NAC & The Holly Group - Box set: Alpha Team

by Chelsea Handcock

  Jacks dominance decreased a little and Ethan could tell it was hurting his Alpha to do so; a sheen of sweat started to form on his brow, but Jacks wasn’t a man to mess with, much like Matthias himself.

  “Let’s get something straight, Matthias, I’m aware of your reputation, but you have come into my territory without an invitation, order, or permission. As you know, in our world that is an act of extreme stupidity, I have women and young on the premises. Are you asking for your final days?”

  Matthias laughed surprising Ethan; the exchange between Jacks and him was impressive.

  “No, sorry, but there is only one man with the ability to make me see my final day, nice try though. Shall we get on with this? As I said before, I was sent here on Declan’s orders. He’s still your boss and Alpha, correct?”

  Jacks growled an incoherent yes, but didn’t move except to cross his arms over his chest. Wyatt, Dalton, and Bas moved to their chairs taking their cues from me; no man wanted to be on their knees in front of other predators, and Matthias was the ultimate predator. Jacks wasn’t that far behind him on that scale.

  “So, as I said, I have checked up on the child, McKenna.” Dalton surprised everyone by vaulting from his chair charging towards Matthias; Jacks leaped forward and stopped him before he could make contact causing Matthias to grin again.

  “I want to know how he ‘checked’ on my child,” Dalton growled.

  “Firstly, that child isn’t yours, as you say, though she is of your line,” Matthias said, rubbing his chin like he was trying to figure out a puzzle.

  “Kenna is my child in all that ways that matter, asshole. I don’t give a shit who you are no one will ever diminish my bond with her or Emma, understand?”

  “Very well,” Matthias said, waving Dalton off like an annoyance, “as I was saying. The child, McKenna, isn’t at risk of shifting for at least six months, possibly more. Her bear is close, but not anywhere near ready to surface. The cub is also submissive, so all your worry was for not. Her shifts will be easily controlled by any dominate Shifter. The child Quinn…” Matthias barely got the words out before Jacks started growling.

  “Must we do this every time? I was sent to check on the children and Skylar, and that is exactly what I have done. The question is, do you want to hear what I have to say or would you rather we do something childish like measure our dicks to see whose is bigger; I can assure you that you will lose. Now can we please get this over with?” Matthias grumbled.

  Jacks didn’t say anything, but nodded.

  “Fine, the child, Quinn, won’t shift until puberty much like that of other Shifters. He will, however, exhibit signs of his dragon before then; fire, smoke, levitation, and heat will be common play with him until he gains control. Skylar,” Matthias said looking to Bas expecting another interruption. When he found none except for a look that could melt paint from the man, he continued, “Skylar is controlling the child right now, her presence calms both children, but especially Quinn. That needs to stop.”

  “Mr. Frost, I suggest you impregnate your mate as soon as possible; you’re her anchor, but naturally born shifter females have a need to nurture young. Right now, that need is being filled by Quinn and McKenna; if it continues, the bond the three of them form will destroy the ones the children share with their mothers. Skylar will become more and more possessive of them, ultimately removing any and all threats from their lives. You probably think that is a good thing, but it is not. Think of it this way, McKenna is learning to crawl; if she were to bump her head while Emma or one of you were watching her, Skylar would feel compelled to attack. If she becomes pregnant with her own young, the bonds will lessen. Understand?”

  Bas gave a nod but didn’t say anything. Ethan felt sorry for him. How the hell was he supposed to go to Sky and say, “Baby I need to knock you up, or you’re going to go bat shit crazy, and Jacks will have to put us both down?” Fuck couldn’t they ever get any good news.

  “Jackson, Ethan, follow me, we have things that need to be discussed.”

  “No, anything you say can be said right here in front of all my men.”

  “Must everything be a fight with you? I am an Elder; I am also the Enforcer and acting Alpha of our race. It is customary when dealing with NAC that reports of sensitive matters are given to the Alpha of the team involved and his Second,” Matthias said, “that is protocol. Now, it is your choice to either receive the information I have or deny it and hobble your team.”

