by Amber Lynn
“What? A traitor? I am not a traitor.” It seems that is the standard answer for anyone I ask these days. I guess you cannot really expect someone to cop to the crime. Traitors don’t have a record of being treated very well in history.
“We caught you having sex with a known enemy. You have been slipping her your hard-on, what else have you let loose?”
“Just because I was using the situation to get some low grade sex, I mean my own hand is almost better, doesn't mean she was getting anything out of me. If you would have asked her, she might have thought she was, but I was only feeding her false information while doing research and collecting intel for our side. You can ask Alex. I reported everything back to him.”
“Alex knows about your relationship?” I ask. He didn't indicate that to me at any point, but I guess I didn't hear about the real situation until after we left the compound. The little bit Alex did mention made me think he thought Jake would be an issue.
“Of course he does. He set everything up. I romanced the girl, letting her think she was pulling one over on me. Then when we started coming here, I would slip her something in her drink so after I had a good time with her, and made a big deal about leaving, she would pass out. I would double back around and come back in to snoop through her things to find out her plans. I was able to save her first target, but she changed things at the last minute for the second one. You don't know how sorry I am that I didn't see that one coming.”
So, little Jakey has been playing secret agent. I am going to have to check out his story with Alex, but I actually think the brat is telling the truth. I may have to smack Alex around a little bit for making me think Jake was a rat.
“If you aren't the traitor that leaves only one person standing,” I say looking to Sebastian, since it is one of his men.
“The fact that Smitty is playing both sides isn’t a new revelation,” he says nodding. “I didn't know if Jake had also flipped so I didn't want you growing complacent around him. I am sure there are probably quite a few people within our midst that aren't really on our side.”
“You knowingly have allowed a traitor to guard me? For how long?” I ask.
“Smitty is very complex. He has been by my side since the resistance was started, and I have known him for centuries. He doesn't like to lose, though, and he hasn't figured out which side in this battle will win. That makes him play both. We are careful not to let anything too important slip out when he is in our presence, but these things sometimes happen.”
“I cannot believe you allow this,” I say astonished by what I am hearing. He says they don’t let anything important slip, but the guy knows about my wacky makeup and paternity. I think those are kind of important things to just let slip.
I try to think back over other things he might know. The big one is the fact that my dad is still alive. He better be in a really good hiding place because the Collective is probably back on his ass.
“We use it to our advantage when we can. We have uncovered more traitors that meet with him and have taken care of them appropriately. His phone and vehicles are wired, so we pick up any communication he has with the other side. Him being two-faced has actually saved a few lives over the years,” Sebastian explains. “We were even able to find the wolf that tried to break into the holding cells to get to Sam, after the perpetrator had a meeting with Smitty.”
“And yet you don't make me aware of this and he is sent almost every other day to protect me. What if I let something slip that cost someone their life?”
“Jonas and Marcus were aware of the situation, which is why one of them tends to always be around. I wasn't one hundred percent for sure of Jake's loyalty, so you were rarely left alone with only him and Smitty. Sometimes the grouping was necessary, but not often. I don't think Smitty would ever endanger you. He has given his blood oath to protect you and those aren't things that can be taken lightly.”
“Hey. Why does my loyalty have to be in question? Alex saved me from the Collective. There is no way I would repay that by harming the resistance. Especially not if it had something to do with hurting Alex’s girl,” Jake says defending himself. “Wolves tend to take the whole mate thing very serious.”
“That's good to know. We are going to have to talk to Alex about sharing information. He didn't tell anyone, that I know of, that you were undercover,” Sebastian says looking to Jonas who shakes his head.
Wow. Alex is a little secret hider. Imagine that. He is also pretty quiet in my mind. I know he said he had to concentrate to hear my thoughts, but I figured he just sat around thinking of me all day making me an easy read. With any luck, his silence means he is actually busy elsewhere.
“I guess we are done here then. Because of Jake I didn't get to have any fun like I was promised, so you better get something else lined up for me soon.” Like letting me go after the real traitor, I add silently. “What do you guys want to do with the body?” I ask.
I am not sure what ammunition he used; usually silver just leaves a puddle of gunk. This stuff just blew her head away. It might come in handy if I ever need to produce a body.
“We can just leave her. I don't think she will be resurrecting and this, trying to seduce me into giving secrets, was something she was doing without proper authority. She would report any tidbits she thought she was uncovering, but no one was really checking on her,” Jake says. “She was really trying hard to prove herself. Apparently, another female agent made it very difficult to look good in the eyes of the Collective. Her tests never measured up to yours, so she was trying to find something to win them over.”
“And I am guessing your bogus secrets weren't working out too well for her?” I ask.
“Nah. She was going to try to kill me before too long. They kept sending agents to places I said our forces lived and found empty houses. I think I was causing quite a bit of frustration.”
“So, it was a normal day for you,” I retort.
“Pretty much. Can we get out of here? The body is starting to stink and if you haven't noticed, Rat Dog is eying it like a T-bone.”
The conversation had made me forget about the little bugger, but sure enough, he is staring at the body licking his lips.
