The small town that made up Brad's pack was far more beautiful than Lexi had expected.
Beautifully manicured lawns and well kept gardens surrounded each house in the living area that was central to the pack. Surrounding the residential areas were the commercial properties, with rows of little side streets that ran between the various shops and eateries scattered here and there along tree lined avenues that held various fruit trees, free for all who wanted them.
Surrounding the row of shops along the outer edge was a row of open green spaces for families to enjoy, along with a sports field and lots of different styles of parks for the pack to enjoy.
Guard stations had been dotted at intervals along the perimeter before the heavy duty chain link fence that ran around the outside to keep unwanted visitors out but both Greyson and Lexi frowned as they looked it over.
"Brad could really do with putting up something a little more permanent." Lexi mused as she ran her eyes along it.
"Agreed. There's no watchtowers to provide a decent line of sight for any approaching enemies and the forest out there," Greyson narrowed his eyes and pointed to the dense overgrowth beyond the walls, "That needs cutting back and the bush clearing a little. There's too many places for people to hide."
Lexi twisted her lips up into a wry smile at him.
"I love it when you're so serious." she purred teasingly, pressing herself against his side and placing her hand against his chest as she looked up at him.
Greyson snorted and covered her hand in his, intertwining their fingers together as he strode forward, pulling her along at the side of him as he continued to assess the rather underwhelming defenses in place.
"You can tell they barely suffer attacks here," Greyson muttered disparagingly, "They've gotten complacent."
"I mean, really, what was there to worry about?" Lexi shrugged, "They don't really need to worry about much all the way out here do they? Apart from the odd animal attack maybe."
Greyson chuckled lightly.
"That's the issue Lexi. Just because there's no current hostile activity, it doesn't mean that there won't be. Imagine if the containment facilities and the route there weren't so heavily fortified."
"Well yeah, but you guys deal with some serious criminals up there! It only makes sense to have people capable of handling any issues. Besides, you were still attacked and a bunch of prisoners escaped, so it's not really that effective is it?" Lexi grimaced.
"We were attacked on the weakest spot along the route," Greyson replied almost defensively as they came to a stop again, "and even then, the gorge is surrounded by impassable mountains and not conducive to people staying hidden for long. Ordinarily getting in and out of that ravine means passing through two heavily fortified posts…"
"Yeah, but evidently that wasn't enough was it?" Lexi smirked, enjoying pushing his buttons and watching his reaction.
"There isn't a lot that is really when you're up against a Daemon Lord and his army of dark witches," Greyson scowled, "Not all of us are lucky enough to be blessed with the destructive powers of two souls."
"Sucks to be you then I guess." Lexi grinned.
Greyson gave an exasperated eye roll and began to walk off, leaving Lexi cackling happily as she followed behind him
"All I'm saying is, if it's that easy to surpass the defenses, then what's the point?"
"The point is, that not all threats are magickal in origin and there are vulnerable people here that need to be kept safe." Greyson snapped, "Sure, it might not stop any assailants permanently, but it will slow them down enough to enable the defense team to prepare and meet their attack."
"But then shouldn't all packs…"
"YES Lexi. That's my point.ALL packs should have adequate defenses, even the towns and villages. There shouldn't be any excuse for needless loss of life in this day and age. Yet here we are." He snapped as Lexi pouted up at him.
"Look, there's no need to get so testy about it.I was teasing a little, that's all."
"I know but…this is people's lives." Greyson sighed, "You have no idea what my so-called family is capable of. I've only scratched the surface in what I've told you so far. If they decide to turn on Brad and his pack because of my presence…I'll never forgive myself."
A little pang of guilt hit Lexi hard as she took in his pained expression and she sighed as she walked over to wrap her arms around him.
"Listen, you big lump, I get it, ok? I'm just being my lovable, insensitive and brazen self just to get a rise out of you. I'm sorry. I'll try to behave. You aren't the only one with fucked up family, remember? At least your family doesn't have an unhealthy obsession with you," She paused as her brows furrowed, "Well, I mean they do…just not in the same way."
"You shouldn't really joke around about this stuff Lexi. It's not..."
"No? Then what should I do? Not talk about it? Sit around and cry and wail? No. As far as I'm concerned, the more I joke about the things that bother me, the less people think I am actually bothered. That way, it can't be used against me."
"But you don't need to joke about these things with me and Allen."
"No, but I do." Lexi grinned up at him, "Because I can. Besides, it makes you both exasperated and you both look so cute when you're uncomfortable."
Greyson rolled his eyes at her as he wrapped his arms around her.
"What am I going to do with you? Hmm?" He said as he looked down at her and planted a soft kiss on her lips.
"I can think of a few things," she smirked up at him, wiggling her eyebrows at him suggestively.
"What? Here?" He asked doubtfully as he looked around, checking for anyone that might be in the vicinity.
"Why? Are you scared or something?" Lexi smirked up at him, challenging him with her eyes as she ran her hand along his thigh and cupped his crotch.
Greyson's face darkened as he looked down at her with an intensity that made her body sing with excitement.
"You're playing a dangerous game here Lexi,"
"But isn't that the best kind?" She grinned as her fingernails scratched gently along the surface of his trousers.
His eyes rolled in satisfaction briefly before his lustful gaze returned to hers and as his lips crashed onto hers, she couldn't help the smirk that curled at the edge of her lips.