FULL NOVELXO Chapter 33 - Tease
Kaden Reid's P.O.V.
After breakfast, everyone crowded into Axel’s large office. I take a seat on the couch with Rico choosing to stand behind me. I look around at the people in the room. Thomas is in Axel’s office chair behind the large mahogany desk. Celia is sitting beside Axel on the larger couch and Owen is by the window, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
Daisy De Leon is the only one of their family not present. At just thirteen years old, she’s much too young to be involved in matters such as this. I had requested Natalie to take Luna away from the meeting, which she agreed to.
Luna’s confused expression still lingers in my mind. She had wanted to attend the meeting with me, eager to get rid of Ace from my life. But I didn’t want my mate to stress about me when she had University and work on her plate already. I could take care of Ace with the help of Axel’s pack and ensure Luna would not be hurt.
I sigh in frustration, wishing she was here with me now. A simple touch from her can calm me down in an instant and I want to run back out and make her sit with me, just so I know she’s safe and unharmed. F*ck, Ace has really got me on edge. I thought, clenching my teeth in anger. She’s in the house, on pack lands with guards positioned everywhere. She is fine.
“So, Ace was the Beta of your previous pack that was run by Reid. Days before the pack was wiped out, he disappeared. Where did you go after that?” Thomas asks, wanting full details to assess the situation.
I knew what he’s like from experience of observing him run the pack when I was younger and when I would fly over for the holidays. He is stern, serious and calculating when involved in dealing with problems but off duty, he’s more laidback, calm and friendly.
“I moved from Chicago to New York after I was thrown out two years before I was set to take over the pack. I attended school and earned a degree there before I was assigned a project in Spain. Wherever I moved, Rico was with me. We first saw Ace outside the office in Madrid.” I explained, recalling how shocked I was to see the Beta.
“Did you go up to him? Question him?” Axel questions, a frown on his lips as he stares at me.
“No.” I shake my head, a ragged breath escaping me. “I knew my father died when the pack was attacked and wiped out. It was everywhere. I assumed nothing of seeing Ace in the same city as me...until Rico and I moved to Vancouver.”
Thomas and Axel lean forward in their seats, a serious look on their faces because they already sensed that something had happened. Owen steps forward and takes a seat beside Axel, anxious to know.
“Rico was still at the company where we were working. I had been let go early so with nothing else to do, I went back to the apartment we were renting. Long story short, they broke in to the apartment and as I made my way through the mess, I was attacked and beaten up pretty badly. They took some of my things but thankfully, nothing was out of place in Rico’s room.” I sigh loudly, running a hand through my hair in frustration.
“That bastard.” Owen growls angrily, his brother and father wearing the same expressions.
“He had you followed and attacked only to take some of your belongings?!” Thomas seethes, standing up from his chair abruptly before slamming his hand down on the table and squaring me with an intimidating look. “Mathers is planning something big. Owen, get Felix to find out his whereabouts -”
“Uh...he’s already in Berlin.” Rico interrupts from behind me.
“Okay, next time you see him or anyone suspicious near you two, report back to me immediately.” Axel pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration before turning to Owen. “I need you to get Felix, Conrad and a few guys from the security team.”
Owen nods and makes his way out of the office. I recognize the two names, Felix being the best tracker of the pack and Conrad known as the tech genius. I have worked with both before when Axel needed help whilst I was here to visit.
“We’re going to have Conrad set up hidden cameras outside your house so that if Ace or anyone else pays a visit, security will reach within minutes. Other gadgets will be set up in the house so he’ll tell you where everything is once it’s done.” Axel explains his plan whilst typing away on his computer.
“Does Ace or anyone working for him need to come up to the house for Felix to track him down?” Rico wonders, pacing the length of the room.
“Yes but, if you guys see him in town then we need to know because it could be a regular spot for him.” Thomas confirms, taking up Owen’s previous place on the couch.
“Okay, we’re done here. Kaden, Rico, Owen and I are going to make sure the boys know what they must do later.” Axel states, leaning back in his office chair.