“No Clyde,” I say scolding him. I need to record myself saying that because I have a feeling those words are going to come out of my mouth a lot. “I don't care what your other master allowed. Here in the real world, we don't eat people.”
“I guess if you ever did need a body disposed of, you have a new tool at your disposal,” Marcus pipes in. “I don't think there would be much left after he got through with it.”
“I am afraid if he gets the taste of people, you guys are going to have to start sleeping with one eye open,” I inform them. “Let's head out. I think he needs to have a steak or something. His eyes are starting to look like laser beams.”
“I am parked two blocks north of here, so I will meet you all back at base,” Jake says nodding and taking off.
“I, for one, am glad he isn't the traitor,” I announce dragging Clyde away from the body. “I wasn't looking forward to breaking in a new guard and if you say you have a handle on Smitty, I won't have to.”
“I think you have a while before you need to. Eventually, Smitty will outgrow his usefulness and have to be dealt with, though,” Sebastian says catching up and taking my free hand.
On the way back to the car, I start salivating thinking about what it would be like to fight Smitty to the death. He isn't as good as Sebby, but he is far from a novice. It would be a pretty fair fight and one that would really get my adrenaline going.
I cannot wait.
Chapter 8
Things just never go my way
“Oh my God, you're alive!” Phee shrieks at me as I step out of the car, back in the parking garage. She is dressed in Nyx approved workout attire. “I didn't believe them when they said you were actually up and about and out on a mission. I thought for sure you would be recovering for a few days from your ordeal.
I know after my little issue, I stayed in my room for two whole days before my mom even called you in.”
Can someone hand me the mute button, please? I think it would be a handy feature to have with just about any of my companions.
“In a minute, Phee,” I say ushering Clyde past her as she tries to give me a hug. Has she gone crazy? Hello. Hugs and I don’t exactly mix. “Clyde needs food.” During the ride back, he refused to sit still and kept trying to gnaw on Sebastian.
Sebastian wasn’t too thrilled with the idea of being a snack and a sort of staring contest ensued. It made a really interesting ride home since Sebastian was the one driving. In the end, it was a draw and neither contestant would look away.
I am leaning towards Sebastian winning because he still has all his fingers.
“You have a puppy,” Phee squeals noticing the Hellhound. She tries to bend down to pet him even while we are in motion and he leaps towards her trying to bite. I guess that proves he isn’t only after male flesh, like I was originally assuming. He is growing up and in a very confused period in his development, so I am not counting the looks he was giving the dead female body.
“I would stay back, if I were you,” Jonas says inserting himself between the girl and the dog. Brave man.
“What's wrong with him?” Phee whispers, now probably terrified of the little thing. Come on, she is a freaking werewolf and he is just a puppy. I think werewolf trumps puppy, even if Clyde doesn’t believe it.
“He is just hungry and he doesn't really care about where his meat comes from right now, as long as it isn't from his mistress' bone,” Jonas informs her. It’s true. He hasn’t made one move to relieve me of a little flesh. Of course, I am pretty little, so maybe he realizes there isn’t enough meat to even bother with. That doesn’t explain his lunging at Phee since she is smaller, but it is an idea.
We arrive at the elevator, but I think it is best if I go alone. A small space crammed with people isn't good right now.
“Me and Marcus are joining you,” Sebastian says stepping on as I hit the button.
“Fine. It isn't my appendages that are in danger,” I say. I try to talk soothingly to Clyde and let him know he will get something yummy in just a second, but he doesn't believe me.
After a thirty-second ride that feels like hours, the doors finally open again and we stumble out. I take off in a run towards the kitchen. I fling open the fridge door and grab whatever meat I can in a hurry.
In a panic, I throw butcher paper everywhere to expose two large, juicy steaks. I toss them on the floor and Clyde takes his sweet time waddling to them and then sniffing around. He gives two short yips, charring them both slightly. I guess he doesn't like his food as raw as Demon Boy thought.
In seconds, the steaks are both gone, his eyes are back to their normal black and the rest of our party has joined us to watch.
“What is he?” Phee asks annoyingly awed by the sight. Just last week, I ate a pile of bacon quicker than he finished the steaks. Now that was something to be in awe of.
“What, you haven't ever seen a Hellhound before?” I ask picking Clyde up off the ground to snuggle him to my shoulder. I pat his back gently, telling him what a good boy he is.
Before long, he lets out a huge belch causing a stream of fire to hit the wood cupboards behind us. I turn to see that thankfully they didn't catch fire. That seems a bit odd with them being wood and all.
“I fireproofed the apartment while you were out. You will have to remind me to thank your demon for his little 'gift',” Alex says joining us. I cannot really tell if he is being sarcastic. He sounds pretty sincere. “I am, sincere that is.”
“So far, he has caused fire and growled and nipped at any person that has come close to him, and yet you are happy to have him here?” I ask doubting him. My eyes even narrow slightly as I glare at him. For some reason I think he is making fun of my puppy and mama bear doesn’t allow baby bear to be teased.
