214 Caine Raising an Alpha
214 Caine: Raising an Alpha
Fenris grumbles. Probably better than you with women, too.
He’s not thrilled about a younger, virile male being near our mate. Neither am I, but Reggie didn’t work out, and Randy’s the most open–minded of the Lycans here.
Dividing my attention now would be foolish. Dylan is capable and, while he doesn’t respect humans, he seems to have accepted Grace’s position as someone to be protected. Though I’m sure I’ll hear his complaints later.
That’s unrelated.
“But your people tried to break into the camper,” Ron points out.
My eyes narrow. I’ve always been rational.
Dark hair falls across his forehead as he looks down at the paper he’s slowly destroying, and he sets it carefully on the top of the stack, smoothing it out with a nervous touch.
This woman is going to be the death of me.
“Grace trusts my judgment,” I say mildly instead.
He leaves the room without another word, boots clicking against the floor in retreat.
They need stability, and Grace provides it.
My mind might be often muddled these days when it comes to Grace, but it’s training any alpha has from a young age.
“No. An alpha’s protective instincts are strong. We don’t want others to protect what’s
ours.” 2
“How do you remain so calm, then?” the teenager asks, oblivious to the side conversation in my head.
His shoulders stiffen. “No.”
“I think I should go
back.”
I listen without interrupting, but he cuts himself off. I tilt my head slightly, studying
214 Caine: Raising an Alpha
his face.
Huh. You’re learning to be rational.
I grind my teeth together so hard my jaw aches and turn to Dylan. “Pick She’s on her way to the laundromat.”
up
Grace.
Ron looks at me with some curiosity. “You seem fine with it, though.”
My irritation with her recklessness shouldn’t undermine what she’s built with them.
“I must seem pretty childish to you.”
CAINE
I wave off his concern with a sigh. “Randy’s a father. He’s good with children.”
That’s because it wasn’t.
Ron’s brows pull together, his mouth pulling down into a sharp frown. “That’s strange. Grace wouldn’t leave the kids with a stranger.”
I keep my face neutral as I watch him squirm. This is part of his education too- learning to articulate his instincts rather than just following them blindly. Reasoning through the situation.
My lips tighten. “Yes, I know. It won’t happen again.”
You could still kill him, Fenris opines, as if taking a bite out of our subordinate’s shoulder wasn’t enough.
The moment Fenris and, a few moments later, Randy, report Grace left without any sort of protection, my head pounds.
you manifest? My eyebrow twitches. Shall I rip out your tongue the next time you
The back of my hand finally rests quietly against the table as I consider it. But, as easy as it is to bring back the rage, I’m aware of how much of the responsibility lies on my shoulders. No. It’s my fault for not explaining things when I knew he hated humans.
With our strength comes a volatile temper; controlling it is a necessity.
That sounds so righteous coming from you.
“They’ve been warned.”
214 Caine: Raising an Alpha
All things he needs to learn if he wants to become a pack alpha in the future.
You’d be surprised.
“Exactly what I said. I keep my voice level, not wanting to spook the kid. “Grace is out alone, and left the children with Randy. Dylan’s going to take care of her.”
Ron shakes his head, unconvinced. “Grace doesn’t seem like she would trust someone she just met.”
Dylan’s weathered face remains impassive, but his eyes flicker. “Which one?”
Ron’s fingers crinkle the paper in his hand, as his gaze slips from mine. “I should be with them. With the children.” His voice drops, not quite mumbling but close. “Sara and Jer don’t know Randy well, and Bun-‘
The Lycan clears his throat. “I’ll figure it out, then.”
I open my mouth to point out she’s done precisely that; Lyre’s a walking example. But I swallow the words back.
“I trust my people.” Though Reggie’s actions were regrettable, they were largely due to his misunderstanding of Grace’s importance. It wouldn’t have stopped me from ripping his head off if I’d been there-
You say that like you wouldn’t be up her ass if she’d let you. The only reason you’re letting Dylan pick her up is because you’re worried she’s going to tear you a new one. My eye twitches. And what about you? Why aren’t you showing her you’re nearby?
I rap my knuckles against the table and sigh. “The position of an alpha comes with sacrifices,” I tell him, keeping my voice even. “The children are fine; they’re watching TV. If Randy reports otherwise, I’ll bring you there myself.”
Crossing my arms, I lean back in my chair, meeting the teenager’s gaze. “Why?”
“What’s going on?” Ron asks curiously, looking up from the stack of reports in front of him. Nothing major, just reports on the different complaints brought up by pack members and notes on what have been done to either pacify or dismiss whatever issues were brought to my people during my absence.
No, I’m the one who forces rationality onto you.
214 Caine: Raising an Alpha
Of course, she isn’t alone; my wolf is stalking her without her knowing, mainly because she’d be furious if she did. Thankfully, humans don’t have the superior senses of
shifters; it isn’t hard for Fenris to stay hidden.
Tapping my knuckles against the table again, I keep my words mild. “Appearances are just that. Sometimes I have to let go of what I want to do what is necessary.”
“Do you think I want to leave Grace or the children on their own?”
By stalking her every move so she’s never alone, Fenris mutters.
Hah.
As if you could. 1
Ron gives me a strange look. He doesn’t believe me, but he’s smart enough not to say so directly.
“How do you know?”
I can almost see the thoughts warring behind Ron’s eyes–the need to protect battling with his desire to learn. He hesitates, then his shoulders drop as he settles back into his chair with a soft huff of resignation.
He goes quiet, probably thinking of Reggie’s wound.
That’s the problem with letting your subordinates have a voice. They use them a little
too much.
There’s no need to tarnish her reputation in the heart of a child.
I stare him down, my patience hanging by a thread. The question strikes me as deliberately obtuse–there can’t be that many laundromats in this backwater territory.
