Mate Massacres

Chapter 33

Krey knew he had to tell her about Pip first, but how? And when?

"Anyway, I've picked an outfit for you, I think-"

Krey coughed when unchewed pasta slipped down his throat.

"Don't worry. It's all black and pretty casual."

Krey was often thankful that his mother knew him well, except for the times when she picked apart his faults. "Could've let me do it myself," he said, stabbing his cucumber with a fork.

"You have a lot on your mind." The way Makena laced her fingers and spun her thumbs around was a sign that Krey bothered her.

Krey bothered himself. Still, he continued to push people's buttons. "Have you seen Francis today?" he asked.

His mother's dark brows twitched. "No. Why?"

"Next time you do, apologise for spreading rumours about her."

Makena sighed. "Krey-"

"No, listen." Krey leaned forwards. "Francis is not my mate," he growled. His dark eyes scanned the tables closest to them. He couldn't tell her his plans of making Francis his Beta, not with so many open ears.

"Then why are you spending so much time with her?" his mother challenged.

"Because she's my friend." Krey didn't expect to give her such an honest answer. The truth feels good.

Makena sat back in her chair. "A friend?"

"What? Am I not allowed friends? Oh, wait, I'm not allowed Omega friends? Is that it?"

"I didn't say that, I'm just surprised. You've never admitted to having a friend before."

"I'm not twelve."

"No, you're nineteen, and need people in your life who you can hang out with and trust." Makena paused, tightened her jaw, and said, "If Francis is someone you can trust, then good. You deserve friends."

Krey pushed his bowl aside. His mother wasn't as critical as usual. Should I tell her about Pip? Krey stared hard enough for his mother to frown. "Follow me. I have to tell you something." Krey walked from the canteen without looking back.

He heard quick footsteps following his long strides.

"Tell me what? Is this about Jordan?" Makena asked.

"No." Krey stopped outside the ground floor meeting room. The dark wood doors had windows, so he could tell if it were empty or not.

"About Francis?"

"No. It's about something else." Krey lead her inside the large room. His nerves gnawed at his heart when he turned to see her watching with the same curiosity that he saw in Pip every day. Krey caught his thoughts before they drifted to the memories of Pip's deep dimples.

Krey, calm and collected on the surface, leant against the wall by the window and crossed his arms. His default glare never altered.

He didn't know where to begin but being blunt and straight to the point was sometimes useful. Krey didn't believe in sugar-coating situations. If something had to be said or done that would hurt someone else, he charged full force without a glint of remorse.

Well, until he met Pip.

Krey cleared his throat and said, "I-"

The door to the meeting room opened, and a flushed Jordan entered. His face was red from fury. Krey saw the anger in his curled mouth and clenching fists.

"Alpha, I must speak to you," Jordan said, his voice laced with bitterness.

Makena stared blankly at the scar-faced man. Her existence seemed oblivious to him. Makena's days had been interrupted by Jordan one time too many. "We are busy," she said, coating her words with a greater dollop of hostility.

"Sorry, but what I've got to discuss with the Alpha can't wait."

Makena turned her back to Jordan to stare at her son.

Krey saw her eye roll, and his eyes gleamed with mild amusement.

"We can talk tonight, Krey." Makena left the room with an irritated stiffness to her steps.

When Krey and Jordan were alone, Jordan pointed a stern finger at his Alpha. "You're getting rid of me," he accused.

Krey, surprised that Jordan found out, didn't move a single muscle. "Who told you?"

"You said that I'm not your Beta anymore."

Krey, with his deep monotone voice, asked again, "Who told you?"

"Does it matter?" Jordan yelled and gripped the top of one of the many chairs pushed in around the table. "Do you know how embarrassing it is to hear from other werewolves of the same pack that the Alpha is looking for a new Beta wolf?"

Krey stopped leaning against the wall. His glare only deepened, his eyes only darkened. "I spoke to my mother about my concerns. Nobody else. Don't stand there and act like I was talking about you to stir shit."

"It was Francis who told me." Jordan crossed his arms and settled his stare a little too confidently.

Krey froze like a wolf nearing its prey. If he were in his wolf form, his hackles would be up, his claws out, and his teeth bared. "Francis doesn't know about this." Krey stepped closer, his eyes mixing between red and brown. Jordan backed away. "How dare you lie right to my face," he growled. Krey's wrath was not to be provoked.

"Francis is just an Omega. If she's not your mate, then why the hell are you with her all the time? You don't know that she doesn't spill all your secrets behind your back."

"She doesn't!" Krey yelled, leaping forwards and watching with satisfaction as Jordan almost tripped, trying to scurry away. "Lying like this will get you kicked out of the pack, I hope you know that." Krey's hands were tight fists of raging resentment. He stalked forward, and Jordan pinned his back to the wall.

Krey didn't know what his father saw in Jordan. Maybe he felt compelled to keep him as Beta because Jordan almost lost his life to save Krey's father. Jordan had three thick scars on his face to prove his loyalty.

"You think she doesn't spill your secrets?" Jordan dared to speak, even with his Alpha glaring coldly, ready to burst at any moment.

"Francis is loyal to her Alpha, unlike you, a pathetic excuse for a Beta." Krey didn't like to be challenged. He wouldn't allow anyone to bad-mouth his friend, either.

"Oh yeah?" Jordan sneered, puffing out his chest and squaring up to his callous Alpha. Jordan's evil smirk bent out of shape as he said, "then how do I know about your little Pippor Monty?"