Reed’S POV.
“Lloyd, what are you guys up to this time around?” I whisper to myself as I watch Lloyd walk out of Jovan’s chambers from a distance. I’m pretty sure they just had another meeting where they planned to harm Alora, Alpha Jayce, or me.
“Fools!” I shake my head and walk over to Alpha Jayce’s office building. Their confidence will forever be a wonder to me. Do they honestly think they’ll succeed in dethroning my brother?
That will only happen over my dead body!
Once in the building, I head to Alpha Jayce’s office door and knock it. When the signal comes for me to go in, I turn the doorknob and creak the door open. I’m surprised to step into the room and meet Alpha Jayce buttoning his shirt.
“Why are you getting dressed in your office?” I ask without greeting. This act of his is too strange to ignore.
“I uh… I just showered.”
“You showered here in your office?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Why?” Now I’m confused. This has never happened before.
“I just returned from the training center. Had a duel with a Alora.”
“You had a duel with Alora?” I ask aghast. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
“Uh-huh. Halle is doing a great job training here. She can now kick some ass, so if I were you, I’d stop being an ass to her cuz she might soil you one of these days.”
“Well it’s a good thing I’m already out of her blacklist, so I’m safe. I’m so happy to hear that she has acquired some fighting skills.”
“She’s a fast learner and she is strong and resilient. A true Luna.”
“A true Supreme Luna.” He flashes me a proud smile.
“Soon, I won’t have to worry about her safety anymore. The way she fought today…” slides on his suit jacket. “I was impressed. She’s gonna be a badass Luna.”
“You’re so proud of her, aren’t you”
“You have no idea!” He arranges his suit and heads to his table. He takes his seat and gestures to me to do the same. “I’m guessing your presence here means you have something to tell me?”
“Uh… yeah. I just want us to talk about something. Someone.”
“Hmmm.” He adjusts onto his seat and gives me a careful look.
If there’s one thing I like a lot about Alpha Jayce, it’s the fact that he’s always ready to give me a listening ear. He never brushes off any topic issue I bring to his notice. He listens to me, considers my opinions, and gives me credit when it’s due. One of the reasons why I enjoy working with him.
The conversation I’m about to intimate right now will be very sensitive because we will be talking about one of the very few people he trusts with his entire life.
Lloyd.
I know I’m his favorite between the two of us – which I’m very proud of – but he trusts Lloyd as much as he trusts me and what I’m about to say might cause problems, but I’m ready for it.
I know what Lloyd is up to and even though I can’t just tell Alpha Jayce all about it, I don’t want to leave him in the dark either that’s why I’m going to give him some hints. Point out some things about Lloyd that would make him see far and beyond and then maybe, he will see Lloyd for who he is.
“Who’s that “someone?”
“Lloyd.”
“Lloyd?” He’s surprised. I nod calmly. “What about him?” He asks with creased brows. I clear my throat and adjust on my seat before looking at him again.
“Haven’t you noticed anything off about him these days?” I give him a careful look. He looks at the ceiling for a ride second before planting his gaze on me once more.
He’s trying to read me, but he knows that’s useless because he won’t get anything. He finally gives up and sighs.
“Now that you’ve mentioned it, I think I have noticed something a bit off about him these days. He’s uh… he’s a lot more quiet, less interactive with us, and distant. Even during meetings, he doesn’t seem to be with us. It’s like his soul is somewhere else.” He explains. I smile. I chuckle. I even want to laugh but it’ll be too creepy. “What’s funny?”
“Nothing. I’m just… I’m just impressed that you noticed as well. I thought you hadn’t.”
“I notice everything, Lloyd. Test me.”
“Right! So, have you tried to think of a reason why he could be acting that way? Because you and I know the Lloyd we see and talk with now is not the same we used to know a few months back. Something must have triggered or influenced him to start acting the way he does right now.”
“You talk as if you have something in mind.” His gaze intensifies. “Share it with me.”
“It’s oh… it might sound absurd, but it’s not impossible.”
“I’m listening.”
“What if the sudden change of attitude is because he is fraternizing with our enemies?” I ask confidently.
“Impossible!” He shakes his head in complete denial. That’s the reaction I was expecting.
“Why do you think he is?”
“Because he took an oath before me. Before the council of elders. Before the subjects of this pack. He pledged his allegiance to me!”
“Oaths can be broken, you know that, and for allegiance, people’s hearts change!”
“Does this have anything to do with how you feel about him? Because I know you despise Lloyd.”
“I do not despise Lloyd. I just can’t tolerate a few things about him and no, this has got nothing to do with that!”
“I’ll talk to him. I understand that he has been a bit off lately, but don’t think too much about it. Don’t think too far. I’ll talk to him. I’ll get him back on track. How does that sound?” I almost roll my eyes at that question.
I want to shout out to him that Lloyd is working hand in hand with Jovan, but on second thought, the consequences will be too drastic.
This is a very sensitive issue and if I want to successfully expose Lloyd’s true color, I have to tread cautiously.
“Good. It sounds good. You should talk to him.”
“I will do that.” Source stretches throughout the office as we both go into deep thought.
I’m thinking of all the terrible ways I can kill Lloyd for betraying someone who trusts him with his life!
“That said…” Alpha Jayce breaks the silence. “Tell me about you and Halle. How’s it going between you two?”
“Almost perfect. I asked her to move in with me.”
“Oh…” He exclaims in shock. “Oh! That… that was quick.”
“I love her.”
“I know. And I don’t need to be a mood spoiler, but what about your various mates? What will happen if you find your mate and she finds hers? Don’t tell me you’ll cross that bridge when you get there.”
“But that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
“You better perish that idea and think of a way right now. It’s either you two decide that you’ll reject each other’s mates and be together or you’ll keep being together and separate when one of you finds his or her mate. Those are the only options you have in this situation. So you have decided.”
“You sure are a mood spoiler.”
“I’m giving you brotherly advice! Act now. Decide now or there will be tears shortly. A lot of tears!”
“Right!” I rise from my seat. “I’ll take my leave now. Have a splendid day.” And then I rush out before he tries to say anything else, but his words are engraved in my mind.
He’s right.
Halle and I have to act now. We have to decide what to do now or there will be tears in the future.