“Well, it’s true. I’ve delayed long enough. It’s time we get with the program.”
“Whatever you need me to do.”
“We need to figure out what my father was tending to, and I need to pick up where he left off.”
No sooner were the words out of his mouth than Blaz sauntered in. His eyes were bloodshot, his black hair mussed, at least two days’ worth of beard growth on his face.
“You look like shit,” Kidel offered.
Blaz nodded, then dropped into a chair at the opposite end of the table. “Evening to you, too.”
Kidel peered at Kaj as though looking for help.
“We were just discussing our next steps,” he told Blaz. “It’s time I sit in the Alpha’s chair. I’ve put it off long enough.”
That seemed to surprise Blaz.
“I’ll admit, I have no fucking clue what comes first.”
“I do.” Blaz waved a hand at him. “Lemme grab my laptop.”
With that, the male shot up from his chair and vanished.
“Need I say, I think we’re in trouble now,” Kidel mumbled.
Probably. Of the five of them, Blaz had worked closest to Kardobahn regarding his daily endeavors. So if anyone knew the lay of the land, it was him.
Kaj was finishing off his pancakes and eggs when Blaz reappeared, his laptop in hand and a set of Beats over his ears. Without saying a word, he got to work, eyes focused on the screen in front of him.
Okay, so when Kaj saidweneeded to figure it out, clearly Blaz thought he meant him. But whatever. He knew that Blaz would take the task and run with it. Then again, he had no idea what would come next, but he figured he would let it be a surprise.
“I’m going to chat with Mirakel,” he told Kidel. “Then let’s meet up before dawn to see if we can come up with a plan on moving forward.”
“Of course,phaal. I’ll let the others know.”
After tossing back the rest of his lukewarm coffee, Kaj made his way down to the workout room, figuring it was a safe bet Mirakel was already down there. Sure enough, he found him reclining on the bench, hefting an overloaded bar up, down, up, down.
“How’re you feeling?” he prompted when he stepped into the space.
Mirakel set the bar on the pegs and inched out from beneath it. He was on his feet in an instant, towel in his hands.
“Better,” he said, his eyes clear.
“I heard you nearly starved yourself again.”
Those neon blue eyes dropped to the floor. “I’m sor—”
“Look. I get it,” he interrupted. “And I sympathize with where your head’s at right now. But we’ve got things to do and I need you.”
Mirakel’s gaze slammed into his. “Of course,phaal. Anything.”
“First off, I want you feeding daily. Every morning before you retire to your room. If I find out you skip even one day, I won’t be pleased.”
The enormous male nodded.
“Second, I want you to work with Huracan. Let’s get those recruits here. To the training center,” he clarified. “We’re understaffed and the only way to change that is to start from scratch. Bring those five males and two females in. Let’s get their training underway. You and Huracan will lead the effort on that front. Working with thefiestreigh, of course.”
Another nod.
