“The Council’s legal department are reviewing the Deed now. And their first comments are certainly not in your favour.”
“Graham, by all accounts, your father and Joseph’s are both gravely ill. Basil is still convalescing in hospital from injuries you failed to mention. I sent flowers and a fruit basket but that’s all I will be doing,” I offer sweetly. “And with respect to the Deed, you jumped at the chance of signing it. I’m more than happy to meet with the Alpha Council and your legal team if they have any questions on how the form was signed. I mean, you do recall how many times Douglas and I urged you to get advice before you signed, don’t you? If not, I guess I can forward a copy of the audio we recorded during the meeting to the Council and they can hear for themselves.”
He’s at a loss for words; his breathing is loud. I’d put money on his face turning red with anger.
“Or should we talk about Gamma Pharmaceuticals yet?” I ask, careful to keep the smile out of my voice.
He’s still not saying a word.
“Don’t expect me to roll over and show my belly when you start throwing threats around. Now excuse me, I’ve got to be somewhere,” I say, my tone is all business and with a finality to it.
“You fucking bitch,” he snaps, finally finding his voice.
And I hang up. I spin around and get stopped by a rumbling growl and a hungry kiss. Ramses kisses and talks. “Please tell me you really do have his nuts in a vice.”
I shudder, standing on my tippy toes reaching up for more. “Please don’t kiss me and then talk about another Alpha.”
I wink, knowing he’s already right back at the same memory when he said very similar words to me. The phone rings again, and I let Graham’s call go unanswered.
“Ram, I have to go. I’m already late.” I break away, but he snatches my hand and pulls me to a stop, rushing behind me to bite my neck.
I let out one of those embarrassing squirmy moans, while kind of pulling away but not trying to escape either. He finishes his nip with a long suck of my earlobe. “Just reminding you who your Alpha is.”
Then he lets me go. Ramses doesn’t carry my bags, he doesn’t call after me with a hundred demands I stay in contact, he doesn’t school me about being careful, he just lets me go. And it’s liberating.
My sense of freedom continues as I climb into the driver’s seat of the Escalade next to Ronnie. The rest of my security sit in the back, smiling. As we drive to the private airstrip, I leave a voicemail for Douglas letting him know about my discussion with Graham, and then I sit back and listen to the audio of the final draft of the marketing report making my team do the same. The marketing staff that put it together in Graham and Joseph’s absence have done a great job. It’s succinct and punchy, elevating the two main contributors to being contenders as replacements for Graham and Joseph.
By the time we’re taxiing down the runway, I’ve got a stomach full of excited butterflies at seeing my girls again and hearing how Raney’s first heat went with her pack. If anyone should have a happy ever after, it’s her.
As soon as we land, it’s apparent I completely misjudged how easy this would be. I’m a fucking sap, and it’s embarrassing. I see Tristan and start crying like I’m about to drop into heat. Simona gets in and the three of us complete a round robin of hugs before even more tears join the party. By the time we’re driven to Raney’s new pack home, I look like a panda who’s been redlining edibles while I feel like I’m about to snap and call Allan to yell at him for insisting I stop taking suppressors.
Raney looks stunning when she greets us in the foyer, despite being dressed in her Alphas’ wardrobe.
“Are you guys upset?” she asks, her eyes bouncing nervously over all of us.
“Huh?” Simona says, looking down at herself, then over at us clearly confused.
“Are you upset I wanted to see you? A couple of hours is all I can do.” She drops her eyes like she’s embarrassed.
“Raney, we kind of didn’t expect to see you at all for at least a month. Koz said it was a quick lunch visit,” Tristan says, and she leans over and gives Raney a snuggle.
“We want the grand tour first though,” I tease, leaning over to brush her hair off her face. “Pack life looks good on you.”
She pulls a grimace, not at all enjoying being the centre of attention, but she’s also anxious.
“What?” I ask, my stomach dropping.
Raney looks away, and in a lot of ways it looks like she’s having an argument with herself before she takes a big breath. “Full disclosure, I know I invited you to come look at our new place but I can’t let you inside anymore. Like one step in the front door and I think I’d be stabbing you. It’s completely illogical but…”
“Oh my God.” I snort. “Are you getting territorial about us going in where your Alphas are?”
She nods her head, guiltily.
“Really?” Tristan asks, winding our girl up.
“Fucking oath, I am. Given half the chance, I’d be jamming my knee in Ho’s ass and kicking her down the lift well,” she admits in a flurry before looking at Tristan and Simona with a violent smile for them too. “I’d bitch slap you both too before a couple of jabs to the guts. It’s not personal though.”
“It’s not personal?” Tristan splutters loudly, glaring at Raney.
