Angel Blackwood(134)

“How is Angel doing?” He says, returning to his desk and sitting down on a big black, studded leather highback chair.

“She is doing great, Thanks. Now if we can get back to discussing the future of our packs,” I say, unable to hold in my hostility. I stand up and move to sit on the chair nearest to his desk. Tyler stands a few feet away, arms folded over his chest.

Caspian lets out a chuckle and downs the rest of his drink, placing it on the table with a clank.

“Ah.. I see. You think I would jeopardize what’s best for my pack over a woman?” He doesn’t wait for us to respond, he continues, “I have no ill feelings towards Angel. She chose her mates above everything else, I understand that.”

“Then why did you think you could force her into marrying you? You know what she is, know how special she is and you used that against her?” Tyler speaks up, his voice rising. Caspian gives nothing away.

“I’d do anything and everything if my pack benefits from it. I wanted what was best for my pack, to merge Johnny’s territory and mine. Only way to make that happen was to marry Angel. Since that option is off the table, I no longer have any interest in her,” he says simply.

“Are you trying to tell us that you won’t try to overthrow our power and take our land when we become Alpha’s?” I say. I don’t understand how this man operates. He’s like a robot, you can’t tell what he’s feeling.

Caspian chuckles again, then leans forward on his desk and entwines his fingers, “My pack has been doing just great on it’s own thus far. We don’t need your territory. Besides… taking on one Alpha is a job on it’s own, taking on two, well that’s another matter entirely. Johnny has many allies on his side. If I were go against you two, it will only create havoc on my part. I don’t want that. All I want is for our packs to work side by side as we have been doing all these years.”

****





We fill Johnny in on what was discussed during the ride home.

“I told you that his pack is the only thing that matters to him,” Alpha confirms.

“Yeah, suppose that’s not a bad thing,” I mutter, looking out of the window.

“Unless our pack jeopardises his in anyway. I’ve got a feeling he would do and say anything to make sure his pack comes out on top,” Tyler says from the front seat.

Alpha Johnny nods his head, “You two just make sure you keep an eye on him. He trusts me and I know he’ll help me in any way he can, but I can see he doesn’t trust you two. Once you have that man’s trust, his loyalty knows no bounds. He will stick by you no matter what. Just don’t ever cross his pack or mess with his trust once it is earned.”





****





Arriving back at the pack house, we spot Angel and Phoenix still sitting out in the sun on the grass. They’re chatting away and snacking on sandwiches. I run up behind Angel, playfully tackling her but making sure to be gentle.

She squeals and starts laughing, pushing at my chest.

“You’re too heavy. Can’t…. breathe,” she says between laughs.

“You’re gonna hurt her, Talon,” Tyler says in that protective voice of his.

“Oh chill, I’m just playing.” I move to sit next to her and snatch a packet of chips out of Phoenix’s hand. She punches my shoulder rather pathetically. I look at Angel and give her a quick kiss on her lips. “How’s your day been, babe?”

“It’s been good. I’ve been catching up on what I’ve missed out on, apparently it’s a lot.” She looks at Phoenix and they exchange a weird look.

She then looks up to where Tyler stands beside her, rubbing her hands over his jeans by his calves before patting the ground next to her, “Come sit by us.” He looks

down at her smiling. He runs his hand over the top of her head, through her hair, then gently sits down next to her. She leans forward and kisses his cheek.

Phoenix turns away as if there’s something better to look at to her right. She then quickly looks down and starts picking at her nails. I look up to see Nixon walking a blond woman into his cabin, they’re laughing about something.

“Uh… I better get home. Gotta help one of Fabian’s flings with a spell,” she rattles off.

“You sure you don’t wanna stay for the bonfire?” Angel asks.

“Nah, that’s okay. I think the sun has taken all the energy out of me, but thanks for the invite guys. I’m gonna have an early night tonight.” Phoenix leans down and hugs Angel.

“Drive safe,” Angel shouts out as Phoenix walks away.





As soon as Phoenix has driven down the gravel road and out of sight, Angel turns to sit facing us.