Koios understood the look. He’d seen a similar one on Logan’s face.
“We keep tactical gear for each pack member down here,” Koios explained, gesturing toward the lockers. “Weapons are kept locked away upstairs, outside of the ones each pack member uses as their everyday carry. Logan prefers to keep the heavy weaponry under lock and key. If you have anything you’d like placed in our armory, let me know. Otherwise, there will be a small weapon’s safe in your room.”
Ben held open the door to the warehouse for them. Phoebe once more took in the space, as practiced as the other warriors in their pack.
“There are three primary exits,” Koios said. “The front of the warehouse has a small foyer. The door into the larger space is bulletproof, warded, and protected with both a keypad and fingerprint system.”
“I’m guessing you have as many cameras as I do,” Phoebe said, gesturing to one near the ceiling of the space.
“I do. There’s another exit to the back. The door can’t be opened from the outside, and there are multiple wards around the back of the building as well as the door itself. And then there’s the garage, which you’ve just seen.”
Phoebe seemed impressed with the security as she hefted her weapon-filled duffle onto her shoulder. Koios’s wings moved a little as he sensed her approval. She glanced at them and smiled. It would be nice to have more control over his suddenly emotive appendages, but he’d get there.
Ben carried the suitcase upstairs while Koios pointed out the training area downstairs. Then they followed him up to the door of Koios’s office space. Ben leaned against the wall outside the door with his phone in his hand. He’d had a feeling they’d stop at Koios’s command center first.
Koios brushed his fingers along Ben’s stomach as he walked past him into the office. Ben looked up and smiled. “I’m getting spammed by your pack and siblings.”
“Are you being charming and evasive?”
“Of course.” Ben grinned and turned back to the phone as it buzzed again. “Although they are now threatening to call in my siblings, so we’d better hurry the tour along.”
“Understood.” Koios couldn’t help but smile as he showed Phoebe the control room.
She immediately turned to the map on the wall and traced the pattern of hidden cameras he’d placed on the route. “This is very similar to what I have around my home,” Phoebe said.
“I know.”
She turned to him and smiled. “We are very much alike.”
Koios knew that too. He took a deep breath and moved to the hidden door concealed by one of the large shelving units. “Logan also installed this exit for me when I moved here. I’m much more understanding now of the need to know how to quickly get out of a space at all times.”
Phoebe nodded. “Because you were trapped. I’ve been pondering that piece of your story and have some thoughts.”
“I’m looking forward to hearing them.”
“Later,” Ben said from the doorway. “Everyone’s getting antsy and Bailey’s getting worried. We both know what happens when Bailey worries.”
Koios groaned. “Let’s go put your things in your room.”
“I’m curious about this human alpha-mate,” Phoebe said. “He has a very firm hold on the pack for a human. Isn’t that unusual?”
Ben snorted. “Not around here. My papa is also human. Trust me when I tell you, he’s more intense than my dad on most days.”
“Strange,” Phoebe murmured. “I’ve not studied alphas as much as I should have, although I’m aware that alpha pairs in wild animals are much different than human lore generally acknowledges.”
“Every member of a pack has a role to play,” Ben explained. “Logan and Bailey are both leaders of their pack, just as my fathers are both leaders of ours. Yes, the alpha has the last word during certain occasions?—”
“He means during fights,” Koios added.
“There are other instances as well,” Ben said. “But yes, there are times when only one voice should be heard. A true alpha earns that privilege, however, just as Logan has earned it with his pack.”
Koios opened the door to the guest room and led Phoebe inside. They were quickly running out of space in the warehouse. Aleron’s purchase of the neighboring buildings was becoming even more convenient. Koios hadn’t envisioned the need for so much expansion at the beginning of his quest. Now, his mind had begun to build out the structure of the pack and its mission to include other elements.
He could almost see the entire complex bustling with life, all of it supporting the community they’d built. Koios glanced around the room and smiled. This was just the beginning.
“Now that’s a smile I haven’t seen in a while,” Ben rumbled against Koios’s ear. “How are you doing?”
“I’m good,” Koios answered. “Better than expected. But do we really have to do this entire dinner thing?”
