3-9 “I like your friend Little One!” Alpha Lucas smiles at me and I wink back at him.
“Luna Ava, what did you have on the schedule for tomorrow? We are still waiting on orders and would love to help out.” I try to redirect the conversation.
“Actually, shouldn’t you girls be in school? You can’t have your education disrupted this way, it’s truancy and lazy. I won’t stand for it while you are in our pack.” Kevin says this as if he’s the Alpha.
“We are all set, Mr. Cunningham. I graduated several years ago. Similar to Cameron and Dakota, I had my studies accelerated so I could also train as the next Alpha. Lillian has also graduated. And Miss Smarty pants over here was so far ahead in her studies that she qualified for and took college classes while running missions and now the Alpha King himself has been teaching her.” Jena sounds so polite, it’s kind of scary. I’m wondering if she’s possessed. And then I remember that there was a time when she was training to do all of this. She wasn’t a hardened warrior, but a political princess, and she knows how to use her words just as effectively as her fists. It’s just not a side we see very often on the missions we run. We tend to stick to the shadows as much as possible.
“I would still prefer you all in school, what kind of example is it setting to have teenagers running around galavanting?”
“Did he not just hear that we all graduated already?” Lil doesn’t hide her irritation very well on her face and Jena nudges her under the table.
“Yep, just wait, I’m sure there’s an angle here.”
“I think it would be prudent if all of our young leaders spent more time in school actually. Setting a good example and all. Mingling with the lower pack members and gaining their trust is always the best way to start a new rule.” He’s still standing there holding his plate looking ridiculous.
No one says anything about his ruling comment. What kind of response do you give to a delusion like that?
I wonder if he thought someone was going to move one of the ‘pups’ to make room for him if he stood there long enough. Even Kyle is avoiding eye contact with him. They couldn’t be more different even though they are brothers. It’s actually weird to see them in the same place.
Where Delta Kyle is all muscle and bulk from training Kevin is wiry and lanky. All werewolves have a general muscle tone about them, but most of us still work for it. Kevin Cunningham is skinny by wolf standards and a little gaunt in the face. His skin is paler, just hammering home the idea that he spends more time inside than out, even though our wolves prefer being outdoors.
“There it is.” I link to my friends. “He wants the boys back in school, because of Kaley.”
“He does realize that won’t help her chances, right?” Jena asks.
“Obviously not, they are both still trying.”
“Well, if you all are done eating why don’t you run along and go hangout while the adults talk.” Kevin tries to direct us.
I look down at my plate, which is still half full of my first round, and back up to him not hiding my confusion and irritation.
“We actually just started eating, Kevin. And I fully intend on having at least two more plates.” I smile at Luna Ava and she winks at me too. “This food is too good and I am starving.”
“I don’t know where your manners went young lady, maybe they don’t enforce those kinds of things at that roguish camp of yours, but it’s ‘Mr. Cunningham’ to you.” He huffs. And I would think that you would be more concerned about your figure. No male wants to see his mate all bloated up after three plates of food.” He chuckles and looks around expecting the other adults to laugh along with him. They all actually look like they want to throw him across the yard.
“First, Kevin.” I emphasize. “Elite Warrior training has many rules and regulations when it comes to hierarchy. All of the titles are earned by daily actions. You have not done anything of the sort, so what I choose to call you is based directly on your actions and contributions to the pack. And I don’t think the Alpha King would appreciate you calling his Elite Warrior training camp ‘roguish’ considering the mission
that brought us here. Second, I’m pretty sure you just called me fat and unappealing. I train with my warriors for up to twelve hours per day. We,” I gesture towards Jena and Lillian, “Have been on a mission for sometime now and have been awake for over two days, I think, I’ve actually lost track.” I look at my friends again and they both shrug. “I burn more calories in a day than you do in a week and train hard enough to eat what I want. Do not concern yourself about what I consume and don’t let me hear of you talking to any other females in our pack like that, I won’t stand for it.” I throw his words back at him. “There’s room for you at that end of the table.” I point at the furthest end, near my father, who moved when Alpha Lucas called me over.
He stands there, not saying a thing, I think hoping, again, that someone would overthrow my instruction of him going to the end of the table. He finally concedes when everyone just sits there and stares at him.
“Damn, Bitty! Tell us how you really feel.”
“Yep, I like the new Little Bit, that was so hot.”
“You are an idiot, you know that?” I ask Sam.
“Yes, but you love me just the way I am. And Miss Alpha here, also hot. I may explode from the amount of female hotness in the room.”
“We’re outside.” Lil looks at him and smiles.
“I know! That’s the amount of hotness you all bring.”
“Stop saying hot like you’re twelve and just discovered girls, you’re embarrassing yourself.” My brother throws a piece of his roll at Sam across the table. He leans towards Jena and whispers, “He’s not wrong, that was impressive. I don’t think anyone has been able to get that guy to shut up at dinner yet.” He looks at me and then Jena for a long moment.
The rest of the night went more smoothly if not as comfortable. The Cunningham’s stayed as long as we stayed and we didn’t touch on any subjects that were more than surface deep. I really have to figure out what Kevin’s deal is. Jena is right he should have been kicked to the curb by now. Something is going on and it is affecting how the pack leaders relax in their safe space. At the very least they need to move back into their own home.
“Luna Ava, I was serious about what you need from us tomorrow. We are headed to early training to watch what that is all about, but…”
“Oh, you’re going to love Sky Training.” Gamma Brett asks. ” I can’t wait until you see that.” He laughs.
“Why does everyone say it like it’s a bad thing? It’s literally named after me and is viewed as torture, what the hell?”
