Reckless Regrets
Chapter 14

Kade

In the two previous times I’d made the trip to Canyon Woods, it seemed like the hours dragged on continuously. But it was just my luck that this night, all I did was blink my f*****g eyes, and we were crossing over their border.

Even in the dark of night, I could still see that their patrols were thin and not as constant as they should have been. Even if they were expecting someone, Blue Moon would never allow an unknown vehicle on their territory without immediately verifying the occupants. Once Xander absorbed this pack into his, there would be a lot of training and new process implementation going on before everyone would blend seamlessly as one.

The driver pulled up to the packhouse where Alpha Thorne stood waiting on the front porch. My stomach dropped when I saw Marisol exit the house and stand next to him.

Her hair was big and stiff, and her face was caked with makeup, making her look like a f*****g clown. My Sugar Bear never wore makeup, besides whatever that stuff was that she put on her eyelashes. Otherwise, it was her perfect olive skin and freckles; she was flawless. Marisol, on the other hand, was every flaw imaginable, all rolled up into one crazy-a*s woman.

Lucky me.

I stepped out, and as soon as my feet touched the ground, Marisol rushed me and wrapped her arms around my waist.

“I told you he was yours! I’m so happy you’re finally here, and we can be together, but I wish you would have come earlier; our son is asleep already,” she gushed.

I wanted so badly to tell her to go to hell, but I had to play the part. No one said I had to be nice about it, though. Technically I didn’t have an alpha, so I could practically do whatever the hell I wanted.

“Please don’t touch me. I followed the law, and I’m here; that doesn’t mean you get to put your hands on me,” I stated.

I didn’t trust this chick, from the second she walked into the conference room three weeks ago and found out I was Blue Moon, she’s been looped ever since. No matter what game Xander needed me to play, I refused to let her get close to me.

She looked up and frowned, then took a step back.

“But I’m your Luna. How do you expect to run a pack and raise a child with me if I can’t touch you?”

“Good question; I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

When I raised my hand to brush my hair from my face, Morgan’s ring that I’d wedged on my little finger and forgotten about sparkled under the light, making Marisol gasp.

“Oh, Kaden, it’s beautiful. I wasn’t expecting a ring so soon; you’ve been so cold. But it’s perfect,” she stated, holding her hand out to me.

It took me a moment to realize what was happening, but as soon as I did, I wanted to throw up. The idea of my mother’s ring being on anyone’s finger other than Morgan’s was insane. It would never happen, not while I was breathing.

I didn’t even have a response for her. I’d just told her to keep her hands to herself, and here she was thinking I was going to give her a ring? I didn’t have the time or energy. I stepped around her and up to Alpha Thorne.

“Welcome home, Kaden. I hope the trip was comfortable.”

“As comfortable as it can be when you’re leaving your home, mate, and family behind.”

“Well, let’s hope that soon enough, you’ll find that same happiness here. I took the liberty of having a room prepared for you unless you want to share with Mari-”

“Absolutely not. I’ll take the room, thank you, Alpha,” I said, cutting him off before he could finish his sickening thought.

He knew his daughter was trouble, but she was still his daughter, and it was easy to see that he wasn’t the biggest fan of the way I was brushing her off.

“I’d assume that once you are married, you two will move into the Alpha’s suite together? This pack needs more good strong wolves like yourself to ensure our future.”

Gross.

“Once we are married? Well, I would be Alpha at that point and free to do whatever I choose, which will never be Marisol.”

A low growl escaped his lips, and his eyes darkened a little. So, the old man did still have some backbone; good to know.

“You are aware of the law, Mr. Thomas. Failure to comply could result in-”

“Yes, I know the law. Much more than you may think, and it states that a marriage would be required, but nothing else. I don’t even have to look at or speak to her again. All I’m obligated to do is marry her and care for Cameron. Would you please show me to my room now?” I turned and asked a nearby omega.

“Yes, Alpha. Right away,” she replied.

“It’s just Kade. I’m nobody’s alpha; just a guy,” I smiled back at her and said.

“Yes, Mr. Kade.”

Before I left, I turned back to Alpha Thorne.

“I appreciate your hospitality, and I hope you have a good night. We can talk tomorrow to discuss specifics on how we are to move forward if that’s okay with you.”

“That will be fine, Kaden. Have a good night.”

“Kade? Did you want me to help you get settled in? Maybe show you around the house?” Marisol sweetly asked.

“You can call me Kaden, and no, I think I can manage from here.”

I turned back to see the omega with a small smile on her face. If you weren’t paying attention, you could easily have missed it, but I was paying attention to every single thing going on in this pack. My observation skills were going to get me home to Morgan; I wasn’t missing shit.

I was going to get close to the omegas and find out what they knew. Anyone who had any common sense knew that the house staff heard and saw everything. And the way this girl smiled when I brushed off Marisol told me that she probably didn’t like the b***h anymore than I did. She was about to be my new best friend.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“It’s Wendy, sir.”