  “Cash is the Second for Alpha Team, I’m not,” Ethan stood and faced his old teacher for the first time. “Please, feel free to speak privately with Jacks, but I won’t be attending.”

  “Ah, Mr. Lord, I was wondering when you would start to show your true colors; it’s been a long time since our lessons, sixteen years is it now?”

  Fuck, Ethan didn’t want to look at his teammates, but he did anyway, and they all looked exactly like he expected, shocked, surprised, and angry. Hell, he had never wanted to talk about his time with Matthias, but it seemed like that reprieve was well and truly up.

  “Yes, Matthias, sixteen years this past June. Do you remember what I said to you the last time we spoke?”

  “Very clearly, Mr. Lord. The question is, do you remember my last words to you? How is your father?”

  Ethan hated Matthias, the smug, fucking bastard. He knew very well how his father was—dead. Dead at Ethan’s hands, two things Matthias had predicted right after Ethan turned his offer down to be Matthias' apprentice.

  “I’m sure my father is doing quite well where he is; content, peaceful, free from the torment of his life; weren’t those the words you said right before you told me it was my duty and honor to put him to ground? I believe I hadn’t turned eighteen yet; I’ve always meant to look you up one day to thank you for that present,” Ethan said. The rest of the team stayed quiet, but he knew they were all listening and trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

  “Now, as Alpha’s are chosen by blood and genetics, so are Seconds. With Mr. Warren unavailable, you Mr. Lord, are Second.” Matthias looked around and asked, “Do any of you have a problem with that or would like to challenge for the position? If so, please execute the challenge now, so that I can get on with this meeting and leave this frigid assed place. have other things waiting for me at the moment.”

  Matthias gave the group a couple of seconds to respond and then turned on his heel and started walking out of the garage. Ethan was always amazed by that man’s arrogance. Turning his focus to Jacks, Ethan didn’t say a word waiting to see what his Alpha had to say about Matthias revelation.

  “He’s right, man, you are next in line.” Jacks turned and faced Ethan, “It sucks and I’m sure you don’t want this, but until we get Cash back, you are now the acting Second of Alpha Team. Hell, man, I should have done it myself weeks ago, I just…”

  “Man, none of us want this,” Ethan stopped Jacks, “and when we find Cash, our team can go back to normal.” Ethan turned and faced, Wyatt, Dalton, and Bas. “If any of you have a problem with this, a challenge isn’t necessary, I will step down without a fight. I don’t care what Matthias says about blood and genetics, I won’t face off against any of you for a position that belongs to someone else.”

  “Listen,” Dalton was the first to speak, “you aren’t going to have any problems with us, we all know where you stand. You and Jacks better go and catch up with the boogie man though, I for one don’t want him to take any more detours we aren’t aware of, if you know what I mean.”

  Jacks was already walking towards the door; Ethan followed more slowly, not wanting any part of what was going to be happening in the next few minutes. Damn Matthias.

  “It’s about time. I thought I made it clear that I have other matters that need my attention. I don’t have time to coddle Alpha Team as Declan does. First order of business, you will stop all attempts to find or recover Cash. NAC resources are stretched thin with Pandora, Davis, and the Association. Not to mention all the crap the
Holly Group brought along with it.”

  “Listen, asshole,” Jacks said, “I might have to show respect for you in front of my men, but in my office, I’m going to say it like it is. Cash is a member of this team, and I won’t give up on search or recovery actions on his behalf. I don’t give a shit what you or Senior says that’s not happening.”

  “Yes, it is happening; your focus needs to be on the woman and children of Alpha Team. I must not have made myself clear enough. Skylar Thomas is a problem; until she gets pregnant things will only escalate, and you can’t be tromping around Canada when that goes down. Get your man to knock her up and have at it if you feel comfortable leaving your own wife and child alone with three fractions coming on hot and heavy. I’ve put better men to ground for less than that offense.”

