Page 38 of Depraved
As I shuck my tie, Pluto finally asks, “Why?”
It’s a good question. If someone had walked up and told me to train a beta to fight, I would’ve laughed in their face and told them it couldn’t be done. Physically, a beta will never match up to an alpha. What I’m asking Pluto to do is probably a mistake.
But I have to try something.
Elena’s little mate looked defeated tonight. Lost. And he looked at me for a solution because that’s what alphas do: solve problems. Even when the problem is a giant cluster fuck that’s never been seen before. We’re just expected to figure it the fuck out.
So that’s what I’m trying to do.
I take off my shirt and undershirt and shove my hands in my pants pockets to empty out my wallet and phone. I get rid of my pants, socks, and shoes but leave on my deep blue boxers as I wait for Pluto to shed his clothes and follow me.
Behind us, a line forms made of alphas chosen by the families of the deceased.
The procession of seven nearly naked men might seem odd to humans, but it brings a strange lump to my throat. Over the years, I’ve had to watch a lot of shifters be buried. Sometimes, I am just another face in the crowd. Sometimes, the families ask me to help with the ceremony. Tonight, because we lost so many wolves, I basically dictated the fact that Pluto and I would be involved—because these deaths aren’t just family losses. They aren’t the result of old age or accidents. They’re a direct attack on the Lobos. And they deserve the attention, care, and sacrifice of the pack’s reigning alpha.
I deliberately walk away from the other alphas and toward the giant ceremonial pine tree set in the middle of the field, relishing the brush of the grass against the bottoms of my feet. I haven’t shifted and run for fun in a few days, and my wolf whines in my ear, telling me we need to do that soon. Soon is going to be relative because it will have to be after this shit show is cleaned up.
Pluto follows after me. When we’re far enough away from everyone, I say in a low undertone, “I need you to train Jonah because I told him he’s the beta elite.”
“WHAT?” Pluto’s exclamation is far louder than I’d like. I glare daggers at him as we step underneath the cover of the pine branches, and a scent of sap fills the air. That’s what I am—a damn sap.
“You know there’s no such fucking thing, right?” Pluto looks at me as if he’s uncertain of my sanity.
“Yes, I know there’s no such fucking thing. I’m sending you on a snipe hunt,” I say as I push my long, curly hair back behind my shoulders.
“But why?”
I speak quickly because I can see the other alphas are making their way towards us. “Because he needs it. That kid’s been through hell and somehow lost his fucking rank in this pack. He needs to feel special right now.”
“And what happens when he finds out it’s all just a fucking lie?”
Shrug. “I’ll deal with that problem when it comes. He needs a goal, something to fight for right now. Just give it to him.”
“Fine,” Pluto agrees reluctantly.
“Oh, and try not to let him interact with the other elites.”
“Why? Don’t want him mouthing off about this fairy tale and getting killed?”
“Pretty much. Let him think he’s stronger than he is until he’s healed up.”
“Throw a fight?” Pluto’s tone drips with sarcastic disdain because I’m basically asking the impossible of an alpha. Losing a fight goes against our very nature.
“Not completely. Just let him get in a hit or two. Act like he’s making progress or shit.”
Pluto shakes his head like he’s scolding a second grader for peeing in the hall water fountain. Disgust and then disappointment color his features. “You’re the boss, but for the record? I think this is a bad idea. It’s a waste of time. And it never does any good for a beta to get ideas above their rank.”
“It probably is a bad idea. Maybe even a terrible one. But it’s the one we’ve got.”
“We? No. You. This is your great plan. Solve a problem by causing another problem.”
“Sarcasm is unbecoming.”
Pluto turns and gives me a disbelieving glance. “Every other word out of you is sarcastic.”
“Yup. That’s why I know.”
He purses his lips before he continues in a low tone as other alphas start to gather around us and circle the trunk of the massive tree. “Might make him hate you.”
