“Do you think she was really into it?” Parker asks, not looking at me.
“I think it was obvious that she was.”
“No,” he says. “Not that. Me. Do you think she just wanted me in the moment, or do you think this is going to be an issue?”
“What issue? I want to see you together. I would have combusted last night if you had jerked off for her. I couldn't stop thinking about licking you off of her tits.”
He stares at me for a beat and then rolls his eyes. “You really are an idiot.”
“Why?” I ask. “I want you and I want her. It makes sense that I'd want you together.”
He laughs, but it's more baffled than humorous. “At what point will you consider what we want?”
“I always consider what you want.”
“Do you think Genie wants me to jerk off on her tits?”
“She did last night.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose. “That was last night. It isn't the same in the sunlight and you know that. And her wolf would eat my ass up.”
That actually might be a problem if it's true, and I suspect it might be. She wasn't at all interested in Parker coming into the suite at all, let alone the bedroom. “We'll work on it.”
***
There is a note taped to the outside of my door when I go back to grab a new shirt before my Conflict Management class. Only myself and the other few alphas in this session attend. It's all simulations. The instructor pulls a conflict scenario from a listand presents the elements and parameters and guides us to solve the issue as we would if we were the alpha in the story. Every single time it requires pack cooperation, it becomes obvious which alphas are going to be a problem to work with in the future. Jonathan Baker of Pack Steele is the biggest pain in the ass. He has a problem with everyone, especially me.
I'm just glad it isn't Thursday. On Thursdays, the future female pack leaders join us for a recap. They have all been presented with the same scenarios and have come up with their own solutions. Jonathan isn't any more cooperative with them, but he tends to acquiesce with only two females: Genie and Bella. After Middle Ground, it makes sense. Genie and Bella are the female heirs to two of the strongest packs, but their leadership traits are completely different. Bella is all about control, defense, and territory restriction while Genie is more concerned with the well-being of her pack above anything else. Both are beneficial and necessary, but it depends on the pack and the situation. I've lost track of the number of times Genie and I came to the same or similar solutions, and I remember Bella's response to every single one of those instances.
Bella wants me. She wants my pack and my pack's resources. She wants her pups to be my heirs and she acts like Parker doesn't exist. Bella isn't a good match for me, but she keeps trying. I'm glad she challenged Genie last night because it gave Genie the very public opportunity to put her on her ass. But Bella cheated, and I won't forget that anytime soon.
I open the note after I shut my door behind me. It's strange that this one was taped on the door instead of waiting for me on my bed like the others.
All alphas must report to the Conclave at sunset for a leadership presentation with current pack alphas in the region. The presentation will run late into the evening. Please plan accordingly.
My father has never once mentioned or attended a leadership presentation at Recovery. Not once. I don't know if it's invitation only or if the alphas volunteer to attend. It seems like the kind of thing my father would be interested in. He has always worked toward the health of all packs in the region. Maybe this is something new. Either way, this is one of the first things I'm going to ask him about when I get back home; that is, if he isn't here tonight.
I throw on the first semi-clean shirt I find and head back out the door. Parker is in the hall holding his own note.
“What does it say?” I ask, not liking the pinched look on his face.
He hands it to me.
You are invited to join a small group hunt this evening with four of your peers.
Please meet in the smaller courtyard behind the dining hall after dinner.
I give it back to him. “Invited doesn't mean required. You don't have to go.”
“Did you get a note?”
I nod. “I have a leadership presentation tonight with alphas from the region. Was your note on your bed?”
“Taped to the door.”
We exchange a look.
“Where is Genie right now?” he asks.
