Page 5 of Alpha Hunt
The Alpha settles back into his seat and looks around at us. “Alright, that’s settled, then.” Jagger’s entire demeanor has shifted back to his previous calm. It’s like the incident never happened. “Edirn, you will head up the recon team to investigate those leads on the Wildview situation.”
“I’m ready, Alpha.” There’s determination in my voice. This is more than just about me proving myself. There are lives at stake. Lives that have hung in the balance for far too long. I can only pray that they’ve managed to survive what they’ve been through.
“Good.” Jagger looks satisfied. “And just for the record, Casey will go as your second in command.”
There’s a sharp intake of breath from the woman staring daggers at me, but she knows better than to object again. It’s not lost on me that not only has he forced her onto the team, but he’s also just put her under my leadership.
I nod in acceptance, feeling a prickle as furious blue eyes lock on me. Whatever Jagger may be trying to accomplish by forcing her into my company, one thing’s for certain. I just made an enemy.
Chapter 3
Casey
I’m pacing a path into the floor in front of Jagger’s office. Why can’t he see reason? I can’t believe he pulled that move in the meeting yesterday.
You were out of line, Stone.
I know it. And I’m ashamed of how I behaved. But seeing that asshole sitting there, so smug and full of his own bullshit… It made my blood boil. I hate men who think they can get away with things just because they have some sort of presence. I bet he thinks he’s God’s gift to women, too. I’ve seen the way he’s drawn attention from the females around this place.
Well, he won’t get it from me.
I turn on my heel and pace another track past the door.
“Not gonna happen, Stone.” Jagger’s voice has me leaping several inches off the floor. He’s standing in the hallway right behind me.
“Geez, Law, you startled me!” I try to regain my composure. “And what are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I mean. You think I don’t know why you’re here?”
“I just… I just…” I stumble over the words. I’d stormed over here, intent on convincing him not to make me go, but I had no idea how to approach the whole thing.
“You’re just here hoping to change my mind about sending you out with Alpen.” He steps around me to open the door to his office and then walks inside. I follow him in. The once-cluttered space of our previous Alpha is ordered and tidy since Jagger took occupation. But there’s a photo of Greyson Titer and his family set carefully on the desk, a nod to the man who once led us. I wonder how he’s doing now that he’s taken retirement.
“It’s worth a shot, surely?” I try, hovering in the center of the room.
“You’re wasting your time,” Jagger lowers himself into the oversized leather chair behind his broad desk.
“But why? I don’t see what good it will do to force us to work together, dammit! What’s your reasoning?” I don’t bother trying to make excuses for being here.
“You don’t need to see the reason. I do. And as your Alpha, I expect you to have faith in my decisions.” He leans back in his seat.
“I don’t get it.” I huff as I slump into the chair across from him. I’ve been stewing over this since the meeting yesterday evening, and it’s only making me more and more angry. If that man were to walk in here right now, the top of my head might blow off. “You owe it to me to hear me out.”
“Owe it to you?” he scoffs.
“Sure. I saved your hide out there more than once, Law. Are you forgetting how I backed you up when those Leadmills fuckers hit the base? If I hadn’t taken out the mutt who had you by the throat—”
“I’d be worm food. Yeah. I know it.” He runs a hand through a wave of thick dark hair. He’s grown it longer since he mated. “And it’s the only reason you’re not sitting back in the team room, sorting our paperwork for the rest of the month.”
The thought of administrative work makes me cringe. I’d rather be locked up than be stuck on desk duty.
“Jagger, please. You have to know that this is going to be a disaster.” I try to appeal to his better nature.
“Stone,” Jagger leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk and steepling his fingers before him, “you need to understand that this is for the good of the team. I can’t have two of my best people at each other’s throats.”
“He’sone of your best people?” I can’t believe he just said that.
“That’s not up for debate. What I’m saying is that I need cohesion. It’s my job to see that we are able to work together. What if we’re under attack, and I can’t trust the two of you to have each other’s backs?”