I read through the email to the alpha one last time before sending it. Axil should have probably seen it first but I was sick of the man. He never actually read anything I send him, anyways. I opened up the monthly agenda and sighed. So much to do and having a lazy beta only made it worse.
Someone clear this throat.
I glanced at Axil who was standing in the doorway. "I emailed the alpha. I Cc'd you if you want to read it."
"Aren't they supposed to be passed through me first?"
"Nope." I scrolled through my calendar.
"It's pretty clear you're avoiding me." Axil wandered over and sat down in the chair in front of my desk.
"Yep." I arched a brow.
The beta sprawled out and scratched his head with his claw. "I wasn't threatening Milo."
"Sounded like it to me."
"I was frustrated," he said firmly. "You've met Jed. We have so much security around the apartment to protect him but to also keep him from running away."
Turning my chair forward, I met the beta's gaze. "Milo would never run away from me."
"But Jed has done so to me. Do you know how bad that hurt? There's a reason that the pack has really started to crack down on the illegal selling of omegas because they're also branching out into kidnapping. These people know how to manipulate human-borns. Hell, some of them are humans. I am doing everything I can to protect Jed. As much as he wants to run off and led a rebel against the werewolf hierarchy, he is my weakness"—Axil sunk into his seat—"and I'm at the head of that hierarchy."
Letting out a deep breath, I nodded.
"Even if they couldn't get what they wanted out of me by taking Jed, all they'd have to do is kill my mate and that would be enough to hurt the pack. Jed is a pain in the ass, but I love that damn pup. It would destroy me to lose him." He rubbed his muzzle. "They warned us in school how big of an effect a mate can have on us but nothing can prepare you for feeling it."
I rolled my pen across the desk. "Then you understand why I got upset the other night. Milo is my world. I'm battling my own pack to get ownership of his father and brother. I've completely cut off my own family for what they did to him. I'd do anything to make him happy."
"Did you talk to Judah?"
Laying my head back, I swayed from side to side. "Milo's old owner lied to me. He said they were on loan to the pack. He sold them. Judah doesn't want to hear what I have to say."
"I could talk to him. As an apology to Milo for scary the shit the out of him."
I eyed the beta. "Just because Jedrek isn't affected by your status, Milo is. He's a sub and was a timid human before that."
"Once again, I'm sorry." Axil nodded. "So can Milo stay with Jed again?"
Laughing, I shook my head. "Why? Is he bored?"
"Bored," scoffed the beta. "He's stomping around because I've chased off his one friend."
"Friend?" I smiled. "I didn't think your mate was capable of making friends."
"Well, he has one." Axil gave me a smirk. "And unfortunately for you, it's your mate."
***
(Milo)
"Is Axil going to be there?" I pressed into my mate's side.
Collin put his arm around my shoulder. "He feels bad about what happened."
"If he's mad, I'd rather go to my mom's house."
"He's not bad." Collin squeezed me against him. "It was more venting his frustrations."
My ears splayed to the side. I didn't know if I should believe him. The elevator doors opened and Collin led me into the hall.
He held me out in front of him. "Would I ever put you in danger?"
I shook my head.
"Then you have nothing to worry about." He lifted my chin and gave me a light kiss. "Jedrek's been missing you."
"Missing me?"
Collin nodded. "You are his only friend."
"Friend?" I perked up and smiled to myself. "Yeah, it must be hard to have to spend all day alone."
My mate opened the door. "Axil, Jedrek, we're here."
"Milo." Jedrek left the kitchen. "You're back."
I hurried over and hugged him. "Did you work things out with Axil?"
The cupboard door closed. "Yes, we did," said the beta. He moved over to us with a cup in his hand. "Sorry about the last time you were here. I worry about this pup." He pulled Jedrek to him and kissed the side of the human's head.
"I'm not a pup," muttered Jed.
"It's okay," I breathed.
Axil put his cup on the counter. "Still, as the beta of this pack it's very unprofessional of me to lose it like that in front of my colleague's mate."
I bowed my head. "I'm sorry we went online."
"It's fine, pup." He patted my head between my ears. "I have something planned to make it up to you."
