With the tension at an all-time high, every other wolf present on the arena grounds was reluctant to return to their training. Impatiently escorted by Ethan, Jodie was halfway down the path to the den while Ingrid matched to retrieve her training pack, determined to ignore Kyle, who was hot on her trail.
Foreseeing another altercation, the warriors of the Phoenix pack followed due protocol. One by one, each warrior retrieved their training gear and began exiting the field.
"You're worse than I am; you know that, right?" he called after her, his mouth twisting in annoyance. "You're pretending to be her friend when you know exactly what will happen when Viola's done with whatever she's cooking."
"I sense that the girl's a victim, Kyle. Just like us!" Ingrid hissed.
"How?" he grimaced. "Oh, please, enlighten me on the woes of your dear friend. Tell me about her hard life! There's a bloody war looming on the horizon, and she's at the centre of it all! Don't act like you're oblivious to what's really going on. The more exposed she is, the more her chances of uncovering her purpose for being here."
"The whispers amongst the pack members haven't stopped since we successfully brought her in," he continued. "They have very little information on the issue, yet they celebrated her capture! They rejoiced! If she's left to roam free, she will hear something from their running mouths and attempt to escape or murder us—you, especially for being deceitful. A docile prisoner is better than an aggressive one!"
Ingrid groaned. "I get it. But do you think she doesn't already suspect something? I'm only trying to make things appear normal. She's asking questions! Valid questions, because honestly, this is no way to treat a guest."
"She's not a guest! And perhaps it's time to throw her into the dungeon till Viola's ready for her."
Ingrid smirked. "Unfortunately, Beta, it's not your call to make."
His jaw clenched. "And it's yours?"
"No," she retrieved her training gear and slung it over her shoulder. "It's up to the alpha who trusts that no matter how nice and how friendly I might appear, I'll never do anything to jeopardise this mission." She took a step closer, grasped his shoulders and leaned in to kiss him on either cheeks. "Deep down; you know this too."
...
"Have a seat. The alpha will be right with you."
Ethan directed Jodie to a couch in the drawing room. If he was seething over the problem she'd created for him, it didn't show. However, she felt bad for insisting on checking out the arena first. She'd secured a training spot, sort of, but Ares still had a say on it, that she was sure of. There was no telling if he would permit her training even with Ingrid's influence.
She sighed. "Listen, I'm sorry for--"
"No, please." Ethan stopped her. "It's not your fault. I should've insisted on my orders to bring you back. The alpha will be right with you soon. Excuse me."
She frowned as he exited the room, leaving the door ajar so the long corridor that was bordered by several doors was visible to her. She was almost certain Ares would be coming out of one of them. The problem, however, was when he would.
Thankfully, a door opened somewhere five minutes later. She sat up straight, expecting the arrogant face of the Phoenix Pack alpha. However, a twenty-something-year-old blonde dressed like a sixties model waltzed out of the room, followed by Ares.
"It's a shame our session had to be cut short," the lady said with a sultry voice.
"A shame indeed. But I have an appointment, Lucy." He glanced over at Jodie in the drawing room.
Lucy eyed her too before turning her attention back on him. "Will you introduce me? Everyone's raving about the strange lady in the den."
He didn't want to, but instead of saying no, he said, "Of course."
Together, they covered the remaining distance to the room. Jodie stood as they entered, controlling a strange burst of anger that welled up from her belly and had her on a chokehold. It was terribly akin to jealously, but certainly she was mistaken. She had no reason to feel jealous over anyone, let alone another Alpha who wasn't nice to her.
Lucy's eyes narrowed as her gaze flickered over Jodie's body.
"This is Jodie, our guest and a fast friend of Ingrid," he started. "And this is Lucy. She's the daughter of one of my pack elders."
Jodie's lips pursed, but she managed a small hello. The girl didn't bother with a reply but turned to Ares again. "Let me know if you'll need me again," she smiled.
"Of course," he replied with a tight-lipped smile.
Lucy waltzed out without another glance at Jodie. The door shut behind her, and the drawing room suddenly felt smaller.