“Well, Wendy, after you,” I said to her with a wink, making her blush.

I heard Marisol growl as I walked away, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. I was going to enjoy this as much as I could, and if I could piss off that psycho in the front yard in the process, that was a significant bonus.

***

The next morning, I woke up at 4:30, as was my habit, and decided to see what kind of training they had going on. I got dressed and headed downstairs, where the kitchen was bustling with omegas making preparations for a huge breakfast.

“Good Morning, Ladies,” I said as I entered the room.

They all stopped and looked at me; you could hear a pin drop. They were so quiet. So, did no one ever speak to the house staff here? After a few silent seconds, an older woman I assumed was the lead omega stepped forward and smiled.

“Good Morning, Alpha. What can we do for you?”

“First, you can call me Kade, please. Second, I’d love a cup of coffee if it’s not too much trouble.”

Within a couple of minutes, I giant steaming mug was placed before me, and I had to admit that it smelled incredible. This pack may be lacking with its ranked members, but their staff could brew a mean cup of coffee.

“Could anyone tell me where combat training is held? I’d like to join them today if I’m not too late,” I asked.

“Training is only held on Sunday’s, Mr. Kade. Sunday’s at 5:00 PM.”

What?! Once a week training sessions? And at the end of the day? Who even does that?

“Wow. Okay, is there a gym I can use?”

“I can show you to the gym honey, you should have woken me up; I would have given you a tour of the house,” Marisol snuck up behind me and said. All the staff tensed up at her arrival and went back to work, proving my theory that she wasn’t as popular as she should have been.

“Not your ‘honey,’ and why would I wake you up? Then I’d have to spend time with you, which is not how I want to spend my morning.”

She brushed off the comment and straightened her shoulders.

“Do you want to go to the gym or not?”

“Yes.”

I turned back to the kitchen and passed my cup to the woman I was previously talking to.

“Thank you. If I don’t see you at breakfast, have a good day,” I told her.

“You’re welcome, Mr. Kade.”

“You don’t have to be nice to her or any of them. They’re just here to cook and clean; they’re supposed to be invisible,” Marisol spat.

“They’re people, how can they be invisible? What the hell is wrong with you?” I replied, making her face fall.

“I never caught your name,” I said, turning back to the worker.

“You can call me Hellen, sir.”

“Hellen. I’ll talk to you later.”

I then walked out of the kitchen and down a side hall. I didn’t know where I was going, but I walked with long strides just to make Marisol have to rush to keep up with me.

“Are you always so nice to the help, or are you putting on a show?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because you’re from Blue Moon. That pack is loaded, you’re probably loaded,” she stated.

She looked at me like she was waiting for me to confirm or deny what she’d just said; she was going to be waiting for an eternity. My bank account was none of her f*****g business. When she was tired of waiting, she sighed and rolled her eyes.

“Whatever. You’re used to a certain way of life, and so are omegas. We say ‘jump,’ and they say ‘how high.’ That’s the way it is everywhere.”

“That’s bullshit. I refuse to treat anyone like they are less than me; it doesn’t matter if they are ranked or not. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. I was raised with respect, but that’s clearly something you know nothing about. I’ll find my way to the gym, thanks,” I said before I walked off, leaving her slack-jawed.

She was a piece of work, indeed. What kind of spoiled little princess crap was she on where she felt that she could treat them that way, or that I would go along with it? Yes, Xander’s family had created three wildly successful businesses, and the pack had more money than we’d ever need, but we never treated our staff like they were less than us.

Taylor oversaw them, and she made sure they were all paid well, got plenty of time off, and never had complaints go ignored. It was Marisol’s f****d up mindset that was going to be her downfall. I was sure of that.

After a few minutes of wandering around, I gave up and decided to go out for a run. I made my way around the house to the back by the tree line and saw a young omega male rummaging in the garden shed. I walked over in his direction and was surprised when his scent was carried over on a soft breeze.

He smelled like grass and dirt; what anyone working in the garden would be expected to smell like. But there was something else; he smelled feminine. He smelled like Marisol. Interesting.

“You need any help in there?” I asked, making him jump.

He spun around, and when he saw me, he immediately dropped his eyes to the ground.

“I apologize, Alpha. I didn’t hear you walk up.”

“Why do you guys keep calling me that? I’m not your Alpha,” I replied.

He looked confused when he replied. “Because you will be, sir. It’s what Marisol and Alpha Thorne have told the entire pack.”

“Not if I can help it,” I quietly stated.

He scrunched up his face in confusion.

“Well, is there something I can do for you, sir?”

I thought for a second and wondered if I should stir up trouble and start s**t on my first day, or if I should play it cool. I’d always been a risk-taker; it’s what made life so, so sweet. So, why stop now?

“Yeah, how about you start by telling me how long you’ve been f*****g my future Luna?”