Page 91 of X-Clan The Origin
And Riley’s eager tones now told me she did, too.
Her excitement had started in the labs after meeting Ceres face-to-face. He’d shown her something he was working on, and she’d jumped into some highly scientific discussion with him that I hadn’t understood.
Elias and Ander had shared a glance, suggesting that they hadn’t understood it either.
But whatever it was had pleased my mate. Which had left me pleased as a result.
And now she was trying to sell herself for a position that Ander had clearly already decided to give her.
I could see it in his expression.
However, he remained quiet and listened, his golden irises swirling with knowledge.
Definitely his father’s son, I decided.Apart from the colder demeanor. But I could work with that.
I didn’t like chatting unnecessarily, so if he wanted to keep it to a minimum, by all means.
His second-in-command seemed a little less stoic. His midnight gaze matched his thick, dark hair—which he’d run his fingers through a few times while sitting here, suggesting he didn’t like to remain still.
Elias had smiled at Riley a few times, mostly to encourage her to continue speaking. It had seemed innocent enough—just the usual adoration that Alphas exuded around Omegas.
Although, Ander hadn’t been adoring at all. He’d been all business with Riley, treating her as though she were another Alpha.
Thatwas his father’s influence.
And it was what made Riley almost instantly comfortable in his presence.
She stole a deep breath and concluded with, “So as a result, I think this would be a very good fit for me.”
Ander waited a beat, his golden irises assessing her. “I agree.”
Elias nodded.
“What are your requirements?” Ander asked her. “Lodging, obviously. But do you have a preference on rooms? Location? We have suites here in this building, but also cabins and other styles of homes throughout the sector.”
Riley glanced at me.
I didn’t have a preference. I would go wherever Riley desired.
“Is that something we can perhaps see on a tour and then decide?” she asked slowly, her focus returning to Ander.
“Absolutely,” Ander agreed. “Elias can help arrange a proper tour of options. In the interim, you can stay in a guest suite here.”
“You may want two locations,” Elias added. “We have a lot of Alphas in this sector. There are certain times where that may prove problematic.”
“How problematic?” I asked, my gaze narrowing. Because I knewexactlywhat that meant.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it. There are Alphas here who don’t believe I’m old enough to lead. Challenges are frequent. I’ve yet to lose one.” That last part seemed like a bit of a warning.
He would be able to sense my dominance as a fellow Alpha. I wasn’t just older than him, but perhaps even stronger. Which made me a clear threat to his leadership.
Except I had no desire to take his job.
“I don’t envy you your position,” I informed him. “But I’ll help you protect it so long as a few of my terms are met.”
Riley glanced at me in surprise. We hadn’t discussed this part of the conversation, mostly because I hadn’t been sure this would be necessary. I’d wanted to observe her reactions first. Now that I knew she wanted to stay, I could list my demands.
“Name them,” Ander said, his expression unchanged. But Elias appeared intrigued beside him, while also seeming a bit guarded.
