Page 174 of Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

“I’m guessing that didn’t go down well?” I asked.

Flynn chuckled ruefully. “You could say that. Dad came and found us. We were living about three hours away at the time. He told my mother and me that what happened between them was a mistake, that he didn’t love us. That he never had, and never would. He said Scottsdale was Eren’s and no one else’s. He even took me aside, away from my mother, and told me that if I tried to interfere, he’d make sure something bad happened to her. A bastard couldn’t be a proper alpha, he said, and he’d make damn sure Eren was his heir.”

“What a piece of shit,” Abigail spat.

“Looks like Eren takes after his dear old dad,” Waylan added.

“That was the end of it.” Flynn shook his head in disgust. “I’ve heard rumors about how things are going in Scottsdale, though. Nothing as bad as what you’ve told me, but all of it together makes me wish I’d refused to be bullied into staying away.”

“Where have you guys been living all this time?” Kirsten asked. “Were you taken in by another pack, or do you have your own? You’re an alpha, after all. You could have your own pack, couldn’t you? Sorry,” she added, her cheeks slightly pink. “I’m still learning about shifter life.”

Flynn smiled. “It’s okay. A pack a few hours away took us in. My mother’s still there. I went into the military out of anger at my father. I needed to get as far away as possible. I was put into a shifter unit, then went on to the shifter branch of special forces.”

“You’re in the Shifter Legion? A Green Beret?” Langston said, a tinge of awe in his voice. I knew my enforcer had been in the military for a decade or so when he was younger. He knew more about that life than I did. The look on his face told me that whatever Flynn had been part of, it was a big deal.

Flynn nodded. “Was. Not anymore, though. I was there for about twenty years. Got out about three years ago.

“I never claimed my own pack,” he continued. “It just never felt right, you know what I mean? Knowing my rightful home was sitting there, waiting for me, suffering under Eren. Hearing all of this pisses me off. I think the time is right.” He took a deep breath to steady himself. “I don’t like the thought of my half-brother dying, but if what everyone’s saying is true? After what he did to Carter? He needs to pay.”

“Let’s think,” I said. “We have some time. You said you were in the military? So was Langston. He’s my enforcer, and he’ll be in charge of training the wolves being sent here from other packs. We figure Eren will try something before the official challenge. Would you be willing to help out?”

“Absolutely,” Flynn said without hesitation.

“Langston, how about a sparring session?” I looked at Flynn again. “Just to get a sense of the type of fighter you are. This isn’t some weird test or something. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Grinning, Flynn stood. “I got you. I’m down if he is,” he said, nodding respectfully to Langston.

Fifteen minutes later, we all stood on the porch in awed silence. Flynn had Langston pinned to the ground. The fight had been intense. While Langston didn’t have the natural power of an alpha, as a sigma, he was more capable than a beta wolf. His experience had helped him, but in the end, Flynn had been more than impressive.

Langston stood and grinned at me like a lunatic. “Jace, this guy is good.” He hooted and laughed, slapping Flynn on his back.

The women were huddled together, whispering and giggling like schoolgirls as they watched Flynn. I huffed in amusement. Harley, in particular, looked rather smitten with the new arrival. I could practically see cartoon hearts in her eyes as she looked him up and down like a juicy steak.

Waylan didn’t miss it, either. He stood off to the side, glaring at the porch rail.

Harley waved to Flynn. “Hey there, big guy. I’m Harley, by the way.”

Flynn waved back, looking confused, but smiled nonetheless.

“Clock has stopped ticking, bro,” I said to Waylan, soft enough so no one else would hear me. “It’s now or never. Shit or get off the pot.”

“Fuck,” he hissed and rubbed his hand over his face, then stalked toward Harley.

“Hey, can I have a quick word with you?” he asked.

Harley blinked, shaking herself free of whatever thoughts she was having about Flynn. “Uh, okay, sure.”

Waylan took her inside and closed the door. I caught Kirsten’s eye, and she smiled.

Flynn’s brow furrowed, and he turned to Langston. “What was that all about?”

Before anyone could answer him, a shrill shout came from inside. “I’m your what?”

“Oh,” Flynn said. “I thought I sensed something between those two.”

“Even the new guy saw it?” Langston laughed.

Flynn pointed to me and Kirsten. “I could sense your fated connection, too. I’ve always been sensitive to that stuff.”

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