Approaching the Alpha's office, a stench engulfed me and I covered my nose and mouth with my hand.
"Someone's having too much fun." Rex chuckled.
"What's that smell?" I squeak.
"A little bit of sex and I'm assuming a little bit of drugs."
"Oh good, that's one way to run a pack." I scoff.
Rex shrugs, "Alphas act like this week is a vacation, they go all out and not in a good way."
"Do you miss it?" I ask.
"Absolutely not. Back then I didn't have you."
I smile a small smile.
Rex knocks and we hear, "Enter."
The room reeked of bodily fluids and smoke. Alcohol burned my nostrils.
*Hold your breath as much as you can, the kid is gonna make you puke.* Praesul warned.
"This is disgusting and I demand another meeting time when your office isn't such a place of disgrace." I spat.
"Chill." He said, getting up and pulling his pants up.
A woman got up from under his desk. She licked her lips at him. Her pale knees rubbed raw.
Rex growled at his disrespectful demeanor.
"You're early. We were going to meet in the courtyard." He waves at his Beta to lead the way.
A few minutes after we sit and are offered drinks, the Alpha arrives. Dressed and smelling less repugnant.
"My sincerest apologies." He bowed.
A young woman followed behind him. She must have been barely 18. Brown wavy hair flowed halfway down her back. It looked as though it had lost its luster. Her face was gaunt and she wore a collar. The leash was fastened around his left wrist.
I clenched my jaw and Rex stroked my hand in his.
"Let's talk business shall we?" He noticed my glance toward the girl. "Ignore Dono, she's just my mate."
My eyes turned yellow and back. I shook my head and turned my head to Rex.
*I'm going to fucking murder him.* I link to Rex.
*In The Dome, love.* He sounds just as upset as I am. However, he's got a poker face.
"Why did you want to meet?" Rex says coldly.
"To discuss what I get when I win, of course." He tugs Dono closer to him. She stands pressed to him, behind his chair.
"And when I win?" I say through gritted teeth.
"If," he clarifies, "but you won't."
"Are you even going in The Dome yourself? I heard you've been know to wimp out." Rex says without hesitation.
"Of course I'll be in The Dome." He snaps. "I only let a champion fight for me once because I sprained my ankle surfing."
*How does that even happen?* Praesul laughs.
"Then you'll be facing me." I grin nastily. "State your terms."
"When I win, I want... let's say 20 female pack members, ages 18-21. Preferably untouched." Rex's muscles flex and his eyes turn black.
"When I win, I want your entire pack." I say. "Including your mate."
He growls and his eyes flicker another color before settling. "Deal."
We stand to leave, my heart beating in my ears. I give Dono one last look of pity. Her eyes are downcast and her shoulders slumped.
"I'll see you at noon." I say to him before dragging Rex away from the courtyard.
Back in the room, I collapse on the bed.
"What a horrible fucking wolf." I grunt.
"That bastard." Rex says and I sit up to stare at him. "How dare he treat his mate with such disrespect!"
He saunters over to me and drops beside me. His arms cradle my hips and he hugs my lower half. It's awkward because his knees are on the floor and his head rests in my lap. I stroke his hair and he visibly relaxes.
"I would never treat you like that." He says in a sultry voice.
He looks up at me. His eyes are hooded but I can see the black and silver flicker. Then all of a sudden he tenses.
"Babe?" He sits up and stares at me. "Your heart beat is irregular. We've got to get the pack doctor in here right away!"
"No!" I say abruptly.
*Praesul make the pups heart in sync!*
*First of all, I have no idea how to do that. Second of all, what do I look like a damn babysitter? You're going to have to tell him eventually!*
Rex looks at me confused. "Are you sure? Are you okay?"
I sigh and calm my breathing, making my heart beat slow.
"How does my heart sound now?"
He listens for a few moments. "Loud but regular, I guess."
"I was just excited. I don't know why it was beating weird, but it's better now." I smile at him and he nods slowly.
"He got you so worked up your heart was out of sorts." Rex mused.
"Well, I'm just overly excited to kill him."
"I was hoping you'd say I was the one who got your heart speeding up."
He nuzzles against me and I giggle.
"This conversation has to wait. I'm hungry and we've got another meeting in a few minutes."
"Ah, right. What do you want to eat?"
*Praesul, help!*
*Seriously? Listen to your own body!*
Nothing. Praesul sighs deeply then tells me after a few uncomfortable moments of pause.
*Kid wants pizza.*
"Pizza please!"
"Alright let's swing by a food truck on our way to meet with the Stardust pack."
*When are you going to tell him?*
*After my challenges.*
*He's not going to like that.*
*Yeah, well I'm a grown ass woman who can take care of myself.*
*And the pup?*
I narrowed my eyes at her. *And the pup!*