made it clear. "Beta will gather men to bring your things to the palace. You just need to pack them."

"Uh, excuse me?" I squeaked, and Beta raised an eyebrow.

"This is either going to be dangerous or fun." Nova muttered, "Either way, I’m here."

I was still processing Alpha Kane’s words. Only Alpha and Beta inhabited Alpha Kane’s magnificent palace. The thought of living under the same roof with Alpha Kane was both tempting and terrifying. How much trouble could I get into living with an asshole wolf?

"Do I have to repeat myself, Zara?" Alpha Kane blurted out my name, and I couldn’t help but glance at his lips.

Sophia and Jackson were standing ten feet away, clearly listening to our conversation.

"No, I heard you." I rolled my eyes and ignored Beta’s chuckle. "Don’t I have a say?"

"No, not at all," Alpha Kane replied, unfazed.

Beta stood silently, watching our conversation unfold.

"What about the rest of my family?" I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at Alpha Kane.

"You’re the one in danger," Alpha Kane snapped. "I’m not inviting your entire family to live in my palace."

"Oh, I bet you’ll be so miserable," I growled.

Alpha Kane’s eyes were almost dark now. He closed them, pinched the bridge of his nose, and exhaled sharply. When he opened them, his eyes were honey-colored again.

"Do you always have to be so cocky?" Alpha Kane winced, and I shrugged.

My heart was fluttering from our heated conversation, excitement bubbling around us from our closeness. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy arguing with Alpha Kane, but in the pack, not in his damn office. He had this primal... Dominance that made any argument fun.

"Yes," I replied in the same tone. "It makes life more interesting."

"Zara, by Monday, you’ll be moving into my palace. Not your family. You," Alpha Kane growled, sending a delicious shiver through me. "If I come back on Monday and find you haven’t moved in, I’ll be sore."

Alpha Kane turned and started to walk away, Beta Hunter on his heels.

"Wait!" I called out, finally reaching my thick skull. "What do you mean, come back? Where are you going?"

I ran up to Alpha Kane, forced to run to keep up with him.

"I don’t think it’s any of your business, Zara," Alpha Kane murmured thoughtfully, giving me a stern look. He didn’t slow his pace.

I let out a disappointed grunt and jumped up in front of Kane. Beta stopped abruptly, but Alpha Kane was unfazed.

Alpha Kane crashed into me like a freight train, his dark eyes looking down at me as I backed away. "I won’t take no for an answer," Alpha Kane muttered under his breath, running a hand through his already tousled hair.

"Of course I won’t," I smirked, but my smug satisfaction was cut short when I felt myself being thrown backwards into the brick wall of the grounds.

"What are you doing? Where are you hitting me?" I muttered, looking up at Alpha Kane’s towering form.

"Why won’t you listen to me?" Alpha Kane hissed, his face inches from mine.

Instead of fear, I was filled with excitement.

"If you want me to move into your palace, tell me where you’re going," I snapped, pouting.

"Zara." Alpha Kane took another calming breath. "If you tell anyone about this, you’ll regret coming back. Understood?"

"Understood." I nodded, a satisfied smile spreading across my face. Alpha Kane’s threat was terrifying, but I couldn’t believe he was harming me. The thought just didn’t fit in my head.

"Other packs have been attacked. Similar to ours," Alpha Kane said quietly, his warm breath fanning my face. "I visit these packs, study the nature of the attacks."

I frowned. "Why are you keeping this a secret?"

"Whoever is organizing these attacks can’t know I’m away for the weekend," Alpha Kane murmured. "Only you and Beta know."

Amazement washed over me. Alpha Kane trusted me.

"I won’t tell anyone," I promised, my heart fluttering.

"Okay. Since the office will be closed, you’ll join the patrol team tonight," Alpha Kane nodded. "See you Monday morning, Zara."

Alpha Kane’s gaze darted to the three who were watching our every move. Jackson, Sophia, and Beta Hunter were all watching us. A deep blush spread across my face as I realized they had seen Alpha Kane pin me against the wall. At least they hadn’t heard the entire conversation.

Beta followed Alpha Kane, giving me a wide grin and a quick wink. My excited mind didn’t have time to process the meaning of the wink. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"That was hot." Sophia’s gaze darted after Alpha Kane. "Goddess, please let my friend be like that."

"Sophia, if your friend ever did that, you’d punch him in the face." I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"You’re absolutely right." Sophia shrugged. Our voices echoed in the silence, but even our laughter couldn’t dispel the scent of threat that lingered.

***