Page 7 of War Games

Dirk moved over and met Landon there, neither of them saying anything. I was already standing, knowing what was coming.

“Niko and Jacky, switch places.”

Niko rolled his eyes, but he didn’t argue. It was the eye roll of a man who knew what Heath was doing. He thought it was typical Alpha werewolf behavior, but he wouldn’t defy it.

I leaned on Heath as we sat on the couch together, putting up my feet as he wrapped an arm over my shoulder.

“Much better,” Heath murmured in my ear before kissing my temple. He relaxed and looked around. “What are we doing today? Tomorrow is your family meeting, so I know there are at least a couple of things that need to be talked about.”

“Dirk and I are going to train with Niko since we haven’t been able to join the pack’s training,” I said without any sort of preamble. “Niko also wanted to know what you’re planning to do with the pack with everything going on. I told him it was best he heard it from you.”

“Ah…” Heath looked down at me. “Are you sure?”

“Well, Dirk called Niko here because I was grumpy and bitchy and on edge, apparently. This was a result of that conversation. Yes, I’m sure. I need to be active. He’s going to train me in hand-to-hand and weapons.”

“Okay,” Heath whispered, leaning down to kiss my forehead again. “I’m sorry the pack and I couldn’t do that for you. When are you going?”

“Every day starting Saturday,” Niko answered quickly. “Unless Jacky and Dirk both have something to do that day out of her territory. They’ll still have to show up if the other is busy.”

I finally looked at Dirk and Landon, knowing it was time for Dirk to speak up. It was Landon’s face that stopped me from forcing my nephew into the discussion. I paid attention to my nose. While figuring out the scents there, Landon met my gaze.

“No,” he declared simply, an attempt to end the entire discussion.

“Dirk already knows hand-to-hand and weapons. I’ll be getting him into his werewolf form to give him more practice and experience?—”

“No,” Landon repeated, cutting Niko off succinctly enough to stop my brother’s train of thought. His eyes went to my brother, holding a defiant stare. I thought Niko knew Landon well enough at this point, but I had been wrong. He stared at Landon as my brother’s frustration grew with Landon’s stare back.

Dirk was sinking, unsure how to manage what was happening. He hadn’t had a chance to say anything before Landon put a stubborn foot down and now he didn’t know how to deal with his higher-ranking mate and his father giving each other looks that could kill.

I tapped Heath’s knee, a silent request for him to step in. He sighed as he grabbed my hand in his. I was asking him to pick a fight with his son to help his son’s mate.

“Dirk, to best help your pack, I order you to train with your father every day you are available to do so.”

Landon’s snarl made his anger explode in the air, suddenly becoming the strongest smell in the room.

“That’s enough, Landon. You’ve been more protective with everything going on, but that’s enough. Dirk needs the training, and you won’t let me give him private lessons with other pack members. Niko is centuries older than both of us and has theability to train with his own son.” Heath released my hand, and I felt him move, so I pushed up to give him freedom of movement. He leaned closer to Landon on the loveseat, only a few feet between them. “And if I can accept Jacky needing her own training when I’m unable to handle training with her, then you can do so with Dirk.”

“Jacky isn’t your?—”

“Finish that sentence, and I will kick your ass across Texas,” Heath snarled in return, his temper flaring properly now, overriding even Landon’s anger.

I leaned away from Landon and Heath, the verbal slap Heath tried to stop Landon from delivering still hitting its mark.

He’s right. He and Dirk have the mate bond… While Heath and I don’t, even after several years together.

Whatever showed on my face, whatever emotion was being carried in my scent, caused all of them to look at me. I looked away, refusing to meet any of those gazes.

“I’ll go for a run,” Landon said softly, getting up and moving to the door.

“Do that,” Heath whispered, the potential of violence a promise in his tone.

“I’ll go get him some extra clothes to change into,” Dirk said, starting to stand.

“No, he’ll run home and get his own,” Heath corrected. “He can drive your truck here to get back if he’s not feeling up for running back. Or he can just stayhome,” Heath finished in another deep, chest-vibrating growl.

I knew Landon wouldn’t be back until tomorrow.

“We’re having steaks for dinner. Dirk, you are going to stay for dinner. Niko, you are more than welcome to,” Heath continued, making sure Dirk wouldn’t be going home to comfort Landon until much later.

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