Chapter 17: Chapter 17

DEC

I turn off the buzzing noise and return to wrapping my arms around my mate. It’s amazing having her here. I kiss her nose. “Get up, woman. You have some training to do.”

She grunts. “Call me that again and you can sleep on the couch.”

I chuckle, knowing damn well she means it. I run my hand down her body and grip her perfect ass. “You stay in this bed, and I’ll take it as an invite to mark and mate with you right now.”

She pulls the blanket over her head with a groan. “Tempting, but no.”

I rip the cover off of her. “Did you do any training while you were gone?”

She nods her head and squeaks out, “Yes?”

“I gave you an order to train.”

She gives me an innocent smile. “I did... the next day.” I smack her glorious ass, just enough to sting, but not hurt her.

“Hey. You big brute. No hitting the luna.”

I shake my head at her, palming her ass. “It was a love tap and you know you liked it.” I smooth out the sting then smack her ass again. I’m getting hard thinking of her naked ass turned slightly pink.

She throws her leg over my body and flips me onto my back. “Declan Redd. I won’t be able to train if you keep spanking me.”

A growl rumbles in my chest. I love hearing my name on her lips. I notice that she doesn’t deny that she likes what I’ve been doing to her. I’m stiff under her. I know she can feel how much I want her.

She bites her lip and I smell her arousal. I grab her ass and move my length against her wet panties. “I’m all for it if you want to skip your training for a workout of our own.”

Her face is blushed pink as I continue to tease her with my hardness. Kya is panting above me. She begins moving in time with my movement.

I can see she’s torn between mating or not. I know she’s turned on, but I know she’s not ready to be with me. I slide my hand into her panties. Her warmth happily accepts my touch.

“Dec.”

I shush her. “Shh. Let me touch you, baby.”

I move my hand so my fingers enter her silky folds. She softly gasps and closes her eyes. I slowly move my fingers in and out of her. She moans and her body reacts as she continues to move on top of me. Her head falls back.

“Oh Goddess. Dec.” Her inner muscles squeeze around my fingers. I use my thumb to circle her clit. She bites down on her lip to keep from screaming her release. Then, she lies flat against my chest.

I pull my hand out of her panties and kiss her plump lips. “Go get ready for training. You’re going to be late.” She pouts, but grudgingly climbs off of me. I hear the water splashing in the bathroom as she turns the shower on.

I knock on the door. “What are you doing?” I ask. “You’re just going to be getting all sweaty anyway.”

The water continues to splash as she moves around under the spray. “I’m not going to training smelling like sex. You better shower too, I can smell you from here.”

You asked for it. I open the door and throw my shorts down.

“Declan Redd! What do you think you’re doing?” I step in behind her. She shyly turns away from me, covering her front.

“You said to take a shower.” I grip her shoulders and hold her to me. I wrap my arms around her waist and kiss her neck. I softly bite down on her ear, then whisper, “You don’t need to be shy with me, love. Not ever.”

I get her shampoo and begin massaging it into her wet hair. Slowly, she begins to relax. “Close your eyes, baby.” I reach up and grab the showerhead. I remove it from its bracket, then adjust the spray. I rinse her hair, then place the sprayer back.

I take my time to rub soap over her smooth curves. She doesn’t fight as I wash every inch of her perfect breasts, taking a moment to feel her nipples harden at my touch. She moans as my hands slide down to her treasure box.

I kneel down before her as I wash her legs and glorious ass. She turns around to face me. Her eyes lock with mine. Her breasts are in line with my mouth, I can’t hold myself back, and take her nipples into my mouth, one after the other.

She bites her lip as I pleasure her breasts. I am so hard touching her beautiful body. I reach down and begin stroking myself.

Her breathing is faster, labored. She closes her eyes as I bite down just enough to give her a pleasurable pain. My hand glides over my shaft in rhythm with her breath.

Her arms hold on to my biceps as I reach between her legs and pleasure her while pleasuring myself. “Dec. Oh, fuck!”

Hearing such a naughty word come out of her mouth brings me over the top. I release, my fluid splashing all over her thighs. She follows immediately after, her own fluids splashing on my hand.

She leans into me with her eyes closed. I stand up embracing her. “I love you, baby.”

She opens her eyes. “I love you, Dec.” I kiss her sweet lips and finish washing her.

We quickly dress and rush to the training center. We calmly walk through the door as we just make it on time. There are around forty wolves in the room.

Kya takes her place next to Alana, while I join Chase at the front of the room. Damon and his sister are beside Finn in the back of the room. Father begins his instructions as Chase and I watch everyone.

Damon spars with Finn, while his sister spars with one of the new pups. I’m impressed by some of the new pups; they listen attentively to every word and direction given. I take some time watching each and every one in the room.

Training is divided into age groups. The pups that just recently got their wolves up to age fifteen will follow this group of sixteen to twenty-year-olds.

Then come the more seasoned twenty-one to thirty-year-old guards; then, my favorite group, the experienced badasses. They know their shit and they’re damned good.

The training room is available for anyone at any time, but group training is mandatory for four days a week at specific times unless they’re on guard duty, honing any special skills, or tending to children.

“All right. Switch it up,” Father calls out.

It’s important to train with different people in order to learn new strategies and not get comfortable with fighting only one person. Kya finds Damon’s sister and begins working with her. Father stops to work with Damon as he takes on Freya.

Freya is a damned good fighter. She is the daughter of Bruno—Father’s beta.

Bruno began teaching her young, just as my father taught me. She’s a strong, willowy twenty-year-old with short black hair. Her looks are deceiving. She may not look like much, but she’s a badass.

