27. Oren
Chapter 27
Oren
I whistled as I walked toward my office. What an excellent time to be alive. I honestly didn’t know how my day could get any better. The look on Reverie’s face after my big revelation was fantastic. I knew my father would be pissed I shared that information, but I could give a fuck less about that old bastard’s opinion. The agenda that was in the works was my own and didn’t include the fucked-up Faction that raised me. After the things that had been done to me as a child, any feelings I had for my parents were long dead.
Entering my office, I was surprised to see Pantar stretched out on my floor. Shutting the door behind me, I leaned back in my chair and waited to see what he had to say.
Rising slowly to his feet and showing all his sharp teeth in a jaw-cracking yawn, Pantar turned his gaze to me.
“Is the complicated web you are weaving coming together as you expected?”
“I’m not sure I want to tell you. You haven’t been subtle in your favoritism to your newly bonded.” I crossed my arms behind my head.
“It is not just favoritism. She is unequivocally my favorite.” Pantar smiled, displaying those deadly teeth.
“Ouch! That stings my old friend.” I grinned, contradicting the hurt in my voice.
“I think you lie, Storm. You care not that my loyalty is to your Nexus.”
“So, all the secrets are coming out?” My grin grew even more prominent.
“There have never been secrets between us. Luckily, I know your intentions and approve of most of them. I would prefer you go about them differently, but our goals are the same.” Pantar leveled a look at me.
“I’m sure you would, but just because she’s going to be my Nexus doesn’t mean I won’t put her through shit to make sure she’s strong enough to deal with what’s coming. Her other bonded are too blinded by their feelings for her. I want her survival more than her approval.” I smiled wryly.
“My pack has passed down stories from days long past, and I am glad you understand more about the Factions of old. When I was observing your lecture, I noticed you left out some information.”
Once again, a grin graced my face, “I can’t tell her all of my secrets if I want her as my Nexus sooner rather than later.”
“Tread carefully, my friend. Her other Faction members aren’t going to forgive easily, and neither is she.” He brushed by me stopping to lick the side of my face with his rough tongue.
I narrowed my eyes at him and wiped my face, “The information I found leads me to believe she will forgive way quicker than her Faction might, but I can deal with them. With her as our focus, we will come together to protect our center.”
“I hope all goes as you plan, Storm. I must check on Reverie and continue hunting to strengthen my skills.” Pantar was gone in the blink of an eye.
Well, that went much better than expected. I knew Pantar disagreed with my methods but acknowledged they had a purpose. Things were on the horizon that would require every bit of my ruthlessness and cunning to keep my Faction intact.
Until now, everything had been to test Reverie’s ability to deal with adversity. If I was correct about things to come, she would need every bit of the stubbornness and strength her sexy body contained…... and what a body it was. Those eyes were liquid gold, and when she trained them on me, even in anger, I felt chills up and down my spine. Not to mention I could drive nails into concrete with my dick when I watched her complete the courses like they were nothing. Reverie was my perfect match and here just in time to save me. Some would say it was luck, but luck had fuck all to do with it. I made shit happen. I didn’t wait around like a bitch.
Whether I deserved it or not, I was eager to complete my Faction. Reverie had begun to call the strongest to her soon after she arrived. I knew she wasn’t aware of this, but it didn’t change the truth. I approved of all her choices. Fortunately, otherwise, I would have been forced to make some hard decisions. No weakness could be allowed in a Faction I would be a part of.
Jet was interesting. I had observed him extensively, and I knew Jet’s secret. His allegiance was divided, but I knew that his loyalty would lie solely with his Faction as soon as the bond was complete. More importantly, his Nexus. Jet’s contacts may come in handy if shit went down as I expected it to. His ability to integrate into the Aurathion culture so quickly impressed me, along with his athleticism in the obstacle courses. He was going to be an impressive Faction brother.
Reverie’s first Faction member initially concerned me. However, on closer observation, his loyalty and strength became obvious. Nathan could be vicious and, he had little doubt, a killer when defending his Nexi. I looked forward to teaching him more discretion at the first opportunity. The nickname didn’t matter now, but other things would. Plus, I owed the little shit for the punch in the face. Nathan and I would probably have to take a turn in the Arena, and I was looking forward to it. I knew I was going to end up being Reverie’s bitch, but I’d be damned if I was going to wear a t-shirt announcing it to the world. Some things needed to be kept on the down-low for the sake of my reputation.
The twins were a bonus. We had been good friends before I was forced to put distance between us. I expected their abilities to be tremendous and help us through the days ahead. They were both loyal to the extreme and almost as ruthless as me. I knew they would be invaluable in helping our Faction work together as a unit. It was vital that we accomplished that, the future of Aurathion and humankind might depend on it.
I felt like everything was coming together on schedule. I just hoped things would hold off until we were ready. My sources thought it would only be a matter of weeks, possibly even days.
Reverie was due in my office soon, and I needed to decide what to do with the information I’d found out last night. The ability to become invisible had come in handy before, but nothing like it did yesterday. I couldn’t stop smiling when I thought about her reaction to my lecture, I was sure she had no idea it was a warning. I wanted her to begin to wrap her mind around how important she was and, if I was honest, see how she handled the information. I couldn’t believe she was the one my father had been searching for.
This changed things and made it even more critical for us to complete the bond. Now that I knew she didn’t need the ritual, I had to devise a way to initiate our joining, with or without her consent. The completion of our Faction needed to happen sooner rather than later, and I was sure that as soon as I bonded with Reverie, the rest of her guys would insist on following me. I was counting on it.
My mouth curled up in a sinister smile. I’m sure I resembled the Grinch that Reverie had compared me to. I had just decided on a plan of action. My meeting with Reverie was going to be fun. If everything went as I wanted, I would meet Reverie’s family as a member of her Faction. The next few hours were going to be life changing. However, I doubted my future Faction would enjoy it as much as I would.
I hurried out of my office. I had a few tweaks to make before Reverie arrived. They better buckle the fuck up. Daddy was coming home. My laugh echoed down the hallway at the thought.