Page 75 of Feral Alphas

So that’s why you stole my credit? I keep the question locked away behind a polite smile. “Thanks for being understanding.”

He touches his jaw. “I was kinda impressed with how hard you socked me, especially since I saw you were covered in bruises that day. Felina said shifting those crazies was a mammoth job.”

“Yeah.” He has every right to call those alphas crazy, but somehow the name on his lips bothers me now that I know they’re Rose’s scent matches. Or maybe it’s that he’s flapping his traitorous lips at all that bothers me.

He straightens and clears his voice. “I was in awe of the way you took in a rehab case all those years ago. Thirteen years, has it been?”

“Fourteen.”

“Takes a real deal of an agent to take in a rehab case in his first year on the job.” He whistles. “And he still lives with you? I was kind of hoping to meet him.”

“Yes, he’s my pack brother.” I lock my hands together, not liking hearing him mention Luka. “I appreciate clearing the air, but it’s best if you don’t go to the house.” Last thing I need is him sniffing around Rose when she comes. “You’ve got my work number if you need me.” That’s assuming I’ll still have a work number after today.

“Right,” he says awkwardly, hunching on his hands.

I’m dying to ask if he’s pressing charges, but I think I should wait to hear it from my boss. That’s more manly, anyway. “Well, I better not waste your time or keep Minstrom waiting.”

He nods. It looks like he wants to say something else, but I keep walking. I still want to punch his handsome face again, so it’s best if I keep my distance for a while.

“Good to see you on the map, boss,” Felina says, strutting toward me. We’ve texted a few times, and she chewed me out for ratting her out to her alpha, but she looks like she’s healed up okay.

“Same, Fel. How’s your neck?”

She scowls. “Fine as always.”

I throw her a wink. “Need to talk to you after I see the Grim Reaper.”

She flicks me a thumbs up. “Tell him to put his sickle away. I don’t want to retrain a new partner.”

That earns her my rude finger as I head to the special agent in charge’s office.

“Come in, Colt.”

I stand at attention in front of his long desk which is heaped in papers. He’s a damn good team leader, even if he does play favorites, but he’s not too meticulous about his own paperwork.

Minstrom clears his throat. “Before I begin, I saw your name coming through from both the Omega Center and Alpha Lodgings registers. Care to explain why you were there and using the OCB database while on suspension?”

“It was a personal matter, sir.”

The pen in his fingers falls on one side to tap the desk twice. “There are no personal matters in the OCB, agent.”

I lick the inside of my dry mouth. “I scent matched with the omega I provided emergency intervention for after the arena raid, sir. She’s also mixed up with the feral alphas.”

His overgrown brows lift. “No wonder she clung to you!”

“Yes, sir.” My answers remind me of the way Luka speaks, and a smile slips my guard.

Minstrom scoffs, but it’s a kind sound. “Look at you beaming like a fresh puppy! Well, congratulations on a scent match, Agent Colt.” He sighs. “I suppose this has bearing on your case.” He picks up the pen and taps it against the desk again while he swivels to stare out the window. “You’re a good agent, Colt. I’d hate to lose you from the team.”

I straighten and lock my hands behind my back. “I’ve apologized to Agent Andrews. It won’t happen again, sir.”

“Good.” He nods, deep in thought. “He isn’t pressing charges and he asked me not to put a report on your file.”

I sigh in relief.

“I agree with him that I’d rather not have this incident on your record.” Minstrom slides my badge and gun across his desk, skirting the gold-plated plaque he got for his thirty years of service last autumn. “I’m enrolling you in an alpha-control refresher. Other than that, welcome back to the Bureau.”

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate the second chance.”

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