I watch as Damon takes in everything he’s being taught. He follows through by applying what he’s learned. He keeps his cool even when Freya has him pinned down.

I look in Kya’s direction every now and then. She’s fast and light on her feet. She’s an average fighter and I’ve always been okay with that. She knows how to defend herself and get out of tight situations.

Since she’s a healer, she’s less likely to be in a fight. Of course, now, I worry that she’s only average. I’m wondering if I should work with her more, just in case.

She’s a luna and therefore a target for anyone trying to get to me. I would kill anyone that touches her, but if I’m not there, I worry she could be hurt.

I head her direction and watch her technique. I give her a few pointers and ensure she listens. She has a tendency to be a little stubborn when it comes to training. She’s never been one that likes to fight.

She overpowers her opponent and pins her down. That’s my girl. I give her a wink and move on.

After working with five different partners, Father calls the end of the training session. Most of the wolves clear out to the showers, but a few stay behind to clear up any questions they might have.

I watch Kya as she makes her way to the locker room. Damon seeks my attention. “Alpha Redd. What’s next?” I look him over.

“Get some running and weightlifting in every day. Push yourself past your max. If you normally run five miles, run six. If you normally bench three hundred, bench three hundred and twenty-five. Get it?”

He nods. “What about today?”

I nod toward my father. “You’re learning how to run a pack, aren’t you?”

He nods. “Yes, sir.” I tilt my head toward the showers, dismissing him.

Kya walks out of the locker room. A smile spreads across my face. I pick her up and kiss her lips. “I have to go meet up with your uncle after training the pups. I’ll meet up with you as soon as I’m finished?”

She smiles, her bright green eyes shining. “Sounds good. I’ll be with my parents.” I kiss her again and put her down. I take the opportunity to give her ass a smack as she walks away.

“Hey. Damn it, Dec,” she says.

Chase growls as he stands beside me. “Could you keep your hands off my sister.”

I shake my head. “Nope. You might want to get used to it.” He broods with his arms crossed.

The pups begin to trickle in. Virgil is front and center. I give them five more minutes before we begin training.

Finn and Chase observe the pups as I demonstrate various skills. Little Anna and Natalie are in this group. Natalie looks uncomfortable. I remember that she’s a healer.

“~Chase, work with Natalie.~ ~Being a healer makes it harder for her to harm someone else.~” Chase pulls her aside and begins to speak with her.

“~Finn, take over demonstrations. I want to observe,~” I send a mind-link. Finn jogs up to the front of the room and takes over where I left off. I walk around, noticing the strengths and weaknesses of every pup.

I pay special attention to the new guys. I work with a few, correcting some on their posture, stance, or how they make a fist. Overall, it’s a good lesson. Finn didn’t even complain once.

Bruno takes the next two classes so I can meet with Kya's uncle. They don’t need much direction anyway. Bruno usually trains them alone. I grab Chase’s attention, and we both head out.

Chase drives to the main entrance where his uncle is waiting. “Uncle Mark, have you been waiting long?” Chase asks with a man hug. Mark. I need to remember that. Mark.

He steps back. “No. I just pulled in. Alpha Redd.” He greets me with an outstretched hand. I shake it.

“Thanks for meeting us. You and your family are welcome in my territory at any time, no need to wait at the entrance.”

He nods his head. “Thanks, I appreciate the welcome.” We load up into Chase’s truck and head to the new addition. We start at the southernmost point of the territory. A road passes through about a mile in from the corner.

“I’m thinking of putting in a gas station with a convenience store, diner, maybe a small motel. That would give us more revenue. Humans frequently drive this road. I do want a fence though. We don’t need humans wandering into areas that are off-limits.”

Mark makes some notes. “You’ll need to get a middle turn lane in the road. You have to get permits and permission from the federal highway administration. Fencing isn’t a problem since you are the owner of the land.”

We move up the western border and discuss various buildings, structures, and houses. “One last thing, Mark. I need to upgrade the hospital. It’s functional but outdated. When can you get started on everything?”

Mark hesitates. “I need the work, but Alpha Roberts sees me as a traitor for working with you.”

I shrug my shoulder. “You don’t have to stay in that pack. I already have a place for you near the Masons. It’s a four-bedroom two-story. It’s yours if you want it. Whenever you want it.

“I don’t give a damn what that pathetic alpha thinks. Supporting your family isn’t traitorous. Your niece is the luna of this pack.”

Mark has a shocked look on his face. He nervously rubs the back of his neck. “Can I see it?”

I nod. “Of course.”

Mark takes his time inside the house. “You’re being pretty generous with my uncle.” Chase says as we lean against the truck.

“I need his expertise. Also, they’re my luna and my beta’s family. They should be in this pack. Does he have a reason to stay there? Parents, siblings?”

Chase shakes his head with a grateful smile. “No, his parents passed a few years ago. He has a sister in the Blackburn pack.” I nod. The Blackburn pack is a strong pack. The alpha there is a good guy. He has a pup in middle school.

“~Are we meeting up anytime soon?~” I hear from Kya through our link.

I smile, thinking of my little minx. “~Keep your pants on, I’ll be there soon. Better yet…~”

“~Dec, don’t you dare finish that thought.~” I chuckle through the mind-link.

I return my attention to my conversation with Chase. “So, why is your uncle hesitant?”

Chase takes a minute to think. “Loyalty to his pack?”

I nod. “Admirable.”

Mark finally exits the house. He holds the keys up to me. “Keep them,” I say. “It’s your house. Chase is going to take you wherever you need to go. I’m late for my meeting with Kya.”

I shake his hand and clap Chase on the shoulder before sprinting down the road to her parents’ house.