Unscentable
Chapter 60

Brad POV

Bradley was happy that Brandon allowed him to carry him all the way to the training grounds. There was a large fenced area for hand-to-hand combat training, which he used for his wolf-on-wolf training as well. There was an outdoor Olympic swimming pool for endurance training where 50 laps had to be completed without rest.

It was hard going for some, but others relished it. And there was a running oval where sprints and long-distance running were complete for the unrealized wolves. Once you got your wolf running was done in the woods on one of 4 dedicated training tracks. He and Benson were very happy that Piper had given them this opportunity to bond with Brandon, and knew she had done. Piper had told him that it wasn't up to her to help him formulate a bond with his son, but she was actively encouraging him to spend time with Bradley.

Bradley took his time in explaining to Brandon how the course was run, wanted to stand and bond with the boy, and was more than happy to stop his explanation and answer any questions he had and then continue on.

Was bloody horrified to hear Piper state she'd been using this course since she was 10, so was Eddie by the sounds of it. Wanted to ask her all manner of questions about how she managed to do that without getting caught, but had the feeling he wasn't going to like the answer, so he left it for now.

The compromise he made was a way of stopping Piper from taking Brandon out there onto the course.

No-one under 13 was allowed on it and then there were strict rules and full supervision and not just with one or two trainers on for each child. He did not want Brandon climbing all over it at this age. Regardless that he was an alpha child, and had a half-realised wolf.

That climbing wall was a good 20 metres high, with an abseil drop off the back of it to get back down, as were all the climbing robes and net climbs, this course was designed with fully realised wolves in mind. There were no safety nets here, a fall from that height could not only injure a child, could cause death.

Telling Eddie shoes and shirts off was also a win for him. Piper and Harper, not that they had seen Harper at this point, but Benson could sense her now through his mark. She was there, he believed, would get to see him shirtless. He was an all-muscled-up, well- defined man, he had broader shoulders than Eddie did, was a few inches taller as well, an imposing man to look at. Could look very fierce if he so chose too.

Bradley wanted to show her how fit he was, how well-built and strong he was. It was a little vane he knew, but most wolves were ripped and muscled up. Most she-wolves loved that, and the more muscular the more, that they tended to like it. He was hoping she was no different. Had lived here most of her life, was still a she-wolf regardless, that she lived with just Harper inside her mind, no shifting.

Bradley also wanted Piper to feel like he was solid and strong, someone that she could rely on to protect her and care for her. He had all intention of ripping through this course and leaving Eddie in the dust.

Benson, too, was all for showing his Mate he was fast and strong. They had shown him up on the endurance run but he would show her he was the fastest and strongest here in the pack.

Both he and Benson were really happy to hear Brand call out to him "Dad?" warmed his heart and filled his wolf with pride. Couldn't help the smile that graced his face at that one word. But knew it was all Piper's doing. that next sentence, "No wolf assistance," as did Eddie, who promptly burst out laughing.

This pitted just the humans against each other, the woman he thought was trying to annoy him now, was actively trying to find a way to make him loose on purpose. She had told him perhaps he shouldn't always get what he wanted. Maybe this was her way of doing that. Eddie found it highly amusing.

Was shocked completely and nearly came to a stand still when Brand cheered for Eddie. Was that also her doing as well? he didn't know. But the hell he was going to loose now. It just pushed his determination up several notches, he was not going to be beaten by his Gamma with his Mate and Son watching on. Hell no, he was the Alpha and he would win this race.

When the sprinklers were turned on and they were drenched in a matter of seconds, both he and Eddie halted on their way up the rock wall to look at what had happened, only to see Piper tip an imaginary hat to them.

It made Eddie chuckle as he started climbing again.

She's playing with you." he smiled at Bradley.

"What?" It was more like toying with him, he thought.

"Challenging you. Likely her way of playing with you, just go with it, she seemed amused earlier on the way over here." He hauled himself up onto the top of the rock wall "Right after you said you hold the record." "So she doesn't think that I do."

Eddie laughed right at him "No she does not." And he was gone off down the abseil. Brad followed.

As they hit the next obstacle, he'd thought about that. She was fast back in Sydney. "She thinks she holds it," Bradley commented as they dropped down into the now mud pit of the final army crawl under the bamboo rods, that last part of the course. "I'm guessing so." "Do you think it's possible?"

"Completely, who knows how often she was on this course unsupervised! over what 11 years? Could have been daily for all we know. A really good way to get frustration and anger out. I've been known to come out here when cranky and run it with all the sprinklers on as well."

Bradley did know that about the man. Didn't like that Eddie was keeping pace with him while chatting away without any issue at all. It was Eddie who ran the agility course for training. Whereas Brad focused on training his warriors in hand to hand and wolf fighting. Wondered if Eddie was actually holding himself back a little, Brad was only on this thing every 3rd day but Eddie was on it every day, he trained all the juniors in how to use it properly and then was here to check the top warriors, give them a good challenge which Brad knew he could do.

