Page 32 of The Alpha: Part Three
Jesus fuck. The next bit? How many bits are there? I didn't mean to add time to this meeting by asking about the military, but the answer should have been obvious now that I've heard it. I'm glad we'll have a COT program here. Hopefully they'll make a difference, and everything will be better. That said, I'm not excited about Seth running the program. How much more shit is he realistically supposed to be responsible for?
The other members of the council agree to move on to the next point of business, and Minos grins as he presses a button on the intercom and makes the announcement.
“I am very pleased to appoint Alpha Mateo Romero to a seat on the West Coast Council.”
Everyone stands as the door swings open and Mateo enters the room with Tony following close behind. He goes to the empty space next to Seth and nods at him. “Thank you. I don't have a speech. I will do everything in my power to uphold the well-being and respect of my community, this territory, and this council.” Then he sits down like he's waiting for someone to serve him dinner.
Minos smiles again. “I have no doubt, Mateo. We will try to give you time to get your footing before we have an official vote on anything. There is a WCC function soon, however. Nothing big, just a charity function. It is encouraged that as many councilmen are present as possible. It will be a casual affair at a small museum in Alpha Estrada’s Province in two weeks?”
Alpha Estrada nods. “Yes. Nothing fancy. Small foods. Just a fun annual fundraiser for the historical society.”
“I won't be there,” Mateo says, glancing at Seth then me. “I won't be available for the next month. I apologize.”
“We know your omega is expecting, Mateo,” Minos rubs his hands together. “We just didn't know how close to the finish line she was. One of the perks of being on the WCC is my Mallory. You can expect all the gifts and support you can stand once she gets the go-ahead. Congratulations in advance.”
“Thank you,” Mateo says quietly. “I am sorry that I won't be available.”
“Nonsense,” Minos knocks on the table again. “Of course you won't be available. I just wanted to make sure that you understood that it's not all dower business and boring meetings.”
The meeting adjourns with lots of hand shakes and congratulations, and me and Seth escape before Mateo and Tony. Which is a really good thing because I've just put the car in drive when Seth gets a phone call that has him groaning. He sounds completely neutral when he answers the call, though.
“Hello,” he says into the phone, turning toward me to mouthLopez.
The timing of this call doesn't escape my notice, but Seth doesn't seem bothered.
“Alright. Hang on. Michael is with me. Let me put it on speaker.” He transfers it to speaker so that I can hear the call and puts the phone in the cup holder between us. “Okay, go ahead.”
“Hello Michael,” Lopez says over the line.
“Lopez.”
“Is everything alright?” Seth asks.
“Everything is fine. I just wanted to check in. Is everything going well there?”
“Yes,” Seth answers. “Everything is fine. The council is changing things up a little and we're going to be doing some traveling, but everything is good.”
There's silence on the line for a long pause then Lopez continues. “My pack is better than we were. We are stronger. We're ready to become useful again.”
“Useful how?”
“Information, Michael,” Lopez answers, and I can almost see him rubbing the bridge of his nose. “My pack is in a prime position to gather it from the rogue organization. We have come across a few rogues who thought I had taken Ernesto's place and I was more than happy to have those conversations.”
Seth rolls his neck and motions for me to get us home. “Have you contacted Minos?”
“I'm contacting you.”
I glance over at Seth with raised brows. It isn't like Seth wouldn't tell Minos. He has to know that secretive cloak-and-dagger shit is over.
Seth returns the look with his own exaggerated expression. “I appreciate that. Would you like to schedule a meeting with Minos to discuss what you've been told?”
There's a pause before Lopez answers. “No, I don't think so. I don't believe he would consider me a good source of information in the same way you would. I think it would be better if fewer people know that I'm essentially a spy.” He chuckles over the word spy.
“You might be right, but I am going to have to tell him things,” Seth says.
“I'll be giving you, and only you, information and you can discern how much of it makes it to Minos's ear. Are you ready for my report?”
Anxiety spikes though our bond and I change lanes. This is going to take a toll on Seth. We need elote, and Desie will be less likely to fuss about even more stress being added to our already overwhelming load if we bring her something she loves and maybe some flowers from one of the corner stalls.
