"How bad can things get?" Selena heard Cayden's words.
"I've already received calls from James, Mark, Jack, and Dean," Natasha continued. "James persuaded me we needed more silver weapons."
"All right, I'll ask Max to arrange it," Cayden said.
"I don't trust that rash lover boy. He's crazy about that human girl." Natasha grumbled.
"She's his mate, Natasha! Naturally, he feels protective of her. Max is aware of his responsibilities. He is a dependable individual who can be relied on."
"I am concerned that his obsession will lead him to make reckless decisions that will endanger himself or others," Natasha added. "It's important to monitor him and intervene if necessary."
"Don't be concerned, Natasha. I want everything completed by the 4th of May, the day before," Cayden assured her.
They were talking about the attack.
As Selena walked into the living room, still wet from the shower and wrapped in a towel, Natasha came to a halt. "The Red Moon pack is on our side, but you understand they are not reliable," she was saying before noticing Selena.
"Had she been here the whole time?" She asked.
"Where else could she possibly be?" Cayden said, turning to face Selena.
"Have you completely lost your mind?" Natasha snarled angrily. "We're currently discussing classified information. What if she tells her father everything?"
"Natasha, don't be ridiculous," Cayden let out a sigh. "You know she'd never do something like that," he added, shaking his head in surprise.
"How can you be so certain?" Natasha questioned. "She attempted to flee once. How can you put your trust in her?"
"If you're so worried, let's discuss this in the office," he shrugged.
"No, it's okay. Carry on playing with your toy, as usual." She looked at Selena with resentment and jealousy.
Natasha exited the room while grumbling something about how horrible the bond was and stamping her feet. Selena watched Natasha leave, feeling a mix of confusion and concern. She wondered if Natasha's reaction had anything to do with her suspicion.
"She loves you, you know that?" Selena said aloud.
"I know, but I don't feel the same way," Cayden replied.
"You must take her as your mate," Selena said.
Cayden stared at her. He had not bothered to put on a shirt after leaving her in the bath, and his hair was still wet from the rain. She couldn't help but notice the way his muscles rippled under his skin, and she felt a sudden heat rise to her cheeks. He walked up to her and reached out to caress her cheek.
"You know damn well which buttons to push in order to get me to do something I don't want to." Although he wasn't angry, he had a steely gaze. "I am trying to be nice, Selena. Why are you making things difficult?"
"Am I?" She raised an eyebrow. "I am also being nice, Cayden.
"Natasha is a powerful wolf, and she has been your acting Luna for a long time; besides, she loves you. Though she is a little unconventional, she still loves you. Why not take her as your mate?"
Cayden felt a chill run through his body. What was she trying to imply?
"You are my mate," he repeated.
"We just had sex; that's all there is to it. It's fantastic sex, but it's still just sex.
"Really?" He asked softly. "Is that all you think we have between us?"
"How many times are we going to have this conversation?" Selena groaned.
"As many times as it comes up," Cayden barked back at her.
She looked away, trying to avoid his gaze. "I don't know," she whispered. "There is no point in talking about it. Don't you have somewhere else to be? You must focus on your revenge rather than on me."
"Right ! And you promised to help me."
"Yeah," she nodded. She looked down again to guard her feelings—the guilt that was clawing at her heart.
"Although I want to stay here with you. Duty calls for the meeting; join me. You must know what's happening."
Cayden finally moved away from her, and Selena let out a breath. She watched him walk towards a closet and pull out a shirt.
"You must have heard we are going to attack Alpha Fred. It's going to trigger a war, but that's inevitable."
"Cayden…" Selena interrupted him.
"Hmm?" He mumbled without looking at her.
"There is something you must understand." Selena stated she needed to tell him about her mother. How Hawk coerced her into spying on Cayden. It might get her killed, but she won't be betraying him.
A knock broke their conversation, and Cayden nodded towards the door. Whoever was on the other side must have gotten his message, because Michelle opened the door. Selena stood transfixed in horror as Michelle bowed towards Cayden and gave a slight smile to Selena.
"Oscar has called you to the meeting room. It is urgent."
