By the time Lexi emerged from the shower the tension was so thick it was almost palpable. She smirked as they glowered at her resentfully and set about changing into clean clothes.
As much as she loved them both, she really didn't think that either of them appreciated just how sore she was inside after Greysons knot had speared her. If she had to impose a ban on them just to get her point across then she had no problem in doing so.
They walked to Brad's office with Lexi strutting ahead proudly, ignoring the awkward atmosphere, as her mates followed in a subdued silence.
They knocked and waited for Brad to answer before wandering in and instantly Brad picked up on the atmosphere.
"Is there something that I should know?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Nah," Lexi answered with a wicked grin and a dismissive wave of her hand, "They just need to kiss and make up..that's all."
Brad looked at the expressions of displeasure on both of their faces and cleared his throat while Lexi cackled triumphantly.
"I don't think I'll ask," Brad grimaced, "You said you had recommendations?"
Allen nodded and stepped forward, grateful for the distraction as he handed the report over to him. Greyson skirted around where Allen stood carefully and stood at the other side of the desk, pointedly avoiding making eye contact with either Lexi or Allen.
"We inspected the perimeter earlier, these are the areas I think need improvement and additional recommendations are listed here." Greyson said curtly as he pointed to the bottom of the document that he and Allen had drawn up while Lexi had been on the phone with Ann.
Brad nodded thoughtfully.
"It makes sense. How soon do you think I should aim to have these implemented?"
"As soon as possible. I wouldn't advise underestimating the Lycan Kingdom…nor any future enemies. You have a lot of youngsters here…it would be wise if they were adequately protected." Greyson said firmly, yet not unkindly.
A wave of guilt clouded Brad's face at his words before he pushed it away quickly and it was replaced with a steely determination instead.
"I understand. I was preoccupied with consolidating my position in the aftermath of Ann's rejection and I admit some things have fallen by the wayside. Thank you. I'll make sure that I attend to these immediately."
"Have you sorted a name for your son yet?" Lexi asked suddenly.
"I did actually," Brad said with a small smile, "Devante. It means 'fighter of wrongs'."
Lexi nodded her head and grunted in approval.
"I like that. It's a good name and fitting too. Ada stood for what was right in the end and although I don't forgive her for what she did, it was her unborn child that made her see sense in the end. Even before he was born he was the catalyst for change."
"Exactly." Brad smiled softly, "And he is the reason that my wolf has resurfaced again. For that, I am truly grateful. I have high hopes for my son."
"Just don't put all your expectations on the kid and squash his spirit, okay?" Lexi said with a small smile.
"I don't think I would dare with both you and Ann so interested in his wellbeing," Brad chuckled.
"I mean…although there's no blood relation, I know Ann will always look at him as a nephew. She isn't heartless enough to leave the kid with no one. Besides, Devante is going to have a heap of cousins to play with soon." She said lightly although her face dropped as her tone took on a more serious note, "And if anything happens Brad, the offer still stands for your son to become a ward of the Alpha Queen."
"An offer I appreciate, Lexi." Brad inclined his head respectfully before taking a hesitant breath and turning to Greyson, "Speaking of Royal Courts, your brothers came to me this morning."
"Oh?" Greyson asked a little too casually.
"Yes, they asked permission to take Genevieve with them." Brad answered with a frown, "I agreed because she was adamant that it was what she wanted and I had no reasonable grounds to stop them."
"No reasonable...?" Lexi scoffed indignantly, "What about the fucking lengthy list of reasons the Lycans are complete douchecanoes and not to be allied with, hmm? Was that not enough? Honestly Brad, you go from being almost passable in the humanity stakes and gaining a little credibility with me, to completely debasing any value and decency that I thought you had with your ridiculous decisions so fucking quickly that I cant keep track." She continued, her voice raising in volume as she seethed at his comment.
Brad blinked in surprise at her and looked between her mates for support but found none.
"Look, I don't think you know Genevieve as well as I do. Once she's set her mind on something, there's no talking her out of it. Even if I forbid her to go, she will still find a way to do as she wants."
"But at least her death wouldn't be on your head, Brad. You have a moral responsibility…a duty of care!" Lexi exclaimed in exasperation.
"I cannot force someone to do something that they don't want to do Lexi!" Brad snapped, his voice rising slightly as his frustration grew.
"Can't you use your Alpha heebie-jeebies? Make them submit to your will or whatever?"
"That's hardly ethical Lexi.." Allen interceded on Brad's behalf.
"Well neither is allowing her to walk off to a certain death!"
"Wait…you said my brothers are leaving with her?" Greyson asked suddenly as the realization of what he had just said hit.
"Yes. They'll be leaving tomorrow morning.It's a little sooner than anticipated but.."
"What do you mean sooner?" Greyson asked, his scowl deepening.
"Well, they were scheduled to stay for another week or so but…"
"Something's not right." Greyson stated confidently.
"I don't think it's that, " Brad laughed nervously, "I mean, after all, they know that I can't commit to any alliance until after I have spoken with the Alpha Queen and from what you're saying, it doesn't seem likely that she'll agree anyway."
"Did you tell them that?"
"Fuck no!" Brad snorted, "Do you think I'm completely incompetent?"
"Well if you're asking…" Lexi began with a wicked glint in her eye.
"IT WAS A RHETORICAL QUESTION LEXI!" Brad roared at her as she pretended to look offended.
"Will you stop?" Greyson hissed, "Something isn't right about this whole situation. They don't leave early...ever. If anything, they tend to overstay their welcome just to get people to agree to their demands."
"So what are you thinking?" Allen asked, his face serious.
"I don't know, but I think I need to get hold of Hudson. He's always been more balanced than Sebastian and Logan... maybe he can tell me what's going on."