Reckless Regrets
Chapter 52

Morgan

“A freaking dragon? That’s awesome,” I said while watching Tyson’s video from last night.

“That’s been everyone’s reaction so far; it makes we wish I’d volunteered to go get the girls so I could have met Blaze,” Matt stated.

After breakfast, the two of us came up to see what was going on and watch how Tyson was going to expose Matilda. This had become like a soap opera, I think by this point, I’d become way too obsessed with The Badlands, but I was still going to watch.

Taylor still hadn’t seen any of the videos, and I didn’t think she ever would. She always said that she didn’t like seeing Tyson as “Hades,” that he wasn’t her husband and father of her child. I felt like it was just a part of who he was. That other side of Tyson was a part of their love story, just like man-whore Kade was a part of mine.

But, I wouldn’t force anything on her. As long as we gave her sporadic updates that Tyson was okay, she was okay, and that seemed to be enough for everyone.

“Did you guys have a nice date last night? I’ve noticed that you’ve been out every night since this all started,” I asked Matt.

“It was fun. We went bowling, and Tesoro kicked my a*s; I couldn’t believe it. How could I marry a woman and have kids with her and not know she was a savage at bowling?” he asked.

“You could have known if you’d asked. Taylor learned in high school after I beat her mercilessly. She’s not a fan of losing and made sure that every game she played since was as close to perfect as possible,” I told him.

“That sounds like my girl. It’s been good to get out of the house and take her mind off of this whole mess,” he said, pointing to the screen.

He’d been distracting Taylor and from the looks of it, doing a damn good job too. Instead of her being a nervous wreck, she was her usual smiling self, unless the “operation” was mentioned.

“You’re a good husband. I need you to teach Kade some of your tricks, okay? And don’t tell me which ones, that way I’ll just be surprised when he whips them out,” I joked.

“I can teach him my PB&J recipe. It’s perfect as a midnight snack.”

“Is it just peanut butter and jelly?” I asked.

“Well yeah, but the secret is you have to mix them up together, then spread it on the bread. It tastes completely different,” he proudly said.

“You’re a real game-changer in the culinary world, don’t let anyone tell you differently,” I laughed.

My phone began to buzz in my pocket, and I looked down to see an incoming FaceTime from my favorite person in the world. I checked the time before I answered; I loved this guy and all, but I refused to miss Matilda get exposed.

8:40; he had fifteen minutes, I thought, as I answered.

“Hey handsome, what’s shaking?” I asked.

“Not much, I’m planning on coming home tonight, do you miss me?” he asked.

“You know, I do. My feet have been popsicles since you left,” I replied.

“So you are using me for my body! I’m glad I found out before it was too late,” he joked.

“Haha. So how are you? Did you see Marisol flip out over her new position? What do you make of that?” I asked.

“Eh, it is what it is. She’s upset, and that’s fair, but nothing will change. Tyson said it right, Angelica is the only alpha’s daughter, and as far as we know, Genesis is our next Luna. Mari needs to learn to humble herself. It’s a shitty place, but if The Badlands doesn’t show her that there are more important things in life that rank and power, then nothing will,” he responded.

I smirked at him as I thought of something.

“But aren’t you itching to get your rank and power back? Are you enjoying being just an average pack member?”

“There’s nothing average about me, Sugar Momma, and you know it. And if I’m honest, it’s the bond and link to the pack I’m missing the most. Xan could have reinstated it already, but I wanted to have you with me when he did. I’m suffering for you, babe; this is what true love looks like.”

“So, you’d be okay not being Beta?”

“No! He would not. This is his damned job, not mine. That’s always been the arrangement, and I want it back! I want to sleep, and I’m sick of training and patrol rotations. Get your a*s back here!” Matt chimed in.

“Aww, you miss me that much that you can’t wait for me to get home?” Kade teased.

“You can stay in Oregon for all I care, just take your title back. ‘Single’ Matt could have run this pack with his eyes closed. But now, having a wife, three kids, and a demanding job means that I’ve got to choose between dinner with my family or analyzing the best patrol routes. I’d prefer dinner. ‘Grown-up’ Matt is losing his mind!”

I looked at the screen and smiled at Kade.

“Grown-up Matt is so responsible! And sweet, I just love him.”

“What was sweet about any of that? He doesn’t even miss me,” Kade pouted.

“Duh, he wants to have dinner with his family. That is the sweetest thing ever,” I gushed.

“This pregnancy has made you soft, Sugar.”

“Whatever. How is Nathan doing? Is he adjusting to being Captain?”

“He’s doing incredible. The bulk of what Xander is doing right now is for the omega staff, and Nate’s been invaluable in providing ideas for what needs to happen immediately and what can wait for later. The omegas weren’t even allowed regular visits to the pack clinic. They were put on a bullshit waiting list that could take weeks for them to get seen. Everyone else could get appointments the same day or at the latest within the week.”

“I guess it’s a good thing werewolves rarely get sick,” I replied.

“We may not get sick, but we get pregnant, we suffer broken bones and gashes in fights, and we get attacked by pissed off vampire hunters; that s**t hurts, and some medical attention would be nice.”

“Hey, I’m not arguing with you; I totally agree. Taylor and I have been working through grievances this week. Still, they were simple things like gripes over coworker cologne choices or another one where a three-month time off request was denied ‘unfairly.’ I’m happy that our problems are so easily fixable.”

“So am I. Every day, some new bullshit crops up, and I want to kill Thorne all over again.”

“You’ll get your chance soon enough, I’m guessing, and those wolves up there will never have to suffer again. You helped make that possible, so when you get upset, just think about that.”