Bradley managed to crawl out first, but barely so, was up and on his feet like a second before Eddie was.

Although Eddie had been laughing for the last half of that army crawl, he could hear both Izzy and Brandon cheering for him and had commented fully amused about being the boys' favourite. Was still amused even though he didn't win.

Shoved that man right over and back down into the mud, the minute he was on his feet, for his amusement and comment, about Brandon liking him more. Annoyed Brad more than a little. Though he was not angry or upset with him, he was actually happy to see Brandon so excited while out in the pack. He also knew that Brandon had bonded with Eddie.

He couldn't help but smile at Eddie as he was chasing both Izzy and Brandon around, feinting at the with his muddy hands all stretched out. Bradley had actually seen him do this with Harry's pups before. He was a natural with the pups. It didn't surprise Bradley all that much that the man had connected to Brandon and quickly.

It was good, was the boys' first real wolfen interaction without any aggression at all. Not once around Brandon had Eddie so much as lost his temper, or even gotten annoyed, as far as Bradley was aware.

Likely never even frowned at the boy, the man knew what he was doing, and had gained Brandon's trust easily, it seemed.

Could here his son laughing as the three of them were throwing mud at each other and then Izzy and Brandon were climbing all over Eddie to hold him down and rub mud all in his hair, was calling him Uncle Eddie. That was new.

His eyes moved to Piper as if she'd know the answer to his unspoken question and she just shrugged, and said "Izzy's Mate."

"Aunt Izzy" Bradley had commented, as he recalled that's what the boy calls her "So Uncle Eddie."

"Yes." Piper nodded simply. Didn't seem phased by it at all, he noted.

"You're okay with this."

"It's fine. Are you not?" She asked right back.

"No, no. It's all good." Bradly assured her and it was, the boy was enjoying being here. He'd liked the park and played with some of the other kids, had started calling him dad and now he had an uncle. He was assimilating quickly into the Pack. This was a good thing. Just needed Piper to come around fully now. Though if she had been playing with him, as Eddie suspected she was, this was also good. Perhaps she would be open to being here sooner than he'd hoped she would be. The mud on his chest was starting to dry on him, irritating him a little. "I'll go and hose off" he told her.

He called out to Eddie "Clean up Eddie." And watched the man pull both Izzy and Brandon from the mud, they were covered from head to toe, all three of them. He walked over to the washdown area and grabbed one of the hoses hanging from the wall, each one had a shower head attachment and all were hooked up to both hot and cold water for the different seasons.

Made sure to turn the hot tap on and get the temperature, not too hot for the boy but warm enough like a shower. He didn't want the boy freezing out here. It was only 11 degrees or there about, this was the average temperature for the month.

Hosed himself down while the others walked over, then washed all the mud off Brandon. Eddie was doing the same with Izzy. He turned to go and get towels from the store room only to find Piper walking right towards him with towels, hadn't forgotten where they were kept, it seemed. She tossed him a couple of towels, and then wrapped Brandon in the one she was still carrying.

She only glanced at his half-na*ked dripping wet body briefly, he noted, then kept her eyes firmly on their son.

Smiled to himself, their bond was not only still intact but half realised, she was wearing his Mark and the longer it was on her, the more that Mate Bond would pull her towards him. Wondered if she'd had to stop herself from looking at him.

He himself did not need the push. Hell he already knew if she was half naked and dripping w*et he'd likely be on her, his hands would be all over the woman, he wanted her. Had already seen that woman in gym gear.

She didn't look it, in her workwear, but under those close she had on was a very lean, and well-toned, lightly defined six-pack and v-line. It was not so over done like. Some of his female warriors.

Bradley found Piper very attractive, it was a shame that those golden brown eyes of hers, never smiled up at him, not directly anyway. He'd seen her smile plenty with Brandon and Izzy, but never at him, for him. Still had to work on that.

Today had gone better than he'd hoped for, better than he had planned. She not only listened to him but had talked to him about her linage. Bradley knew he was supposed to let Annabella do that. He'd thought and still did that it was better coming from him, so she understood that he did know about her type of wolf.

Now the fun she was letting Brandon have, to see here inside the pack. Bradley knew that Piper had meant what she'd said, that she didn't want Brandon to want for anything, she would give their boy everything, even if she didn't like it herself. She had seen how happy and excited he was at the park, had expanded on that just to see him even more happy.

Though her being here, because Brandon wanted to be here, still bothered him, knew she likely meant that too. Which meant that he now had to be careful not to get the boy to tell her to stay. He wanted Piper to make that decision for herself. Wanted her to stay and be his Mate of her own free will, not just to please Brandon or give him what he wanted.

He might have to sit down with the boy and explain it to him, so he didn't just unwittingly tell her what he wanted, to get his own way. He had no idea if the boy or his wolf knew just how much pull they had on their mother and her actions or reactions, for that

matter.

