Page 29 of Haze

Cade’s always been close with us. It doesn’t change the fact, though, that the only people he continues to keep in his life all share the same bloodline or a connection to Corinth Security. Loyalty has always been his paramount. I’ve done nothing if not been loyal to him.

“Revecca, though?” I murmur.

Deacon laughs and mocks her shrill voice. “Alexandru.”

“Laugh all you want. There isn’t a Deacon replacement downstairs ready to step into your job,” I growl at him.

Per usual, not concerned with any physical threat I might pose, Deacon hugs me tighter. “Do you think she could find one? That would be fantastic.”

I smack his chest with the back of my hand. “Ole, you’re lookin’ for trouble, aren’t ya?”

“Only a little.” He laughs. “Only a little.”

Chapter 9

Finn

Armed with a strong cup of coffee and the promise of a pack run at the Alden pack property tomorrow, I thought I was ready to face another day without seeing Lena, but eight hours later, I’m exhausted.

Today I followed a shrill younger woman around a lab, armed with the information that her lab runs on the honor system. A clipboard with a lab equipment shopping list is their method of communicating necessary items. It surprises no one that they’re the ones having the most difficulty keeping their needed equipment and tools in stock and accounted for. Who would have thought when comparing organized crime to a scientific lab that the criminals would be much more honorable when it comes to all the fun toys? Back home, not once have I ever had an assault rifle or even so much as a case of ammunition go missing. Here, however, it seems they’re missing a tube rocker, a semi-essential piece of equipment, and have resulted to ‘it’ll turn up eventually’ as their default answer.

I lock my desk and am ready to bunk off for the day when a knock comes on my office door.

“Mr. O’Leary, my office, please,” Doctor Thorpe nearly barks.

While he hasn’t been the friendliest, he certainly hasn’t been this short with me.

This idiot seems to think we answer to him, my wolf growls, angry at me for obeying Doctor Thorpe’s command.

Arguably, blindly following orders isn’t my favorite thing to do. Trailing behind Doctor Thorpe back to his office at the labs, I remind myself there’s hierarchy everywhere. In the lab, Doctor Thorpe is the top wolf.

When he doesn’t offer me a seat, I stand while he sits down behind his desk. I’m brought back to school, waiting for the headmaster to discipline me. So, normal.

“Miss Alden will be out of the lab next week. I know we had discussed you following her to understand a better workflow. I can arrange for you to continue observing other laboratories, or you can have the week off as well. It is my understanding you are perhaps in the process of establishing yourself now that you’re post a conversation with the Sovereign.” He looks over his protective eyewear at me.

I’ve evidently been busted for applying for and accepting a job within pack territory without Cade’s approval. But this was a better-to-ask-for-forgiveness situation. I don’t bother denying it.

Doctor Thorpe doesn’t strike me as a man with a high level of connection to the Alpha and his advisors, but he is close enough that my misstep hasn’t been overlooked.

Yes, but where is our mate? My wolf circles back to Lena.

The thought has me debating contacting a realtor or calling the ‘now leasing’ phone number advertised on the side of Lena’s building myself.

My wolf gives me another nudge with a memory of her sitting at the bar.

It’s puzzling Lena would be out for a week. The semester is still early, so it’s hard to believe Lena would take time off with how dedicated and responsible she seems. But I’m not asking Doctor Thorpe until I know his full relationship with her and how they operate. I don’t want to jeopardize anything she’s worked hard for.

“Is that all?”

“Well.” Doctor Thorpe looks away from me before he pushes out, “Mr. Bachman has attempted to file an official grievance against you. He’s worried about your behavior with the female staff.”

I huff and restrain the eye roll by shaking my head as Doctor Thorpe brings his eyes back to me. “He’s not concerned about my behavior toward all female staff. He’s concerned with it relating to Kathleen.”

“Ah. It seemed odd he would have used the term mate in place of copulation in a sentence.” Doctor Thorpe nods with understanding. “Of course. Everything is making sense now. If you need longer than a week, given the circumstances, let me know. In the future, notify me immediately of your need for time off rather than having me come to you.” He raises an eyebrow and shakes his head, dismissing me. “That is all.”

Given the circumstances? Notify me immediately?

I turn and take my leave. Doctor Thorpe does not seem like the kind to give further information.

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