CALIFF
Since I dodged Everlee’s phone call, I didn’t have any idea she would come knocking on my door early in the morning. I could be rude and ruthless, but I also wanted to address that I wanted to end whatever relationship we had formally.
I had a feeling things would not end well for me if I kept allowing my sexual exploit with Everlee to stay longer. We were not mates. She understood that. I had a need, but I also had obligations to my pack and my mate. That was my top priority.
After our short talk, she finally left my room willingly. I also made a point to avoid paying me a visit to my house.
I sighed as soon as the door shut after her, but I was barged in with a familiar scent that made my wolf almost cheer and howl at the same time.
I quickly pulled the door open and found Shadow in front of her door-the stench of another man’s smell on her brought out the possessive, animalistic temperament in me. Before I could compose myself, I was already growling at her.
“Why the fuck do I smell the stench of another man on you?”
“I could ask you the same thing, Alpha?” Her eyes widened as she gulped. “Oh, my Goddess. Sorry.” She pressed her lips together.
She was in her workout outfit. She was also sweaty. My guess was she went to the gym to train because her challenge would be in two days.
“You answer me, rogue.”
“Zack helped me train since he offered, and I am literally in uncharted territory, and everyone hates my guts. So I accepted his offer.”
“Why you didn’t ask me?”
“Ask you for permission? It just happened he offered after helping me out in the kitchen last night.”
“No. Asking for my help.” I was losing my shit. I shouldn’t have done that. She couldn’t get the idea that I was giving her special treatment.
“I’m fine.” Her voice raised. “This is a membership or entrance challenge anyway. I don’t want them to think that I have a special privilege from the Alpha.”
“You don’t.” I locked my jaw. I knew those kids had been giving her a hard time in Zack’s defense because they thought she was disrespectful toward the enforcers.
I knew everything that happened in the compound, but she and Zack training each other hadn’t been reported to me.
“Good. I thought so.” She shrugged her shoulder.
“What’s that supposed to mean, little rogue?”
“Nothing, Alpha. I’ll be in the office in an hour. I guess my punishment should be lifted since I already paid off my three-day penalty.”
“Yes.”
“Do I get a phone call privilege?”
“No.” I showed no flicker of conscience or emotion. I wasn’t done talking. Her eyes filled with sorrow as she nodded.
She didn’t insist because she knew she wouldn’t get what she wanted once I said no. Her shoulder sagged as she twisted the door open.
“I’m not done.”
“Yeah. What can I do for you?” She gulped.
“After your challenge. Whether you win or not, I’m taking you to meet Kent.”
“Really?” Her beautiful eyes lit up.
“Yeah.” And now I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. Damn it.
“I heard from Zack that I get paid to work for you.”
I groaned.
“It’s okay if I don’t get paid. I’ll ask for some cash from Kent. Once I become a part of your pack, I’ll be allowed to work outside, right?”
“You’re not asking money from Kent. I will give you money.”
“I can’t. I won’t take it.”
“Did I say you can defy me?”
Her throat worked. Good. She should learn it by now.
“Get a shower. I hate that smell on you.”
She lifted her underarm, sniffing it. “I was just about to shower when you talked to me. Good morning, Alpha.” She entered her room without even waiting for me to reply.
I called Zack on the phone. We only used our link in case of emergency.
“Alpha, good morning.”
“I heard you trained Shadow.”
“I apologize. I didn’t mean to cross the line.”
“It’s fine. You can train her. How’s she doing so far?”
“Oh. She’s good. I’m surprised she didn’t crash my windpipe that day because I feel like she’s stronger than most of our enforcers. She could be a good one if Lyon needs additional enforcers.”
“No. She won’t be working with you. Just train her harder. I want to see her ready for the challenge in two days.”
“Thank you for the opportunity.”
“No problem. And Zack.”
“Yes, Alpha?”
“Keep it professional. She’s off limits.”
“Of course, Alpha.”
***
“What’s wrong, honey?” My mother asked as she poured a steaming tea into the teacup.
I had to get away from Shadow for a while. I should be ashamed of myself. Since I met that woman, I couldn’t keep the lights on the business.
I’d never been distracted. Being in the same room with Shadow, I was constantly hard and aroused all the time. My dick didn’t want another woman but her.
Keeping her working in the office apparently was a terrible idea, but my wolf went crazy and purred in satisfaction whenever she was near me.
I could have just ordered her on her knees and fucked her mouth hard. And it was easier to get what I wanted as an Alpha, but I was better than her previous Alpha, who was only after pussies in his pack. And considering how defiant she was, I might only get blue balls in return, and she would never trust me again.
Shadow might resist for a while, but the pull would drive her insane, and she would eventually give in to her desire.