"He could have told me directly through his mind link. Why bother sending you?" Cayden raised an eyebrow.
"I am sorry to disturb you, my Alpha; I do not know why he sent me." She said sweetly.
"Fine." He looked at Selena, urging her to come with him.
"I am… I am still not dressed." Selena said, clutching at her towel. "And I am tired. Please let me rest."
Cayden looked like he was about to protest. He walked up to her, bent down, and kissed her on the lips.
"OK, take a rest. I will see you later." He left, and Michelle followed him after giving Selena a sharp look.
******************
Kylie entered the biggest room she'd ever seen. It looked like a gymnasium to her. There was a pool in the far corner, as well as tennis and basketball courts. In fact, it was primarily a gym. There were people lifting weights and another group that appeared to be boxing each other.
"Kylie!" A group of boys saw her and ran towards her.
"I am so glad to see you," Kylie said, as she hugged them.
"Did they hurt you?" Bradley inquired.
Kylie shook her head, "No."
"No, I'm fine. How are you?"
"We're fine; they took us in the pack." Trent exclaimed cheerfully.
Kylie smiled, knowing how much her brothers missed being part of the pack. Millie and Sam both caught her attention. They were passionately kissing each other like horny teenagers, and no one seemed to mind.
"Get a room, both of you." She laughed.
Sam kissed Millie again and blushed. Millie grinned and took a step back, her hands interlocking with Sam's. Kylie had a vague idea about mate bonds, but this was the first time she saw one. They didn't seem to keep their hands off each other.
"Do all mated pairs act like that?" She inquired from Maya.
"It could be worse. Sometimes the pair lost control and humped each other as soon as they met, sometimes in public."
Kylie's eyes widened with surprise. So that's why she almost had sex with Max in his room. She flushed at the thought of it.
"I hope Max didn't cause you too much trouble. If he does, please let us know. We'll scare him away." Annie smirked.
Kylie burst out laughing. "No, he didn't cause me any problems. So, what do you do here?"
"This is where we train."
"Training?" Kylie was never very good at sports.
"Everyone in the pack must be able to fight." Alpha insists on it."
"Fight?" Kylie enquired. "Who would we fight?"
"There are rogue wolves or bad people, like those who kidnapped you. We have warriors, but we must be ready to fight when necessary," Annie explained.
Kylie felt a weight pressing down on her. This was not what she wanted to be concerned about. Work, making new friends, and decorating her home. That was what Kylie wanted to focus on.
Her brothers went back to their training, and Kylie walked along with Annie and Maya, who were giving her a tour of the pack area. Several people either greeted them or stopped to talk to them.
As predicted, the kitchen was gigantic. A group of women about her age sat on stools under a counter.
"What are your favourite foods?" Annie asked. "I hope you're not a vegetarian."
Kylie shook her head. Maya pulled open a door and walked into the largest pantry. Boxes and cans lined the shelves.
She threw a protein bar. Kylie caught it and wasted no time taking a bite.
"You have free rein on this floor," Maya said. "Including the kitchen. Twice a week, we have dinner as a pack. Otherwise, food is what you feel like having."
Kylie suddenly realised that Maya's smile had disappeared, and she was looking at someone behind Kylie. Not only that, but all the women were looking at someone with a scowl on their faces.
Kylie turned and saw one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen. She radiated an aura of regal elegance that commanded attention. Her smooth, porcelain skin seemed to glow in the light, perfectly complementing her sharp, chiselled features. She had high cheekbones and a defined jawline that gave her face a sculpted, almost regal appearance. Her long, dark hair reached almost to her waist. Her simple white dress hugged her curves in all the right places, accentuating her statuesque figure and highlighting her graceful movements. As she walked, she seemed to glide effortlessly, with a regal bearing that made her seem larger than life. She was a vision of beauty and grace. An alpha.
The woman approached her and smiled at Kylie. "Welcome to the pack. I am Selena. You must be Kylie Max's mate."
Jealousy ran through Kylie as Selena took Max's name. It was weird; Kylie had never felt this way before.