“That’s the right answer,” Geneva says with a smile. “No one expects you to be fully prepared. Elden, Samuel asked for you to attend a meeting with him and your father tomorrow.”
I raise my brows. Tomorrow? She wasn’t kidding when she said that Samuel was pushing for it to happen. “Like Flora said, we still need to grow, but we are ready to take over.” I furrow my brows. “So, tomorrow.”
“Should I come with you?” Flora asks.
I consider her offer, then shake my head. “I really appreciate it, but I think I need to do this alone. Just like you faced your father on your own.”
Flora nods. “Don’t worry. I completely understand.”
forty-two
No Respect for the Alpha
*ELDEN*
Later at night, after Emilia, Geneva and Samuel retire to bed, we make a detour to Silver Lake. Jace grabs some bottles of beer on the way, and Calvin brings some snacks.
“It’s unbelievable what you guys can eat,” Janice laughs.
“I am just always hungry,” Jace grins.
“Same,” Vincent says.
“Me too,” I agree.
“I have nothing to oppose,” Calvin adds.
Janice and Flora exchange a perplexed gaze before laughing. Flora skips forward, blinking up at me innocently. I know that look of hers. It can fool others into thinking she is that innocent fairy-like creature, but not me. True to my suspicion, she startsto move her fingers over my abs. “It must be the alpha genes,” she chirps, sounding even more innocent than before, but I can detect the flirting in her voice.
If we were alone now, I would devour you,I say.
She smirks.Is that so?
She tosses me a teasing glance before wiggling out of her clothes, until she is only wearing her swimsuit. Janice follows suit, and soon the two of them take each other’s hands and jump into the water.
“I don’t know about you,” Jace says, suddenly stepping next to me, “but, isn’t it weird how it all turned out. Remember when we were little boys and the only friend we had was each other?”
“Yes,” I say quietly. “Then Flora suddenly joined the equation.”
“And everything changed,” Jace says with a smile. “I befriended Deacon.”
“Your future beta,” I say. “He is a good guy.”
“He is.” Jace nods. “And then Janice came to the pack, and then your betas. I am really happy for you that your life turned around like that.”
“Jace,” I say quietly.
“No, don’t ruin the moment,” he says. “Because I mean it.”
“You deserve real happiness, too,” I say.
“I know,” he answers. “I didn’t think I would, but the last couple of weeks were eye-opening. I am in love with Janice, and I am ready to fight for her.”
“So, you confessed?” I ask.
“I did, and she feels the same,” he says. “We have to be very careful though, and sly, until I am officially alpha. I honestly can’t believe how lucky I am that Janice is on board with it. I thought she would tell me I am insane and to go fuck myself, but she didn’t. She is scared but said she will be there along thewhole way. We need to be really careful, though. Please make sure you and Flora won’t tell anyone.”
“You can count on us,” I say. “What’s the plan, then? I can help!”