Page 62 of Alpha Reid

“We should, at least for part of it,” I say. “So the teams can get used to working together.”

Everyone else mumbles in agreement. We’ve got a solid strategy for this war that’s coming- I met with the guys this morning and we tweaked a few things according to the new information that has come to light, courtesy of our little double agent. If they were trying to take out our border security systems to use the element of surprise, it’s definitely going to backfire, as we’ll be ready and be the ones surprisingthem, instead.

The hope is that we can keep most of the fighting contained to the border lands, so our towns full of civilians remain protected. Our teams of skilled fighters will be the front-line defense, while the volunteer fighters from each pack will be in place to defend their respective towns, should the shadow pack make it that far. The most important thing to pin down is exactly where the shadow pack plans to cross the borders into the territory- but we’re hoping Serena will be able to get that information through further communications to give us a leg up.

“Starting tomorrow, then?” Gray asks, looking around to the rest of us. “I can work on splitting up the teams tonight, unless anyone else wants to volunteer.”

“Nah man, that’s all you,” Theo chuckles, clapping him on the shoulder. “Unless you just want to do an old-fashioned schoolyard pick.”

“Ooh, now that could be fun,” Jax grins.

“Probably better to strategically split the squad up according to skillset,” Brock grumbles. Always the serious one.

Quinn rolls her eyes, tugging on Jax’s hand. “Are you boys done bickering? I don’t know about you, but I’m starved.”

“Yeah, let’s go grab some lunch,” he agrees, looking to the rest of us for confirmation. “We all good?”

“I’ve gotta get back,” I mumble, glancing down at Serena. “You wanna come with or stick around here?”

“I’ll head back with you.” She smiles, stepping a little closer, and I already know the rest of my afternoon is going to be shot- how am I supposed to get anything done with a beautiful distraction like her hanging around?

“You guys planning on hitting the tap tonight?” Chase asks, looking to Serena.

Her face lights up and she turns to me, eyes wide in question. I’m not really feeling the bar tonight, but how the fuck can I say no to that face?

“Ooh, ladies’ night, right?” Quinn asks, nudging Jax. Those two are always down for a bar night out- especially to the Stillwater Tap, the place where they first met.

“Maybe,” I reply, sliding my gaze back to Serena. “C’mon, let’s get outta here.”

We say our goodbyes to the others and grab our stuff, heading for the parking lot. The two of us climb into the Mustang and I fire up the engine, pulling away from the complex and heading for the forest road that connects the territories.

“How was breakfast with the girls?” I ask, making idle conversation even though all I really want to do is pull the car over and kiss the hell out of Serena right now. Being partnered with her for sparring practice today was practically foreplay.

“Good,” she breathes, leaning back in her seat and twirling a strand of hair around a finger. “It’s always tough, being the new girl.”

“I can imagine.” I shoot her a sideways glance, watching as the light from between the trees dances off of her face. She’s so damn beautiful. It’s no wonder Xavier chose her for this spy mission of his- with a face like that, any man is putty in her hands. I was. Hell, I still am.

She catches me staring at her, turning to look at me as her lips tug into a smile. “What?”

I shake my head. “Nothing. Just looking at you.”

She rolls her eyes exaggeratedly like it’s the cheesiest thing she ever heard, but I don’t miss the blush that stains her cheeks.

“So should we crank this thing up to a hundred or what?” Serena asks, grinning mischievously.

“What’s with you and daredevil shit?” I laugh, sliding her another glance.

She shrugs her shoulders. “I like doing things that make me feel alive.”

“You like being reckless,” I correct, raising my brows at her.

Serena shrugs again. “Maybe.”

I hit the gas, the engine roaring as the car picks up speed. Serena giggles in the passenger seat, letting out a little squeal and wiggling in excitement. And yeah, that cute as hell reaction is worth the price of admission. I press the gas harder, the speedometer sliding past 60, then 70.

“Windows stay shut this time,” I warn, and Serena just shakes her head, laughing.

I feel the rush of adrenaline as the speedometer moves past 90, the engine rumbling beneath me. I’ve always liked fast cars, but Serena’s right, they’ve been wasted on me lately. Somewhere down the line after I took on the role of Alpha and started shouldering more responsibility, I became so focused on what the pack wanted or needed that I put my own wants and needs aside. Forgot how to just let loose and live a little.

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