  “Fuck you, Matthias.”

  “Hell, Jacks, you’re starting to sound like a broken record, and no, fuck you. I have given you your orders, and you will follow them like the good little soldier you are. Cash is gone for now; he will be found eventually although I have a feeling his time with Alpha Team will be over. It is time for him to come into his own and take his rightful spot within NAC and the Shifter Community instead of stifling his true nature out of some obligation to you, Mr. Thorp.”

  “Fuck,” Ethan erupted, “you just never stop do you, Matthias, constantly baiting, prodding and scheming. You haven’t once stopped insulting Jacks since you got here, his restraint should be commended because if I were him, we would have already come to blows by now. As for Cash, he made his decision, hell, he was offered Alpha of other teams more than once. Jacks has never held him back, he made those decisions on his own. Something, I know from personal experience, you can’t comprehend.”

  “Now, as you stated, you have a thousand other things to do; get on with what you have to tell us and get the fuck off Alpha territory. I for one have had enough of your pompous ass to last a lifetime.”

  “Never did know your place, Mr. Lord,” Matthias grinned, “but very well, let’s get to it. As I said, rescue efforts for Cash are done, all team's will cease.”

  “Your next order of business is to get with Mia. She is becoming obsessed with the women and children coming into the teams and not focusing on what needs to be accomplished at the moment. She needs to work with the people Declan has sent and figure out a counter measure for the tranquilizer. We have teams out in the field losing because she has been neglectful.”

  “Listen,” Jacks sat down the chair behind his desk propping his elbow on it and faced Matthias, “I don’t control the members of The Holly Group. I can speak with Rye, but there isn’t much else I can do beyond that except put our own people on the tranquilizer issue.”

  Ethan took his cue from Jacks and sat at one of the chairs in front of his desk. Matthias chose to continue standing.

  “No, that isn’t acceptable, it must be her, she is close to the solution, but she requires focus. She also needs to work more closely with Bravo. She is avoiding that team more than the others; figure out why and get her back on task.”

  “I’ll do my best, but I don’t promise. Anything else?”

  “Yes, Trace Lord will be joining Alpha Team; he is deployed right now but should be back and discharged within two months. At that time, he will be taking the spot in Alpha that has been left blank by Eli’s departure.”

  “By departure,” Ethan laughed, “you mean death, and what the hell are you talking about? My brother isn’t joining Alpha. Hell, he wouldn’t join without Chance anyways.:

  “That’s where you’re wrong. Trace and Chance approached me about a change once they were discharged; I agreed. Trace will be coming here, and Chance will be training with me.:

  “Like hell,” Ethan said jumping from his chair and facing off against the man, “my brother is off limits. That is the agreement we made sixteen years ago. You leave the Lord blood lines alone, and I keep my mouth shut regarding you and my training. Unless that has changed, I expect you to honor our agreement.”

  “That agreement only works if I pursue one of your family; if they come to me and ask for my knowledge, then I am obligated to teach them. Chance asked, I accepted, period. Talk to him yourself if you like.”

  “Since this meeting has gone so well so far, anything else Matthias? Or is ordering me to stop looking for my best friend, forcing me to get a woman that has no loyalty to Alpha or NAC to do your bidding, getting Bas to knock Sky up, and now force feeding me a new team member are enough for you today?”

  “You forgot forcing Mia to work with Bravo more, Jacks. You know your Alpha powers have no bounds,” Ethan laughed.

  “Yeah, I’m thinking if I can pull off all Matthias wants, I might need to look into the Televangelism as my next career choice.”

  “Enough, these childish responses are the reason I detest working directly in the field.”

  “Yes, it must be hard for you actually to interact with people instead of hiding in the shadows. That is more your style, isn’t it?” Ethan said.

  “The last task you must complete is to keep Ryleigh from contacting Declan. He is on a mission that requires his sole focus, and she is a distraction he does not need.”

