Chapter 4

She's right and I know she is. I want to do it on my own but I just can't. This is one of the reasons that Austin even wants to challenge me. He thinks he can do a better job but the truth is he doesn't know how hard it is. I know I didn't.

I stalk into my office and plop down into my chair as I rub my hands down my face. I'm too aggravated to deal with all of this. It's too much at one time. Austin, Alexandra, my warriors, Harmony.

Another sigh escaped as I thought about the baby. I have to call Cassie to get the test set up. I pull out my phone and dial the number.

"What day can you make it?"

"Whenever works for you guys. I got Michelle to agree and we'll fly out to get it done."

"Friday?" She asked and I didn't see a problem with that. Gave me a few days to get the tickets and try to sort out this mess.

"Yeah, that's good."

I was going to thank her and hang up but I didn't. Instead, I stayed on the line silent. I knew I had to ask. It was just a lot more difficult to swallow my pride than I expected.

"What's up Mace?"

"Avery? He's one of V's men?"

"Yeah. I never asked how we had him for PE but he's one of V's. He even helped me train Alexandra to win the competition. Why?"

The question I didn't want to answer.

"I need someone to help with training here and Alexandra said I should ask you."

I should feel relieved but I don't. As an Alpha, I should be able to do this on my own. Not keep running to Cassie when I need help.

"Scared your boys won't listen to Alexandra. I get it. You can use Avery until she beats them into submission. Anything else?"

"No."

"Alright. See you Friday then."

She hung up the phone and I sat there a little stunned. She let me use Avery without any hesitation.

I knew it was because of Alexandra. She only speaks to me now because she is my mate. I also know it's true but that doesn't mean we have to be together. Plenty of wolves picked someone other than their mates.

There were two quick taps on my door letting me know that Blaine was on the other side.

"Yeah, Blaine."

He opened the door with a smirk before he slithered his way in. "Just coming to see what happened with Alexandra's first day."

"I don't know. You went to breakfast with her, why don't you tell me?"

Blaine only smiled wider as he sat in the chair opposite my desk.

"I knew you were jealous about that."

"I'm not jealous. She hated it and said we need new training and warriors."

"Agreed so what are we going to do about it?"

"We get Avery to help us."

"PE teacher Avery?"

I just nodded my head as I looked back down at the paperwork on my desk.

"Man Alexandra really helped us out."

"Cassie." I bit out before looking back up at him. "Cassie helped us out."

Blaine scoffed as he stood up and walked back to my door.

"If it wasn't for Alexandra we wouldn't have the help. We also wouldn't need Avery if you would just let her help."

I couldn't argue anything back before he slammed the door after leaving my office.

So he's obviously team Alexandra too. I just can't catch a break.

Harmony. I'll go see Harmony to help take my mind off of all of this.

Opening the door I stop dead in my tracks as I see Alexandra standing outside my door. "How long have you been here?"

"I just came to ask you something but it's stupid and I know you have other things to do so."

She stopped abruptly and started to walk away.

"Alexandra," I called after her but she was already gone.

I sighed worrying about how much of our conversation she had heard. Yeah, Harmony was definitely a good idea.

*****

"At least he listened," I said to myself sitting in the now empty living room.

I throw my head back with a sigh before I hear footsteps. My eyes flung over and darted to the archway.

There stood Tristan with his hands held out. "Only coming to see how training was today."

"Terrible," I state flatly and close my eyes again.

"Why?"

"Because your warriors are stupid." I think about what I said before looking back at Tristan. "No offense."

He just smiled as he shook his head. "None was taken. They didn't train you well?"

"I ran today...that's it."

Tristan seemed a little ticked then smirked. "Well train with me then."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You are part of the infamous night stalker pack. There is no way you can't fight."

I nodded my head glad that someone seemed to get that I am a trained warrior and need to train like one.

"I guess I can try it out. Hopefully, I'll actually break a sweat with you."

"Tristan."

We both looked to see Blaine with a questioning look on his face.

"Beta Blaine." Tristan quickly rose to his feet and stood by Blaine.

"Alexandra I'm sure you need sleep for this new training."

I knew that he was only trying to get me to leave. I wanted to know what he would talk to Tristan about. Was I not allowed to train with him? If I wasn't, why not?

"Blaine," I say and he only smiles at me.

"Nothing bad I promise."

I reluctantly get up but stop next to Blaine. He looks at me and I just stare back.

"Don't worry you can train with him. Now go."

With a huff, I leave the room. At the very least I can have a friend and actually train. Maybe things will get better from here.

In my room, I just laid on top of my bed. I didn't bother to take off my clothes or even get in the blankets. Something about this room made me contemplate my decision to come here. It was like being trapped in a mental prison.

I quickly pulled myself up and out of bed to hurry up and get out of that room.

I ventured to the kitchen without any intention of eating anything. Walking through the threshold I stop.

"Alexandra," Mason says as he takes another bite of the bowl of cereal he has.

"Mason," I say back not really knowing what else to say.

There was an awkward silence between us for a while before I walked to the fridge to take a peek since I didn't want him to know I was just roaming around the house.

"Didn't have dinner or can't sleep?"

I pulled my head out of the fridge to look back at him. "What?"

"If you wander into the kitchen in the middle of the night you either didn't eat yet or you can't sleep. Which one is it?"

"I guess a little of both."

He just nodded and I realized I wasn't contributing to the conversation he was trying to have with me.

"What about you?"

He just smirked to himself as he ate another bite. "I'm an Alpha. We never sleep."