They all walked back towards the pack-house once all the mud was gone and towels were wrapped snuggly around Brandon and Izzy. "Piper I have put you and Brandon in the Luna's suite. It's across the hall from my room."

He knew she knew where his room was, just hoped she was alright with this. She didn't say anything at all, just nodded her head, she was holding Brandon's hand the entire way, he would be to, but the boy was holding his towel closed so he couldn't, but he was walking on the other side of the boy. They would look like a family walking this way. It made him happy, Benson too. Seems his wolf was also happy with the day's interactions.

Though Aspen was asleep currently, it might change when he woke up.

They walked into the pack-house to find Lilly and his father, Benjamin, coming down the stairs. This would be the first time he'd seen them since their arrival. They both smiled at Bradley, then he saw his father's eyes move to Piper and then the boy. The man looked very happy that she and the boy were here in the pack, but it was Lilly who spoke first.

"Bradley, you haven't seen your sister Hadley now, have you? missing again it seems." she shook her head a little.

"What?" he huffed, annoyed with the girl instantly.

"Sorry not actually missing. just ignoring everyone I guess."

"Oh," he calmed down. "She's having boyfriend trouble apparently, Cooper was handling it. Apparently. the wolf is paranoid about my reaction."

"What boyfriend?" his father interjected. " know nothing about this."

"I only found out myself today, it's only recent, I believe, Cooper said just after she turned 18"

"Hmm, I bet he's paranoia is well founded. You are very protective of your little sister."

Lilly nodded. "Let it go, I'll talk to her myself later, now please. Explain to me, why your all w*et?" She frowned at him and waved her hand at Brandon and Izzy more specifically than he and Eddie.

"Mud fight." Eddie chuckled.

Bradley shook his head. "Piper wanted to show Brandon the agility course, then she turned the sprinklers on us while Eddie and I ran it for Brandon to see."

Heard his father snort with amusement, "I like her, already son." saw the man turn his eyes to Piper. "It's good to finally see you sweetheart."

Saw her just stare at the man and say nothing. He would have been her Alpha for the most part of her life here, wondered what feelings she had towards him. Did she blame him for anything? It was possible. His father seemed to understand and didn't push it. Turned to Brandon and hunkered down "Now I hear, you are big and strong already, beat two of the Alpha Unit already in a running challenge, beat them good and proper." "I did. I beat Uncle Eddie and Harry."

"Hey! I'm owed a rematch, Izzy tricked me into getting off that treadmill" Eddie stated.

"I still won." Brandon poked his tongue out at him.

"You did indeed, young man, stepping off a treadmill is as good as giving up. Now come here and give your grandpa a big hug." he held out both his arms to the boy.

Bradley watched as Brandon actually took a step towards his mother. He might be willing to talk to the man but was not ready to hug a complete stranger after two minutes of conversation. He saw her hand slide through the boy's hair, a comforting gesture he thought.

"Not yet ready" Bradley commented quietly, motioning for his father to get up. He didn't want the man pushing the boy.

"Well, I guess I am a stranger to the boy." He huffed as he stood up, but then smiled down at Brandon "What about dinner in the private dining room? All of us together?"

Bradley looked at Piper. He had no idea if she would be comfortable with that. "We'll see, perhaps tomorrow, father. Give Piper and Brandon a chance to be a bit more comfortable."

Saw his father nod and then turned to walk away.

"Now Bradley, about Hadley's boyfriend, some slack when you meet him. She is an adult now, you know."

"If he's game to meet me," Bradley snorted. "Likely thinks I'm going to beat him senseless."

Heard a shocked gasp, knew it was from Brandon and realised what he'd said in front of the boy. He looked right at him "I would never do that Brandon." He told him quickly, "Just an expression is all." He added "Come on let's get you upstairs a warm shower or bath and some cleaner dry clothes."

He could have kicked himself for that comment, he was trying to make the boy more comfortable with him, but here in the pack he had fallen in to his Alpha mentality and stated what was completely natural for him, beating someone was part of his job, how was he going to explain that to young Brandon, if he'd grown up here he would know this already and it wouldn't be a problem.

The school here taught not only human world subjects but ran wolfen society classes as well. He would learn all about who was in charge and how packs ran, who punished who and what crimes were punishable, that the Alpha Wolf was not just the leader but expected to beat and punish those who needed it.

Not that he would actually beat this wolf, who was Hadley's boyfriend. A stern talking-to would do, though he didn't know who the wolf was at this point. Didn't seem that anyone did but Cooper. Would have to talk to that man.

Would hunt him down after his own shower, actually hadn't seen Cooper since Hadley had stalked off away from him down the Alpha corridor away from him, was likely attending to pack business, he knew the man was capable and was handling everything so that Bradley could focus solely on Piper. Was thankful for that. Could well be in Helena in the office for all Bradley knew.