“What I am starting to see is that Clyde was not meant as a gift for protection. Although, I am sure he will provide plenty of that. Ben gave him to you to get you used to mothering something,” he says with a smile.
I look down at Clyde lazily grinning in my arms. “Oh shit,” I say aloud. “That sneaky, no good, low down bastard. Well, I will show him,” I state stomping off with Clyde.
I don't know how I am really going to go about doing that. It isn't like I can just abandon Clyde to fend for himself. He is just a baby after all.
I settle in front of my laptop and start cruising around websites with Clyde in my lap. I have a plan formulating, but I have other business to tend with now.
“Nothing says showing Ben like buying a puppy palace and a year's supply of doggy breath mints,” Sebastian says right next to my ear.
“No one said I was going to show him right this second and Clyde needs supplies,” I fume and continue with my purchases. Once done, I feel better about seeing to Demon Dog's needs. I will show them all what a great mother I could be, even if I still refuse to have my own children.
Clyde seems happy about my decisions, too. As far as I can tell anyway. He isn’t growling at anyone, just observing. He is probably chronicling who would be the easiest to take down amongst the people in the room. Phee would be the obvious choice for him there. We probably better get a move on toughening her up.
“Phee you ready to go through some tests today so I can monitor your physical acumen?”
“Yes,” she says jumping up and down. “I felt so bad about not being able to help when you were kidnapped.”
“That was something that just had to happen. I am already over it.” Well mostly. Once me and Sebby are back on track, I will be over it. Oh, and gutting the bastard Tommy wouldn't hurt either.
“If you guys want to head down, I will have your other student brought in,” Alex says taking out his phone.
“Sounds good. Come on, Clyde,” I say taking off his leash. In the building, I don't think I really need it. My two shadows, Sebastian and Marcus, follow behind us, while Jonas sticks around to talk to Alex. I haven't seen Smitty since we returned, which is probably good because he has a lot of glares coming his way. Also, it looks like Jake made a pit stop somewhere because he isn't back either.
We arrive at the gym and Phee, being a loopy-headed teenager, spins around marveling at the space. She cannot even see the rooms off to the side, one of which holds a huge ass pool, and she is already impressed.
“This is so cool,” she claims still trying to take it all in. I guess I was impressed, at first, but I sincerely hope I didn't act like this. “What do I get to try first?” she asks glancing at the equipment.
Light bulbs are going off in her head and I doubt she knows how to use half of the equipment. She is going to need to have a close eye kept on her so she doesn’t hurt herself.
“First, I need to get some results from speed, strength, and agility testing to see how to begin your training. There is usually a weapons portion to the test, but we already know what the grades will be.” The grades are Fail on all accounts. That is with a big F and little ail and we aren’t talking about the lager version of the word.
“Okay, so what do I do, where do you want me, where can I start, oh look at that machine, can I touch it?” she asks in a rush that is hard to follow.
“If you slow down and wait a second we are waiting for another student. I want to get you both started on the tests at the same time,” I reply noticing that Clyde has run off and is about to water a set of dumbbells. “Clyde, we only go to the bathroom outside. Don't you even think about marking those as your own, little mister.”
He scowls slightly at me, but walks back towards me without doing his business. I am not ready to take him out on a walk again, so I hope that he was just being silly. Like the adult wolves I spend most of my days around, I am sure he was just trying to mark his territory. I have to say I am extremely happy Alex hasn’t tried to mark me the same way.
I hear voices from the ha
ll and can smell Alex, Jonas, Jake, and a fourth smell that is vaguely familiar and can only be Sam. Good, Phee won't go nuttier from waiting to get started. I was preparing to get some duct tape out and stick her to the ground so I wouldn’t have to keep an eye on her.
“You are getting this one chance and a very short leash, mongrel,” I hear Alex say obviously not too happy with the prisoner. Try to shoot his mate and he gives you no leeway, even if you weren’t really aiming for her. Sebastian wasn’t much better, spinning his head around and all.
“I understand. I do really want to learn and never stepping foot inside the Collective again sounds like heaven to me,” Sam replies in his measly voice. Maybe his voice isn't that bad, but when you have Alex and Sebastian yapping at you all day in their deep, rich timbres, Sam is really lacking.
As they enter, I take stock of the man again. He is just as I remember him. Slightly on the small side for a wolf, probably normal size for a human, he has dull, light blue eyes and somewhat shaggy walnut colored brown hair. To me, he is pretty geeky looking without a lot of build in his arms, legs, or chest.
He may have a little bit more experience than Phee, but I am essentially going to be teaching two novices. I can just imagine the days ahead, an hour or two with them each day followed by at least an hour of trying to train Clyde. I hope I can find a case at work to stop myself from going crazy.
I focus back up on Sam's face and realize the rest of the room has gone quiet, other than Clyde's growls at the newcomers. Sam’s gaze is intent on something behind me and I can already tell I am not going to be happy if I turn around. I do it anyway, and see Phee staring back at him with the same dopey expression.
Son of a bitch. I don't know a lot about mates, being defective as I am, but that has to be the look of love at first sight.
These training lessons just got a whole Hell of a lot more difficult.
