“You don’t meet the physical requirements,” Connor said flatly.
“What requirements? There’s nothing posted…”
“Because everyone who’s ever applied understood the basic expectations.” Connor pulled up the enforcer guidelines he’d drafted with Leyden. “Minimum height five-ten. Lonnie, you’re what, five-six?”
“Five-seven,” Lonnie said defensively.
“Still three inches short.” Connor scrolled down the list. “Combat training certification. Do you have one?”
“I could get one…”
“Wilderness survival certification. Emergency medical training. Weapons proficiency.” Connor looked up. “You have any of these?”
Lonnie’s jaw clenched. “No. But I could learn…”
“Great. Get the certifications, gain another three inches, and reapply.” Connor closed the document. “We done here?”
“This is because of what happened with me and Trixie, isn’t it?” Lonnie’s voice rose. “You’re punishing me…”
“I’m applying the same standards to you that I apply to everyone, which technically is more than you deserve.” Connor kept his tone level despite his growing irritation. “Janet, Marcus, and Thomas all met the requirements before they were hired. You don’t. End of discussion.”
“Leyden would’ve given me a chance…”
“Leyden hired me to manage security because I’m better at it than he is.” Connor stood, using his full height to loom over Lonnie. “And I’m telling you no. You want to argue with an Alpha Mate’s decision?”
Lonnie paled slightly. “No, Alpha Mate.”
“Good. Your cleaning shift is Saturday at nine. Don’t be late.”
Lonnie left in a huff, slamming the door behind him.
Connor sank back into his chair.Fucking little shit.The whole interaction had been designed to make him look incompetent - either by forcing him to approve an unqualified enforcer or by making him seem petty for refusing.
Connor saw right through it. Lonnie wanted to prove Connor wasn’t fit for the alpha mate position, probably still bitter about losing his shot at warming Leyden’s bed permanently.
Too damn bad.
Connor’s phone buzzed again. This time, a text from Josie:Can you settle something? Walter says you agreed his tree issue wasn’t his fault.
Connor stared at the message, his wolf growling in frustration.
He typed back:I said trees drop leaves and he needs to rake his own yard. That’s it.
Oh good. He made it sound like you were going to force Mrs. Peterson to cut down her tree. I’ll let her know she’s fine.
Connor tossed his phone onto the desk and scrubbed both hands over his face.
This is beyond ridiculous. He’d gone from managing actual security operations to playing referee for the world’s pettiest disputes. His skills were being wasted on bullshit that any rational adult could solve themselves.
But pack members kept coming to him because he was alpha mate now. They expected him to handle everything, to have answers for problems that shouldn’t require alpha intervention at all.
Connor glanced at the clock. Four-thirty. Two and a half more hours until he could escape to dinner with Leyden, to his mate’s steady presence and understanding.
Another knock at the door.
Connor closed his eyes briefly, gathering patience he didn’t feel. “Come in.”
Thomas entered, looking apologetic. “Hey, sorry to bother you…”
