Shutting the door firmly behind him, Rudy walked down the hallway to the reception desk, his mind still on CeCe. Josiah’s never-ending interest in Kahn had finally made him accept the fact that his goal to be the next Alpha was a pipe dream. That’s when he’d came up with the idea of marrying into the family. Of course, it would take Josiah some time to get used to the idea, but he knew if he then had Kahn killed, it would eliminate any remaining hope Josiah had about his son becoming the next Alpha.
It was just a matter of time until an opportunity arose, but when Josiah left, Rudy realized it was the perfect time to put his plan into action. By the time Josiah returned, he would be mated to CeCe and Kahn would be dead. Smiling, he stopped at the group of men waiting for him. “Gentlemen, I’m sorry you didn’t call first. Our Alpha is gone on personal business and unfortunately, I’m not authorized to speak on his behalf.”
“I’m Reeve Nicolet. Is there somewhere private we can speak? It’s rather important.”
Glancing at Alice, the receptionist, Rudy saw she was trying to hear what was being said. To avoid further eavesdropping from her, he nodded to Nicolet, saying, “Follow me.” Heading to his office, his curiosity was peaked, but he refused to speculate. Opening the door, he ushered the men into his office and after making sure the door was firmly shut, said, “Go ahead…I assure you no one will interrupt us.”
Pulling some papers out of his jacket’s breast pocket, Nicolet handed them to Rudy. “You’re under arrest for the mass murder of the Fox River Pack. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” Turning to the man next to him, he said, “Take him.”
Before Rudy could protest, his arms were pulled behind him and silver cuffs were slapped on his wrists. Wincing at the burning, he shouted, “You got the wrong man…Josiah is the one you want!”
“Don’t worry, I have an arrest warrant for him too,” Nicolet replied. Then, shifting his gaze to the rest of his men, he said, “I want a thorough search of the buildings and the grounds for Josiah. Sam, stay here with the prisoner and if he gives you any problems, you know what to do.”
“Where will you be, boss?”
“I’ll be at Josiah’s house. Maybe his wife knows the whereabouts of her husband.”
Alice watched the men walk by her on their way outside before picking up her phone and tapping out a text message to her boyfriend. Then she went back to her work, wondering what was going to happen to the pack.
Rudy finally had his answer. Somehow Josiah found out about the arrest warrants and left to avoid capture.Fucking asshole.Josiah’s betrayal stung, but it was nothing compared to what he could do to Josiah. From now on, the only person that mattered was himself. The loyalty he had for Josiah was gone. It was time to use his knowledge about Josiah’s actions as a bargaining chip to keep himself from frying.
Chapter 38
Theo was reluctant to leave the table after their mating breakfast ended and was trying to figure out why. Looking at his mates’ empty plates, then glancing up at them, he could tell they were waiting for him to get up first—especially pooh bear. From the very beginning, Norm never forced him to do anything he wasn’t sexually ready for, so he knew he had no worries there. But now there were three of them and that’s what was causing his apprehension.
He’d grown up with Norm, had survived Arald’s prison with him, and they’d forged a new life together after they were rescued. Norm knew all his secrets and fears—well notallof them—he reminded himself, but enough that Theo felt comfortable ever since Norm figured out what he needed. Smokey, on the other hand, was an unknown in more ways than one, older and more experienced in the sex department. Theo worried if he could ever live up to his mate’s expectations of him.What if…
Breakfast was over but Theo and Norm lingered and, as far as Smokey could tell, neither of his mates planned to get up anytime soon. He wasn’t sure why, since the scent of their arousal had increased when he stripped off his t-shirt after spilling his orange juice. Instead, the three of them were engaged in what Smokey referred to as small talk bullshit, something he wasn’t good at and usually avoided like the plague. Frustrated, he leaned back, flexing his muscles, hoping that would start the ball rolling but it had the opposite effect on Theo who quickly frowned.Fuck!
Norm, sensing Theo’s inner turmoil, decided to get to the root of the problem by tuning into their mindlink where it finally became clear why his normally exuberant honey bunch was dragging his feet. He understood how heavy the weight of expectations could be on a person and, truth be told, he also had some concern about taking the next step with Smokey. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to—it was very much the opposite—but he just didn’t know what to say or how to begin since only two of them had been in an intimate relationship so far.
Internally sighing, Smokey racked his brain, looking for a topic that would ease the tension radiating from Theo, settling on the one he knew was close and dear to his mate. “I never heard of a mating breakfast…that’s what Steel called it, right?”
Looking up, Theo smiled. “Dakota came up with the idea and each one is different depending on who the mate is. For Ian, he did Scottish dishes…”
“And for us he suggested Honey Pancakes,” Smokey said, “which is now a personal favorite of mine, by the way.”
“And Kota also included Norm’s favorite…Honey Oatmeal,” Theo replied, his eyes sparkling. “It was one of the first things I asked him to teach me how to make.”
“Theo’s a natural at cooking and Kota thinks he should enroll in a cooking school,” Norm said, proudly.
Smokey loved the slight blush on Theo’s cheeks at the compliment. “Is that something you’d like to do?”
Shrugging, Theo said, “I’ve thought about it, but it would mean living in San Francisco for nine months at a time…I don’t really want to do that…and now with the cub…well, I’d rather stay here. Besides, there’s lot more I can learn from Kota.”
Smokey was relieved at Theo’s decision; until he could figure out who was behind the threat to his mates, his instinct told him the Blackwood Pack was the safest place for them. Then, before he could respond, he heard Norm’s voice in his head explaining Theo’s nervousness. Finally understanding the problem that had worried his mate, Smokey glanced at Norm, giving him an imperceptible nod.
Pushing back his chair, Smokey’s eyes glowed as he looked at Theo. Patting his lap, he growled, “Come here, Shining Star.”
Oh my gods!Fire ignited in Theo’s groin at the dominance in Smokey’s voice. It excited him and he wanted more. Rising slowly, Theo took a couple of steps toward Smokey, feeling the fire intensify inside him the closer he got. Yielding to his mate’s powerful scent, his cock hardened and his hole clenched in anticipation. Why he was ever nervous was beyond him; his whole body was telling him it longed for Smokey’s touch. Sitting down, Theo felt his back pulled tightly against Smokey’s chest, his mate’s tongue licking the sensitive skin behind his ear.
Smokey smiled when his mate began to shiver. Whispering, he asked, “Do you want me and Norm to make love to you, Little One?”
A moan escaped Theo as his eyes shifted to Norm and, seeing an encouraging nod there, he answered, “Yes…please.”
Smokey did not hesitate. The scent of his mates’ arousal was driving him to heights never before felt in any of his past hookups. Moving his mouth down to the spot where Theo would wear his mark, he nipped it gently, then licked it. Growling, he lifted Theo’s shirt and pulled it over his mate’s head before flinging it to the floor.
Whimpering when his skin touched Smokey’s, the fire in Theo began to consume him, burning brighter and hotter as it coursed through his body. Wanting more…needing more…Theo wriggled his ass, pleased when he felt Smokey’s cock nestle between his cheeks.