"What?"
Axil smiled. "A little day trip for you and Jedrek."
***
My hands were sweating as I sat it the back of the car with Jedrek. I didn't know if it was because I was excited or nervous. It didn't help this was the first time I had gone anywhere without Collin.
"So are you allowed to tell me where we're going?" I glanced at Jedrek who for once was in his werewolf form.
"It's nothing special."
I took in a deep breath. It felt special to me. The car pulled up to the curb and the dominant in the passenger seat got out to open my door. I smiled at him as I got out and waited on the sidewalk. Werewolves of all sizes and ranks were all around me. It was so strange. Jedrek climbed out with a groan. People started to look his way.
Jed rolled his eyes. "Let's get this over with."
The guards hurried to catch up with him and opened the door to the building. I followed directly behind the red werewolf. My muzzle fell open when I saw the fancy clothes and the jewelry that covered the far wall.
"Wow," I breathed. "This is so amazing." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I've seen werewolves on TV wearing this kind of clothing before." Looking around, I saw that Jedrek was gone. I spotted him being led to the side by a dark gray werewolf in a silk gown.
I jogged to catch up.
"So this is the sub I'll be working with today?" A brown werewolf with a diamond necklace on smiled at me. "How are you? I'm April, and I'll be helping you find an outfit for the banquet."
"Banquet?" I glanced at Jedrek but he was talking to another worker.
"To celebrate the creation of the Wolfsbane. Your mate said you can have whatever you want so don't be shy. Look around and let me know if you want to try anything on."
Nodding, I looked to Jedrek who was being measured. I went to one of the racks. Everything on it was too big.
"Over there, sweetie." April pointed to a hallway. "The sub size clothes are in that room. I'll be right over with a few piece your mate pre-picked." She gave me a smile before going over to see to Jedrek.
I walked through the hall that had mannequin behind glass. I stepped into the smaller room and scanned the interior.
"Woah," I breathed.
Things were a bit more elaborate on this side of the store.
***
(Collin)
"Do you think it was smart to let them go alone?"
Axil shrugged. "We'll be there in ten minutes. Calm down." He gazed out the car window.
"Knowing Milo, it would have been better if I had been with him from the start."
"You need to give the boy some breathing room."
I shifted in my seat. "I don't want to hear this from you."
"I'm a great mate. I give Jedrek plenty of space."
"You have a damn closet."
"What?" Axil turned to me.
"Milo told me about it. When Jedrek freaks out, you put him in there. That's messed up."
The beta arched a brow. "He's a red werewolf running off instincts. His toxins have quite the zip to them."
"He's attacked you?" I looked at him concerned.
"A lot," replied Axil.
Shaking my head, I gazed out the window. "You don't have a healthy relationship. You shouldn't be attacking each other."
"I've never hurt Jedrek."
"Really?" I turned to him. "You caught a rebel human and forced him into a mating."
Axil sighed. "Our relationship is toxic as fuck. I know that."
"It's not healthy. How are you going to raise a pup in that kind of atmosphere?"
"My mother been asking me the same thing," he said under his breath. "It's not like we can get a divorce. I don't want one. I can name serval excuses but none of that matters. We both have issues we have to deal with."
"Every mating has problems. Sometimes I feel like Milo still looks to me as a master and not his mate."
"He is a timid thing," said Axil. "Jedrek doesn't have a timid bone in his body. He does show his submissive side in bed, though." He scratched under his chin.
I shook my head. "It's not good for a pup to see their parents fight all of the time. Mine had an arranged mating and never liked each other. They still don't like living together. It sad but I preferred it when my father moved to Washington."
"I don't want that," said Axil. "I don't think Jedrek wants it, either. A lot of the time he gets mad because he feels like he was forgotten by his family."
"At least, you're willing to admit the relationship needs work. I have a few old friends from high school and college who think that fixing their relationship means to force their mate to submit."
Axil shook his head. "I love Jed. I love his fiery-side. His blood was appealing but his fearless attitude toward me was something else. I'd never do anything that might put out that wildfire." He grinned at me. "I just trying to tame it a little bit."