The ugliness and darkness inside me began to consume my self-control. I was here because I wanted an elder’s advice. After all, everything that was going on with me should have worried me.
“How’s Dad?”
“He’s an old log, but you didn’t come over here to talk about your father’s health. I heard there’s a rogue in the compound.”
“Yes. She will be put on a challenge in two days.”
“She’s pretty?”
I tried not to react, but my mother would sense it either way. “She’s young.”
“You feel something for her, strong you can’t resist.”
“Mom.”
“Your eyes just lit up when I asked you about her.”
“She’s not my mate if that’s what you meant.”
“Hmm.” She took her cup and sipped it.
I drank mine, ignoring her gaze pinned on me. And here I thought it would be easier talking to my mother than my father. I just chickened out when it came to talking about feelings.
My parents raised and trained me well to be tough and be the leader I am today. But emotions, that was another story.
“Just ask away, Cal. I’m sure you have places you’d rather be.”
“Have you heard about a pack slaughtered ten or thirteen years ago?”
“Was that where she came from?”
“I am still trying to find the truth out of her. I can feel she’s hiding something from me.”
“Then open up. If you think this information is important to you, you can get the truth out of her without involving force. Why is this important to you anyway?”
“There’s more to her than meets the eye, Mom. And I’m concerned if she can bring danger to the pack.”
“Because of your test before? You think she can be a spy?”
“I don’t know, but I think about that too. And if she is, then a wolfsbane or a silver knife will not make her talk.”
“Right. Maybe you need another strategy. Open your heart for her.”
“Why would I do that?” My eyes narrowed.
“I’m not stupid, Cal. How’s your wolf?”
“Same. Annoying and stubborn.”
“Did you go for a run with her?”
“No.”
“So you haven’t seen her wolf.”
“A silvery white.”
“Glowing in the moonlight?”
My jaw slacked. “How did you know that?”
“She doesn’t bend to you, does she? But she did what she did out of respect for your rank.” How did my mother know about this?
I licked my lips. Mom didn’t need my answer. She figured it out just by watching my obvious reaction.
“Don’t go there. She’s a rogue, Mom.”
“I’d like to meet her.”
“Of course. What do you know about a white wolf?”
“I heard a peaceful pack from the north, a vicious and archaic Alpha, slaughtered Storm Shadow Pack, and only a girl survived that night. I haven’t heard anything after that. What happened to the girl? I don’t know, honey. But I might find out if she’s the rogue in your custody. Did she ever join a pack before?”
“Once.”
“How did she end up in the compound?”
“I got a report about a human harboring a werewolf. I went to meet the man for a business meeting but didn’t get to meet her. I ordered enforcers to follow her, but they almost didn’t get to her on time. She was drugged by men from her old pack. I didn’t know what they wanted from her.”
“She’s valuable, honey. Take care of her. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
“Why?”
“I’ll tell you why if she’s what I think she is.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
I went back to the compound and found Shadow in the office, taking a call. What was so special about this woman that I couldn’t stay away from her? She was just out of sight for a while, and I already missed her.
“I will relay your message, Elder. Thank you. Bye.” She wrote something on the pad before she rose from my chair.
“Stay.”
She paused for a while before she sat back down. “You have a call-”
“You wrote everything down. In fact, you’re very detail-oriented. I will get to it later if there are no urgent calls.”
“You’re mother, Elder Eleanor, just called.”
“Why? I was just with her.” What was my mother up to?
“She asked if I was the rogue and my name. She said she would like to meet me soon, which is awesome to meet a former Luna for the first time.”
“What’s her message?”
“To call you soon.”
All I could do was look at her. She just had the beauty you could look at and not get tired of.
“What?”
“Did your mother have the same eye color as yours?”
“No. Dad had blue, and Mom had brown. What’s wrong with my eyes? Do your parents have the same eye color as yours?”
“I ask the question, Shadow.”
“Of course, you’re the boss.”
And something more, my little rogue.
I rose from the chair across her. “Lock the office and turn off the lights before you leave.”
“Wait. You’re leaving already?” Sometimes, she annoyed me for being too inquisitive and made me question myself if I should give her another task at the same time.
“Yeah. Do you need anything else?”
“You’re meeting that woman?” Now, it was getting interesting as she showed no guilt and apology.
“No. She won’t be coming here anymore.”
“Did you two break up?”
“There’s no relationship to breakup, Shadow. What’s with your inquisition today?”
“She’s pretty.” She raised a brow as she pursed her lips. She had been sensing something but was good at hiding it, making me more worried.
I was sure my eyes darkened as I blew a breath. “She’s not my mate. I had needs, and she was there. And you’re asking too personal questions.”
“My apology, Alpha.”
“On the other thought, you’re coming with me.”
“No. I’d rather stay and work, Alpha.”
“You’re coming with me, rogue.”