I know he meant it as a joke but it made me worry. Cassie always talked about how V never slept enough either.

"You really should get your rest. It really helps."

He didn't say anything. Instead, he got up and went to the cabinet. I watched as he grabbed another bowl and spoon before walking back to his own.

"You like frosted flakes?" I nodded and he poured a bowl for me before motioning me over.

I sat down next to him and felt as my body tingled and my hairs stood up. I didn't know if it was because he was my mate or because of the anticipation of what he was up to.

I ate a few bites and he filled his bowl once more.

"About what I said earlier..." He trailed off and I looked at him to see if he was going to continue.

"I don't want you to think that I don't appreciate your help. I'm just-"

"Having a hard time with your ego?" He gave me a side glance before slightly pushing me.

"Not what I was going to say."

He gave me a half-smirk and I about died.

"I know I haven't really spent time with you with everything going on."

"It's okay. I'm here to help."

Mason nodded and he sighed as he looked back at his cereal. "Avery will be here tomorrow so training should be better."

"About that..."

I need to tell him that I'm training with Tristan now and not the other warriors.

"Tristan and I are going to start training."

Mason growled and it wasn't a low warning growl either.

"No." That was all he said to me.

"What?"

"No, you aren't going to train with him." The rumble in his chest was still evident as he spoke.

"You can't tell me no. You're not my alpha."

"No. I'm your mate."

"Only when it suits you."

He growled again and I just got up and left out of the house. Outside was dark and I honestly had no plans on where to go when I tripped.

"Owww."

I looked to where the noise came from to see a young wolf. A teen by the looks of it.

"Watch where you're going!"

"Why are you laying on the ground?"

He didn't answer. His head snapped in the direction of a male's growl. Mason stood in the doorway and glared at both of us.

"Caleb. Inside now!"

The boy rushed to get to his feet and into the house. Mason barely moved to let him in as he stared me down.

"If you're going to stay here you do things my way. You are not training with him."

"I will listen to you about anything but I won't let you or anyone else jeopardize my training."

His glare disappeared as he seemed to kind of relax about the situation. He raked a hand through his hair before he just crossed his arms. I just looked at him my resolve absolute.

"I don't want to jeopardize your training and it really irks me that's what you think of me."

Once again I stood there like an idiot with nothing to say.

"I wanted you with Avery since he will train you well and you can be seen as someone who can help train the others."

"Why don't you just train me?"

He seemed shocked by my question and I knew he would tell me no. He laughed before he shook his head.

"After the men trust you to train them. Then I will train you."

He didn't say no? I must have been hearing things.

"So no Tristan." He wasn't asking. That was the requirement if I wanted to be trained by him eventually. I don't like having to choose.

"Fine."

He seemed to sigh out of what I thought was relief before he smirked at me. "It's funny how you can be so quiet one moment and completely bat shit crazy the next."

"I am not crazy!"

Mason laughed as he ran back into the house with me still following after him.

"Take it back!"

"No."

"Mason!"

"Lovers quarrel?"

Mason glared at Blaine as I elbowed him in the side. "What kind of big brother are you to teach Mason to be so rude?"

"Big brother?"

I was missing something between these two but neither spoke about it. Instead, Mason changed the subject. I hate the fact that they can mindlink each other.

"So tell Tristan training with Alexandra won't be happening anymore."

Even though I agreed to not train with Tristan when he told Blaine I felt like he had won in a way.

Mason turned to me with a smile and crossed his arms. "Although arguing with you is fun angel, I really need to get to work and you need to rest up since Avery is in charge tomorrow. Blaine."

Wait...what? "Did you call me Angel?"

"Goodnight!" He yelled over his shoulder ignoring my question.

*****

"You told her you were my brother?"

"Are you saying we aren't?"

"Not by blood."

Blaine shrugged as he followed me into my office.

"Avery arrived and I showed him to where he will be staying. The warriors won't like the new times."

"Doesn't matter. They will do as they are told or be reassigned."

Alexandra was right. They need better training because they aren't disciplined now.

"Also make sure to tell Tristan."

"Why don't you?"

I glared long and hard at Blaine. "If you want him to disappear I will."

Blaine laughed and stalked towards the door before stopping suddenly.

"I almost forgot to tell you about your travel arrangements. I got the flight early so you won't have to stay overnight. All the details are in your top right drawer. Cassie set up someone to pick you up and drop you back off."

I nodded my head and Blaine disappeared behind the open door before closing it. I look down at my work and sigh. So much paperwork but everything else keeps getting in the way.

The knock-on my door just proved my thoughts true.

"Come in," I say far from welcoming.

Michelle stepped in and the semi-good mood I am in is ruined.

"You never said when we would get the test done."

Okay, so I'm the ass. I totally forgot to keep her in the loop about these things.

"Friday. Blaine booked the flight so I don't know the time. He said it was in the morning though. Anything else?"

"Yeah. Why did you start thinking that Harmony wasn't yours when that other wolf came?" I knew she was talking about V. Who else could she mean?

"He doesn't think she's mine and-"

"That I'm a pack whore, right?" Michelle cut me off annoying me a little. How does she know that term when I had no idea what it meant?

"He might have said those words. Why?"

I was very curious. Yeah, she might be the possible mother to my child but I didn't know her that well. Being a Casanova has a lot of drawbacks. This is one of them.

"Forget it. We'll be ready to leave Friday."

"Okay." I gave a quick wave of my hand as she slammed the door.

Without another thought, I stared back at my paperwork.