Rico nods and makes his way out of the room to catch up with Owen. Thomas comes up to me as I stand, clapping my shoulder. “Don’t worry about anything, he’s going down. I made a promise to your mother that I would always keep you safe, I don’t intend on breaking it. Ever.”
I nod, swallowing harshly at the mention of my mother. I don’t know when she had made Thomas promise that but I’m glad she did, otherwise I would have had no connection to her without Celia and Thomas. He gives me a side hug before telling Axel to update him later tonight and walking out of the office.
Leaving Axel and I in a room full of silence.
I know I’m in it from him and it’s confirmed when he steps out onto the balcony without a word to me. Sighing, I follow him and come to a stop just a few steps away. The balcony looks out onto a large clearing in the middle of the thick forest. I can see the small animals scampering through the woods from here along with the bird nests resting in many branches of trees.
“Pack member or not Kaden, we are family. I consider you my brother and I need to know if you are ever in danger.” Axel speaks after a long silence, glancing at me with a stern look.
I nod, leaning my back against the railing of the balcony. “I didn’t want you to worry, you’ve got enough on your plate running a pack.”
“What’s stopping you from joining a pack? Why can’t you tell me? You’re safer here than out in the middle of nowhere!” He growls at me, frustration clear in his eyes.
I stare at him, a heavy sigh escaping me as I shrug. “When my father started acting weird, pack members would come up to me and raise their concerns, pleading with me to challenge him and become Alpha. Even when the pack showed signs of going downhill they told me they trusted me to protect them. And what did I do after I was thrown out? I left and let them all die. I’m not worthy of a pack Axe, I know it’s a stupid reason -”
“It’s not -”
“It is.” I cut him off, not being able to meet his eyes. “I don’t know why but every time someone offers me to join their pack, I immediately refuse. Romanov did, you did...I guess I’ve been rejected by so many packs in the past that I’m used to rogue life now. I don’t feel that longing to be in a pack as much as I did back then.”
“What about Luna’s safety?” He asks quietly, understanding in his eyes.
I rub my face tiredly, nodding. “I’ve been thinking about that. When shit goes down with Ace, I need to know that Luna will be safe here.”
“Always, you don’t have to ask.” He nods firmly, squeezing my shoulder.
Silence ensues but it’s comfortable, both of us processing what was just said. I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, a heavy weight that I just can’t get rid of. I’m worried about everyone I care for; Axel, his family and pack, my friends, Rico and mostly, my Luna.
She cannot get hurt. I will protect her at all costs or die trying.
“Do you remember when a group of guys nearly knifed me if you hadn’t followed me?” Axel asks, his eyes glazed as he recalls the memory.
“Yeah,” I scoff, crossing my arms. “You were like a girl on her period back then.”
"I was not. I just felt under pressure to be the perfect heir to take over the Alpha position.” He rolls his eyes, leaning over to punch me in the arm. “Anyways, you had my back even when I said I didn’t want it. I’ve got yours man, you’re not facing Ace Mathers alone. My pack and I are with you, always.”
“Thanks man, I appreciate everything.” I smile, looking over at him.
“Aw, are you two going to hug it out now?” Natalie’s voice echoes in the room, making us turn towards her.
“Nah, he might just get emotional.” I smirk, crying out as I dodged a hit.
“Axel is a very sensitive man.” Natalie winks, patting her mate’s chest. She gazes up at him with a cheeky smile and he growls softly, pulling her close to inhale her scent.
And that, is my cue to leave.
“Alright, I’m just going to get out of here before you two decide to make Celia’s wish come true.” I rush towards the door, laughing when they both cuss me out.
I close the door behind me and make my way down the stairs, following the scent of peaches and vanilla to where it’s the strongest. Eventually, I find Luna and Rico talking in hushed tones by an alcove in the hallway whilst Owen seems to be talking with a group of men from security.
From my spot on the stairs, there is a large window from where I can see Celia by the training grounds and helping some of the younger ones in their routine. Thomas is kicking some ass instead and fighting the warriors. I swear, that man doesn’t know when to stop.