“And that’s why I love you; you’re my sweet, sweet, sugar plum.”

“That’s a new one,” I replied with a laugh.

“When we were growing up, I never would have thought I’d see the day when Kade called a woman his sugar plum, and actually meant it. You’re some kind of superwoman Morgan,” Matt said.

“Ugh! Why can’t we have this conversation without pretty boy butting in?” Kade asked.

“Because it’s almost time for the show, and I rather look into those gorgeous eyes of yours when we talk than just hear your beautiful voice,” I replied.

“Like he doesn’t have a big enough head already,” Matt whispered.

“There’s nothing wrong with my f*****g head! It’s normal sized, what is wrong with you two?!”

Matt looked confused by the outburst, but I just laughed. My baby was too cute; I loved him.

“Your head is perfect, babe, I promise. I’ve got to go now, though, Tyson’s getting ready to go down, and I don’t want to miss any of the drama,” I squeaked.

“I know, we’re watching it here too. I bet Xander $100.00 that Whalen completely loses it and kills either Matilda or the warlock. He has that cold, serial killer look and feel to him,” Kade replied.

“Nah, Whalen’s loved Matilda through dragon burns, and I’m sure a ton of other mess. If anyone will get killed, it’s the warlock.”

“Then I guess we will see. Put your phone to your stomach, please.”

“Huh? But why?”

“Because I need you to. Please, Sugar?”

I sighed but lowered my phone as he asked.

“Daddy loves you, Princess, and I’ll see you soon. Make sure you’re nice to mommy and aren’t giving her a hard time while I’m gone,” he sweetly told my bump.

“That was pretty smooth, and he did it all by himself,” Matt said with a smile.

“Yeah, he is smooth. He’s perfect.”

***

Tyson

At 8:50, I made my way over to the observation deck where greasy Whalen stood, overlooking the hoards of prisoners. Usually, he was in his office, but he’d gotten a “tip” that there might be some trouble in the common room, so he came down to investigate.

He actually had the nerve to look disgusted, looking at everyone, not caring that this was the world that he and that b***h of a wife of his created. They were pulling in millions of dollars but didn’t think it necessary to pay for proper plumbing or food. Vomiting and diarrhea were a constant in this place; you could see, smell, and hear it all around.

But now he wanted to act like he was somehow better than these people or too good to be down with the peasants? It was time for me to ruin his day the way he destroyed everyone else’s.

“Greased Lightning, what are you doing in the pods today?” I asked.

“I’ll assume you’re talking to me, but if this conversation is to continue, you’ll call me Whalen or Mr. Crockett; pick one.”

“I like the name I came up with more if I’m being honest.”

“And I don’t give a s**t what you like. Your cockiness is going to get you in a world of trouble here. You need to understand who’s in charge and who isn’t,” he firmly stated.

“Oh, Ms. Crisp made it clear that she runs things here. She makes mad cash whoring out The Duchess, plus she’s got her own one-person cleaning services. I’m surprised she has time to see her dude with all the s**t she has her hand in,” I teased.

Whalen winced when he heard “her dude” and looked over at me.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“What do you mean, ‘what do I mean?’ The b***h is busy, she’s all over this place, but she still has time to regularly get dicked down in the medical bay? You gotta respect her hustle,” I said.

“The medical bay? Dicked down? What are you talking about? My wife goes to the clinic for a salve to soothe her burns. They would be unbearable otherwise. The only person there with her is the doctor!”

He was breathing extra heavy, and his eyes were bulging. If he was this pissed just hearing about Matilda cheating, what was he going to think or do when he saw it?

“Your wife, huh? Sorry about that, I didn’t know,” I lied, “Maybe I didn’t see what I thought I saw. But I know one thing, no salve will soothe dragon burns, so whatever it is she’s being covered and coated in, it’s probably to soothe another kind of burn if you know what I mean.”

That was all it took for his composure to snap. His left eye began to twitch uncontrollably as he reached for his walkie talkie.

“If you ask her, she’s going to lie, man. Think. You want to know the truth, take a walk over to the medical ward and see for yourself,” I coaxed.

He shot out of the room then stopped in his tracks.

“You’re coming with me. And I promise you, as soon as we get there and see that Maddy is where she said she was going to be, doing what she said she was going to do, I will have you tortured for slandering her good name.”

Two guards came over and grabbed my arms, pulling me along behind Whalen. He was mumbling something to himself too low for me to hear, but I knew that he was taking this news hard. What man wants to hear that he’s been lied to and cheated on by his wife? I almost felt bad for him, but you had to have at least a drop of good in you to deserve compassion, in my opinion.

“It’s 9:00, so they should be there. Let’s just hope Gabby’s information was correct,” I heard Matt say in my ear.

I cleared my throat, one of our prearranged signals that I’d heard and agreed with what was said. I could tell that we were getting close because the halls were getting cleaner the further we walked, and the smell of piss was quickly being replaced with antiseptic. It wasn’t any clinic I’d voluntarily go to, but in comparison to the rest of the place, it was alright.

Whalen slowed his steps to quiet them and walked down the narrow hall, peeking into each room. When he got to the end, he was ready to rub it in that I’d been wrong, and start the punishment, but that was when we saw it.

Frankly, I would have welcomed any punishment over this.

Matilda was on her knees, naked from the waist up, getting a golden shower from a warlock, just as Gabby said. By the satisfied looks on both of their faces, they were loving this. That was until Whalen interrupted with his high pitched scream. He charged in the room, and on the way, I smiled. Damn, I wished I’d had some popcorn.