  “Oh, now, there is the holy grail; you want me to control my mate and keep her away from her father for how long Matthias?”

  “At least a couple of months.”

  “Yeah,” Jacks laughed, “good luck with that. I respectfully decline that part of my ‘orders.’ Declan and Ryleigh’s relationship and what they do with it is up to them, I won’t interfere. Is that all?”

  “Yes, I will be conducting team meetings via teleconference at the end of the week to update everyone on the progress we have made against Pandora, Davis and the Association.”

  “We’ll be there, can’t wait. I’d offer to see you out, but I prefer you go the same way you came,” Jacks said.

  Matthias didn’t bother with any salutations and just left the room. A couple of minutes later Jacks pulled open his desk drawer and brought out a bottle of bourbon along with two glasses filling them up passing one to Ethan.

  “What do you make of all that Jacks asked?”

  “What? That nonsense Matthias was demanding?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I think he’s testing you, hell, I believe he’s testing all of us. He knows none of the demands he’s making will be accomplished unless the parties involved want it, too.”

  “That’s what I was thinking, what I can’t figure out is why. The man is an arrogant ass, but he isn’t a douche, and that’s how he came off.”

  “Listen, there’s no telling what Matthias has up his sleeve, he will keep all his cards close to his vest until it’s time to strike.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about your time training with him?”

  “Shit, Jacks, it’s not a good memory. To get out of it, I had to make certain promises. Hell, even if I could talk about it, you wouldn’t understand.”

  “Yeah, you're entitled. So, you have some of the same gifts as Matthias?”

  “Argh! Yes, okay, I have some of the same abilities, but mine are extremely muted. It's like an intuition, a gut feeling. I can’t explain it, and I’m not even going to try. Matthias enhances his with magic, but using that magic costs him bits and pieces of his soul every damn time. I wasn’t willing to do that, so I bowed out. That is all I’m going to say.”

  “Understood, you know I’m not giving the search up for Cash, right?”

  “Figured as much, and I’m all for it, but I need to talk to you about something else. I’ve been getting calls from the new Dom in Residence at Free regarding a Sub who is interested in doing a scene with me.”

  “Okay not sure what I’m supposed to say to that. Wait, why the hell would a Dom be calling you to set up a scene?”

  “Exactly. I’ve been trying to get a hold of Kruger, but the man is MIA, and I can’t believe he would leave his Club to an unknown. It hasn’t been that long since I’ve gone and these calls scr
eam set-up to me. I want to go and check it out. I also wanted to see if you could get Wyatt and Peyton on locating Kruger.”

  “Yeah, I’ll talk to them. I think you should go and check this new Dom out, but man you need to watch yourself. If this is a set-up, then someone has some pretty personal information about you, hell, if they have access to Free’s client list, then they could have information about all of us.”

  “My thoughts exactly. I figured I would head out tonight, stake out the Club and try to gauge what’s going on. Then, I’ll wait for the man’s call, he seems to call at least once every other day. I’ll take him up on his offer and go and see what the he and the sub are planning for me.”

  “Okay, get your whips and chains, just keep us in the loop.”

  Ethan left Jacks office, going straight to his room. He needed to pack, and he also needed to make several calls. Shit, it seemed like it never stopped. Matthias’ appearance only added to his stress. At least he would be able to relieve some of that stress at the Club. Opening his door, he was shocked to see who was waiting for him.

  “Hey Em, what are you doing here?”

  “Doing an abysmal job of acting like I’m cleaning your room,” Emma laughed. “Listen I packed for you,” Emma indicated the three bags sitting on Ethan’s bed.

  “Okay, but how did you even know I was going somewhere?”

  “That man told me. Dalton won’t tell me who he was, and I need to know. That’s why I came in here to wait for you. I want to know who he is and why I sense the same darkness in him that I do you? I also want to know why he touched my daughter.”

  “Emma, you really need to talk to Dalton about that, it’s not my place to explain any of it to you.”