I make my way down the steps, Rico finally noticing me before whispering something to Luna and heading into the sitting room. I walk towards her, smirking at how nervous she’s behaving. Her small hands are hidden by the material of her sweater that she has pulled around it, pearly white teeth gnawing at her plump, bottom lip and those beautiful warm shade of browns looking at anything but me.
The dim but warm glow from the lantern in the alcove brings out the lighter tones in her dark brown hair. Everything about her seems alluring and all I want to do is take her to where it’s safe and just the two of us.
“What were you and Rico talking about?” I ask once I am near, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“N-Nothing.” Her smile is shaky as she stares back at me, making my eyes narrow.
I already know what their conversation had been about and I didn’t even need Rico to tell me. One of the many things I have learned about Luna is that she is a very curious being sometimes but not to the point where she would be considered rude or overbearing. If she senses that I don’t want to talk about some matters, she will let it be.
“Really? It didn’t look like nothing.” I smirk, wrapping my arm around her back to pull her close.
Her hands rest on my chest to prevent being pressed up against me, lips forming the shape of an ‘o’ at the sudden action. I sweep her hair to one side before tracing the curve of her neck with the tip of my nose. A quiet gasp escapes her when I press a lingering kiss to her mark.
I pull away and smile softly at the sight before me. Luna’s eyes are closed, her body leaning into me as she welcomes the feelings only I can give her. Pressing a kiss to the corner of her lips, I linger, wanting to tease it out of her.
“Tell me what you were talking about, little moon.” I murmur against her lips, knowing my nickname will make her give in.
“K-Kaden...”
“Please, baby?” I whisper, peppering her jawline with kisses. Her hands fist the material of my top as she tries hard to resist, but eventually she gives up.
“I-I wanted to k-know about the meeting.” She stammers breathlessly, opening her eyes when I pull away.
I smile, knowing she is going to kill me for what I was about to say next. “I know.”
Her jaw drops and she stares up at me for a good minute before snapping out of it, smacking my arm as she pushes me away. “Y-You – ugh! That wasn’t cool!”
She huffs, her brows furrowing as she glares at me. Honestly, she looks about as harmless as a kitten right now and it only makes me laugh harder. When I glance up, I see that she is walking away with her arms crossed.
“I’m sorry – Luna!” I call as I follow her, catching her elbow before turning her around. “Hey, I didn’t mean to tease you, sweetheart. Don’t be mad, please?”
She sighs, her body relaxing against mine as she leans into me. Her cheeks still haven’t cooled down, showcasing a soft pink blush on her skin. Luna catches my stare and the colour seems to intensify, making me smirk as I pull her closer by the waist.
“I’m not mad...just extremely embarrassed right now that I gave in so easily.” She mutters into my chest, hiding away from me.
I laugh, catching her hand when she raises it to hit me once more. I brush my lips against her knuckles before rubbing her back in a soothing manner. She is so adorable and at times like these, I find it hard to believe that this angel is mine forever.
“You don’t have to be embarrassed, it’s just me.”
“Well, when you do things like that how can I not be?” She pulls away, avoiding my gaze as she places her palms on her cheeks.
“Like this?” I murmur, abruptly pulling her towards me before kissing her gently.
Her lips are soft, the sweet taste of ice cream lingering on her tongue making me assume that Natalie had given in to her sweet tooth like always and dragged Luna into indulging the cold treat with her. I pull away just in case somebody walks in on our little moment. She rolls her eyes when I grin, shaking her head as she starts making her way back to the living room where Rico and Owen are.
“You are such a tease.” She mumbles, wrapping her arm around my back as we walk together.
“A very handsome, attractive, smoking hot, sexy as fu-”
“Don’t flatter yourself. I’ve seen better.” She chuckles, patting my chest before rushing ahead, her light giggles echoing behind her in the hallway.
I watch her with a soft smile as she nears the corner before registering what she said. The smile slips right off my face and I feel a flare of jealousy rise within me, my thunderous growl echoing in the quiet hallway.
“That better be a lie Luna!” I warn threateningly, hearing her squeak and run faster down the next hallway.